The Course was originally designed by the Simpson Brothers, Archie and Robert of Carnoustie and later re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid. Donald Steel & Company are now engaged as the Club's architects to ensure our classic links keeps pace with the modern game.
The course runs essentially out and back along the North Sea shore. The outward nine (which is arguably acknowledged as one of the finest in links golf anywhere in the world) cuts its way through some wonderful dune formation and the inland nine on the plateau.
A traditional old Scottish links, it is well bunkered with undulating fairways. It is an excellent balance of holes, strong par 4’s, tricky par 3’s and two classic par 5's, with the 8th (our signature hole) protected by 10 bunkers. The ever changing wind, tight greens and a magnificent finish makes Balgownie a test for the very best.
The eminent golf writer Sam McKinlay was moved to say:
“There are few courses in these islands with a better, more testing, more picturesque outward nine than Balgownie”.
And this from none other than Bernard Darwin :
"it represented a huge gap in my golfing education not to have played Balgownie until now, much more than a good golf course, a noble links!"