When it comes to the golf courses, the UK boasts some of the best in the world, where many of the most decorated golfers have played and won championships. Many of the golf courses have been around in some form for hundred of years, coming with greens steeped in golfing history. We’ve picked out some of the best courses across the UK.
Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Founded in 1889, the development of one of Irelands oldest golf courses came about by a new railway line from Belfast to Newcastle to make the seaside resort better accessible. Originally a nine-hole course the first design of the green was formed by Thomas Mitchell Morris known more famously by avid golfing fans as ‘Old Tom Morris’.
In 1908, the course was given the royal patronage by King Edward VII, an accolade normally only given to highly exceptional golf clubs. A few changes have been bestowed over the year’s most notably the design of the fourth and ninth hole by Harry Colt, now known as two of the most picture-perfect golf holes in the world with the extraordinary Mourne Mountains as their backdrop.
The Royal County Down is a much-loved course to all that visit and is World No.1, Rory McIlroy’s, favourite course.
St Andrews Old Course, Scotland
Sometimes known as the Old Lady or the Grand Old Lady, the Old Course St Andrews is considered the ‘home of golf’ as the first game was played on the land early in the 15th century. However, the King of Scotland, James II banned the game in 1457 as he felt that archery was falling by the wayside over golf for young men. This ban was upheld until 1502 when one of his predecessors James IV became a golfer himself and lifted the ban. In 1552, the archbishop gave the people of St Andrews the right to again play on the links, the land now known as the Old Course.
It’s a challenging course with bunkers named ‘Hell’ and ‘Coffin’ making it a test for any ability. The green comes with a wealth of history and the legacy of having hosted the most famous golfers in the world. Tiger Woods even stated it was his favourite place to play.
Royal Birkdale, England
Seen as the best course in England by many, The Royal Birkdale runs through high dunes, flat fairways and one of the longest par 4s in championship golf.
Like many clubs formed around this time, it started life as a 9 holed course. In 1987, it was decided to move to Birkdale Hills and expanded to an 18 holed course. By the 1990s the course had been restructured and redesign again and a clubhouse built.
From early on, the Birkdale Club was seen as ground-breaking and forward thinking with members voting in favour of ladies being allowed on the green as early as 1889. The Ladies British Open was one of the first tournaments played in 1909.
Arnold Palmer famously made an iconic shot in awful weather conditions, as a result a plaque commemorates this moment at the 16th hole.
Royal Porthcawl, Wales
Recognised as the No.1 golf club in Wales, this course has famously hosted many championships including the Walker Cup, Ladies Open, Curtis Cup, to name a few. Born out of Cardiff thriving port in 1891, the initial nine hole green was commissioned by a group of coal and shipping business men.
It was a raring success with another 9-holes being built on 1895, making it the first 18-holed course in South Wales. The two sets of 9-holes were quite a distance apart however and eventually plans were put into place to build a closer 18-holed course with a clubhouse.
The biggest honour the club has received however came in 1909 when it was bestowed the privilege to use the ‘Royal’ prefix and became just the second club in Wales to have this distinction.
Tralee Golf Club, Ireland
Known as Arnold Palmer’s Jewel and set in the stunning County Derry in Ireland, Tralee golf club is one of the best golf courses in the UK. From the practice facilities to its excellent clubhouse the club is only a short drive from Tralee and has helped put the area on the map. The course is situated on an exceptional stretch of land that is perfectly reflected by the golf course.
Opened in 1984, Tralee was the first in Europe built by now established Palmer Design Company. The elevated ground it lies on provides idyllic views from the cliff tops across the Atlantic Ocean at Tralee Bay for golfers. It’s a challenging course that will test even the most accomplished golfer. Palmer said of the course that while he designed the front nine holes, ‘surely God designed the back nine.’
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