Situated miles from the sea, Forfar presents some unusual bumps very much like a links course. The ground was once used for the drying of flax and the rolling swells that now cross many fairways are the results of this process. Meanwhile, a rich growth of conifer and larch trees form the avenues that are Forfar's other main characteristic. Although Old Tom Morris laid out the first course, James Braid was responsible for the present course layout in 1926. On the front nine, the outstanding hole is the fifth, a par three with its tee set back into the trees. It is a long carry with a steep bank ahead of the green.

The 12th is a tough par four, but the 15th, 'Braid's Best', is the signature hole, a dogleg right. With the green sitting high on a rise, the ideal shot is a fade off the tee and fade for the second.