Best Open Championship Venues

Fife, United Kingdom

No other course has hosted more Opens than the Old Course at St Andrews. Its 29th Open and the 144th Open Championship returned “to the Home of Golf” in 2015.

Antrim, United Kingdom

The Dunluce links at Royal Portrush Golf Club is named after the ruined Dunluce castle that overlooks the course. Seven years after the club's formation, the first professional golf tournament in Ireland, won by Sandy Herd in 1895, was staged here.

Lothians, United Kingdom

Muirfield is the course of “The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers” (HCEG), the world’s oldest golf club – according to direct written evidence – formed in 1744.

Ayrshire & Arran, United Kingdom

The Ailsa course at the Turnberry Resort is probably the most scenic Open Championship golf course. Located right next to the Firth of Clyde, with craggy rocks and superb views across to the Mull of Kintyre...

Kent, United Kingdom

There's nothing artificial about Royal St George’s Golf Club; there's a natural look and feel to the course that blends beautifully into its historical Sandwich surroundings.

Angus & Dundee, United Kingdom

Carnoustie is a big natural seaside golf links and the Championship course is considered to be one of the most difficult in the British Isles.

Lancashire, United Kingdom

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is the most northerly of the English championship links courses, situated only 10 miles from Royal Birkdale.

Lancashire, United Kingdom

Royal Birkdale Golf Club is the favourite English course on the British Open rota according to the results of a Top 100 poll...

Kent, United Kingdom

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, or Deal as it is somtimes called, is an absolute brute of a links course. Its back nine, or rather the last seven holes, are relentless...

Ayrshire & Arran, United Kingdom

The course at Prestwick Golf Club is a traditional monument, an authentic affair with a layout of holes that snake to and fro through rugged dunes and rippled fairways.

Ayrshire & Arran, United Kingdom

Royal Troon is a traditional out and back links course on the current Open Rota. Host of the 152nd Open Championship, it is best known for the short par 3 Postage Stamp and strategic 11th, named Railway.

Cheshire, United Kingdom

Without doubt, Royal Liverpool Golf Club is a tough links. Only six holes are in the dunes – otherwise there is little protection from the ever-changing Hoylake wind.

Kent, United Kingdom

Measuring 3,618 yards from the tips, the re-imagined Himalayas nine is considered by many to be the best of the three loops at Prince’s Golf Club. According to Tony Jacklin, the 7th hole is “the best par three in golf that doesn’t have a bunker”.

Lothians, United Kingdom

Musselburgh Links (Old Course) is one of the most historically important golf venues as it is the world’s second oldest golf course. The Scottish Golf History website has the first record of golf played here as 1567.