- Trump Turnberry: Ailsa CourseWillie Fernie and Martin EbertTrump Turnberry: Ailsa 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 IrelandPublic18 holesHarry 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 · ScotlandPublic18 holesThe 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
- 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
- MuirfieldMuirfieldGullane · ScotlandPublic18 holesThe 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
- Royal BirkdaleRoyal BirkdaleSouthport · EnglandPublic18 holesA 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
- 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
- Ballybunion Golf Club: Old CourseBallybunion Golf Club: Old CourseBallybunion · IrelandPublicFounded 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.9.6
- Trump International Golf Links DoonbegGreg NormanTrump International Golf Links DoonbegDoonbeg · IrelandPublicDesigned by Greg Norman and opened in 2002, then refined by Martin Hawtree. A par-72 Atlantic links routed through natural dunes beside Doughmore Bay.9.6
- North Berwick Golf Club: West LinksNorth Berwick Golf Club: West LinksNorth Berwick · ScotlandPublicA historic links dating to 1832. Famous for the original Redan, the stone wall crossing the 13th and the beachside 16th, with views toward Bass Rock.9.6
- Castle Stuart Golf LinksGil Hanse and Mark ParsinenCastle Stuart Golf LinksInverness · ScotlandPublicDesigned by Gil Hanse and Mark Parsinen and opened in 2009. A modern links overlooking the Moray Firth, known for infinity-edge greens, rumpled fairways and panoramic views.9.5
- Dumbarnie LinksClive ClarkDumbarnie LinksLeven · ScotlandPublicDesigned by Clive Clark and opened in 2020. A modern links on the Firth of Forth with elevated tees, expansive views, generous fairways and multiple risk-reward options.9.5
- Lahinch Golf Club: Old CourseLahinch Golf Club: Old CourseLahinch · IrelandPublicOriginally laid out by Old Tom Morris and transformed by Alister MacKenzie in 1927. A dramatic links known for the blind Klondyke and Dell holes and bold Atlantic dunes.9.5
- Royal Troon Golf Club: Old CourseRoyal Troon Golf Club: Old CourseTroon · ScotlandPublicFounded in 1878 and shaped by Willie Fernie and James Braid. A frequent Open venue featuring the Postage Stamp par 3 and a formidable inward nine into the prevailing wind.9.5
- Sunningdale Golf Club: Old CourseWillie Park JrSunningdale Golf Club: Old CourseSunningdale · EnglandPublicDesigned by Willie Park Jr. and opened in 1901. A landmark heathland course featuring heather, pine and strategic bunkering, highlighted by the par-4 10th beside the halfway hut.9.5
- Royal LiverpoolRoyal LiverpoolHoylake · EnglandPublicFounded in 1869 on the former Liverpool Hunt grounds. A historic Open venue whose subtle links defenses include internal out-of-bounds, deep bunkering and exposed coastal winds.9.5
- Waterville Golf LinksEddie HackettWaterville Golf LinksWaterville · IrelandPublicEstablished in 1889 and redesigned by Eddie Hackett, with later work by Tom Fazio. A remote Atlantic links between Ballinskelligs Bay and Lough Currane.9.5
- Royal Aberdeen Golf Club: Balgownie LinksRoyal Aberdeen Golf Club: Balgownie LinksAberdeen · ScotlandPublicFounded in 1780, with the present links shaped by Archie and Robert Simpson and later James Braid. The celebrated outward nine threads through towering dunes beside the North Sea.9.4
- St Andrews Links: Castle CourseDavid McLay KiddSt Andrews Links: Castle CourseSt Andrews · ScotlandPublicDesigned by David McLay Kidd and opened in 2008. A clifftop course east of St Andrews with dramatic coastal views and large, strongly contoured greens.9.4
- Druids GlenPat Ruddy and Tom CraddockDruids GlenNewtownmountkennedy · IrelandPublicDesigned by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock and opened in 1995. A highly landscaped parkland course and four-time Irish Open venue, extensively restored for 2023.9.4
- Wentworth Club: Edinburgh CourseJohn JacobsWentworth Club: Edinburgh CourseVirginia Water · EnglandPublicDesigned by John Jacobs and opened in 1990. A long heathland course through mature woodland, complementing Wentworth’s historic East and West layouts.9.4
- Ballyliffin Golf Club: Glashedy LinksPat Ruddy and Tom CraddockBallyliffin Golf Club: Glashedy LinksBallyliffin · IrelandPublicDesigned by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock and opened in 1995. A powerful championship links through towering Donegal dunes, host of the 2018 Irish Open.9.4
- Loch Lomond Golf CourseTom Weiskopf and Jay MorrishLoch Lomond Golf CourseLuss · ScotlandPrivateDesigned by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and opened in 1993. A private parkland course beside Loch Lomond, former host of the Scottish Open.9.4
- Sunningdale Golf Club: New CourseHarry ColtSunningdale Golf Club: New CourseSunningdale · EnglandPublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1923. A more rugged counterpart to the Old Course, crossing heathland ridges with demanding carries, heather and bold bunkering.9.4
- Gullane Golf Club: No. 1Gullane Golf Club: No. 1Gullane · ScotlandPublicEstablished in 1884 and shaped by Willie Park Jr. A championship links climbing Gullane Hill, with panoramic Firth of Forth views and fast-running turf.9.4
- St George's Hill Golf Club: Red and Blue CourseHarry ColtSt George's Hill Golf Club: Red and Blue CourseWeybridge · EnglandPublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1913. The Red and Blue nines form the principal heathland combination, featuring heather, pine, elevation change and bold diagonal hazards.9.4
- Royal Lytham & St AnnesRoyal Lytham & St AnnesLytham St Annes · EnglandPublicFounded in 1886 and shaped by George Lowe and Harry Colt. A heavily bunkered championship links and frequent Open venue set slightly inland from the Irish Sea.9.4
- Royal PorthcawlRoyal PorthcawlPorthcawl · WalesPublicFounded in 1891. Wales’s leading championship links is exposed to the Bristol Channel throughout, with sea views from every hole and an exacting opening stretch.9.4
