It has to be one of the best deals in golf....and it's right on your doorstep in Scotland.
If you think the Algarve is over-priced and Marbella is becoming more Costalot than Costa del Sol, then it's worth thinking about Angus, the home of Carnoustie, the best Open Championship links of them all.
If you catch the right weather, you can play some of the best courses in Scotland for around £250 – less if you tailor your package.
For instance, you can experience Carnoustie's Championship Links - scene of Padraig Harrington's Open triumph last year – the Burnside and the Budden for just £145.Or you can play on three classic links courses, Montrose, Monifieth, Panmure - all Open Qualifying courses - plus Carnoustie for £250.
The key to all this is the Carnoustie Country Golf Pass, which can only be described as great value for money as it offers such a wide choice as there are 14 participating courses, namely Arbroath, Ballumbie Castle, Brechin, Caird Park, Camperdown, Carnoustie Buddon, Carnoustie Burnside, Edzell, Guthrie Castle, Kirriemuir, Letham Grange Glens, Letham Grange Old Course, Monifieth Ashludie, Montrose Broomfield and Piperdam.
Considering the fact you can pay as little as £69 for three courses. it has to be a bargain and Angus haven't been slow to cash in on last year's Open with loads of special deals, tailor-made packages. Including the golf pass and several open events such as the Carnoustie Classic Tournament and the Angus Glens Pairs.
I jumped at the chance to sample what's on offer, especially the opportunity to Carnoustie's Championship Links, which ranks as my favourite Open course, and which must have the toughest back nine of anywhere in the world while the sixth, Hogan's Alley, is one of the great par fives.
But it is the finish, especially the last three which any golfer wants to play and you haven't lived until you have stood on the par three 16th tee, tried to negotiate the burn (twice) on 17 and again (twice) on 18.
Don't pass up the chance to play the Burnside, next to the Championship Course. It may only be just over 6,000 yards but it is a little smasher with heather, whins and the burn.
The fifth is an interesting par three and so is the 14th, called The Scoup – any par three of 228 yards, to a plateau green has got to be interesting.
The Budden's greatly improved design and condition over recent years has made it a most enjoyable test and watch out for the double green at the 10th and 13th, as well as two lakes that come into play on four holes.
While it is basically a links , the seventh is more heathland with heather and silver birch trees and it is also a tight dogleg but the home holes are definitely more links-like in character.
Monifieth Medal is the major of the two courses - the lesser is the 5,100 yard Ashludie, while 6,650 yard Medal course is used as an Open Championship qualifying venue.
The course is built over undulating links with ridge dunes covered in gorse covered and, unusually, for a links course many holes also have tree lined fairways. A tough test, it has a railway line running on one side and when the wind blows in from the Firth of Tay the big, fast, firm greens are difficult to find.
The sixth is probably the course's signature hole with a snaking burn to be carried off the tee usually into the wind.
The shorter Ashludie is an entertaining, if quite short course to play. James Braid designed the course and, despite its short stature, it can be quite challenging.
Montrose Medal course is the fifth oldest course in the world and the course was unique in that it was 25 holes before Old Tom Morris made alterations in 1901 followed two years later by Willie Park Junior.
The course is in an unusual T-shape and the front nine is mainly along the shoreline with great views across the North Sea. The 10th to 13th holes move inland before the turn for home, towards the sea.
The finish is superb with a long par three 16th while the 17th is a world class par four and the 18th is a wonderful short par four - only four of the 13 par fours are over 400 yards which proves a course does not have to be a monster to be a test of golf.
The second Montrose course, the Broomfield is a deceptively short and flat course, but don't let this put you off – it's worth playing.
Ben Hogan practised at Panmure prior to the 1953 Open at Carnoustie and the sixth was rated in his top 18 holes.
It was his favourite hole at Panmure and he suggested the cleverly-placed hidden pot bunker to the front right of the green. The members still refer to it as "Hogan's Bunker" and it is a fitting memorial to a champion.
In general, the greens are small and the bunkers are deep and accuracy is therefore more important than length. Find the greens and you're on a winner because they are superb to putt on.
Letham Grange's Old Course, with its neighbour the Glen surrounds a mansion house hotel which specialises in golfing parties to stay and play.
The Old Course is well laid out and the eighth, a testing par three over a lake marks the beginning of a lovely run of holes.
Position off the tee is important as there are several doglegs and tree-line fairways and while the Grange Glen course is easier with fewer hazards, it is an ideal course for a friendly mixed foursome.
If you fancy a competitive edge to your visit to Angus, there are events like the Carnoustie Country Classic on May 12-15, a 72 hole stableford tournament played over Montrose Medal, Panmure and Monifieth Medal courses, and the Carnoustie Championship course and there's also the Carnoustie Country Angus Glens Pairs on September 14-18 which takes in Brechin, Edzell, Forfar and Kirriemuir.
Staying in the Angus area offers much more now than it did – the Carnoustie Hotel, which overlooks the three courses offers four star comfort and great food and is geared to golfers while there is plenty of accommodation these days in Dundee, Arbroath and Brought Ferry plus some excellent restaurants such as Gordons, located in the tiny village of Inverkeilor, and which also offers rooms and the Ship Inn Waterfront Restaurant in Broughty Ferry is also worth a visit.
Factfile
For information about the Carnoustie Country Dream Ticket, telephone 0800 975 5955 (if you are calling from outside the UK, its +44 (0) 141 305 5050) and for the Carnoustie Country Golf Pass ring 01382 527527 in advance of your visit, or call into any Tourist Information Centre, in Angus and Dundee when you arrive, although it should be noted that some clubs may require you to book tee times in advance, particularly if playing as part of a group. Tee times and accommodation packages can also be arranged as well transfers and evening entertainment.
Carnoustie Golf Links: Links Parade, Carnoustie, Angus DD7 7JE; Email: golf@carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk; Tel: 01241 853789; Website: www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk For information on how to play all three courses for £145, ring the golf links office.
Panmure: Barry, Carnoustie, DD7 7RT; Email: secretary@panmuregolfclub.co.uk; Tel: 01241 855120; Website: www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk
Montrose: Traill Drive, Montrose, Angus, DD10 8SW; Email: secretary@montroselinks.co.uk; Tel: 01674 672932; Website: www.montroselinks.co.uk
Letham Grange Course and Hotel: Colliston, by Arbroath, Angus; Email: info@lethamgrangegolfclub.co.uk; Tel: 01241890373
Monifieth: Princes Street, Angus, DD5 4AW; Email: monifiethgolf@freeuk.com; Tel: 01382 532767; Website: www.monifiethgolf.co.uk
Carnoustie Hotel: Links Parade, Carnoustie, DD7 7JF; Tel: 01241 411999; Fax: 01241 411998; Email: reservations.carnoustie@ohiml.com; Website: www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com
Gordon's Restaurant: Main Street, Inverkeilor by Arbroath, Angus, DD11 5RN; Tel / Fax 01241 830364; Email: GordonsRest@aol.com; Website:www.gordonsrestaurant.co.uk
The Ship Inn: 121 Fisher Street, Broughty Ferry, Tel: 01382 779176; Website: www.theshipinn-broughtyferry.co.uk
More details of courses to play and places to stay can be found in a free guide to golf in Scotland - go to www.visitscotland.com/golf
>>See a gallery of Angus golf courses.
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