As we advised last month that we would begin the installation of our brand new, state-of-the-art, irrigation system on The Carnoustie Burnside Course this month. The new system will provide better quality water for the golf courses and tackle some long standing issues that became apparent over the years in the existing system.
As previously done, we have been collaborating in order to fully understand how this work will affect our courses and your experience. With this in mind, in order to ensure that we only deliver the very best experience, we have taken the decision to suspend visitor golf across all three courses from 1st November 2025 to 28th February 2025 inclusive. We will update our return to normal operations in due course for March onwards.
This being the case, all three golf courses at Carnoustie will be exclusive to Season Ticket Holders* and their guests during the winter season. (*Please note that there may be a minority of tee times that will be allocated to non-Season Ticket Holders for operational business needs). Furthermore, we are delighted to advise that The Buddon Course will remain set-up to resemble our summer** course set-up, with full tees and greens in play. (**Please note this is for this winter season only). We will also ensure that a maximum of only two greens will be rested at one time on The Buddon Course. Our frost policy will continue to be in place on all three courses.
During the winter months, we will continue to update you on any hole closures or winter works that may impact your experience on the course.
The Carnoustie Buddon Course
This winter season (3rd November 2025 – 26th March 2026) The Buddon Course will be set-up differently to The Championship Course and The Burnside Course. We will provide a summer set up on The Buddon Course and hope this will create a great winter golf experience.
The Changes
The Buddon Course will have mats in play in all areas cut to fairway height or less (not semi-rough) and will operate a maximum of only two temporary greens over the 18 holes. The course will also be set-up with all sets of summer tees (White, Yellow, Green and Black) in play. This will permit the course to be a ‘handicap counting’ course under WHS rules and will allow Season Ticket Holders to continue to play competition golf and enter General Play scores if they wish to do so. All constituent clubs will communicate with their own club members regarding their own plans for The Buddon Course competitions for the winter season.
Frost Policy Exceptions
When there is a frost that activates our winter season frost policy and forces the Greens team to move all flags onto temporary greens it is important to note that under WHS rules, the course will no longer be a handicap counting course. While the course will continue to be open for play, Season Ticket Holders should not input General Play scores as the course has more than two temporary greens in play. If you are participating in a local constituent club competition, it will be the responsibility of the competition organiser (your golf club) to ensure the score you enter for the competition doesn’t count for handicap. If you are intending to enter a General Play score, it is the responsibility of the golfer not to enter a score.
FAQ’s
We have created some FAQ’s that will hopefully cover most of the questions that may arise:
How will I know that the course is on full temporary greens?
The website will be updated every morning before the first tee time to indicate the temporary greens situation for that day. There will also be signage on the first tee to indicate if the course is on full temporary greens that day.
Why are The Burnside and Championship Courses not available for General Play scores during winter months?
If there are more than two temporary greens per 18 holes, the course can’t be used as a ‘handicap counting’ course under WHS rules. The Championship Course will have six temporary greens and The Burnside Course will have four temporary greens in play daily. Use of mats in semi-rough (applicable to The Championship Course and The Burnside Course) also prohibits handicap counting scores to be entered under WHS rules.
Some of the bunkers on The Buddon Course are GUR, does this effect the ability to enter a counting score for handicap?
No. We have received advice from Scottish Golf on this question and they have confirmed handicap counting scores can be entered as normal even if a large majority of bunkers are marked as GUR.
I have mistakenly entered a General Play score while The Buddon Course was on full temporary greens. What do I do?
Please contact the secretary at your home club who will be able to delete that score from your handicap record.
Why are The Championship and Burnside Courses not playing at full length through the Winter months like The Buddon Course?
To ensure that The Championship and Burnside Courses are in peak condition for the Summer playing season (1st April – 31st October) we must give teeing areas and greens more time to rest and recover. We are anticipating the Winter set-up for The Buddon Course will help to relieve pressure on The Championship and Burnside Courses.
Will having a Summer course set-up in the Winter months be detrimental to The Buddon Course in the Summer months?
No. Our Greens Team are confident that this will not affect the condition of the course in the Summer months. Fixed mats will be in play where required to help with divots and grass wear on teeing areas.
Am I required to use a fairway mat on teeing areas when playing The Buddon Course?
No, a mat is not required for teeing areas and can be used on the fairway only. The rule for using your mat is as follows; “When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf, or similar type of, mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay, and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. If a tee is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.”
Winter Mats and Additional Local Rules – The Buddon Course
Winter Mats In Play From Monday 3rd November 2025 – Thursday 26th March 2026
Mats must be used when a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke. The ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf, or similar type of, mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay, and the ball must be placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. If a tee is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.
The general area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less includes paths cut through the rough, tees and the fringe/apron around the green.
Winter Mats are available to purchase from both The Professional Shop within Links House and The Carnoustie Burnside Course Starters Box.
Ground Under Repair (G.U.R)
Do not play from areas that are marked Ground Under Repair (G.U.R). Lift and drop outside the white lines. See Rule 16.1
Dropping Zones
If you are in G.U.R. and a dropping zone is marked, you must use it.
Bunkers
Drop, without penalty, from bunkers which have G.U.R. signs. Nearest point of relief and no closer to the hole. See Rule 16.1
Aeration Holes on Greens
If your ball is in a hole on the green, you may move it.