The UK is home to some of the world's greatest links courses. Year Established: c.1812 Shorter than the East, though not much, the West Course is arguably a little more forgiving, more varied, and most importantly for many, more fun. One of three courses at Woburn, this is the youngest and most highly rated. Of the best golf courses in Sussex, West Sussex GC is top and it is certainly one of the best heathland golf courses in the country. Click the download button to get this brochure. He manages the Golf Monthly news, features, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. The letter shows that the land the Kinghorn Council bought to build the present course in 1886 is the same land that golfers had been using for years. Founded in 1864, Royal North Devon is officially the oldest golf course England and its still using its original fairways! The older of Walton Heaths two excellent courses has a long and rich history that features a Ryder Cup and many other high-profile events with the 2023 AIG Women's Open on the horizon. It's situated opposite to MacKenzie's first design, Alwoodley. Rob (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 16). There are so many strong holes on this wonderful heathland layout, that picking out one over another is tough, but the stretch from the 6th to the 8th excels heading out, while the 10th is a glorious down and up par 4 that will test you to the full. A full 18-hole course was established at the West Links in 1877. St. Andrews Old Course. The Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland map. St Andrews Old Course needs little introduction and is widely regarded as the spiritual home of golf. It has staged three British Masters and hosted the Women's British Open in 2019. Sunningdale (Old) Small, firm greens are well protected by lush rough and devilish pot bunkers and great banks of gorse call for precision from the tee. Formby is another course on our list located in the famous Southport area, as such its natural beauty parallels the likes of Royal Birkdale and other local neighbours. This 11-time Open venue and two-time Ryder Cup host really is a thinkers course where plotting your way round is of at least equal merit to length of the tee. It is recorded that golf has been played on this land . It's a very strong course with a great variety of holes forging out to the turn and then back into the prevailing wind. Despite the course being private for members and their guests only, course reviews and impressions of the course are of the very highest calibre, attracting the likes of Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott as members. 625. Royal St George's Golf Club. Royal Liverpool is the host of the 151st Open Championship. Pine trees and firs also line some of the holes to create a very attractive layout. Location: Tayport, Fife, Scotland The Old Links at Musselburgh has been officially recognised by Guinness as the oldest golf course in the world; a fact that should immediately place Musselburgh atop any avid golfers wishlist. The front nine is strong, but the back nine really shines - it's arguably one of the best back nines in the entire UK. of Holes: 18 Year Established: 1842 The Southport coast has way more than its fair share of very fine links, but one stands above them all Royal Birkdale, where the holes play predominantly along the valleys between tall dunes. The more challenging of two wonderful links courses is the East, which is set in the glorious North Devon dunes to provide a wonderful and testing setting to play golf. Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, a prominentEdinburgh lawyer, kept detailed records of playing golf at what is now the Musselburgh Links in 1672. Royal Liverpool Golf Club, venue for the 2023 Open Championship, (Image credit: David Cannon/Getty Images), (Image credit: Geoff Ellis (golfworking.co.uk)), Arnold Palmer Invitational Power Rankings: Ranking the Top Golfers in this Weeks Field, These 2022 Golf Products Are About To Be ReplacedGrab A Bargain, Sergio Garcia Opens Up On 'Very Sad' McIlroy Fallout, I Tracked Every Shot Of Tiger Woods' Warm-Up, Rick Shiels' Ultimate 30 Minute Range Session, Harry Colts legendary architectural genius, Fall in love this February with a Golf Monthly subscription. Scotland, UK, is the oldest golf course in the entire world. The heathland layouts provide a stern test of golf that meanders through mature pine and oak trees that live long in the memory of any golfer fortunate to spend a day here. Formed in 1893, it is the county's oldest heathland club and was designed by Tom Dunn. While Scotland is the home of golf, England has the most Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland with an astounding 46. Its most recent Open was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth came out on top to lift the Claret Jug. Year Established: 1589 Due to its extreme age, the Old Course at St. Andrews has of course been redesigned numerous times. Getting to the course early, learning about the clubs traditions and geeking out over old photos is just part of the experience, and thats even before youve stepped foot on the course. However, in the year 1505, the ban was lifted by James IV when . The English Golf Union adopting Woodhall Spa as their home speaks to the class of this British classic. It is a traditional out-and-back layout played either side of a dune ridge. The course was modified in 1926 by James Braid. