Montrose (1562) - Angus & Dundee - Scotland

3rd Angus & Dundee - Best in Area 49th Scotland Ranking
Montrose Golf Links,
Traill Drive,
Montrose,
Angus,
DD10 8SW,
Scotland

  • +44 (0) 1674 672932

  • Golf Club Website

  • 1 mile from Montrose centre

  • Contact in advance - restricted at weekends

Did you know that Montrose Golf Links is considered to be the seventh oldest course in the world? Records state that golf has been played here since 1562, but the first golf club wasn’t formed until 1810. In 1845 Prince Albert granted the club royal patronage. Royal Montrose is the 3rd oldest existing royal club in the world; only the Royal Perth Golfing Society and the R&A predates it. There are now three separate golf clubs playing over these ancient links, overseen by the watchful eye of the Montrose Links Trust.

Mother Nature probably designed the original Medal course, and at one stage the layout was unique in that it boasted 25 holes. But in 1901, Old Tom Morris made alterations and two years later Willie Park Junior made further modifications. Despite many more recent developments, several of the Medal's opening holes are played over the same centuries-old linksland.

The Medal is a traditional Scottish links course with delightful crisp turf, dunes, whins (gorse to southerners), deep bunkers and tall wavy grass that changes colour and dances in the wind. The holes are laid out in an unusual T-shaped configuration. The front nine plays mainly along the shoreline and offers excellent views across the North Sea. Holes 10 to 13 turn inland before you head back home, towards the sea.

A golfing trip to Scotland would not be complete without playing this nostalgic links course. It represents a fine golfing challenge; Montrose hosted the Scottish Professional Championship in 1967 and 1970 and Final Qualifying for the Open Championship held at Carnoustie in 1999 and 2007.

In July 2018, the club dropped the name "Medal" and the links was re-branded "The 1562 Course" to mark the return of the Open Championship to Carnoustie.

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Reviews for Montrose (1562)

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Description: Did you know that Montrose Golf Links is considered to be the seventh oldest course in the world? Records state that golf has been played here since 1562 but its mighty neighbour Carnoustie has long overshadowed it. Rating: 7.1 out of 10 Reviews: 24
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Shaun
Sadly we had to curtail our round at Montrose after 12 holes due to lightening, Enjoyed the course which was a good test of golf, whilst the numerous club houses was a little confusing both the welcome and food provided was excellent. Well worth a visit and hopefully I will be returning soon to complete my round.
July 28, 2008
6 / 10
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Mark Jeffery
Oh Montrose, what a wonderful, wonderful experience and one I would repeat over and over again given the chance! A golf course since 1562, it felt like every undulation on the fairways and every break on the greens could tell a story. We arrived at lunchtime in the sunshine and ate an excellent lunch in the Mercantile Golf Club looking out at the 1st tee, but by the time we teed off ourselves a sea-mist had rolled in all but completely shrouding the course, all could be heard was the waves breaking against the coast a few yards away! The course is a combination of holes built right next to the shoreline in the dunes and holes built on the flatter land behind the dunes. Those by the coast are truly amazing with fairways that are constantly rolling with many an elephant buried here! Those behind the dunes are flatter but no less challenging or enjoyable. All the holes are excellently designed, have beautifully manicured and fast greens and bunkering that will leave you tearing your hair out! I recommend Montrose completely!
June 29, 2007
10 / 10
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Richard Smith
The links at Montrose don't seem to get quite the credit it deserves. This probably stems from its location. Being north of Carnoustie, most golfers in the St. Andrews area probably don't take it in, while golfers traveling from the north make make it over to Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen but not all the way down to Montrose. I would make every effort to visit the fine town of Montrose and play this course. The course begins by heading directly into some awesome dunes that are distinctly reminiscent of the dunes at the front nine of Royal Aberdeen. These are some wonderful and challenging holes. There is a stretch on the back nine that runs back towards the town through some heavy gorse, and these holes are not quite as exciting as the holes in the dunes. However, 17 is a world class par three and the finishing hole is a wonderful short par four with just enough challenge to make the end of your round both exciting and enjoyable. I enjoy all the links course on the east coast of Scotland, and I would highly recommend taking in the links at Monifieth, Panmure, and Montrose as well as the famous Carnoustie links. You won't be disappointed. Richard Smith Knoxville, Tennessee
April 25, 2006
8 / 10
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Response
John Dorward
January 21, 2008
Dear Sir, Montrose Links is as you say a wonderful Golf venue, however can I correct you in that the par three you mention is the 16th not 17th.
Richard Smith
February 08, 2008
Thanks for the correction. It has been several years since I played at Montrose and my memory failed me. Nonetheless, a fantastic one shotter!
Jim McCann

I played in the Royal Montrose Open in June 2004 and had a great day out. Not the longest of courses with only four of its thirteen par fours over400 yards (I checked my spare scorecard). The clubhouse staff were very accomodating, especially when they found out I'd travelled two and a half hours to play in their Open.

It was strange though to see two other clubhouses nearby for the same track – what is it with these Scottish East coast courses which have two or more attached clubs – have there been so many terrible fueds in years gone by that the memberships have split and never been able to patch things up since?

As to the course itself, I thought the greens were slow and tee boxes were a little tatty – to be honest, the whole course had a tired feel to it, as if it takes a hammering with the number of people who play on it (what with three clubs and visitors). Still, to play such an old, historical course for a very modest price is not to be sneered at. Instead, the accessibility offered should be applauded.

Jim McCann

January 23, 2005
6 / 10
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