Monifieth Golf Links: A Hidden Gem on Scotland's Coast
Monifieth Golf Links, located near Dundee on Scotland's east coast, is a historic golfing site with roots stretching back to at least 1639, making it one of the world's oldest places where golf has been enjoyed. The first formal course, now known as the Medal Course, was established in 1845, designed by pioneers Allan Robertson and Alexander Pirie. This rich heritage positions Monifieth as a classic destination for golfers seeking an authentic Scottish links experience, conveniently situated close to other famous courses like Carnoustie.
The facility boasts two distinct 18-hole courses. The Medal Course, extended to its current 18-hole layout in 1880, is the championship challenge, renowned for its demanding traditional links features. Complementing it is the Ashludie Course, initially a 9-hole layout from 1912 (with design approval from James Braid) and later expanded to 18 holes. Together, they offer varied tests of golf. Monifieth has frequently served as an Open Championship qualifying venue and notably hosted Tom Watson for his first taste of links golf before his victorious 1975 Open campaign, adding to its significant place in golf history
The Medal Course is a par-71 layout that stretches over 6655 yards, known for its strategic design and picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. It features well-maintained fairways lined with gorse and heather, which require precision off the tee and careful approach shots.
The Ashludie Course, slightly shorter at 5123 yards and a par-68, is known for its tighter fairways and challenging approach shots, providing a different test of skill. Both courses are designed to cater to golfers of all abilities, making them accessible while still offering enough challenge for seasoned players.
Monifieth Golf Links
Golf has been played at Monifieth since at least 1639 when Parish records show a local citizen being officially admonished for playing golf before noon on a Sunday, when they should have been in church. By 1649 church law had decreed that golf was not to be played at all on the Sabbath.
Tom Watson at Monifieth
No-one at Monifieth Golf Links paid much notice when the freckle-faced American kid pitched up at their course on Sunday, July 6, 1975, seeking a practice round ahead the 1975 Open at Carnoustie.
The golfer himself wasn’t hugely enamoured when he teed up on the first hole and promptly lost his ball. Or so he thought. In fact, after dropping a second ball on the fairway, he then discovered the original ball in a small pot bunker 40 yards from where he expected to find it.
“Right then, I didn’t like this form of golf,” admitted Tom Watson. “It took me another four years for the penny to finally drop and from that moment I loved links golf.”
Fast-forward 36 years and five Claret Jugs later, and the same golfer returned to that very same spot and, in front of around 300 Monifieth members, re-enacted that original tee shot.
This time around, however, Watson was a VIP guest as he received Honorary Life Membership from Bill Miller, the only other man to receive that huge honour.
The Monifieth Links Chairman, helped the five-time Open Champion to embed a special plaque in the first tee to commemorate that less than auspicious tee shot from 1975.
Watson then regaled his eager audience with that tale of his first visit to Monifieth, while Miller warned the American: “You’ll still need to go into the ballot for a tee time like the rest of us – but at least you won’t have to pay the green fee!”
