The best golf courses in the British Isles
1. Best golf courses in Britain – St Andrews (Old Course)
Fife, Scotland
In a list like this, the Old Course is either No. 1 or doesn’t feature. Mother Nature’s design is far from perfect yet practically every great course designed since uses its principles to a greater or lesser extent. Some of the holes are weak, yes, and the Old Course can be a confusing place to play for the first-time visitor (and second- and third- for that matter).
The wide, apparently featureless expanses are pitted with hidden bunkers that can swallow up shots seemingly bounding towards their target.
It’s all part of the fun though and the closing stretch is unforgettable as you play back towards the enveloping Auld Grey Toun.
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Dan Murphy
Dan loves links golf, which doesn't mean he is very good at it. He is a four-handicapper at Alwoodley. A qualified journalist and senior editor with 25 years’ experience, he was the long-time editor of NCG. His passion is golf courses and he is the founding editor of NCG Top 100s course rankings. He loves nothing more than discovering and highlighting courses that are worthy of greater recognition.