Panmure

History

The Panmure Golf Club was founded in 1845 and commenced golfing with a nine hole course in Monifieth, designed by Allan Robertson and Alexander Pirie. That course was extended to 18 holes in 1880.

 With other clubs also using the course, the Panmure GC decided to move to a new site in Barry. They engaged Old Tom Morris and opened the new course in 1899. The course was modified with suggestions from James Braid in 1922, but otherwise remains relatively unchanged for the last century. The course has been lengthened broadly in line with Braid’s suggestions over time.

The course has some interesting history including a visit by Ben Hogan.  Ben Hogan spent two weeks at Panmure getting used to links golf, prior to winning The Open at Carnoustie in 1953. The 6th hole is named after the great man, as he suggested the hidden pot bunker to the front right of the green - now known as "Hogans Bunker".

Course

Panmure is a memorable golfing experience. It starts with the warm welcome at the proshop and extends to the old world charm of the classic old clubhouse.

But the course itself is a tale of two halves.

The opening and closing holes are largely flat, hard and fast links-like holes, although the fairways are framed by mature trees. 

Each of these holes requires your full attention to navigate your way safely to the heart of the green.

Good honest holes!

However, it is the middle section of Panmure that you will remember.

I would describe holes six through fourteen as heathland holes, and good ones at that!

The purple heather really lights up the course, but this section of the course also traverses some lovely undulating terrain making for some world class holes. It reminded me of the London heathlands..

And it gets quite exciting!

Hole 6  is a par 4 named Hogan and is a unique hole, and a real challenge.

Hole 9 is a delightful par 3, with humps and bumps, bunkers and heather to negotiate.

But it is the amazing par 4 twelfth hole that steals the show.  It is a wonderful quirky journey through dunes and heathland, with a winding burn to a raised green. 

I won’t forget playing Panmure - the warm welcome from the club and the experience of playing those heathland holes - the heather, the pines, the gentle undulations - will stay with me..

Dare I say it was uplifting?

Peter Uplifted at Panmure