Sitting 10 minutes from the Open Championship host Carnoustie, well within its shadow, is Panmure. In comparison with its neighbor, Panmure offers a pure Scottish experience. Its old, historic clubhouse and traditions are a far cry from Carnoustie’s touristy atmosphere. Many high-profile clubs in Scotland have become addicted to visitor rates. Others have taken a more prudent approach, limiting outside play and focusing on delivering a great experience to the guests they entertain. Panmure is one of those places, coupling an authentic Scottish experience with one of the country’s great stretches of golf.
The original course was designed by Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris in 1899 and later modified in the 1920s by James Braid. For the most part, the Braid course remains today.
Panmure sits on two distinctly different plots of land. It’s flat around the clubhouse, but on the third hole you begin to see the ripple in the fairways and the intensity of the holes starts to ramp up. By the fifth hole you realize you have entered into a rollicking pocket of linksland, a great stretch of golf holes that extends through No. 14 and tests all the skills in your bag, particularly when the wind blows.
Take Note…
A great hang. The turn of the century clubhouse is a classic and was modeled after Royal Calcutta Golf Club. At the time of its construction there was a large trading relationship between Dundee and Calcutta. Inside the clubhouse there’s plenty of history to take in and beverages to consume, including the club’s own Kümmel, a must if you are stopping in for a drink.
The Hogan Connection. Prior to the 1953 Open at Carnoustie, Ben Hogan spent two weeks at Panmure before the championship preparing for what went on to be a four-shot win. There are a couple of neat stories from his time at the club. On the most famous hole, the great par-4 sixth, Hogan suggested a small pot bunker short right of the green, which went on to be added.
Pick up the pace. Another story of Hogan lore involved the green speeds. He wanted to see them faster to prepare for the Open, so he ventured down to the greenskeeper’s office and asked for a mower. He cut the 17th green himself and insisted on cleaning the machine before returning it.
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