Carnoustie Championship links, the closing holes beside the Barry Burn in Angus, Scotland
Ranked · 8 courses · updated 2026

The Best Golf Courses in Angus

A small county on Scotland's east coast with an outsized golfing heritage. Angus holds Carnoustie, the hardest links on the Open rota, the fifth oldest course in the world at Montrose, and a run of fine, affordable links and heathland at Panmure, Monifieth and beyond. Here are the eight we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict on each and how to play it.

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By the GolfForKings editorial desk · How we rank · Last reviewed June 2026

Photograph: Carnoustie Golf Links, via Google

How we chose them

Angus punches far above its size. The county is anchored by Carnoustie, widely regarded as the most testing of all the Open Championship links, but the golfing wealth runs much deeper along this stretch of coast. Just up the shore lies Montrose, where the game has been played since 1562, and between the two sit the classic links of Panmure and Monifieth, both fine enough to stage Open final qualifying. Inland, the heathland of Forfar and the parkland of Edzell and Letham Grange add variety and shelter when the sea wind blows.

Every fact here, from designers and remodels to Open hosting and qualifying history, was checked at the time of writing. Carnoustie and Montrose are public, and the members clubs all welcome visitors, so we have noted how to play each one. The verdicts and the order are ours, and reasonable people will argue the order behind Carnoustie. If you want any of these built into a costed Angus trip, with Carnoustie tee times handled, that is exactly what our concierge does.

The ranking

01

Carnoustie Golf Links, Championship

Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris, remodelled by James Braid 1926 · Carnoustie · public

The toughest of all the Open Championship links and, by some measure, the best course in Angus. Routed in the 1850s by Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris and toughened by James Braid in 1926, Carnoustie plays as a par 72 of around 7,400 yards into and across a relentless wind, with the Barry Burn snaking through the closing holes to one of the most fearsome finishes in golf. It has hosted eight Opens, won by Hogan in 1953 and famously lost by Jean van de Velde in 1999, the year it earned the nickname Carnasty. It is genuinely public, played off the same tees as the pros from the medal markers, and the headline round of any Angus trip.

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02

Montrose, 1562 Course

Golf recorded since 1562, later shaped by Willie Park Jr and Harry Colt · Montrose · public

One of the oldest courses on earth and a magnificent, underrated links. Golf has been played on the Montrose links since at least 1562, making it the fifth oldest course in the world, and the present 1562 Course carries the hand of Willie Park Junior and Harry Colt among others. It runs out along a classic stretch of dunes by the sea and back, firm, fast and full of subtle, ancient character, and it serves regularly as an Open final qualifying venue. Public, affordable and steeped in history, it is the essential companion to Carnoustie.

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03

Panmure

Old Tom Morris influence, remodelled by James Braid 1922 · Barry · visitors welcome

A quiet, charming links between Carnoustie and Monifieth and a connoisseur's favourite. The club dates to 1845, one of the original subscribers to the Amateur Championship, and James Braid reshaped the course in 1922 into the heathery, undulating test it is today, with a par of 70 over around 6,500 yards. Ben Hogan famously prepared here before his 1953 Open triumph at Carnoustie, and the sixth hole still bears his name. Less exposed and more intimate than its giant neighbour, it is a members club that warmly welcomes visitors and a must on any serious Angus tour.

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04

Monifieth, Medal Course

Established links, Open final qualifying venue · Monifieth · visitors welcome

A proper championship links a few miles east of Dundee, sharing the same great stretch of coast as Carnoustie. The Medal Course at Monifieth is firm, fast and demanding, with gorse, a railway line and the wind all in play, and it earns its keep as a regular Open final qualifying venue. It has none of Carnoustie's fame and much of its quality at a fraction of the fee, which is exactly why the knowing golfer adds it to the itinerary. Run by several historic clubs, it welcomes visitors and offers tremendous value links golf.

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05

Carnoustie Golf Links, Burnside

Carnoustie links · Carnoustie · public

The second of the three courses at Carnoustie and a fine links in its own right, often overshadowed by the Championship beside it. Tighter and shorter than its famous sibling, the Burnside weaves through the same dunes with the Barry Burn again a recurring threat, and it is good enough to host Open final qualifying when the Championship next returns. Public and far easier on the wallet than the big course, it makes an ideal second round on a Carnoustie day and a genuinely testing links.

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06

Forfar

James Braid · Forfar · visitors welcome

An inland heathland gem a short drive from the Angus coast and a lovely change of pace from the links. Laid out on old weaving rigs by James Braid, Forfar is a tight, undulating par 69 framed by gorse, broom and mature trees, with quick, true greens and a real premium on accuracy. It is the kind of honest, characterful members course that locals treasure and visitors rarely expect, and a welcome sheltered alternative when the sea wind is howling at Carnoustie. Visitors are made very welcome.

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07

Edzell

Parkland, founded 1895 · Edzell · visitors welcome

A tranquil parkland course at the foot of the Angus glens and one of the prettiest inland rounds in the county. Founded in 1895 in the conservation village of Edzell, it runs across gently rolling, tree lined ground with the Grampian foothills as a backdrop, beautifully maintained and a real pleasure to walk. It will not test the longest hitters as the links do, but its charm, condition and setting make it a delightful inland counterpoint on an Angus trip. A friendly members club that welcomes visitors.

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08

Letham Grange, Old Course

Parkland resort course · Colliston, near Arbroath · visitors welcome

A rolling parkland and lochside course near Arbroath once dubbed the Augusta of the North for its mature trees, water and bold elevation changes. The Old Course is the stronger of the layouts at Letham Grange, a genuine test with several memorable holes around the lochs, and it offers a complete contrast to the bare coastal links of the county. A relaxed, scenic resort round and an easy add on to a links heavy Angus week. Visitors welcome.

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Designers, remodels and Open hosting and qualifying history verified June 2026. Carnoustie and Montrose are public; the other clubs are members clubs that welcome visitors. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.

Play the best of Angus

Tell us which of these are on your list, Carnoustie and the Burnside, the ancient Montrose links, or a wider tour taking in Panmure and Monifieth, and roughly when. One concierge handles the access, the Carnoustie tee times and the base, and costs the trip to the head, with no obligation.

Angus golf questions

What is the best golf course in Angus?

Carnoustie's Championship links is the clear number one, the most demanding course on the Open rota and host of eight Open Championships, including Ben Hogan's 1953 win. It is genuinely public, so visitors can play the same links as the professionals. Its closest rival in the county is the ancient Montrose 1562 Course, the fifth oldest course in the world. Both welcome visitors, so plan ahead and always confirm access and fees before booking.

Can visitors play Carnoustie?

Yes. Carnoustie is a public links run by Carnoustie Golf Links, and visitors can book tee times on all three courses, the Championship, the Burnside and the Buddon, subject to availability and a handicap requirement on the Championship course in peak season. The Championship books up well ahead for summer, so reserve early and always confirm current tee times, handicap limits and fees directly before booking.

Which Angus courses can visitors play?

Almost all of them. Carnoustie's three courses and the Montrose links are public, while Panmure, Monifieth, Forfar, Edzell and Letham Grange are members clubs that warmly welcome visitors with tee times bookable directly. Summer fills up, especially around Carnoustie, so reserve ahead and always confirm access and fees directly before booking.

When is the best time to play golf in Angus?

May to September is the prime season, with the longest days, the warmest weather and the links at their firm, fast best, which is also when Carnoustie is busiest. Late spring and early autumn offer fine links conditions and slightly easier tee times, while winter golf is possible but cold, wet and often on temporary greens. Always check the forecast and the booking windows for your dates.

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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, remodels and championship history verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.