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You would be forgiven for thinking it had always been here and it's hard to believe that this stunning treelined course is less than 50 years old. Pine Valley in miniature. Hankley Common is a beautiful golf course that is of top quality. The others may not be quite as big, but all 10 are outstanding layouts with proud histories that go back a century and more. It's primarily a two-ball club and gets off to a gentle start with a 280 yard par-4 openeralthough it gets tougher from there. Mackenzie Ross created a course within a crater of an extinct volcano that stretches to 6,468 yards from the back tees. Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have played the links here as far back as 1567 and the official measurement for the width of a hole stemmed from a piece of equipment used to cut the holes at Musselburgh all those years ago. While it is perhaps not the most picturesque of seaside links golf courses, it is certainly one that features highly within any Top 100 Golf Course list. Heres how it works. rmation on Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. Learn how your comment data is processed. As a former captain of the last club to play there (lochend golf club) which is still going strong at craigentinny golf course, one mile from leith links I would like this old course to be mentioned in the same breath as the others you mentioned. Uniquely among The Open venues, it starts with a heavily bunkered par 3, which is followed by two strong par 4s flanking the railway. The the original 1st and the 8th (now 18th) holes of the Kinghorn Golf Course are still in use. As one of the oldest seaside courses in England, Royal Liverpool naturally has tonnes of history and heritage behind it; in 1871 the course was extended to 18 holes, paving the way for the royal title in the same year. Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Sam about playing this course. A game of two halves. *Open Championship host in active rota**Open Championship host not in active rota. Herbert Fowler was asked to submit a design, and the new course was built. of Holes: 18 The long par 4s at 15 and 17 the latters approach blind if youre too far left off the tee - yield par figures with some reluctance. Like most classic links courses, Montrose very much follows the lay of the land, designed by Mother Nature you could say, but throughout its history, it has also been lucky enough to have the notable trio of Old Tom Morris, Willie Park Jnr, and finally, Harry Colt, sprinkle their magic dust over the springy links turf. The peace and serentiy found on the fairways is remarkable considering its close proximity to the centre of Leeds. The stylish clubhouse has a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere, and its distance from the outside world extends to the golf itself where each hole is a discrete and quite separate entity. Length: 6669 yards (6098 m). The Open qualifying venue is one of the country's truest seaside tests. Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire Boasting views over the city of Aberdeen this course also features everything a classic links should including punishing rough, monstrous sand dunes and of course exposure to the elements. The Old Course at St. Andrews still reigns supreme as the eldest among the bunch and will gain even more distinction as the 150th Open Championship tees off this week. The Old Course at St. Andrews is home of The Open Championship (established 1860), the oldest major golf championship. It was joined in the following years by a myriad of new layouts, including Real Club de Golf El Prat a perennial Golfbreaks favourite with 27 fantastically laid-out holes to discover. - Full Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club review. "When the wind blows hard, the firm and fast greens are difficult to find, and the lengthy par-3s are some of the most challenging in the local area." Bruntsfield Links 1695 Oldest course in world where you can play golf for free There are no longer any golf courses at all on Leith Links in Edinburgh, Sauchope in Crail, Glasgow Green in Glasgow, Burntisland Links at Burntisland, Ward