Home to one of the world's oldest golf courses, the links at Montrose on Scotland's East Coast were established in 1562 with the current course laid out primarily by Willie Park Jr more than three centuries later. Park's early and late holes occupy fine, bumpy links ground but the middle section is played mostly over and through the gorse and is strangely bland for a layout of this vintage.

Although the 16th and 17th holes are terrific and others, like the 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9^th, are almost as impressive, many of the remaining holes are less exciting and the routing itself at Montrose is rather straightforward and predictable.

That said, this is a fun course to play and there are classic links features across the property, including nasty pot bunkers, perched green sites, bouncy turf, gorse and whins. Additionally, the good holes are memorable and the sense of history is quite palpable – even moreso since the club decided in 2018 to change the name of the links, from the Medal Course to the 1562 Course.