- Ailsa CourseWillie Fernie and Martin EbertAilsa CourseTurnberry · ScotlandPublicOriginally designed by Willie Fernie and comprehensively redesigned by Martin Ebert in 2016. A par-70 championship links and four-time host of The Open, famed for its lighthouse stretch along the Firth of Clyde.9.8
- Royal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce LinksHarry ColtRoyal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce LinksPortrush · Northern IrelandPublicHarry Colt’s 1929 championship links, updated with two new holes by Martin Ebert. Host of The Open in 1951, 2019 and 2025; Calamity Corner is its celebrated par-3 16th.9.8
- St Andrews Links: Old CourseSt Andrews Links: Old CourseSt Andrews · ScotlandPublicThe historic Home of Golf, with play documented for more than six centuries. Its shared fairways, double greens, Road Hole and Swilcan Bridge have influenced course architecture worldwide.9.8
- Old Head Golf LinksOld Head Golf LinksKinsale · IrelandPublicOpened in 1997 on a 220-acre headland projecting into the Atlantic. The par-72 course features ocean views from every hole and dramatic cliff-edge carries.9.8
- Tara Iti Golf CourseTom DoakTara Iti Golf CourseMangawhai · New ZealandPublicDesigned by Tom Doak and opened in 2015. An exclusive walking links shaped across sandy coastal dunes with wide strategic fairways and views of the Pacific.9.8
- Cabot CliffsBill Coore and Ben CrenshawCabot CliffsInverness · CanadaPublicDesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2015. A spectacular walking links with several holes along cliffs above the Gulf of St. Lawrence.9.7
- Cape Wickham LinksMike DeVries and Darius OliverCape Wickham LinksWickham · AustraliaPublicDesigned by Mike DeVries and Darius Oliver and opened in 2015. A dramatic links on King Island with eight holes beside Bass Strait and views of Cape Wickham Lighthouse.9.7
- Capilano Golf CourseStanley ThompsonCapilano Golf CourseWest Vancouver · CanadaPublicDesigned by Stanley Thompson and opened in 1938. A dramatic mountainside course with sweeping Vancouver views, sloping fairways and strategic bunkering.9.7
- Coppinwood Golf CourseTom FazioCoppinwood Golf CourseGoodwood · CanadaPublicDesigned by Tom Fazio and opened in 2006. A modern private course across rolling moraine terrain with broad fairways, strategic bunkering and expansive greens.9.7
- East and West CourseHarry ColtEast and West CourseAncaster · CanadaPublicHarry Colt’s classic 27-hole design opened in 1916 and was restored by Martin Ebert. The East/West combination has repeatedly hosted the Canadian Open.9.7
- Kingsbarns Golf LinksKyle PhillipsKingsbarns Golf LinksSt Andrews · ScotlandPublicDesigned by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2000. A modern links along the Fife coast featuring broad sea views, strategic contours and a celebrated closing stretch beside the North Sea.9.7
- Kingston Heath Golf CourseDan SoutarKingston Heath Golf CourseCheltenham · AustraliaPublicDesigned by Dan Soutar with bunkering advice from Alister MacKenzie. A celebrated Melbourne Sandbelt course noted for strategic angles, heath and superb par 3s.9.7
- MuirfieldMuirfieldGullane · ScotlandPublicThe current routing was created by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and refined by Harry Colt. A multiple Open Championship venue renowned for its two opposing nine-hole loops and constantly changing wind.9.7
- Punta Espada Golf CoursePunta Espada Golf CourseCap Cana · Dominican RepublicPublicJack Nicklaus Signature design opened in 2006. Eight holes play along or over the Caribbean Sea, blending limestone cliffs, beaches and bold risk-reward shots.9.7
- Royal BirkdaleRoyal BirkdaleSouthport · EnglandPublicA classic English championship links whose modern form was shaped by Hawtree and Taylor. A regular Open venue featuring fairways set between imposing dunes and excellent spectator visibility.9.7
