The Old Course is the very cradle of the game – the place where it all began. Nowhere on the planet can match its atmosphere. Nor, in truth, is there another course quite like it.
Following Martin Ebert's reimagining of what was already a great links, the famous Trump Turnberry Ailsa is now truly one of the very finest courses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Time and again, you are asked to execute a shot of difficulty, but Muirfield always tells you exactly what is required. The rest is simply up to you.
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.
On most occasions, the challenge – as well as the ocean – is clearly visible from the tee. Kingsbarns' ruggedness is combined with more manicured beauty.
Do not let Carnoustie’s reputation put you off a visit to what is one of the finest links in the world. Golf was never supposed to be easy.
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.
This is a links in the old-fashioned sense, as greens lie atop plateaux, or else in hollows, and the turf is firm. Yet Cruden Bay is as quirky as they come, and is all the better for it.
The Highlands has always been an extra special golfing retreat – think Royal Dornoch, Nairn and Brora – and thanks to Castle Stuart's creation it has been raised another notch.