Have you ever wondered where the best places to golf around Britain are? Are you planning a golf getaway and want to know where the greatest courses are? This Top Ten guide will show you the best of the best and will get you itching to go golfing!
In at number ten is the gorgeous Portmarnock Golf Club in Ireland. The area was founded in 1893 by William Pickeman and George Ross who instantly thought it would be a prime location for golf.
The land itself belonged to John Jameson, a famous distiller and was his private course. Nine holes were eventually opened to the public in October 1984 with it being extended to eighteen holes two years later.
Now, the golf course is prestigious and has hosted many events including the Irish Open and the Canada Cup. Many people still flock the course to enjoy its natural beauty and great golf. Bernard Darwin once said about Portmarnock, “I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock”.
Number nine is the worlds 27th top golf course - Carnoustie in Angus, Scotland. Considered to be one of the toughest courses in the British isles this course rightfully deserves it’s rave reviews as it challenges both amateurs and professionals alike.
Although not the prettiest course in the world, Carnoustie definitely confronts any golfer who dares play its course. With its infamous Barry Burns on the 18th hole and treacherous bunkers dotted around the course, this is one site you just have to play in your lifetime.
At number eight is the Ballybunion course in Kerry, Ireland. Named after the Bunion family who owned the 15th century castle this course is home to the most spectacular views of the Atlantic with the most impressive sand dunes you will ever see on a course in the British isles.
Bill Clinton famously played this course in 1998 and Tom Watson has claimed that it is a true test of Golf.
Coming in seventh place is Kingsbarn Golf Course in Scotland. A relatively new course, opening just seven years ago. The beauty of this course is that it looks like it has always been there and in it’s seven short years of golfing this course has powered up the world ranks and comes in at a respectable 21st.
In sixth place is the gorgeous course of Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Described as a seaside links paradise this course since 1888 has been a favourite for many and now ranks thirteenth in the world!
Fifth Place goes to Royal Birkdale in Southport. This course has ranked number one in the best places to play in England and is twelfth in the worlds top 100. Originally called the Birkdale the course was opened in 1897, with it being upgraded to championship status in the 1930’s. It remained Birkdale until 1951 when King George VI bestowed Royal Charter on the Club.
In fourth position is Muirfield the course of “The honourable company of Edinburgh golfers” and is the oldest club in the world dating back to 1744. Muirfield is the first course of its era to not be the standard nine out and nice back. It is designed with two concentric rings of nine wholes. It has been host to fifteen opens, the most recent in 2002. Many top golfers consider this very course to be one of the fairest Open Championship courses.
In Third place is the Alisa course at Turnberry, Scotland. As one of the most scenic courses you can play it’s natural beauty speaks volumes for this course and attracts many golfers. It’s ranked eighth in the world and it has been said that it has the finest stretch of coastal holes in the British isles.
Coming in a respectable second place is good old St Andrews golf club in Scotland. It is never out of the top ten and thanks to it’s natural links and beauty this club is destined to stay put at the top for a while. It is ranked fifth in the world and is a must play club for any true golfer.
The greens are deemed as the most extraordinary and interesting putting surfaces in the world. It is hard to tell where the fairway, fringe and green begins or ends. They are also some of the biggest with one green reaching up to over an acre!
Get yourself in the ballot - you never know, you could play this course and it is bound to stay in your memory forever as one of the best games of golf you have ever had.
Finally we’ve reached the Top Spot and it goes to the amazing golf course of Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. A deserving winner by all accounts this course was opened in 1889, with a redesign in 1908. The same year the course was given the royal patronage by King Edward VII.
The land which the course is situated is possibly the most idyllic places to house a golf course. Its rugged sand dunes are decorated by heather and gorse, the greens are shaped only by the hands of time are full of wicked burrows.
The course spans more than 7,000 yards from the back tees. It is definitely the best course you could play in the British Isles. It’s just a wonder why the course has never held an open.
The fourth and nine holes of this course are featured in the book “the 500 world’s greatest golf holes” with the fourth being the most scenic long par threes in golf.
If a great golf course is based on the number of holes you’ll remember then this course has to be the greatest.
What do you think of this list? Have you played any of these courses? Please let us know what you thought of them by leaving a comment below.
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