I loved that someone mentioned Brora! You would have to remove the sheep and the electric fence around each green. Don't think the pros will like that. I agree Royal Porthcawl is very worthy. But like Royal Dornoch, i don't think these venues have the capacity to handle the types of crowds the Open Championship draws. Too bad it can't be held in Ireland. Lot's of great courses there!!
I considered playing Kingsbarns but the 400 quid green fee rather put me off. That 400 quid (500 dollars) would pay a considerable chunk of the annual membership fee in a lot of links clubs in Ireland and ALL of the fee in my club (a publicly owned links course) For those with deep pockets by all means play the likes of Kingsbarns and Doonbeg, and enjoy them! But for the rest of us there are plenty of excellent courses you can play for under 50 euro and many more in the 80-100 euro bracket. Dooks, Carne, Ballyconeely (Connemara) Enniscrone, St Annes (right in the centre of Dublin City) Baltray, Bettystown, the Island and many, many more. As for the name of my club, well that will have to remain a secret, don't want the place over-run with bargain seeking Yanks!
Machrihanish has to be experienced . 30 mins from Glasgow (inexpensive flight/package)-quintessential wild Scottish links on the edge of the world . Next stop Montauk . .Old Tom may have got the idea for the short 4th from the 10th at Pine Valley .. or maybe it was the other way round and at least there's sand in the front bunker !
You can't build, buy or design charm but it can be found readily at Elie , North Berwick , Shiskine (where's that ?)and always always at Western Gailles .
Love Don McBride's comment! My husband has recently passed away - just before he got sick a few years ago we did amazing Scotland/Ireland golfing Mecca trip.... faves were, LaHinch, Ballybunion (old), Waterville & Castle Stuart, Turnberry (Ailsa) & 2 not mentioned but poss the best as we were the ONLY people on this pristine gorgeous course (& had to shut the gate behind us!) was Machrihanish Dunes. The other was Pitlochry in Scottish Highlands (not Links but fantastic) I'll be going back sometime to do unfinished 'business', Old Head + Nth Ireland & Royal Dornoch, Gullane & Nth Berwick
Love Don McBride's comment! My husband has recently passed away - just before he got sick a few years ago we did amazing Scotland/Ireland golfing Mecca trip.... faves were, LaHinch, Ballybunion (old), Waterville & Castle Stuart, Turnberry (Ailsa) & 2 not mentioned but poss the best as we were the ONLY people on this pristine gorgeous course (& had to shut the gate behind us!) was Machrihanish Dunes. The other was Pitlochry in Scottish Highlands. I'll be going back sometime to do unfinished 'business', Old Head + Nth Ireland & Royal Dornoch, Gullane & Nth Berwick
Can't believe I read that many comments and a true links gem was never mentioned once...Machrihanish.
Links golf at it's best and the best opening tee shot in the entire UK right over a public beach.
Royal Dornoch is my favorite course in the world and Cruden Bay not far behind.
Portmarnock deserves more love. Carne needs some cash and a tad more care but it's an amazing track.
Trump's work on Turnberry with the new ocean holes and overall upgrade of the course makes it one of the best in the world. Shocking that they have yet to give it a date for another Open.
Anyone play a course in Scotland called Ladybank? A friend recommended it.
I played Carnoustie and St Andrews a number of years ago and it's nice to have them on my list of have dones.
Trying to plan a trip to Ireland/Scotland next year. All your suggestions are great and it looks like I need to spend a couple of months to get them all in.
A vote for Hillside.
For great fun and a spectacular setting Nefyn is fantastic, but no where near the conditioning as an open alternative.
You should also consider Southerness and Silloth - both on the Solway.
Gosh, have played all 8 and every single one mentioned by others, including Cabot Links (fab!) with exception of Dunbar and Tain. I did complete all Top 100 in British Isles in 2009. I think you nailed it in UK - as for commentary, County Down is tops, North Berwick and Western Gailes the best 'gems', Rye doesn't cut it (despite four superb par-3s), Dundonald may be up for review after the Scottish Open, and two 'fun' links not mentioned are Nefyn & District for spectacular scenery and Pennard for the 'purity' of the Links experience, like Brora in that regard.
