189 - Carnoustie (Burnside)

Location: Carnoustie, Scotland

Rating: 8.0

Unfortunately we were not able to get onto the Championship course at Carnoustie so opted to play the Burnside and Buddon courses on consecutive days. Starting with the Burnside it was a lovely course, really good fun course to play. Sort of in a linksy style course with some tree lined holes it wasn’t too dissimilar in layout and style of golf to Panmure just up the round. It neighbours the Championship for a fair few holes so you get to see a glimpse of the famous Open course.

The course was in fantastic condition, probably as good as you’d get on the main course. It is a thinking course, during the drier months when the course is hard it really plays a bit shorter than you’d imagine as the ball tends to get quite a lot of roll with raises before many greens allowing for you to pitch and run the ball on.

The 6th hole, a par 4, has an awesome green nestled in behind a mound with 2 bunkers embedded on the fairway facing side, really cool approach. They have a bunch of really good links holes with pot bunkers littered throughout. The course is only a par 68 but at 5,450 meters still plays a decent length and especially if you play on a windy day it can be tough. There are a lot of areas though that are cut down so makes it somewhat forgiving.

It is only a short walk from the main clubhouse and there is a separate wee starters hut with putting green. Sadly no driving range. Unlike the main course which looked extremely busy, the Burnside was much quieter with the odd group here and there, really a very pleasant and enjoyable round! Definitely tag it onto your trip if you are playing the Championship Course.