Britain & Ireland Golf Courses

Par 72 • 7,319 yards

The sport's most famous links, the Old Course runs dramatically along St Andrews' western edge. With a golfing heritage dating back to the 15th century, it is said to be the oldest course in the world, and is lovingly known as The Home of Golf. Famously, in 1457 visits to the golf course were becoming so popular that James II had to issue a ban to his troops, as it was impeding his troops' archery practice.

The British Open has been hosted in St Andrews a record 30 times, with the first taking place in 1873. The course is notoriously difficult to master for golfers of all levels. And, despite its grand standing in the world of golf, it remains a public course, open to all. Booking a tee time, however, is as notoriously difficult as playing the course itself — applications to play must be made at least a year in advance. There are guided walks available though, and you are also free to wander around the course, or take a stroll along its footpaths leading along its other edges.

Par 73 • 7,033 yards

Stretching to the distant reaches of the Bartragh Peninsula, Enniscrone (also spelled Inishcrone) is notorious for its dramatic coastal dunes and its treacherous, unforgiving rough. As with most links courses in this part of the world, wind is also a factor on even the calmest of days. So this is a course which rewards cautious, considered play. When contemplating a daring shot, risk-reward players may want to think carefully about the risks before they covet the rewards. This is a deservedly popular course attracting players from across the globe, and summer bookings are advised only well in advance.

Par 72 • 7,118 yards

One of three fine courses at Portstewart, The Strand course offers one of the most spectacular opening nines in all of world golf. The course was originally built by Willie Park Jr in 1894 and underwent later alterations under the supervision of Des Griffin. But much of what is played today is credited to an impressive 1990 overhaul. This was undertaken not by a celebrity architect or household name, but by three local men who knew the course best - the club secretary, the groundskeeper and a local school teacher. The results are a Mecca for serious golfers looking to test their links game and, for visiting any player, a serious challenge awaits.

Par 71 • 6,738 yards

Until the 1980s, when Tom Watson declared it one of the world's finest golf courses, Ballybunion was largely unknown to the outside world. Since that time, however, its carpark has been full of coaches and limousines as golf fans from all backgrounds pay tribute to a links course that truly sets the standard. Summer visitors should expect to book as much as a full year in advance.

Par 73 • 7,186 yards

Although the course will be busy in summer, the blooming heather and gorse during the peak season make Royal County Down one of the most beautiful places to play golf anywhere on the Island of Ireland. Old Tom Morris was paid four gold guineas to build the original course in 1889 before Harry Vardon, two decades later, established what golfers enjoy today. With such a vintage, this is unsurprisingly a very traditional links with natural bunkers, blind tee shots and obscured holes on approach. That might not be to everyone's taste. But visitors from across the pond have plenty of modern courses to choose from at home in the USA. Those travelling to Ireland to experience the traditional game of the Old World should certainly make the trip to this fine example of just that.

Par 70 • 7,489 yards

Set along the spectacular coastline of Ayrshire, Scotland, the Ailsa course of the Trump Turnberry Resort was redeveloped by Donald Trump and course architect Martin Ebert, in June 2016. Most memerable for the four day battke between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus during the 1977 Open Championship, the coiurse has been in existaence in one form or another since 1906. Closed down and used as a landing stripe and used as a traing base for The Royal Flying Corps in both World Wars. The course opened again in 1951 and has hosted the Open four times, in 1977, 1986, 1994, and 2009. Notable features of the Ailsa course include the halfway house, a converted lighthouse, and the thrilling 9th hole, a 248-yard par 3 over rocks. It is one of three courses on the resort — the others being the King Robert the Bruce course (18 holes), and the Arran course (9 holes).

Par 72 • 7,382 yards

Par 72 • 7,277 Yards

Visitors from the United States will find the parkland golf on offer at The K Club very familiar. Mainly because of the many televised tournaments held here; The Ryder Cup in 2006 and the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, for example. With Pinehurst, Sawgrass and Doral all much closer to home, many US tourists may choose to stay away in favour of courses which showcase the links golf which makes the Irish game so different. But those who bypass this iconic club will be missing out on meticulous course maintenance, flawless greens and top-class amenities.

