"If you hit the shots you get the benefit but it doesn’t forgive bad shots. The tee shots are the real challenge. If you get in a fairway bunker there’s no way you can hit a 3-iron or go for the green; you just get out as best you can and think about your approach shot (if you’re lucky, you’ll have advanced 20-40 yards from the sand, if not, you’ll be 20 yards further back because in many instances the only shot is backwards). " Willie Gardner Vice-chairman Carnoustie golf links management committee

Evidence of golf being played at Carnoustie dates back to the 1520's, before Columbus discovered America.

The first formal course was laid out by Allan Robertson in 1842 with 10 holes. Old Tom Morris added a further 10 holes in 1867, and James Braid created new greens and bunkers in the 1920's to make Carnoustie the real Championship test that it is today. The course is long, with a layout such that no two consecutive holes face the same direction. This, combined with the often-stiff winds provide a real test of the golfer. Carnoustie's famous burns (streams) that snake their way around the course (Jockie's Burn and Barry Burn) represent other challenging obstacles.

The course has been the location for many exciting Open Championships, with renowned winners such as Tommy Armour, Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan and Gary Player.

More recently, it has been the venue for the Scottish Open in 1995 and 1996, and for the 1999 Open Championship and is also due to host the Open Championship in 2007.