“Panmure?” you question, tentatively.
“Yes, Panmure!” I assert, knowingly.
Panmure Golf Club, established in 1845, is recognized as the 21st oldest golf club in the world.
Located in the small town of Barry, it is only 1.5 miles away from renowned British Open site Carnoustie and 10 miles from the city of Dundee.
A private club that purposely keeps a low profile, Panmure combines the elements of links and heathland in a most playable and memorable layout. As well it should! For it offers both the artistry of Old Tom Morris’s 18-hole initial design in 1899, when the club moved to its present location, and then the renovations of five-time Open champ James Braid in 1937.
A century later, most of these original holes remain in play as they wend through dunes, pine trees, and the native purple heather, spiky gorse, and profuse fescue. Like Carnoustie, St. Andrews, Troon, Ailsa, Western Gailes and many other classic Scottish courses, the front nine holes lead away from the clubhouse and the final nine return home. The tight, rolling fairways; ubiquitous, “proper” Scottish bunkers; undulating, quick greens; and natural, obtrusive sandhills require strategy and skill to navigate and negotiate. The layout itself is particularly appealing to the eye and presents many photo ops along the way.
FYI, the greens roll true, if you can read them! And practice chipping with your 7-9 irons because the green complexes insist upon the running touch not the higher loft. Higher lofts and lots of luck will be needed to outfox the bunkers with their imposing lips. Bring your range finders because the yardage is up to you. The course offers no ponds but those pesky Scottish burns seem to appear out of nowhere very frequently. Fresh water bubblers will quench your thirst throughout the journey. The four sets of tees—6,551/6,360/6,113/5,684 yards—offer an enjoyable challenge for all handicap levels, with a par 70 for gentlemen and a par 74 for women. More