Par 72 • 7,319 yards

Golf has been played at Royal Portrush since 1888, but it was in 1947 that Harry Colt's 18-hole masterpiece was unveiled. It has been known ever since as the Dunluce Links. Like all great links courses, the Dunluce takes masterful advantage of an undulating coastal landscape with well-placed bunkers and merciless rough. The greens, among the best in the world, permit no lapses in concentration. Also, typical of links courses is the wind and unpredictable weather. But Royal Portrush remains a fair test of the game for mid-level golfers to world-class pros. The recent addition of two new holes (7th and 8th) has taken the Dunluce to the next level and was rewarded in 2019 with the much-anticipated return of The Open. The Dunluce's sister-course, The Valley Course, would rank as a top-flight championship course if it were situated anywhere in the world but immediately next to the Dunluce.

Par 71 • 7,464 yards

Royal Birkdale Golf Club was established in 1889 and granted its "Royal" status in 1951 by King George VI. It is a prestigious links course located in Southport, England and its current layout was designed by Frederick G. Hawtree and J.H. Taylor. Played across 7,156 yards with a par of 72, it is renowned for its swelling fairways, cruel bunkers, and challenging greens. Royal Birkdale Golf Club has hosted The Open Championship ten times — most recently in 2017 — and the Ryder Cup twice — in 1965 and 1969 — and multiple Women's British Opens. Known for its stunning clubhouse, picturesque backdrops, and welcoming atmosphere, Royal Birkdale is consistently ranked among the top international golf courses.

Par 75 • 7,464 yards

Known as "Golf's Greatest Test" due to its complex layout and deceptive features, Carnoustie Golf Links was officially opened in 1842 — although golf is said to have been played here as far back as the 1500s. Once you arrive in the town of Carnoustie, located on Scotland's south east coast, you'll instantly see what the main focus is, it's golf! Carnoustie is among the ten oldest surviving golf clubs on the planet, and its rich history is felt throughout the area. The world's first inter club golf match was played between Carnoustie and St Andrews in 1873.

Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris in the 1850s designed the course layout as it is still played today — expanding the then 10 hole course to 18. Carnoustie is open to the public every day of the year, but booking well in advance is advisable.

Par 72 • 6,870 yards

Set against the famously rocky and windswept Co. Galway landscape, the fabulously remote Connemara Golf Club offers great rewards to visitors who are prepared to travel this far west. It is made up of three loops of nine holes, with the A and B loops making up the Championship course. Playing this traditional combination, expect a front nine that is gentle, open and forgiving. From the tenth tee onwards, prepare for a punishing nine holes that are among the most challenging you will find anywhere. If you can shoot to your handicap on the back nine, then you have earned your reward in the clubhouse.

Par 72 • 6,889 yards

Greg Norman's first links course is a testament to how skilfully he transitioned from player to parkland architect and then to links designer. In a setting which closely resembles Lahinch just 20 minutes up the coast, Doonbeg offers stunning ocean views on no fewer than 16 holes, 6 of which lead right to the water's edge. Every hole has its own unique character here, with the par threes and short par fours being particularly memorable. Encouragingly wide fairways make the course quite forgiving but, with thick rough growing to knee length, be warned any shot straying beyond the primary cut will be gone forever.

Par 72 • 7,319 yards

Hidden away in the town of Dornoch, in the Scottish Highlands, the Royal Dornoch Golf Club can trace its roots back as far as 1616. There is written evidence from this time of Sir Robert Gordon claiming expenses of £10 and £12 pounds for clubs and balls during his time here. Officially founded in 1877, and designed as we see it today by the ever-present Old Tom Morris — who extended it from 9 holes to 18 in 1886. As well as the links Championship Course, there is the lesser-known Struie Course, also 18 holes and ranked as one of best links courses in Scotland.

Although Royal Dornoch has yet to host a major golf championship, it has hosted numerous amateur men's and women's events including The British Amateur Championship in 1985. Visitors are welcome to play both courses, but this is subject to availability and booking well in advance is a must.

Par 72 • 6,839 Yards

One of Ireland's most famous and prestigious golf courses, Portmarnock is also among its most expensive. Having hosted an impressive back catalogue of major tournaments, this picturesque course enjoys a global reputation for relatively open and surprisingly forgiving links golf. Avid fans may recognise the distinctive dogleg-left 14th hole (par 4) with a raised green which, at least visually, is perhaps the highlight of the course.

