Royal Dornoch
scotland
Old Tom Morris / John Sutherland
Royal Dornoch is amongst the pantheon of natural, classic links golf courses lying in the Scottish Highlands, along the Moray Firth.
— COURSES —
Courses We've Walked
Authentic reviews and stunning photography from our personal visits to the world's most iconic links golf courses.
Showing 19 courses
Askernish Golf Club
scotland
Old Tom Morris
Askernish was rediscovered in 2002 by Ralph Thompson, and Historical research confirmed that the course was designed by Old Tom Morris in 1891 but had fallen out of use and disappeared over the decades.
The Lido Golf Club
usa
Tom Doak (Original: C.B. MacDonald)
The Lido is a recreation, by Tom Doak, of the original Lido Golf Club designed by C.B. MacDonald, on Long Island and opened in 1917. It "disappeared" when it was acquired by the U.S. Navy in WW II. This masterful recreation of MacDonald's "Atlantis" is in the Sand Valley resort in Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Kingsbarns
scotland
Kyle Phillips
A wonderful, modern links course only a few miles south of St. Andrews. It opened in July of 2000. Designed by Kyle Phillips, it has all the components of a great links course, including being 'hard by the sea' with dunes, fescue turf, gorse and wonderful views of the sea.
Enniscrone Golf Club
ireland
Eddie Hackett & Daniel Steele
A wonderful links course in County Sligo, on the Atlantic Ocean. It has the tallest, most wonderful dunes in all of Ireland
Brora Golf Club
scotland
James Braid
A James Braid classic in the Highlands of Scotland. "Where the Mountains meet the Sea." Famous for its great views, a classic out/in links course with electric fences around the greens to keep off the sheep and cattle. A true gem!
Cruden Bay Golf Club
scotland
Old Tom Morris / Re-Design: Simpson & Fowler
A classic Old Tom Morris design from 1899. Routed through beautiful dunes with quirky and memorable unique holes, and views of the Bay of Cruden.
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 Island Golf Club
ireland
Fred Hawtree, Eddie Hackett, Mackenzie and Ebert
A wonderful romp through high dunes, with fantastic views, and a welcoming atmosphere
St. Patrick's Links
ireland
Tom Doak
The newest of all links golf courses in Ireland and Scotland 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 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 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!
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.