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Montrose (Medal), Scotland |
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Montrose Golf Links
Traill Drive
Montrose
Angus
DD10 8SW
Scotland |  | Old Tom Morris, Willie Park Junior |  | Jason Boyd |
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 | +44 (0) 1674 672932 |  | 1 mile from Montrose centre |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance - restricted at weekends |  | Claire Penman |
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Did you know that the Medal course at Montrose Golf Links is the fifth 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 2nd oldest existing royal club in the world; only 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.
The original design was probably laid down by Mother Nature and at one stage, the course was unique in that it boasted 25 holes, but in 1901, Old Tom Morris made alterations. Two years later, Willie Park Junior made further modifications and little has changed since.
This is a traditional Scottish links course with delightful springy 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 was the final qualifying course for the 1999 Open that was held at Carnoustie. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | |  Played Montrose Medal late May 2012 preceeding a trip to Kingsbarns, expecting a mediocre gap filler. Was pleasantly surprised by what turned out to be a challenging yet friendly links experience. For a course that dates so far back the design and layout lends itself well to the modern game, with a number of holes playing over 400 yards (SI1 440) and many holes requiring length and accuracy off the tee. A superb variation in the par 3's ranging from 140 - 240 yards, a good mix of elevated tees, undulating fairways and dogleg par fours, help to make Montrose an interesting and strategic test of golf. Great time of year to see acres of gorse in full bloom.. A true delight as long as you don't hit your ball into it! |
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| 29 May 2012
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| | I have played here 3 times now and am a real fan. There is a real " away from it all " feeling from the 2nd to the 11th and there are some sizeable dunes which add to the interest, particularly on the front 9. It has been in good condition each time I have played, notwithstanding some comments from earlier reviewers. The stretch on and alongside the dunes from 2nd to 7th is particularly strong and coming home anyone needing to score well from the 14th will struggle, with the 18th the only respite. CF |
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| 03 September 2011
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| | Played the course in May on a warm,sunny but breezy day. The course was SUPERB. The greens were true and reasonably quick and a majority of holes on the front 9 were directly by the sea.
If you strayed off the fairways you were undoubetdly in touble with bright yellow gorse. A great test of golf.
I have played about 30 of the current British top 100 and struggle to see why this one is at 100 in comparison to some others I have played. |
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| 08 June 2011
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| | After reading the reviews, I was looking forward to playing this course.For the first time ever I nearly asked for a refund. Course was looking tired and untidy and I thought the signage was poor as well.Playing the course - Tees were ok, Fairways were in a very poor state, do they do any divoting.A lottery if you landed on grass or not.Bunkers were untidy and were needing renovating or at least cut and tidied.Approaches were ok and so were the paths etc.There is no excuse for poor greens, Grass was patchy on some greens and some were soft and some were hard.The greens were castellated across all the greens due to poor cutting or a badly set cutter.I saw a fair few weeds on some of my lines as well.You cannot putt on greens like this and it spoiled the whole experience. Played Royal Aberdeen next day and my faith was restored in east coast links.Stonehaven a wee course further up the coast was in better condition.Will give this part of the east coast a miss in future |
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| 12 February 2011
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| Response: | | | danh | 15 February 2011 | | The course wasn't fully open this time last year, potentially that was the issue ? We played at the end of March 2010 and found it in great condition, very friendly and excellent condition. |
| | | A truly wonderful links course right up there with Turnberry and Dornoch. The Pro Shop and Clubhouse are very ordinary but we come to play Golf don't we...The front 9 hugs the coast with wonderful sea smells and bracing winds. Holes 9 and 17 are 2 of the best par 4's in world golf and both played into the wind on our day. Treasured memory and won the money.. |
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| 04 October 2010
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| | Have played several times over the past decade on Scottish golf trips. I have never understood why this course remains somewhat "under the radar." It deserves more credit and attention. It is an excellent links. Visitors are warmly greeted. |
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| 13 July 2010
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| | I played Montrose Medal yesterday, the first time since competing in the Scottish Universities Championship there circa 1989 as a raven-haired, snake-hipped youth with the putting stroke of Tiger Woods. Now every new morn brings another grey hair, my 38” Wranglers seem to shrink with every wash and I have the putting stroke of Victoria Woods. Thankfully Montrose Medal is every bit as good as I had remembered – possibly even better. Montrose Medal is real, traditional, organic, true, natural, holistic, beautiful, egalitarian, Scottish, honest, democratic, joyous. No I’m not 100% sure what I’m havering about either but courses like Montrose seem to defy clinical, objective assessment – they trigger something deep in the soul and leave you (or me, rather) rooting for the perfect word to explain how you feel, not what you think. The first is as challenging an opener as I have played. Holes 2- 8 hug the dunes in a lovely stretch. 14th is a real toughy. The 15th is a great par 5 that requires calculating strategy. At 226yrds from the yellows the 16th is a par3 that would grace any championship course in the land. Oh yes, and all the rest are pretty lovely too – just don’t forget to take your rescue club; strategy will win over brawn every time here. I’m 5-balling Montrose as it possibly hasn’t quite got the grand “scale” of Carnoustie or Dornoch or the likes but I love this course and it is in my personal top 10. Derek, Edinburgh, July 2010. |