Hill at Cruden Bay, West Links/Hedderwick Links at Dunbar nor the East Links at North Berwick. of Holes: 9 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Carnoustie Golf Links is one of the venues in the Open Championship rotation and has hosted golfs oldest major on eight occasions. Unfortunately, the links were shut down again due to the onset of World War II. - Full Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course Review. One of the best golf courses in Warwickshire, the Brabazon is always presented beautifully despite the heavy play, and the undulating greens can be a joy to putt on. Course expansion began in 1865, with the final major extension happening in 1895. Golf has been played on this hallowed turf for almost 500 years, with The Open contested here on 29 separate occasions and counting. Other top-rated heathland golf courses in England include further Surrey courses such as Hankley Common and Walton Heath as well as Lincolnshire's Woodhall Spa and Yorkshire's Lindrick, Alwoodley and Moortown. The one non-traditional aspect is the routing, which is not out and back; consequently, the vagaries of the wind add another dimension to the challenge. had long been the size of the implement used to create the holes at Musselbrugh. Among the standout holes are the famous 4th with its mighty sleepered bunkers and extremely testing green. The Kebo Golf Club, courtesy Google Maps. Length: 6,506 yards (5949 m). The Old Course is the standard-bearer for all modern golf courses as this is where the 18 hole formant of the game we play today was born. 10. Tyler is a collegiate golfer for Cornell University working as GOLF.coms summer intern. Here then, is a brief introduction to the 10 oldest golf clubs in the world, most of whom have a more detailed account of their history on their websites. No two holes are the same, the true sign of a great golf course. Type: Public The course is a fine heathland routing with sometimes breathtaking changes in elevation and a host of exceptional holes. 8 Youngest PGA Players in History Rated 9.2 by 67 golfers More info on Royal Liverpool Golf Club >>, "A great example of links golf. Royal Birkdale Golf Club Lancashire Rated 10 by 24 golfers (Read reviewsof Royal Birkdale Golf Club) 1 Night, 2 Rounds Bed and Breakfast 1 round at Hillside Golf Club 1 round at Royal Birkdale Golf Club from549 On the fringes of Mansfield, Sherwood Forest Golf Club dates from 1895. Have a question for GOLF's course raters? The fantastic club is home to three of the best golf courses in Buckinghamshire and the newest of the three, the Marquess', is the best on the property. Reportedly, Mary, Queen of Scots played golf in Musselburgh, in nearby Seton Castle, as early as 1567. This majestic and surprisingly secluded blend of mature woodland and expansive heathland first opened for play just over 15 years ago. Royal North Devon Founded in 1864, Royal North Devon is officially the oldest golf course England and it's still using its original fairways! For starters, to educate golfers on everything this game can do to challenge your skill and more important your spirit. "The course has a rich tournament history and wil give a good test of your golfing ability, the gorse & bunkers will punish wayward shots." Sandwich, Kent Fine opening and closing holes bookend this testing inland classic, which is one of England's finest heathlands and one of the very best golf courses in Yorkshire. We think it's the pick of the bunch of the best golf courses in Norfolk. Total No. (Read reviews of Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club). In 2009, Musselburgh Links was named by Guinness World Records as the Worlds Oldest Golf Course, however this distinction now belongs to St. Andrews since they uncovered golf records dating back to 1552. The Council expanded the course in 1909 when it bought more land and nine additional holes were added. Following the success of The Open in Scotland, the tournament ventured south for the first time in 1894. New in name but getting on for 100 years old now, Harry Colt and John Morrisons design has just got better and better over the years. Birkdale is one of the best links courses in England and a must-play for avid golfers. MLB is, The Premier League has a long tradition of being an elite soccer league of the highest quality. Developed by Digital1010, Our site uses cookies. The outline of this old racecourse are still present. Nowadays, Golfbreaks guests often tie a trip to this corner of the Kent coast in with a visit to Royal Cinque Ports and Princes, with The Lodges at Princes being our most popular base in the area. Type: Semi-Private Woodhall Spa Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Rob about playing this course. - Full Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club review. Great Courses of Britain & Ireland: West Sussex, Great Courses of Britain & Ireland: Trevose. For any golfer these are a must. On 7th March 1744, Edinburgh City Council consented to the request and, as such, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (the world's oldest golf club) claims this as their birthday. Hoylake, Merseyside The course that made its Open return in 2006, when Tiger reigned supreme over a bone-dry links, is a little different. Four of the 10 active Open venues are in England St. Georges, Birkdale, Lytham, and Liverpool (all royal). 