Ailsa CourseTurnberry · Scotland · PublicOriginally 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
Dunluce LinksPortrush · Northern Ireland · PublicHarry 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
Old CourseSt Andrews · Scotland · PublicThe 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 LinksKinsale · Ireland · PublicOpened 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 LinksSt Andrews · Scotland · PublicDesigned 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
MuirfieldGullane · Scotland · PublicThe 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 BirkdaleSouthport · England · PublicA 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 ManorAdare · Ireland · PublicOriginally 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 · Ireland · PublicArnold 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
Old CourseBallybunion · Ireland · PublicFounded 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 DoonbegDoonbeg · Ireland · PublicDesigned 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
West LinksNorth Berwick · Scotland · PublicA 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 LinksInverness · Scotland · PublicDesigned 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 LinksLeven · Scotland · PublicDesigned 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
Old CourseLahinch · Ireland · PublicOriginally 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
Old CourseTroon · Scotland · PublicFounded 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
Old CourseSunningdale · England · PublicDesigned 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 LiverpoolHoylake · England · PublicFounded 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 LinksWaterville · Ireland · PublicEstablished 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
Balgownie LinksAberdeen · Scotland · PublicFounded 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
Castle CourseSt Andrews · Scotland · PublicDesigned 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 GlenNewtownmountkennedy · Ireland · PublicDesigned 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
Edinburgh CourseVirginia Water · England · PublicDesigned by John Jacobs and opened in 1990. A long heathland course through mature woodland, complementing Wentworth’s historic East and West layouts.9.4
Glashedy LinksBallyliffin · Ireland · PublicDesigned 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 CourseLuss · Scotland · PublicDesigned 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
New CourseSunningdale · England · PublicDesigned 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
No. 1 CourseGullane · Scotland · PublicEstablished 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
Red and Blue CourseWeybridge · England · PublicDesigned 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 AnnesLytham St Annes · England · PublicFounded 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 PorthcawlPorthcawl · Wales · PublicFounded 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
The European ClubBrittas Bay · Ireland · PublicDesigned and built by Pat Ruddy, opening in 1992. A muscular Atlantic links with 20 greens, deep bunkering and two consecutive par 4s running beside the beach.9.4
Western GailesIrvine · Scotland · PublicFounded in 1897 on a narrow strip between railway and sea. A traditional out-and-back Ayrshire links where changing wind and superb turf define the challenge.9.4
Craighead LinksCrail · Scotland · PublicDesigned by Gil Hanse and opened in 1998. A modern cliff-edge links with stone walls, panoramic sea views and large, strategically contoured greens.9.3
Fidra LinksDirleton · Scotland · PublicDesigned by DJ Russell and opened in 2004. A private modern links moving from pine forest to exposed coastal ground beside the Firth of Forth.9.3
Formby Golf CourseFormby · England · PublicFounded in 1884. A distinctive championship course blending links and heathland characteristics, with pine-lined corridors, sandy soil and strong coastal wind.9.3
King Robert the Bruce CourseTurnberry · Scotland · PublicRedesigned by Martin Ebert and opened under its current name in 2017. A par-72 coastal course featuring the cliff-edge ninth and views of Turnberry Lighthouse and Ailsa Craig.9.3
No. 2 CourseGullane · Scotland · PublicLaid out by Willie Park Jr. and opened in 1898. A shorter but exacting links that climbs Gullane Hill and features fast turf, gorse and broad coastal views.9.3
Prestwick Golf CoursePrestwick · Scotland · PublicDesigned by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1851. Birthplace and original home of The Open Championship, with historic features including the Cardinal bunker and Alps hole.9.3
