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The Carnoustie Championship Course is an 18-hole links course in Angus, Scotland, with a documented golfing history stretching back centuries. Parish records indicate golf was being played at Carnoustie by 1560. Robert Chambers laid out an early course in 1834, Allan Robertson created a 10-hole course in 1842, and Old Tom Morris established an 18-hole layout in 1873.
James Braid carried out a major upgrade in 1926 ahead of Carnoustie's emergence as an Open Championship venue. The current White tees measure 6,945 yards at par 72, with a course rating of 75.2 and slope of 139. The course is characterised by firm links ground, extensive bunkering, out-of-bounds boundaries, ditches and the Barry Burn, which comes prominently into play through the closing stretch.
The course is an 18-hole links golf course. It plays to par 72, 6,351m (6,945 yards), course rating 75.2 and slope rating 139. Designed by Old Tom Morris, the course originally opened in 1873. It is open to the public. On-site facilities include Professional Shop, Putting Green, Chipping Area, Caddie Service, Club Hire, Push Trolley Hire, Electric Trolley Hire, Golf Buggy Hire - Registered Disabled Golfers Only, and 8 more.
Golf at Carnoustie predates the formal course by centuries. The Links' official heritage timeline records a reference to 'gowff' in local parish records in 1560. Edinburgh author and publisher Robert Chambers was credited with properly laying out a rudimentary course in 1834, and the arrival of the railway four years later helped make the town more accessible.
Carnoustie Golf Club was formed in 1839. In 1842 Allan Robertson, one of the leading early professionals in the game, created a 10-hole course. The decisive step toward the present Championship Course came in 1873, when Old Tom Morris was brought in to create an 18-hole layout measuring 4,565 yards.
The course developed through adaptation of natural links ground rather than from a single modern construction project. Old Tom Morris's 1873 routing established the 18-hole foundation, using the flat and subtly contoured coastal terrain, burns, ditches and exposed boundaries. Strategic hazards became progressively more important as the course evolved.
The Barry Burn crosses and borders several holes, while out of bounds, revetted bunkers and angled ditches frequently influence the preferred line of play. In 1926 James Braid was commissioned to upgrade the Championship Course. His changes strengthened the layout for championship golf and helped shape the course that hosted its first Open five years later.
Public stewardship has been central to Carnoustie's history. The town council acquired the links in 1892 'for golf in perpetuity', and a Links Management Committee assumed responsibility for upkeep in 1901. Additional land was purchased in 1902 for what is now the tenth hole.
Following Braid's 1926 work, the course staged its first Open in 1931 and was renamed the Medal Course in 1935 before the Championship designation became established. Carnoustie expanded to multiple layouts with the opening of the upgraded Burnside Course in 1934 and the Buddon Links in 1981. Links House opened in 2018 with the professional shop, changing facilities, caddiemaster operation, indoor performance centre and restaurant serving golfers across the complex.
Carnoustie's reputation has been built largely through major championship golf. Tommy Armour won the first Open staged there in 1931. Subsequent champions include Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Paul Lawrie, Padraig Harrington and Francesco Molinari.
Hogan's 1953 victory came in his only appearance in The Open, while the sixth hole's name, Hogan's Alley, reflects the line associated with his play. The 1999 championship produced one of the best-known finishes in major golf when Jean van de Velde encountered repeated trouble around the Barry Burn on the 72nd hole before Paul Lawrie ultimately won the playoff. Carnoustie has also hosted major championships in women's and senior golf.
The Championship Course remains publicly bookable through Carnoustie Golf Links rather than being restricted to a private membership. The 2026 main visitor season runs from 1 April through 31 October; during winter the Championship Course is withdrawn from normal visitor play while the Burnside and Buddon courses remain available. The current White course measures 6,945 yards at par 72 with a 75.2 course rating and 139 slope.
Links House provides a professional shop, putting and chipping practice areas, caddie services, changing facilities and seven indoor simulator bays, while The Rookery supplies restaurant and bar service.
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| Fee Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Adult – 1 April to 30 April – Championship Course | £249 | Single round. |
| 2026 Adult – 1 May to 31 October – Championship Course | £360 | Single round. |
| 2026 Junior Age 14-18 – Championship Course | £180 | Published as an all-year junior rate, although the Championship Course is not normally available for winter play from approximately 1 November through 31 March. |
| 2026 Juvenile Age 13 & Under – Championship Course | £90 | Published as an all-year juvenile rate, although the Championship Course is not normally available for winter play from approximately 1 November through 31 March. |
| 2027 Adult – 29 March to 30 April – Championship Course | £342 | Single round. |
| 2027 Adult – 1 May to 31 October – Championship Course | £450 | Single round. |
| 2027 Junior Age 14-18 – Championship Course | £225 | Published junior single-round rate. |
| 2027 Juvenile Age 13 & Under – Championship Course | £112.5 | Published juvenile single-round rate. |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Contact the course to confirm current rates.
| Front 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 |
| Metres | 367 | 398 | 315 | 343 | 354 | 475 | 360 | 153 | 380 | 3145 |
| Yards | 401 | 435 | 345 | 375 | 387 | 520 | 394 | 167 | 416 | 3440 |
| Index | 10 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 18 | 6 | - |
| Back 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Metres | 408 | 331 | 438 | 147 | 435 | 420 | 224 | 396 | 406 | 3205 | 6350 |
| Yards | 446 | 362 | 479 | 161 | 476 | 459 | 245 | 433 | 444 | 3505 | 6945 |
| Index | 3 | 15 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 11 | - | - |
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