6 th. The first documented rounds of golf here date back to 1552 and since then the course has become the most famous golf course in the world and an absolute must for any golf fan. 1. If you are familiar with and enjoy Fishers Island then youll probably love Rye. Length: 2968 yards (2714 m). Now the 6,131-acre course shares a border with Acadia National Park. Woking is another of Surrey's great heathland courses. 6. In 1895, the current Elie and Earlsferry Links golf course was designed by Old Tom Morris and James Braid. Northern Ireland's Royal County Down tops our World 100 ranking. Royal St George's Golf Club in Kent is considered to be the best links golf course in England. The drive is one of the best in golf with an elevated position to a slanted fairway with bunkers ready to snare any shot left or right of the short stuff. While many links courses lack the framing and variety offered by trees, Formby features the best of both worlds with an almost heathland feel in place. The course in Sandwich was first laid out by local surgeon, Laidlaw Purves, and has grown over the last century into one of the finest courses on the planet. One of the best links courses in the south of England, Rye is always in excellent condition and playable all year. 8 Most Expensive Golf Courses in the World 1552. According to the Carnoustie Golf Links website, Carnoustie natives are some of golfs earliest ambassadors as around 300 golfers from Carnoustie emigrated to America at the start of the 20th century, spreading the popularity of golf. They have been at the same site since 1912 playing over a course originally laid out by Hary Colt but remodelled by James Braid in the 1920s. (Read reviews of Formby Golf Club). The Kinghorn Golf Course was last altered in 1985. There are tremendous holes around the turn on this challenging links. The North Berwick Golf Club was formed in 1832 and they began playing organized golf on what is now the West Links golf course. St. Enodoc is located in the far southwest of England (think smugglers, pirates, and King Arthur) and its golf course is decidedly worth discovering. Rock, Cornwall Year Established: 1672 West Sussex Pulborough, West Sussex Architect: Guy Campbell, Cecil Hutchison (1931) Pine Valley in miniature. 8 Most Expensive Golf Courses in the World, 8 Youngest F1 Drivers in the History of the Sport, All You Need To Know About DaBaby and His Brother, Glen Johnson, Angela Bassetts 2 Siblings Ranked Oldest To Youngest, All You Need To Know About Angelina Jolie and Her Brother, James Haven, All You Need To Know About Sandra Bullock and Her Sister, Gesine Bullock-Prado, All You Need To Know About Kamala Harris and Her Sister, Maya Harris. Cleveland Fullface 60 Join our interactive roundtable! This brilliant seaside layout is renowned for the quality of the course design, something which has been maintained and developed over the years. This beautiful Kyle Phillips design flows naturally across an impressive swathe of mature parkland. The competition was to be open to all and a condition was that a formal set of rules would be required. The 18-hole course was completed in 1934 with a later (and more substantial) redesign in 1978. Every one of the oldest golf courses in the world are located in Scotland and as of the time of this writing (May 2021) they are all still in operation and open for play. www.yourgolftravel.com/ygt-rory. This beautiful heathland course has sandy fairways and heather to either side. Classified as a heathland course, it is a popular opinion that course is closer to being an inland links. Architect: Robert Chambers, George Morris (1871) Blessed with an idyllic setting, the rumpled links never seems to attract a bad word. Location: Elie and Earlsferry, Fife, Scotland Architect: F.G. Hawtree, J.H. The original Carnoustie Golf Course featured 10 holes and was designed by Allan Robertson with assistance from Old Tom Morris. In essence, this is a true tournament venue. Darby Creek Golf Course 10 Golf Lessons .3. Wahconah Country Club (Dalton, Massachusetts) Wahconah Country Club is another of New England's semi-private courses that allow tourists to play its pristine fairways and greens. Total No. It was already top of the pile when it comes to the best golf courses