Best golf courses in the UK & Ireland

Golf has been played on these isles for centuries, and as a result, the UK & Ireland are blessed with some of the most well-known courses on the planet. Understandably, these attract visitors from across the globe, which has helped them to maintain impeccable standards to match their world-class designs.

Whilst an exhaustive list of all of our favorites would be impossible to collate, we’ve grouped twelve of the layouts most commonly ranked by our customers as the best golf courses in the UK & Ireland.

Ranked the no.7 golf course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: St Andrews, Scotland | Par: 72 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: c.1552

Why play here? The most famous golf course in the world, the Old Course at St Andrews, is revered as the Home of Golf. Its wide fairways, shared greens, and subtle contours reward creativity, imagination, and local knowledge over power, offering a timeless strategic challenge.

Vast double fairways, shared greens, and subtle slopes create endless strategic possibilities, while ever-changing wind conditions ensure no two rounds are ever the same. Despite its forgiving width, the Old Course relentlessly tests approach play, putting, and decision-making, making it as challenging for elite professionals as it is captivating for amateurs.

Number of times to host The Open: 30

Signature hole Par-4 18th - Famous for its approach shot played across the Valley of Sin, a deep, undulating depression short of the green that has decided countless championships. Golfers must negotiate this natural hollow before reaching the putting surface, with the historic Royal & Ancient clubhouse framing the backdrop, making it one of the most recognizable and emotionally charged finishing holes in golf.

Key features

• Birthplace of golf
• Shared greens and iconic double fairways
• Unmatched history and atmosphere

Ranked the no.3 golf course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland | Par: 71 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1889

Why play here? Set beneath the Mourne Mountains, Royal County Down combines breathtaking beauty with a brutally demanding links test. Blind tee shots, narrow fairways, and punishing rough require absolute commitment on every shot.

The course weaves through towering dunes and thick rough, with blind tee shots and narrow landing areas demanding total commitment.

Number of times to host the Irish Open: 5

Signature hole Par-4 9th - This hole features a blind tee shot over a towering dune, demanding total commitment despite the fairway being hidden from view. It perfectly captures the drama and challenge of traditional links golf.

Key features

• Dramatic mountain and dune backdrop
• Traditional, demanding links test
• Regularly ranked the world's top five

Ranked the no.9 golf course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland | Par: 72 | Designer: Harry Colt | Opened: 1932

Why play here? A modern Open Championship venue routed through towering dunes along the Atlantic coast. Royal Portrush blends classic Colt design with contemporary championship refinement.

Following its acclaimed return to the Open Championship rota, subtle redesigns have enhanced both fairness and spectacle, ensuring that the course challenges the world’s best while remaining playable for skilled amateurs. It is a modern links masterpiece grounded firmly in tradition.

Number of times to host The Open: 3

Signature hole Par-3 16th “Calamity Corner" - Played toward the Atlantic with little margin for error, this long par-3 punishes any miss with deep rough and steep drop-offs, making it one of the most feared holes in championship golf.

Key features

• Spectacular dunescape
• Open Championship pedigree
• Dramatic elevation changes

Ranked the no.8 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Southport, England | Par: 70 | Designer: George Lowe | Opened: 1889

Why play here? One of England’s most consistent Open venues, Royal Birkdale is defined by towering dunes and fair but relentless hole design, testing accuracy and temperament.

Unlike more chaotic links layouts, Birkdale’s routing is orderly and logical, allowing players to focus on execution rather than fortune. Its ability to test golfers in all weather conditions has made it a favorite venue for major championships.

Number of times to host The Open: 11

Signature hole Par-5 17th - A classic late-round risk–reward hole, where aggressive play can set up a birdie chance, but bunkers and dunes heavily punish stray shots - often pivotal during Open Championships.

Key features

• Multiple Open Championships
• Clearly defined fairways
• Championship-ready conditioning

Ranked the no.10 course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Gullane, Scotland | Par: 71 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1891

Why play here? A purist’s masterpiece, Muirfield is renowned for its perfectly balanced circular routing, which exposes players to every wind direction and rewards discipline and control.

The course places a premium on positional play, with subtle bunkering, firm fairways, and demanding greens requiring disciplined strategy throughout the round. Immaculately maintained and steeped in tradition, Muirfield is widely considered one of the most intellectually demanding courses in links golf.

Number of times to host The Open: 16

Signature hole Par-4 9th - A strategic masterpiece that rewards precise positioning rather than power. The hole exemplifies Muirfield’s demand for disciplined shot-making and intelligent course management.

Key features

• Exemplary strategic balance
• Prestigious Open Championship host
• Relentless test of shot-making

Ranked the no.5 course in Scotland by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Angus, Scotland | Par: 72 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1842

Why play here? Feared and revered in equal measure, Carnoustie is among the toughest tests in championship golf. Narrow fairways, penal rough, and strategically placed hazards ensure there is little margin for error, while the ever-present wind adds further complexity.

The Barry Burn snakes through the closing holes, amplifying tension late in the round. Carnoustie is brutally honest, rewarding only the most precise ball-striking and mental resilience, and remains a benchmark test for elite competition.

Number of times to host The Open: 8

Signature hole Par-4 18th - One of the toughest finishing holes in golf, requiring a precise drive and an approach over the Barry Burn, which snakes across the fairway and guards the green, deciding countless championships.

Key features

• One of golf’s toughest finishes
• Iconic Open Championship venue
• Demands precision and nerve

Ranked the no.14 course in Scotland by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Ayrshire, Scotland | Par: 71 | Designer: Willie Fernie | Opened: 1878

Why play here? A classic links known for its exacting front nine and dramatic inward stretch, Royal Troon is forever associated with one of the game’s most famous par-3s.

