Among The Open venues, Carnoustie Golf Links is generally regarded as the most difficult course on the rotation. This theory was reinforced by the chaos of the 1999 Open and the lasting image of Jean Van de Velde standing in the Barry Burn. Tom Watson and Gary Player both won here, but it was Ben Hogan’s triumph in 1953 that best defines Carnoustie’s history with The Open. After winning The Masters and U.S. Open that year, Hogan crossed the Atlantic to make his one and only start in The Open Championship. He returned home with the Claret Jug and the admiration of everyone who crossed his path at Carnoustie.

The notorious links at Carnoustie provided Old Tom Morris with his first experience with golf course design. He assisted his mentor, Allan Robertson, in laying out the first nine holes at Carnoustie, then later returned to extend the links to a full 18-holes. Most of the course as we know it, however, was the work of five-time Open Champion James Braid. The 6th hole – known as Hogan’s Alley – is one of the most famous par-5s in Scotland. The name commemorates Hogan’s win but also his bold play off the tee on the hole. The closing stretch is not for the faint of heart, with the Barry Burn snaking its way into play on multiple occasions.

Carnoustie Golf Links is a great addition to any golf tour to Scotland. Either build this course into your stay in St Andrews or incorporate a round on your travel day to the North East or North of Scotland. It’s an exceptional test of links golf and one that should be experienced by every golfer visiting Scotland