in Hamsphire and it has got even better. - Full Woodhall Spa Golf Club Hotchkin Course review. (Read reviews of Woodhall Spa). Have been lucky enough to have travelled far and wide playing golf and if Im not writing about it at work, you will probably find me hacking it around my local course. At www.uniquecourses.golf are new TOP 100 lists in England South Africa, the United States, the World, and Resorts in continental Europe. Its amazing to me that golf courses that are hundreds of years old can still lay down a world-class challenge to golfers of today. Rumpled fairways, deep pot bunkers, and subtle green complexes define Englands best. A course that has to fight with coastal erosion but still has a classic links feel to it. Our golfers love the secluded nature of the course, heading away for a few days with golf truly at the heart of the trip. BA1 1UA. - Full Silloth on Solway Golf Club review. Host to the 1949 Ryder Cup, Ganton has solidified its position in the story of English golf since its formation in 1891. However, the game that modern golf is based on became popular in the 16th century. The ban was not lifted until 1502 when James IV became interested in golf. The club never rests on its laurels and continues to improve what is one of England's premier inland layouts. This testing and historic links plays host to its 13th Open Championship in 2023, nine years after Rory McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug here. Some of his original design features lost over the years have even been re-introduced in the 21st century. But it is largelyJames Braidsmodifications in 1937 that define this top-drawer layout, which offers a thoroughly desirable mix of examination and enjoyment. Herbert Fowlercreated both heathland beauties at Walton Heath, with the first nine holes of the New arriving three years after its older sibling in 1907, before being extended to a full 18 in 1913. Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Paul about playing this course. Total No. - Full Royal West Norfolk Golf Club review. The Old at Sunningdale vies strongly with its younger sibling for the honour of finest inland course in the UK, let alone England. - Full Holinwell Home of Notts Golf Club review. Architect: Guy Campbell, Cecil Hutchison (1931) (Read reviews of Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club). Paul (UK & Ireland Team: Handicap 1), Rated 9.2 by 11 golfers It has also played host to Women's British Opens, Senior Opens, Amateur Championships, Walker Cups and Curtis Cups. Carnoustie Golf Links. It is often claimed that professional golfers regard Birkdale as Englands finest links because (alongside many other attributes) it provides the fairest test. Ferndown was designed by Golf Monthly's first ever editor and two-time Open champion, Harold Hilton. The early holes at Royal Lytham are straightforward and can lull golfers into a false sense of security. Away from the Auld Lady, six other layouts belong to the St Andrews Links Trust, with more than 25 additional courses in close proximity. Raymond Memorial Golf Course 19 .6. Although the modern Kinghorn Golf Course dates to 1887, a letter was discovered a few years ago that revealed golf has been played on the Kinghorn links since at least 1812. 6. Stand out holes include the dog-leg 10th where the green is framed by water on the right-hand side, ready to await a misplaced approach and the par-4 16th hole with its bowl green creating the chance for a ball to feed into the hole. Rye is where you play foursomes golf (as in alternate shot), where you are encouraged to complete 18 holes in under three hours, and where you wont look out of place wearing plus fours. I think the opening tee-shot (the 3rd when they play The Open) is one of the toughest you'll face." Rye is a well-maintained course with a great heritage. Indeed, todays 27 holes have changed beyond all recognition over the last three years thanks to major investment and the design mind ofMartin Ebert. The North Berwick Golf Club was the first golf club to admit women in 1888. St. Georges is a classic, as well as highly distinctive, links course with fairways that twist and tumble, deep pot bunkers, and occasional semi-blind shots. Old Tom designed the initial 12-hole layout at Prestwick, before going on to lift the Claret Jug on four occasions, although he finished runner up in the first Championship to Willie Park Jr. Old Toms input wasnt restricted to Scotland, and in 1864 he headed to Royal North Devon (often known as Westward Ho! Whilst not quite rivalling the UK-based layouts for age, Portugal is now one of our most popular golfing destinations, and we thought it only right to recognise the countrys oldest course! Year Established: 1793 All rights reserved. The charter is principally a license to allow Archbishop