With stone walls, burns, deep bunkers, rocks, blind shots and some vicious green contours to contend with, North Berwick doesn't have to be long to be special.
At the world’s most northerly championship links course, golf and history are inseperable. Built on land perfectly suited to its purpose, Dornoch is simply glorious.
The pinnacle of exclusivity and quality, Skibo Castle offers an astonishing links in eternally impeccable condition. The small amount of golf played on the links only helps that fact.
When it comes to inland golf in the British Isles only a handful of courses can possibly stand in comparison to Sunningdale.
If a truly great golf course needs to be relentless in the quality of its 18 holes, then Woodhall Spa would likely be the recipient of the best inland course in England.
The New is more open than the Old, but only slightly less charming. The New is an incredible layout of inland golf that stands toe to toe with its historic sibling.
On most occasions, the challenge – as well as the ocean – is clearly visible from the tee. Kingsbarns' ruggedness is combined with more manicured beauty.
Walton Heath is a quintessentially English venue. With strong connections both to politics and the professional game, it is a club with the richest of histories.
While countless links courses across the British Isles are more attractive to behold, few are as unremittingly tough. When the wind gets up Hoylake can be brutally difficult.
That this wild, uncompromising links has been in place for years becomes clear after just one look. Ballybunion Old is an essential experience of Irish golf.