Arbroath Golf Links

Founded:
Type:
Architect:
Length:
Holes:
Par:
 
1877
Links
Old Tom Morris
6, 200
18
70

Re- design 1907 - Willie Fernie

Re -design 1931 - James Braid

Arbroath Golf Course is a traditional links course with a great pedigree. Designed originally by Old Tom Morris in 1877 the course was updated by Willie Fernie in 1907 and then in 1931 the great James Braid did a re-design. Dunes run the length of the course on the seaward side which means the wind is always a factor. Besides the sea breezes there are over 70 bunkers to contend with and Braid bunkers can be penal. An out of bounds runs down the length of the course on the first 7 holes and comes into play on the 13th and 18th holes on the right hand side of the course.

Three burns run across the course towards the sea and come into play on 8 holes. There is plenty to challenge all levels of golfer on Arbroath with a par of 68 off box tees and 70 off the medal tees At the end of the round relax in the spacious lounge of Arbroath Golf Club overlooking the 18th green or on a nice day sit outside in the beer garden enjoying a meal or snack with a drink and watch other golfers trying to master the course.

Old Tom Morris

Born in St. Andrews | 1821 - 1908

He was a sporting hero of his time and golfs first iconic
figure. He was the first golf professional engaged by a club (Preswick)  to provide a golfing service to its members. He was also the first professional to design and build a course from scratch in 1851(Preswick). Old Tom Morris played in the first 36 British Opens winning 4times. In 1877 he was given the task of designing a course at Arbroath Golf Links also known as the Elliot Links which at that time was 9 holes either side of the railway. He opened the course on the 9th March 1878 playing in an exhibition match against another famous professional of the time Mr Rob Dow.

Willie Fernie

Born in St. Andrews | 1855 - 1924
Willie Fernie was golf professional at Royal Troon for 37 years. He won the 1883 Open Championship and was runner up no less than 4 times.  In 1907 he was asked by the management committee at Arbroath Golf Links to re-design the course. More land had become available to the west of the railway and his remit was to fit 18 holes into the land. It wasn’t possible to fit in 9 holes out and 9 holes in the traditional manner and he came up with the unique design that exists to day. 7 out, 3 back, 2 out, 3 back, 1 out and 2 back.

James Braid

Born in Elie | 1870 - 1950
James Braid was a golf professional and renowned golf course designer. He won the British Open 5 times. In 1912 Braid retired from tournament golf and became a golf professional at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey. He was responsible for designing, building and remodelling over 200 golf courses in the UK, 40 of them in Scotland including Arbroath Golf Links.