I recently had the privilege to visit Forfar Golf Club and, quite honestly, I was taken aback by what I discovered. I am not sure I had low expectations, but rather none at all. The club has generally been overlooked and only recently earned its (rightful) place among Scotland’s top 100 courses. It is also overshadowed by some mighty neighbors, including Carnousite. Furthermore, it is characterized as more of a heathland or even parkland layout, a stigma that is crippling to Scottish clubs trying to attract North American visitors. Nonetheless, I was intrigued by the significant investment that the Ancient Links Golf Company has put into Forfar, as part of their portfolio of historic Scottish clubs, and I thought it was time to see the club for myself. 

Upon arrival I was greeted warmly by Ross, the golf operations manager, who gave me an extensive overview of the club and its history. At the risk of hyperbole, I have seldom found hospitality at any Scottish club that I have visited quite like Forfar and I thought that set the tone for my memorable experience. I’m sure any discerning golf traveler has been given the title of “member for the day” only to get a side eye at every misstep. That was not the case at Forfar and it is clear that the visitor experience is important to the club’s entire team.

With that said, despite Ross’ congenial nature, I still had questions about the course itself. It is immediately apparent that it is unlike other popular links layouts that fill most visiting golfer’s itineraries. The tree-lined holes are a far cry from the sandy coastal terrain I am used to in Scotland.

As it turns out, though, the trees only enhance the design as most holes are framed by a corridor of tall pines. None feel claustrophobic but a premium on accuracy is rewarded. Apparently, the club lost over 2,000 trees in a storm that they are working to replace but I think the vistas that have been created across the property add to the appeal.

Beyond the tree-lined nature of the course, the defining characteristic of Forfar are the unique rig-and-furrow fairways. Rig-and-furrow is a centuries old ploughing technique that creates raised ridges and sunken channels across a field. Beginning in the 12th century, monks farmed flax at Forfar using the ancient technique, and designers Old Tom Morris and James Braid opted to embrace the land as they found it. As a result, today all but two of the fairways are defined by these timeless ridges and the result is something very unique. The naysayer would find plenty of challenging, hanging lies to complain about on almost every hole. For me, though, it was something I have rarely seen before and interestingly demands a lot of creativity. Furthermore, it makes the course truly feel like an inland links, which I know golf travelers to Scotland appreciate. 

Beyond the “rigs and furrows,” I enjoyed the rolling topography of the course. Sunken greens and large mounding in the fairways created contouring and originality with each hole. Some shots could be characterized as semi-blind, but there was never so much uncertainty as to cause confusion but rather just enough to heighten the senses. A few specific holes caught my eye: The course is bookended by sunken greens: first at the strategic opener and finally at the 18th with onlookers from the club’s Rig and Furrow Restaurant. The approach into the 10th is memorable with a raised green right up next to a boundary wall. Of course, the 15th can’t be overlooked; Designer James Braid called it the best hole he ever designed. A restored, commemorative “Braid’s Best” bunker and a steep slope penalize any miss left of the green.

For me, though, it is not any one hole or characteristic that makes Forfar stand out. It is one-of-a-kind mix of rumpled links-like fairways, rolling heathland terrain, and tee-lined parkland corridors that amalgamate into something special. It is the warm welcome and the unique history as the first golf course built as an 18-hole course from inception. And, of course, it is the promise of what is to come with so much work being done to improve and preserve such a great, historic community golf club. 

Intrigued? Less than an hour from St. Andrews we can help add this gem to your Scotland Golf Trip Plans.