2. ST ANDREWS OLD COURSE 
6721 yards; Par 72; SSS 73
Green fees £59-£120
Tel: 01334 466666
www.standrews.org.uk

Those who have had the pleasure of walking this hallowed golfing turf will probably concede that it pales in comparison to other Open venues as a test of accuracy – hit the ball left off the tee and you should be able to find it. But the Old course has its own rather unique defence. There are seven enormous double greens that swamp the flags and regularly leave you facing putts of over 50ft. Beginning and ending in the Auld Grey Toon, playing the Old course left me with images that will live forever in my mind – the white picket fence and red brick building behind the 18th green, the road hole bunker, and driving past the edge of the hotel at 17. Just thinking about it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. That is why the Old course features so highly on this list.

 

3. ROYAL COUNTY DOWN
6881 yards; Par 71; SSS 73
Green fees £60-£140
Tel: 028 4372 2419
www.royalcountydown.org

This remains the yardstick against which all British links courses are measured. There are so many world-class holes on this course. All the par 3s are superb, there are eight tough par 4s and a brilliant short par 4, the 6th. There are three par 5s – two of them offer decent birdie chances while the 18th is a really tough closing proposition. Straight driving is a must and approach shots need to be played to the front of the greens. Bunkers must be avoided as the surrounding areas are thick with heather. The setting is fabulous. The first three holes are played along the shoreline and the Mourne Mountains, which rise to nearly 3000ft from near the 1st tee, are ever-present. It must be one of the most beautiful courses in the world.

 

4. MUIRFIELD 
6673 yards; Par 70; SSS 73
Green fees £75-£135
Tel: 01620 842123
www.muirfield.org.uk

From the very first tee shot to the last I was filled with a sense of trepidation, knowing that I needed to concentrate fully. At no time must one lose focus, such are the demands of this course. The consistency and continuity of holes is impressive – every hole is strong with little let-up, and the terrain is perfect for links golf in its purest form. The presentation is absolutely immaculate in every respect and particularly fascinating were the lightning-fast and contoured greens that are so rare. Despite its upmarket reputation I found the staff and members to be surprisingly pleasant. The clubhouse is beautiful and the facilities first class.

 

5. WATERVILLE 
6783 yards; Par 72; SSS 73
Green fees E150
Tel: 00353 66 947 4102
www.watervillegolflinks.ie

Beautiful scenery, the sound of the sea and the natural sandy turf make this an enjoyable course. It's fair for all golfers with very few big carries or impossible shots required and plenty of room for the running shot that is so much a part of links golf. Once you have played this course you will want to play it again and again. The whole course really was in excellent condition and the recent work has fitted in nicely with the rest of it. The greens were fast, true and very difficult, with plenty of scary putts around. The course provided me with perfect links conditions – dry, fast and bouncy with good greens.

 

6. BALLYBUNION OLD COURSE 
6598 yards; Par 71; SSS 72
Green fees E150
Tel: 00353 68 27146
www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie

You can't fail to enjoy this course, with its magnificent setting right against the Atlantic Ocean. If the wind blows it can be very demanding but it is all in front of the golfer, with few blind shots if you take the recommended route. The course is maintained to a very high standard and, despite the enormous number of golfers gracing the fairways, it remains excellent in all respects. The greens are a good speed and very consistent. The local caddies provide plenty of advice on the greens as well as a bit of craic on the way round. The club is very well set up for the large number of visitors, who receive a warm welcome and are very well looked after.

 

7. ROYAL BIRKDALE 
6734 yards; Par 72; SSS 73
Green fees £80-£175
Tel: 01704 568857
www.royalbirkdale.com

A wonderful test of golf. It is some way off the Irish Sea yet maintains the features of the links course that we all know and love. Although not the longest, Birkdale requires a high degree of accuracy from tee to green to score well. At first glance it can look rather sparse but the course makes use of the natural gorse found on links courses to great effect. A special mention must go to the contours of the greens – some can vary by eight feet in height from front to back or right to left. As you would expect from an Open course, Birkdale stands up to the presentation test. All course furniture is immaculately maintained and the bunkers are particularly well presented and extremely difficult.

 

8. KINGSBARNS 
6652 yards; Par 72; SSS 72
Green fees £125-£150
Tel: 01334 460860
www.kingsbarns.com

The design of the course places a strong emphasis on accurate rather than long driving. Fairway bunkers come into play off the tee for all lengths of drive, while the greenside ones protect the greens from approach shots taken after wayward drives. Some of the par 5s are reachable in two but go off line and you will struggle to get down in par. Stunning sea views await any visiting golfer all over the course. The views from several tees are such that they encourage you to go for it despite waves breaking on the rocks not too far from the edges of the fairways and greens. The sea is visible from everywhere except the opening tee shot.

 

9. ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNES
6630 yards; Par 71; SSS 74
Green fees £75-£115
Tel: 01253 720094
www.royallytham.org

Bounded by suburban houses and a railway line, Lytham is certainly not the most visually inspiring Open venue. But what it might lack in jaw-dropping vistas it more than makes up for in the collection of superbly-designed holes that ooze quality and test every aspect of your game. The unusual par-3 opening hole sets the scene as it requires an accurate long iron to avoid the first nine of Lytham's fabled 200 traps – every one maintained to the highest standard and all a test to get out of. The Lytham visitor experience is completed by a wonderful clubhouse that offers great food and friendly service and an excellent dormy house for those wanting to stay overnight.

 

10. GLENEAGLES KINGS COURSE
6471 yards; Par 70; SSS 73
Green fees £70-£115
Tel: 0800 389 3737
www.gleneagles.com

Widely regarded as the masterpiece of prolific course architect and five-time Open Champion James Braid, the layout rises and falls as it winds through pine trees, heather and springy moorland turf. With Perthshire's dramatic mountains surrounding on all sides this venue is difficult to beat in terms of scenery. Owing to the many televised events held here over the years the holes are eminently recognisable as you make your way round. The comfortable dormy clubhouse is a fitting complement to the famous luxury hotel while the halfway hut is a welcome watering hole. Gleneagles also offers exceptional practice facilities and outstanding tuition if required.