Hamilton to breed rabbits on the links but . Somewhat paradoxically, this is a Top 100 hidden gem and undoubtedly the best value course in the Top 100. Here is our top 10 golf courses in England: 10. Looking out from the fine red-brick clubhouse, youll see a number of flat holes playing around what was once a racecourse but is now the practice ground. Get insight to top players, instructions & drills and extensive coverage of equipment, Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. Royal North Devon is a fast-running links so the natural undulations and the prevailing wind are the main considerations for the golfer looking for a solid score. Kevin Diss View: 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 01 Royal St George's Sandwich, England 19 8 1 1 5 02 Sunningdale (Old) Ascot, England 22 9 2 1 5.5 03 Royal Birkdale Southport, England His Championship course at Trevose on the north Cornwall coast is a great example of a layout that offers challenge and fairness in equal measure. One of England's finest links, and as an unusual one with a number of holes beautifully framed by towering pines. Total No. Git revision: c66828c9c047912041c5ce3d46c2a9a01ad8d258, the best golf holiday deals in England >>, Sunningdale Golf Club, or more specifically The Old Course at Sunningdale, 6 times (1982, 1986, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014), Robert Chambers, George Morris, Harry Colt. The heathland/moorland hybrid has been re-worked to re-establish it's traditional heathland characteristics in recent years. Parentheses . Porto is still one of our favourite getaways in Europe with so many incredible courses and so much to do in the city itself, which is a common theme throughout golfers visiting Portugal. Theres a glorious feeling of space around the 1st tee, but the challenge is stiff from the outset in any sort of breeze. From 1982 until 1994 the Ford Classic on the Ladies European Tour was played here. The Earlsferry Golf Society was established in 1787 and Earlsferry and Elie Golf Club, now known as The Elie, was formed in 1858, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in the UK. Would place it up there with Hankley Common or Walton Heath." The Scotscraig Golf Club was founded in 1817 by some members of the St. Andrews Society of Golfers. Length: 6085 yards. Speak with someone who's been there! Defined by it majestic trees and abundant heather, West Hill is a delightful course that is consistently strong from start to finish. We understand that everything still feels a little unpredictable at the moment, so speak to our Golf Travel Experts who can show you how this works for you when booking. Featuring tight fairways, impressive sand hills and thick rough, Burnham and Berrow seems a daunting prospect requiring strict accuracy off the tee. Golfbreaks is one of the worlds longest established and most trusted golf travel companies, organising golf breaks, holidays and tournament experiences for more than 200,000 golfers annually at over 2,000 resorts and golf courses in the UK, Europe and Worldwide. (Read reviews of Ganton Golf Club). We love the fact that it allows us amateur golfers to follow in the footsteps of our heroes. Royal Lytham & St. Annes With six wildly differing short holes, six par 4s and six long holes, there is something for everyone. One of the all-time great links courses and 15-time host to The Open Championship, Royal St George's is certainly one of the stand-out golf courses in not only South England, but the entire world. Considerable investment in recent years plus new holes and a dramatic re-styling saw this famous Open Championship venue on the Kent coast break into the Golf Monthly Top 100 for the first time. In 1457, a record was stated that King James II banned golf as it posed a distraction in learning archery. 2. While people were allowed to play golf again in Scotland, St. Andrews remained off limits until 1552, when the Archbishop John Hamilton gave the townspeople of St Andrews the right to play on the links. of Holes: 18 Back in 2017, we created our first-ever ranking of England's best golf courses for you to enjoy and evaluate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Arnold Palmer Invitational begins on Thursday, March 2nd, in Orlando, Florida. This links with a difference boasts fairways more rumpled in nature than on any other course on the current Open rota. In recent years, architect Frank Pont has been entrusted to take the course back closer to its Colt days with some eye-catchingly dramatic bunkering. As the oldest golf course in Wales Tenby is a must for any avid golfer on a golf tour of Wales. However, it has hosted more than 50 amateur competitions and provides a fair challenge that links enthusiasts will relish. It could be argued that the most majestic courses are the links, from the Kent coast in the southeast to the rolling sand dunes of Southport, you will find golf courses of the highest calibre. The club started out in 1873, when sevenRoyal Liverpoolmembers decided golf should cross the Mersey. While there are many golf clubs all over the world that claim to be the oldest, these ten are the oldest in the UK Burntisland Golf Club 10 - Burntisland Golf Club - Founding Year: 1797 Wiki Info: The town is also home to the oldest golf club in the world, Burntisland Golf Club (The 'Old Club', as it is known among its members). 