A Journal for the Thrifty Gowfer
Angus
Forfar, Angus
Plate III — Heathland course — heather-framed, sandy subsoil
James Braid heathland design, 1926. Used as Open Championship qualifying.
From the Notebook
Forfar Golf Club is a James Braid heathland design from 1926, occupying gorse and heather ground on the edge of Forfar — the administrative town of Angus, 12 miles north of Dundee. The course has been used as Open Championship qualifying, which is the consistent indicator of the test it provides. At par 69 and around 6,052 yards, Forfar is a proper heathland examination rather than a casual round.
Braid's routing uses the rolling heathland intelligently — the fairways curve around natural heather ridges, the greens are sited on plateaus that expose them to the Angus wind, and the bunkering reflects his late career mastery of strategic placement over penal positioning. The 7th, a par 4 played across a heather-covered valley to a green on a natural shelf, is the most cited hole.
Visitor green fee is £35–50. The club welcomes visitors on weekdays; advance booking advisable. For visitors working the Angus heathland courses, Forfar and Kirriemuir (15 minutes west) provide an excellent two-round day of genuine Braid-era heathland golf at combined green fees well under £100.
The Full Scorecard
Plan This Round
Where to Stay
Hotels, lodges and self-catering near the first tee. Map-style search via Stay22 covering Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo.
How to Get There
Edinburgh (EDI) is 90 minutes away by car. Train + onward taxi works for the carless visitor.
Insure Your Round
Most home contents policies don't cover golf clubs in transit. The picker matches you to the right kind of cover in two minutes.
Played here? Consider
Course-tuned recommendations, not generic gear lists.
Outerwear
Wind off the firth changes club selection two irons. A breathable, fully-waterproof shell that's light enough not to swing in is the single biggest upgrade for Scottish links golf.
Layer
Scottish-made merino — the locals' choice for shoulder-season rounds. Warm enough for a 7am tee time in October, light enough for the back nine when the sun comes out.
Tech
Handles blind tee shots and exposed-coastal yardage cleanly. Battery lasts a 36-hole day; the wind-direction overlay justifies the price on its own.
★ The Sunday Post ★
One short Scottish-golf email every Sunday. No sales pitch.
The Sunday Post
One email, most Sundays. No sales pitch.
Stays Nearby
Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering within easy reach of Forfar. Tap any property to check rates.
Rates and availability via Stay22. We may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. How affiliate links work.
Frequently Asked
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