In 1877 Tom Morris was asked to survey the Arbroath Links and give his opinion as to its suitability for a golf course, and on the 9th of March 1878 a course of 18 holes was opened with a game between Tom Morris and another great professional of his day Mr Rob Dow. The Course remained much the same until more land was purchased and in 1907 Mr Willie Fernie of Troon was employed to redesign the layout. It was not until 1931 that the great James Braid was employed to redesign the bunkering and his layout has not altered a great deal since. Arbroath Golf Course is a deceiving links course at first view. It appears to offer flat open fairways, however, in true links style the undulating greens are well protected by testing bunkers. The front 7 holes are lined by out-of-bounds on the right hand side with water crossing 3 fairways, making this a good test of golf strategy. From 13th to 18th the course offers a good variety of holes. Ther signature hole is the Thirteenth. This is named the "Dowrie" and is 412yds, par 4. There is a railway line and out-of-bounds down the right. A burn crosses the fairway 120 yards from the green, leaving a tricky second shot to the smallest and elevated green on the course.