‘The most challenging links in the world’ – a warm welcome to Carnoustie. The famed course has been aptly nicknamed ‘Car-nasty’ by many amateur golfers and is best remembered for famous implosions over the closing stretch.
The Barry Burn winds its way across a few holes on the course and seems to have a magnetic attraction to a golf ball. The crew were excited to test out the track and see how the reputation has developed and why Carnoustie has become well known as the toughest layout on the Open rota.
The stands for the Open have gone up along the main stretch of holes and the construction of the seating area around the first tee box is well underway. The 1.40pm start time was therefore a good opportunity to experience how the course will be set up come Open time.
The opening stretch of holes is not particularly long off the white tees but demand accuracy for the second or third (if you find the gorse) shots.
The greens at Carnoustie were running pretty quick – somewhere around 10th – and come Open time will be very challenging.
Carnoustie has developed a reputation as being the toughest layout to play in Scotland and golfers flock to test themselves on the Links. The field was full on the day we played and they are certainly pushing the rounds in before the 147th. Having played a number of the other courses in the region it is difficult not to compare the experiences and to be honest we were left wanting a bit more from such a famed track.
The crew commented that Carnoustie seems to lack soul, is underwhelming and does not have the storied history of the other Open courses we have played. It is also not aesthetically pleasing – in fact, it seems contrived and we actually thought it was punishing of reasonable shot making with run-offs in excess of 50 metres on occasions when you hit a decent shot.
Our scores reflected the more difficult nature of the course and there were very few instances where we felt in control on the approaches. Bossco put together an excellent run from the 3rd onwards and his par on the 6th – the famous Hogan’s Alley was a real highlight.
The Wess unfortunately hit his only below average drive of the tour into the “Oscar Bravo” area on the left – a man walking his dog returned the ball so no damage done. Smiley made an incredible up and down later in the round where he had to play his shot off one knee (the Nasty does bring you to that level). The Good Doctor managed to par 18 which was a personal highlight albeit not under the pressure that the players normally feel coming up the final hole. It was terrific to putt out with the stands up.
The pairs match was competitive over the opening stretch, but Bossco produced a run of quality golf to stretch away with Smiley. The Good Doctor and The Wess never got out of first gear at the “Car-Nasty” and were handed a solid beating. Bossco played solid golf most of the day and it was only a poor finish that cost him a very respectable haul of points. He still went on to claim the Champion Golfer of the day over the toughest course. A super effort!
Carnoustie is a test of golf and will leave you a bit weather-beaten after your 18 holes.
The general view was that it was good to play the course, but would not be added to the category of courses we would like to play every week. Golf is typically a very challenging sport which requires as much muscle as it does artistry. ‘Car-Nasty’ seems to penalize the good shot in too many instances and frustrate in a way that gets into every players head. The implosions that have happened over the closing stretches would typify what is likely to happen to the keen amateur.
You will flirt with the Barry Burn, you will get unbelievable bounces and you will find an unplayable lie in a deep bunker. It is part of the course and the storied history. It is not “everyone’s cup of tea” but will likely continue to be popular as long as it truly tests the legends of the game.
The next few days of the Open Venues Tour are a logistical challenge with travel up to Northern Ireland for Royal Portrush and then back to England for the remaining four courses. It’s going to be a great run. Royal Portrush looks like a stunning layout with beautiful shaping and vistas on the coast of Northern Ireland. After the wind and hammering by the Nasty it will be a welcome change.
Onward and upward!
