Despite the iffy weather from time to time, the UK is home to a great collection of golf courses and remains one of the best places in the world to play the game.
Here at Tibsnews, we’ve selected ten gems that could literally be right up your street!
1-Muirfield – 6,728 yard, par 71 (East Lothian, Scotland).
Our number one and home to the 2013 Open Championship, this superbly crafted course makes for a tough examination of your game. This famous old course is in top condition ahead of the arrival of the world’s elite, who will battle it out for the Claret Jug this coming July. To be successful at Muirfield, they will require every shot in the book.
2-Old Course, St Andrews Links – 6,721 yard, par 72 (St Andrews, Fife)
The Old Course at St Andrews needs no introduction. Known as the ‘Home of Golf’, this venue comes with massive history and provides one of the greatest golfing experiences in the world. The surrounding North Sea leaves golfers at the mercy of the elements and makes this tough links course a challenging and truly spectacular place to play.
3-Royal Birkdale – 6,817 yard, par 72 (Southport, Lancashire)
Widely regarded as one of the best golf clubs in the world, Royal Birkdale was home to the 2008 Open Championship. Set in the coastal resort of Southport, this glorious course encourages golfers to attack the greens and provides plenty of opportunities for birdie. It has it’s fair share of memorable holes and will not disappoint.
4-Turnberry (Ailsa) – 7217 yard, par 70 (Firth of Clyde, Scotland)
There are few more inspiring places to play golf than Turnberry’s Ailsa course. The fantastic layout and design has become home to some of the most remarkable moments in tournament golf history. This Scottish masterpiece is surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. The demanding course provides beautiful coastal scenery overlooking the Irish sea and is a brilliant place to play golf.
5- Royal Lytham & St Annes – 7,731 yard, par 71 (Lancashire, England)
If golf courses were compared on a shot by shot basis, like boxers are pound for pound, Lytham would be up there with the greats. The home of the 2012 Open Championship is a quite majestic venue with it’s own unique charm.
6- Royal County Down (Championship) – 6,878 yard, par 71 (County Down, NI)
Located in one of the worlds most naturally beautiful links settings, this spectacular course is very impressive to look at but can be punishing to play. The magnificent backdrop of the mountains of Mourne and the shores of Dundrum Bay provide dramatic surroundings.
7-Waterville – 7355 yard, par 72 (Ring of Kerry, Ireland)
Golf at Waterville provides the beauty of classic links, surrounded by the sea yet forever changed and shaped by the elements. Aesthetically superb, this well designed course will make you think about your game and provides a tough challenge.
8- Royal St. George’s – 6,630 yard, par 70 (Sandwich, Kent – England)
This classic links course is in a sensational setting and will provide a wonderfully testing and memorable golfing experience. Royal St Georges represents one of the most difficult tests of golf on the British Isles and is a must for any keen golfer.
9-Ballybunion (Old) – 6,802 yard, par 71 (County Kerry, Ireland)
At this spectacular location off the west coast of Ireland, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find Ballybunion. This wonderful links course provides a unique challenge that all keen golfers should play at some point.
10- Trevose – 7078 yard, par 72 (Padstow, Cornwall)
Thanks to famous names like St Andrews and Royal St George’s, gems like Trevose can remain relatively unknown. The championship course at Trevose is of the finest quality and lovers of golf will not be disappointed by what is on offer on the Cornish coastline.
Disagree with any of these selections? We’d love to hear your suggestions for what should make up the top ten golf courses in the UK and Ireland. Leave us a comment.