Royal Cinque PortsDeal · England · PublicFounded in 1892 and twice host of The Open. A demanding out-and-back links with a famously difficult inward nine often played into the prevailing wind.9.3
Royal St George'sSandwich · England · PublicFounded in 1887 and the first course outside Scotland to host The Open. A rugged links known for rolling fairways, deep bunkers and the towering Himalaya hazard.9.3
Silloth on SolwaySilloth · England · PublicFounded in 1892 with design work by David Grant, Willie Park Jr. and later architects. A natural links of humps, heather and panoramic Solway Firth views.9.3
St Patrick's LinksDownings · Ireland · PublicDesigned by Tom Doak and opened in 2021. A spectacular links across enormous Donegal dunes, with broad fairways, varied green sites and sweeping Atlantic views.9.3
Swinley ForestAscot · England · PublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1910. A compact, highly regarded heathland course with excellent par 3s, heather-lined fairways and natural sandy soil.9.3
The GroveChandler’s Cross · England · PublicDesigned by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2003. A modern parkland course with no members or reserved tee times, host of the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship and 2016 British Masters.9.3
Balcomie LinksCrail · Scotland · PublicOriginally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895. A historic seaside links featuring rocky shoreline, elevation changes and memorable short holes beside the Firth of Forth.9.2
Colt CourseNewcastle upon Tyne · England · PublicDesigned by Scott Macpherson and opened in 2011 in tribute to Harry Colt. A modern parkland course with dramatic elevation change and host of British Masters tournaments.9.2
Dromoland Castle Golf CourseNewmarket-on-Fergus · Ireland · PublicOriginally designed by Brook Wigginton and Ron Kirby, then redesigned in 2003. A par-72 parkland course through the historic castle estate, with lakes and mature woodland.9.2
Elie Golf LinksElie · Scotland · PublicGolf has been played at Elie since the 18th century, with the present course shaped by Old Tom Morris. A compact seaside links famed for blind shots and its submarine-periscope starter’s hut.9.2
Mount Juliet Golf CourseThomastown · Ireland · PublicJack Nicklaus Signature design opened in 1991. A polished parkland course beside the River Nore, host of WGC events and multiple Irish Opens.9.2
New CourseSt Andrews · Scotland · PublicDesigned by Old Tom Morris and opened in 1895. Despite its name, it is a classic links with tighter fairways and more defined greens than the neighboring Old Course.9.2
Old CourseWalton-on-the-Hill · England · PublicDesigned by Herbert Fowler and opened in 1904. A strategic heathland course of heather, firm turf and deep bunkers; host of the 1981 Ryder Cup and 2023 Women’s Open.9.2
Old CourseCamber · England · PublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1895. A fast-running, compact links on Camber sands, renowned for excellent par 3s and strong amateur-golf traditions.9.2
Panmure Golf CourseBarry · Scotland · PublicFounded in 1845, with the Barry course shaped by Old Tom Morris and James Braid. A links-heathland blend famous for the Hogan bunker beside the sixth green.9.2
The BrabazonSutton Coldfield · England · PublicDesigned by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss. The four-time Ryder Cup venue is known for risk-reward water holes, including the drivable par-4 10th and peninsula-green 18th.9.2
West CourseVirginia Water · England · PublicDesigned by Harry Colt and opened in 1926, with major renovation by Ernie Els. The “Burma Road” is Wentworth’s championship course and annual home of the BMW PGA Championship.9.2
Ardglass Golf LinksArdglass · Northern Ireland · PublicA dramatic clifftop links with a clubhouse dating to the 15th century. The opening holes hug the Irish Sea and combine carries over rocky coves with narrow fairways.9.1
Brora Golf CourseBrora · Scotland · PublicDesigned by James Braid in 1923. A natural Highland links shared with grazing livestock, featuring electric fences around greens and sweeping views of the North Sea.9.1
Dooks Golf LinksGlenbeigh · Ireland · PublicFounded in 1889 and later refined by Eddie Hackett and Martin Hawtree. A charming traditional links overlooking Dingle Bay and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.9.1
Dundonald LinksIrvine · Scotland · PublicDesigned by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2003. A modern Ayrshire links with rumpled fairways, strategic bunkering and firm turf; host of men’s and women’s Scottish Opens.9.1
Galway Bay Golf CourseOranmore · Ireland · PublicDesigned by Christy O’Connor Jr. and opened in 1993. An exposed seaside course overlooking Galway Bay, where wind, stone walls and broad views define play.9.1