Old Tam Links Golf Logo

— COURSES —

Courses We've Walked

Authentic reviews and stunning photography from our personal visits to the world's most iconic links golf courses.

Showing 12 courses

Pine Valley Logo

Pine Valley Golf Club

usa

George Arthur Crump

Pine Valley is perennially rated the best course in the World. A true gem, and as unique of a course as you'll find in America, built on sand dunes (and pine barrens), that was formed millions of years ago when the Atlantic Ocean covered southern New Jersey.

The Boat Man

The Island Golf Club

ireland

Fred Hawtree, Eddie Hackett, Mackenzie and Ebert

A wonderful romp through high dunes, with fantastic views, and a welcoming atmosphere

The serpent/clover St. Patrick's logo

St. Patrick's Links

ireland

Tom Doak

The newest of all links golf courses designed by Tom Doak and rated #49 in the World. It is a part of the Rosapenna resort, in the far northwest of Donegal in Ireland

Dunaverty clubhouse

Dunaverty Golf Club

scotland

Original - Tom Morris, re-design George MacMillan

A quirky, off-the-beaten-path course, with the most beautiful views in Scotland, a true hidden gem

Royal Troon's logo, a shield with the saying Tam Arte Quam Marte-as much by skill as by strength

Royal Troon Old Course

scotland

George Strath & Willie Fernie & Charlie Hunter

Royal Troon is one of the big four classic links courses, with a rich history, and having hosted 10 Open Championships. Top 70 Course in the World. Tam Arte Quam Marte!

Golf Ball on top of Stonehenge?

The European Club

ireland

Pat Ruddy

The masterpiece of designer Pat Ruddy. A wonderful, brutal modern links course with wonderful views of Brittas Bay on almost every hole. A very stern test for golfers at every level

The classic logo of Prestwick Golf Club, 1851

Prestwick Golf Club

scotland

Old Tom Morris, 1851

An Old Tom Morris designed classic links course that hosted the first 12 Opens, and 24 all told, still rated in the top 70 in the World

The Western Gailes Logo an element of the crest of the Portland coat of arms

Western Gailes Golf Club

scotland

Fred Morris

Western Gailes is beautiful, with great routing, fun, challenging green complexes and memorable holes--a classic links course

The best outdoor 19th hole in links golf

Machrihanish Dunes

scotland

David McLay Kidd

The dunes were incredible, natural, raw and rugged. It is a beautiful links course and truly was designed by the almighty himself. As my good Scottish friend said, the green complexes were very undulating—like Salvador Dali on acid.

Oyster Catcher-Machrihanish Logo

Machrihanish Golf Club

scotland

Old Tom Morris, 1876

Machrihanish Golf Club is one of the most natural links courses you will ever walk. I am quite sure it looks now as if the fairways were when Old Tom Morris first found them 149-years ago. A great routing through beautiful dunes, with undulating, fast and easy to read greens.

The Goats of Lahinch--Logo

Lahinch Golf Club

ireland

Old Tom Morris, redesigns by: Charles Mo Gibson, Dr. Alistair Mackenzie, Dr. Martin Hawtree

A classic by Old Tom Morris, Lahinch’s logo is a homage to the original goats of Lahnich that were great guides to the weather back in the day. A great routing, through wonderful dunes. Holes #4 (Klondyke), #5, (Dell) and #6 (Paradise) is my favorite stretch of holes in all of Ireland

Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland

Ballybunion

ireland

Original (9) Holes: Lionel Hewson, re-design: Tom Simpson

Ballybunion opened in 1893, laid out by golf writer Lionel Hewson. The club battled early media and financial issues, grew to 18 holes in 1926, and saw minor redesigns by Tom Simpson in 1937.