Warning: Photo-free Review (horrible, misty day).
In Scotland in April 1320, a letter was sent from King Robert I to Pope John XXII, confirming Scotland’s status as an independent nation. The letter, now popularly known as The Declaration of Arbroath, was - probably - written by Bernard of Kilwinning in Arbroath Abbey and, as a major element in Scotland’s self-determination, assigns a very prominent place for Arbroath in the Country’s long, complicated history.
The town of Arbroath is the largest in Angus, the home County of a number of fine golf courses including Carnoustie, Montrose and Monifieth - High company, indeed.
Whilst it’s fair to say that while the Links at Arbroath doesn’t quite reach the heady heights of its local neighbours, it can most certainly hold its head high as a very decent, if slightly unremarkable, golf experience.
Like its near neighbour, Panmure, it starts out and ends playing over fairly mediocre, flattish terrain, albeit to a number of interesting, well-contoured greensites. Similar to many’s a Scottish Links, the Course follows the sea on a simple out-and-back routing, but it’s not until the sixth hole, do we encounter the kind of rolling, rollicking swells that fill the dreams of the avid GCAer.
There follows a number of fine, shortish but tricky holes which require a sensible, even Presbyterian, approach to achieve a decent return on playing investment.
There’s a number of crossings of a small burn on a good few holes which requires some attention and out-of-bounds on the right side of the entire Course. Keeping everything left ensures safety, but creates some tricky approaches to greens, very reminiscent of TOC!
A small, solid, typical east-of-Scotland clubhouse and a decent pro shop with a fabulous incumbent enhance the experience greatly.
I had a ball playing with a good friend and a couple of, ahem, senior members who, most graciously, only chose to beat us 2 and 1.
Highly recommended as a light day amongst the mental and physical onslaught of your next Scotland trip. Give it a try - you might like it!
F.