- St. George's Golf CourseStanley ThompsonSt. George's Golf CourseEtobicoke · CanadaPublicDesigned by Stanley Thompson and opened in 1929. A rolling parkland course of angled fairways, dramatic elevation and deeply sculpted green complexes.9.7
- Casa de Campo: Teeth of the DogPete DyeCasa de Campo: Teeth of the DogLa Romana · Dominican RepublicPublicDesigned by Pete Dye and opened in 1971. Seven holes hug the Caribbean coastline; the iconic course was comprehensively restored and reopened in 2026.9.7
- The Golf Course at Adare ManorThe Golf Course at Adare ManorAdare · IrelandPublicOriginally by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and completely rebuilt by Tom Fazio for a 2018 reopening. A pristine par-72 parkland course and host venue for the 2027 Ryder Cup.9.7
- Tralee Golf LinksTralee Golf LinksTralee · IrelandPublicArnold Palmer’s first course design in Europe, opened in 1984. The back nine climbs through spectacular Atlantic dunes with views across Tralee Bay and the Dingle Peninsula.9.7
- Royal Melbourne Golf Club: WestRoyal Melbourne Golf Club: WestBlack Rock · AustraliaPublicDesigned principally by Alister MacKenzie and Alex Russell. A world-renowned Sandbelt course distinguished by broad strategy, diagonal bunkering and fast contoured greens.9.7
- Beacon Hall Golf CourseBob Cupp and Thomas McBroomBeacon Hall Golf CourseAurora · CanadaPublicDesigned by Bob Cupp and Thomas McBroom and opened in 1988. The routing contrasts a pine- and heathland-style opening nine with a wooded second nine.9.6
- Cabot LinksRod WhitmanCabot LinksInverness · CanadaPublicDesigned by Rod Whitman and opened in 2012. Canada’s first authentic links occupies coastal ground between Inverness and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.9.6
- The Toronto Golf Club: ColtHarry ColtThe Toronto Golf Club: ColtMississauga · CanadaPublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1912. A foundational Canadian parkland design noted for strategic angles, restrained bunkering and subtle greens.9.6
- Barnbougle: DunesTom Doak and Mike ClaytonBarnbougle: DunesBridport · AustraliaPublicDesigned by Tom Doak and Mike Clayton and opened in 2004. A walking links among towering coastal dunes with firm turf, strategic width and Bass Strait wind.9.6
- Hirono Golf CourseC.H. AlisonHirono Golf CourseMiki · JapanPublicDesigned by C.H. Alison and opened in 1932. Japan’s most celebrated classic features pine-lined corridors, dramatic bunkering and large subtly contoured greens.9.6
- Le Grand ParcoursTom SimpsonLe Grand ParcoursFrancePublicDesigned by Tom Simpson and opened in 1927, later sensitively updated by Kyle Phillips. A private heathland course of pine, heather and natural sandy terrain.Mortefontaine9.6
- Leopard Creek Golf CourseGary PlayerLeopard Creek Golf CourseMalalane · South AfricaPublicDesigned by Gary Player and opened in 1996. A private course overlooking Kruger National Park, with wildlife, river views and the island-green par-5 13th.9.6
- Memphrémagog Golf CourseThomas McBroomMemphrémagog Golf CourseMagog · CanadaPublicDesigned by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2008. An exclusive course near Lake Memphrémagog featuring forest, wetlands, granite and broad mountain views.9.6
- Ballybunion Golf Club: Old CourseBallybunion Golf Club: Old CourseIrelandPublicFounded in 1893 and later refined by Tom Simpson. A natural Atlantic links through immense dunes, celebrated for its seaside holes, uneven lies and exhilarating routing.Ballybunion9.6
- Oviinbyrd Golf CourseThomas McBroomOviinbyrd Golf CourseMacTier · CanadaPublicDesigned by Thomas McBroom and opened in 2005. An exclusive Muskoka course woven through exposed granite, forest and wetlands with dramatic elevation changes.9.6
