Buddon Links in huge £500k renovation

Carnoustie course introduces two new holes on its ‘third’ course and creates an impressive new short game area for use by visitors

KNOWN around the world for its Championship links - thought by many to be the toughest golf course in the world - Carnoustie Golf Links has just completed a £500,000 upgrade to its Buddon Links layout.

The newest of the three courses at the Angus club - it opened in 1979 - several significant changes have been carried out, including the removal of the existing first hole; the merging of the ninth and tenth holes into a new par-5 ninth, and the construction of two completely new par-4s.

UPGRADES

The tenth hole now has a new green and plays with a slight dog-leg left, with water all down the right-hand side. The new 11th again features water on the right, playing into a green guarded on the front left by two bunkers. The perfect tee shot here is a soft draw away from trouble.

The next is another new hole and a challenge into the wind, so getting a good drive away is essential. Leave it too far left and you face a tough shot, longer than you would want. The perfect shot - and the danger shot - is to try and cut the corner.

The decision to remove the first hole came after it was reduced from a par-4 to a par-3 when the town’s new golf centre was built. The changes have resulted in Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas’ original design increasing in length from 5,420 yards to 6,088, and the par has risen, too, from 65 to 68 for men, and from 64 to 67 for ladies.

New Carnoustie Golf Links management committee chairman, Pat Sawers, unveiled the new-look course alongside Angus Provost, Helen Oswald, and immediately predicted big things for the future of the course, with belief that the changes will continue to attract people to it.

“The changes have proved very popular with both locals and visitors and should help to relieve pressure on our Burnside course,” said Sawers.

“The decision to remove what became the par-3 first hole after we built our new golf centre has also freed up space to develop a short game practice area.

“The changes can only help to reinforce Carnoustie’s reputation as one of the world’s premier golfing centres.”

Provost Oswald added: “I was very impressed with what I saw and congratulate the head greenkeeper and his staff for doing a great job.

“It has been a substantial investment so that’s good for the local economy and the changes are sure to attract golfers from far and wide.”

TOP LINKS The second hole on the Buddon Links,

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