Monifieth Golf Links (Medal), Scotland

www.monifiethgolf.co.uk

White tees  par SSS 72
Red tees    par 73 SSS 7

Monifieth golf links has been in existence officially since 1845 when it was laid out as a nine hole course and played by Panmure Golf Club which later moved to their own course which is also a true links course.  However a summons was issued in Monifieth to Robert Morome in 1639 for playing golf on a Sunday although it is not known where he played.  Between 1845 and 1871 the 9 holes were reduced to 6 increased to 10 and reduced again to 9.  Finally in 1880 the course was extended to 18 holes then lengthened and remodelled in 1898.  Despite changes over the next century the first nine are substantially the same as in 1898.

A sliced shot may encounter a train on the first few holes

We played Monifieth medal course on a sunny but breezy September day in their open mixed greensomes with Marie Vanderpeear and Ian Kerr who coincidentally are members at my home course, Murrayfield.  The course reminded us of Buddon Links(10th August 2014)) and Burnside (23rd May 2015) at Carnoustie - an unpretentious course but a good test of golf.

The first six holes run with the prevailing wind parallel to the Firth of Tay although there are no views of the water from the course as the main Aberdeen to Edinburgh railway line lies between the two.  The first four holes are par 4s for men with two of them being par 5s for ladies and have undulating fairways through shallow dunes.  The fourth is particularly memorable as its long narrow green is guarded by tall dunes on either side and requires an accurate shot into the tight entrance to the green.  The par threes (5th, 11th and 14th) are testing with well bunkered green complexes.  The 8th is a short par 4, driveable by long hitters and a definite birdie chance.  The second nine meanders to and fro until the 16th when you turn for home with three challenging holes.  The outstanding feature of the Medal course is the quality of the greens - hard, fast and perfectly true.

A view from the fairway to the 13th green

Worth playing?  Yes.  It is a fair and challenging test for the club golfer.