Letham Grange (Old) - Angus & Dundee - Scotland
Colliston,
Angus,
DD11 4RL,
Scotland
+44 (0) 1241 890373
4 miles N of Arbroath
Contact in advance - not before 10am
Ian Christine
None
Letham Grange is situated delightfully in the quiet Angus countryside. The Old course actually isn’t that old. The late Sir Henry Cotton opened it in 1987 and Donald Steel designed it. It's one of Steel's best designs. The layout is very mixed. The holes combine intimate, tree-lined fairways with others, which are open and undulating. Dangerous water hazards provide a fun and challenging round of golf. But the very best holes are set amongst the trees – the sequence of holes between the 8th and the 10th is especially strong. Golf Monthly once bracketed Letham Grange alongside Augusta. It’s a bold parallel. Letham is certainly an enjoyable, and interesting course. Measuring more than 6,600 yards, it represents a serious challenge too. Letham Grange comes in for criticism. After all, this is mighty Carnoustie country. The course is not deemed to be sufficiently traditional or Scottish – it’s an American-styled affair – target golf country. Nevertheless, it provides a welcome break from links golf and many people actually prefer this style of golf. Do not dismiss the Old course as a pushover. In 1994 and 2000, Letham Grange hosted the Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, D. Downie and S. McKenzie emerging as the respective winners. So, if you are fed up with slogging your way round the windy links courses, treat yourself to a scenic and tranquil piece of Letham Grange... but make it quick. The committee has recommended that both courses should close and the club wound up due to a long-standing legal conflict over property ownership and declining membership. |
Reviews for Letham Grange (Old)
I played Letham Grange a few years back. Pretty sad to hear the news that the golf courses will close at the end of November, 2019.
I had also stayed in the manor home prior to it closing in 2002. It was kept in relatively good condition and was a treat to stay in as well as play snooker in the large hall.
The Old Course probably should never had the tagline "The Augusta of the North." As someone who has played both Augusta National and Augusta Country Club, it does not resemble either in the least both in terms of landscape or type of golf holes. Having to cross over water on a few holes does not mean it resembles either Augusta in the USA. Stoke Park down in England also does not come close to resembling either Augusta although one sometimes hears people making that comparison.
There were some nice par 3's and par 4s on this course although I thought the trees encroached a bit much. It did not have good bunkers. And the holes out in the open were a bit of a dramatic change to the closed-in feeling of the tree-lined holes.
Still, sad to see it closed.
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Tough layout with some steep hills and some very interesting holes.
Real pity the amazing old hotel at the heart of the complex has fallen into such disrepair.
Not a good one to walk as we did I as the second 18 of the day !
Nice course but it feels a bit sad that all else that is open is a little shop to take green fees
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Letham Grange is a golf course that describes itself as the "Augusta of the North" and some of the holes are designed beautifully yet challenging the description is not too far from the truth.
Officially opened in 1987 by Sir Henry Cotton, it is a 6,632 yard par 73, Championship layout. (A parkland course incorporating both tree-lined and open fairways. It features memorable water hazards on the 8th & 10th holes. Every hole is unique, presenting a variety of challenges to every level of golfer. The blue tiger-tees layout adds another 336 yards to the length making it a fantastic championship course.
I played the Championship Course on Saturday 28 July 2018 and although not a fan of Parkland Courses I was totally taken by the design and challenges posed by this golf course. My son is a Scratch golfer and managed to birdie 2 holes and even eagle one of the Par 5s on the back 9 so if you can hit the ball straight it is possible to score well.
I do hope to return and play this golf course again and hopefully it will be in better circumstances as the club has had some financial issues in the past. These issues have resulted in difficulties in maintaining parts of the course (paths, signage etc) that hopefully will be easily resolved by the new owner. Having said that the course is very well laid out and will challenge all level of golfers and should not be missed if you are in the area.
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