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| 13 July 2010
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| Response: | | | Terry parker | 15 July 2010 | | A democratic golf course? | | | dan | 03 September 2011 | | Definitely democratic in the sense that anyone can come and play, there is no driving range, and the members of the clubs are so friendly. Compare and contrast to Skibo, Loch Lomond etc. Loved it. |
| | | Congratulations to Montrose on its bi-Centenary. We played Montrose as part of the Carnoustie Dream Ticket and thoroughly enjoyed the course. What a friendly place, during our post round pint the Captain took time out of his preparations for that evening's gala do to come and find out how we visitors had found 'his' course. We were happy to tell him that we whilst being beaten up by the wind we thoroughly enjoyed the test. It's a traditional course in that the first tee is by the pro shop, there is no practice range, and you need to be on your game straight away. The course is very natural, there are some great sea views and the greens were in great nick. Excellent value and a strong recommendation. |
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| 09 May 2010
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| | I played here recently in the Royal Montrose Mens Open and thoroughly enjoyed myself on a classic traditional Scottish links. There is no gentle opener here, the first hole requires a decent drive followed by a mid-long iron uphill to the green - take a bogey 5 and move on. Holes 2-7 are the highlight of the round - running northwards parallel to the North Sea and separated from the beach by only a thin line of dunes. There are short par 4s, long par 4s, a great par 3 and a brilliant par 5 - just enjoy and try to keep it straight!. The course turns south on the short but well bunkered 8th and continues on the long and tough 9th. All in all, a fabulous front 9. Holes 10-14 towards the town are probably the least interesting on the course - they are not bad holes, but don't have the X-factor of the previous 9. Things return to normal with the excellent par 5 15th and the brutal par "3" 16th - 254 yards to the pin from the medal tee according to my partner's GPS! The 17th is another tough test of golf requiring a long drive to a tight fairway then a long iron or fairway metal to an elevated green. The 18th is a mid length par 4 from an elevated tee - a good chance to finish with a par or birdie. |
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| 18 August 2009
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| | Proudly proclaiming to be the 5th oldest golf course in the world, Montrose Medal is a course that shouldn’t be missed by any golfing connoisseur. Don’t be put off by the fact that it isn’t as hyped up, and I don’t mean that in a disparaging way, as other courses in the area, Montrose Medal is a genuine links diamond which you will rave about long after. Due to its multiple clubs and clubhouses Montrose reminds me of Carnoustie and Monifieth so if you have played at either of these venues and liked it, you will love Montrose. At first glance you may wonder what all the fuss is about after all; it is only 6,200 yards off the yellows but, once you encounter the humps and hollows, the capricious bounces, the killer gorse and crafty bunkering and last, but not least, the ever present wind from the North Sea which, defends the course from the would be Tigers, you will clasp Montrose to your golfing bosom and love it like one of your children. Loads of great holes on the course but my favourites are the 1st, a short par four which you drive uphill to a green within earshot of the North Sea. The 3rd a short par 3 to a table top green. The 5th, similar to the 1st but with a narrow undulated entrance further complicated by deep bunkers. And the 9th, which sees you driving over gorse to reach a hummocky fairway. But the thing I shall remember the most about Montrose Medal is the sheer romance of the Montrose Steeple which is never far away from your eye line. No review of Montrose Medal would be complete without mentioning the outstanding hospitality we received on the day we played (it was Halloween which, was strangely fitting for me as I dressed up like a golfer as opposed to playing like one).Even though the Chef at the Royal Montrose clubhouse was about to leave for the day he insisted on staying on to ensure we were fed and watered before our 3 hour drive back to Glasgow. Things like that live long in the memory and I, for one, would love return to Montrose Medal hopefully in the not too distant future. MPPJ |
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| 06 November 2008
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| Response: | | | Lasse Lindevall | 01 February 2009 | | The Montrose course is truly a gem and for someone like me it is an experience to get to play a course as old as this one. |
| | | 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. |
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| 28 July 2008
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| | 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!
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| 29 June 2007
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| | 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 |
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| 25 April 2006
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| Response: | | | John Dorward | 21 January 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 | 08 February 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! |
| | | 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 over
400 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 |
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| 23 January 2005
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