The front nine is tight and exacting, demanding precision from the outset, while the back nine opens up but brings the coastal elements more aggressively into play. Firm fairways, deep bunkers, and exposed greens ensure that conditions play a major role in scoring. The course’s variety and famous holes have secured its enduring place in Open Championship history.

Number of times to host The Open: 10

"Another great links golf course ticked off the list." - Trusted Golfbreaks customer

Signature hole Par-3 8th “Postage Stamp” - Famous for its tiny, well-protected green, this short hole demands absolute precision. A slight miss can lead to a disastrous score despite its modest length.

Key features

• One of golf’s most famous holes
• Strong Open Championship legacy
• Contrasting nines

Ranked the no.19 course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Kent, England | Par: 70 | Designer: Laidlaw Purves | Opened: 1887

Why play here? Unpredictable and fiercely individual, Royal St George’s features dramatic undulations, blind shots, and cavernous bunkers that create a thrilling links challenge.

The course offers little forgiveness, requiring creativity, adaptability, and confidence. Its unpredictable nature and rugged terrain make every round a true adventure and a memorable test of links golf at its most authentic.

Number of times to host The Open: 15

Signature hole Par-4 4th - Defined by extreme fairway undulations, the ball can finish well above or below the player’s feet, creating awkward lies and unpredictable bounces - hallmarks of the course’s unique character.

Key features

• One of England’s toughest links
• Unique, rumpled terrain
• Open Championship history

Ranked the no.12 course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Ayrshire, Scotland | Par: 71 | Designer: Willie Fernie | Opened: 1906

Why play here? Dramatically routed along the Ayrshire coastline, Turnberry Ailsa delivers one of the most scenic rounds in world golf, with lighthouse views and exposed seaside holes.

Recent refinements have enhanced its strategic interest while preserving its spectacular setting. With the iconic lighthouse as a constant visual reference, Turnberry offers a blend of beauty and challenge that few courses can match.

Number of times to host The Open: 4

Signature hole Par-3 9th - Played directly toward the Turnberry Lighthouse with the sea alongside, this hole combines visual drama with exposure to coastal winds, making club selection and control critical.

Key features

• Iconic coastal scenery
• Elevated tees and sea carries
• Prestigious championship heritage

Ranked the no.6 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Lytham St Annes, England | Par: 70 | Designer: George Lowe | Opened: 1886

Why play here? One of England’s most distinctive and demanding links courses, Royal Lytham & St Annes delivers a relentless test built on precision, strategy, and mental resilience.

Unlike many links layouts, the course is relatively flat and lacks towering dunes, instead defending itself through an extraordinary number of deep, revetted bunkers, subtly contoured greens, and constant exposure to coastal winds.

Number of times to host The Open: 11

Signature hole Par-3 1st - One of the most famous opening holes in championship golf. Guarded by deep, strategically placed bunkers and exposed to prevailing winds, it demands immediate precision and sets the tone for the accuracy-driven challenge that follows.

Key features

• Famous bunker-heavy design with over 170 strategically placed traps
• Multiple-time Open Championship venue with elite pedigree
• Demands precision and course management over power

Ranked the no.4 course in Ireland by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Dublin, Ireland | Par: 72 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1894

Why play here? Often called the “Velvet Strand,” Portmarnock is a classic, understated links course that rewards precision and consistency rather than spectacle.

The course runs alongside a sweeping sandy beach, with coastal winds shaping play without overwhelming it. Its timeless design and immaculate conditioning have made it a favorite for championships and purists alike.

Number of times to host The Open: 19

Signature hole Par-4 15th - Running along the coastline, this hole exposes players to prevailing winds and demands a controlled approach, showcasing Portmarnock’s subtle but exacting links challenge.

Key features

• Traditional, elegant links design
• Close proximity to Dublin
• Championship pedigree

Ranked the no.2 course in Ireland by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: County Clare, Ireland | Par: 72 | Designer: Old Tom Morris | Opened: 1892

Why play here? Playful, quirky, and unforgettable, Lahinch blends blind shots with strategic brilliance, delivering a joyous yet demanding links experience.

Redesigned by Alister MacKenzie, the course embraces blind shots, natural landforms, and creative routing that encourage imagination and local knowledge.

Number of times to host the Irish Open: 1

Signature hole Par-5 5th “Klondyke” - A blind tee shot over a massive dune defines this hole, embracing quirk and creativity. It reflects Lahinch’s playful design and rewards local knowledge and imagination.

Key features

• MacKenzie design influence
• Blind shots and creativity
• Wild Atlantic setting

Ranked the no.22 course in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses

Location: Berkshire, England | Par: 70 | Designer: Willie Park Jr | Opened: 1901

Why play here? Sunningdale Old Course is widely regarded as the finest inland golf course in England and a benchmark for heathland design worldwide. Heather-lined fairways, pine forests, and gently undulating terrain create a serene yet demanding environment.

The course places emphasis on shot-shaping, precision, and distance control rather than raw power. Immaculate conditioning and timeless design ensure Sunningdale remains as relevant and revered today as when it first opened.

Number of times to host the Senior Open Championship: 4

Signature hole Par-3 10th - Played downhill to a green framed by heather, this hole demands precise distance control and is widely regarded as one of the finest short holes in inland golf.

Key features

• Iconic heathland setting
• Immaculate year-round conditioning
• Timeless strategic design