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The Nestie is a free five-hole development golf course at Carnoustie Golf Links in Angus, Scotland, positioned beside Links House and close to the first fairway of the Championship Course. It was originally created as a six-hole short course in 2014 on ground associated with the former first hole of the Buddon Course. After closing ahead of the 2018 Open Championship, when part of the area was incorporated into the event's Spectator Village, Carnoustie's greenkeeping team redesigned the course over the following winter.
The new five-hole Nestie reopened on 26 April 2019 with rebuilt tees and greens, two additional bunkers and holes ranging from 45 to 116 yards. Carnoustie describes it as a development course intended particularly for children, families, beginners and golfers learning the game, although it is open to anyone rather than being restricted to juniors. There is no green fee and no tee-time restriction.
The course is a 5-hole golf course. The course originally opened in 2014. It is open to the public. On-site facilities include Club Hire, Golf Lessons, Junior Golf.
The Nestie was created as part of changes to the eastern end of Carnoustie Golf Links associated with redevelopment of the Buddon Course. A contemporary independent account records that the original six-hole short course opened in 2014 on what had previously been the Buddon's first fairway. Carnoustie committee minutes from December 2014 already refer to maintenance and winter tee mats on The Nestie, confirming that it was established and in regular use by that year.
The course was conceived as an accessible place for juniors and beginners while remaining open to other golfers.
The Nestie has been developed around introductory rather than championship golf. Carnoustie describes it as a place where children, families and beginners can learn the game without the pressures associated with a full-length course. The R&A reported that the layout can be played with little more than a wedge and putter.
Its role is also built into the Carnoustie Craws junior pathway: young golfers play the Nestie before progressing onto shortened versions of the Burnside Course.
The original Nestie contained six par-three holes. It closed ahead of the 2018 Open Championship while part of the site was used for the tournament's Spectator Village. During the following winter, Carnoustie's own greenkeeping team substantially rebuilt the facility, converting it from six holes to five.
The work included reconstruction of tees and greens and the addition of two bunkers. The redesigned Nestie officially reopened on 26 April 2019. Carnoustie stated that its new holes varied from 45 to 116 yards, deliberately providing more variety than the earlier layout.
The R&A highlighted The Nestie in 2022 as part of Carnoustie's approach to introducing children and families to golf. The facility has also been used for Carnoustie's Junior Open events, introductory coaching, wheelchair golf programmes and Golf Memories activities.
The Nestie remains a five-hole development course beside Links House at Carnoustie Golf Links. It is free to play for members and non-members alike and has no normal tee-time restrictions. Golfers who do not have equipment can borrow clubs without charge from Links House.
Carnoustie continues to use the course extensively within its junior and beginner programmes, while also making it available for informal family and recreational golf.
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| Fee Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free to Play | Contact course | Carnoustie states that The Nestie is free for anyone to use, with no restrictions on when it can be played. |
Prices are indicative and subject to change. Contact the course to confirm current rates.
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