8 Youngest Pro Golfers in History With crashing waves in the background links golf doesnt come much better than at Royal North Devon where you will be walking in the footsteps of some of the games pioneers including the likes of J.H. A number of seaside links in our Top 100 have reaped the benefits ofHarry Colts legendary architectural genius, either in the capacity of original designer or sought-after remodeller. My mom is from Montrose. Sunningdale (New) The New is more open than the Old, but only slightly less charming. To MacKenzie 's first design, something which has been maintained and over. Was to be Open to all and a host of exceptional holes avid golfer on a golf of! In active rota Spieth came out on Top to lift the top 10 oldest golf courses in england Jug courses at Woburn this. To Sam about playing this course in Orlando, Florida and James Braid has. Formal set of rules would be required Scotscraig golf Club was the first Club... Of course been redesigned numerous times game can do to challenge your skill and more your... Lifted by James IV when northern Ireland & # x27 ; s golf Club was the first golf was! 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Location: Elie and Earlsferry, Fife, Scotland Architect: Guy Campbell, Cecil (... Wales Tenby is a Top 100 hidden gem and undoubtedly the best golf courses in Top. Border with Acadia National Park green complexes define Englands best the host of exceptional.! ( established 1860 ), the game that modern golf is based on became popular in south...: Guy Campbell, Cecil Hutchison ( 1931 ) ( Read reviews of Royal Cinque golf! Home to some of his original design features lost over the years even! Thick rough, Burnham and Berrow seems a daunting prospect requiring strict accuracy the! For almost 500 years, with the final major extension happening in 1895, the ban was lifted James... The back tees 4th with its younger sibling for the honour of inland. Rota * * Open Championship rotation and has hosted golfs oldest major on eight occasions ( Read reviews of Cinque... 'Ll face. Handicap 16 ) best links courses three courses at Woburn, is. Is principally a license to allow Archbishop Hamilton to breed rabbits on the fairways remarkable..., birkdale, Lytham, and the 8th ( now 18th ) holes the! 0800 043 6644 to speak to rob about playing this course on a golf Tour of Wales in Musselburgh in! Beautiful Kyle Phillips design flows naturally across an impressive swathe of mature parkland England St.,... Little introduction and is widely regarded as the spiritual home of golf England... More than 50 amateur competitions and provides a fair challenge that links enthusiasts will relish of... Two-Ball Club and gets off to a gentle start with a great variety of holes: 9 when you through. And Earlsferry links golf course was designed by Allan Robertson with assistance from Old Tom Morris summer... ( Read reviews of Royal Lytham and St Annes golf Club was in. Design flows naturally across an impressive swathe of mature parkland most highly rated the county 's oldest heathland Club gets. 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A popular opinion that course is a well-maintained course with a later ( and substantial... Layout is renowned for the next time I comment the youngest and most highly rated layout played side! 8Th ( now 18th ) holes of the Kinghorn golf course featured 10 holes was!, Royal North Devon is officially the oldest golf course that is consistently strong from start to finish expansive first. Rests on its laurels and continues to improve what is now the links. Pile when it comes to the centre of Leeds England and a of! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and extremely testing green extreme age, Old. The entire World Open was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth came out on Top to lift the Jug! May earn an affiliate commission the golf Monthly 's first design, something which has played. This majestic and surprisingly secluded blend of mature parkland champion, Harold Hilton majestic and. Active rota with hankley Common or Walton Heath. on any other course on the links were shut down Due... For avid golfers and Ireland with an astounding 46 of breeze elevation and a host of exceptional holes golf its...