Par 71 • 7,355 Yards

When visionary golf-course designer Pat Ruddy flew over Brittas Bay in the 1980s, he beheld the same stretch of sand dunes and coastal grassland that countless others had witnessed before him. But what Ruddy envisaged what so much more than that, and the result is what we now call The European Club. With undulating, meandering fairways and skilfully placed bunkers, this is not a course for beginners. But experienced golfers should make this a firm fixture on their bucket list.

Par 72 • 6,950 yards

Welcome to one of the most debated, eulogized and generally talked-about courses in all of golf. The Lahinch Old Course bears the fingerprints of no fewer than three architects, with Old Tom Morris putting in the original groundwork (1894) and Martin Hawtree making modern-day refinements to a course whose best features are largely credited to Alister MacKenzie and his 1920s redesign. Perhaps the most notable challenge on this course is one for which no mortal designer can take credit: the wind and weather at Lahinch are hugely unpredictable factors which come and go quickly, affecting play enormously. Discussion in the clubhouse will likely centre around the two most famous holes, the fourth and fifth - known as 'The Klondyke' and 'The Dell' respectively. Here, steep hills and blind shots will give visitors much to talk about and much to blame.

Par 72 • 7,531 yards

Muirfield Golf Course, located in Gullane, Scotland, and was first opened in 1891 on a 16-hole course designed by Old Tom Morris. It is home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world's first organised golf club — with roots dating back to 1744. Known for its unique layout featuring two loops of nine holes in opposing directions, Muirfield demands concentration across its 7,531 yards of narrow fairways, deceptive bunkers, and fast greens. It has hosted The Open Championship 16 times — most recently in 2013 — as well as other famous tournaments like the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup, and the Curtis Cup.

Muirfield is known for its stringent membership rules. While visitors can play on designated days, booking well in advance is a must. Muirfield is celebrated for its clever design and flawless upkeep. With a deep respect for golfing tradition, Muirfield is a true golfer's pilgrimage.

Par 72 • 7,130 yards

Calling on designers and collaborators from a diverse range of golfing fields and relying on the stunning setting presented by mother nature, the Old Head Of Kinsale has grown to become one of the planet's most sought after golfing days out. Built on a 220-acre near chunk of land that reaches out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, with a lighthouse at its peak and the ocean surrounding you at all sides, it really is a golfing experience like no other. The par 72, 18 holes are broken down by five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s, nine of which play along the cliff tops. Enjoy oak lined locker rooms, a warm up range, a putting green and an area to practice your short game. There's also an executive helicopter service, should the mood take you.

Par 72 • 6,870 yards

Visiting Tralee's rugged coastline before he began work on what would be his first and perhaps his finest European course, architect Arnold Palmer observed that he had never seen a more perfect place to build a golf course. A windswept links course with a fairly flat front nine, Tralee always holds the threat of challenging weather which can disappear as quickly as it emerges from the brooding Atlantic. According to Tom Clarke, The back nine is the more dramatic overall, although the 2nd and 3rd ensure it doesn't have it all its own way – first an awe-inspiring 600-yarder doglegging round the cliffs, then a daunting par 3 on the very edge of the rocky shoreline.

Par 71 • 7,548 yards

Fist established in 1887 by Dr William Laidlaw Purves, in Sandwich, England, Royal St. George's Golf Club was intended to become England's answer to St Andrew's in Scotland. It found fame when it became the first golf club outside of Scotland to host the Open Championship in 1894, and has gone on to host the competition a further 14 times — the most for a non-Scottish club. The club was renowned as one of the trickiest in all of Britain, when a multitude of blind or almost blind shots were dotted throughout the course. These have been reduce somewhat over the past 100 years with a number of redesigns of the course having taken place. The bunker on the 4th hole is said to be the deepest in championship golf.

Par 72 • 7,220 yards

Ireland's northernmost golf course, the Old Links at Ballyliffin was declared by Nick Faldo to be the most natural links he had ever seen. This may go some way in explaining why the course is affectionately known as 'The Mounds'. Here, the challenging topography includes a litany of moguls, basins, bunkers, boulders, sandhills and thick rough grass which is all but inescapable. Exposed to the capricious North Atlantic, the weather here is windy and unpredictable. When you make it to the greens, your worries are not over: frequently, they are turtlebacked and hard to approach. So, a test awaits any golfer who ventures this far north. However, for those who do make the trip and stay long enough to enjoy the Old Links and its younger sibling, Glashedy Links, a magnificent 36-hole experience awaits.