Golf is the oldest ball sport that gathers thousands of fans around the world. Originating in the 15th century, golf remains one of the most popular games with yearly championships. Many people like to play golf at private courses, while others choose to observe professional players on famous ones. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the most far-famed golf tournaments and discuss their unique courses.
Source: https://blissgolfshop.com/blogs/posts/oldest-golf-courses-in-the-world
St Andrews Old Course
The oldest and no-need-to-introduce St Andrew Old Course is a sanctuary of golf. Every fan and just a regular person knows about it. People have chosen this course since the 1400s and played on it professionally. The first documented proof came from the 1552s, when the Archbishop signed an official charter, which confirmed the right to play on the St Andrews course. Since then and up to the present day, St Andrews has become the favorite place for golf-related needs.
St Andrews Old Course contains everything a golfer needs. The standard 18-hole format game was born, which is popular today. The Open Championship was held in St Andrews 30 times, with the last time in 2022. Thanks to the modern equipment and convenient stands, this famous course wonderfully combines grandeur and comfort. So, if you are fond of golf and would like to attend many memorable golf places, start with St Andrews and soak up the atmosphere of Scotland.
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Source: https://www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk/
Musselburgh Links
Musselburgh Links is officially the oldest golf course, according to the Guinness Book. It is located in Musselburgh, Scotland, and is administered by East Lothian Council. Musselburgh Links is a base for two successful golf clubs: Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club and Musselburgh Links Ladies Club. Now, Musselburgh Links is not a very popular place for present golf tournaments, but every golfer should visit this course to undergo a rite of passage.
Many believe Mary, Queen of Scott herself, played there in the 1567s. The special equipment for cutting holes was also invented many years ago. The first official records of golf games at Musselburgh Links are dated 1672s and lie in the Account Book of Sir John Foulis.
Before 1870, the course had 7 holes, and the other 2 were added in 1838 and 1869. Musselburgh Links was one of the three golf courses that held The Open Championship from the 1870s to the 1880s.
Source: https://scotlandsgolfcoast.com/members/musselburgh-links/
Montrose Links
As we go further, we continue our adventure through the most memorable golf courses. And the next is Montrose Links. If you want to indulge in the atmosphere of the place, which has a 460-year history, you need to visit Montrose Links. This beautiful place is considered the third oldest golf course in the world. People have played golf here since the 1562s, and the first club was formed in 1810. As with the other old courses, Montrose Links is also the product of Mother Nature. Thanks to the beautiful landscapes, winding paths, and huge fields, Montrose Links became a tasty morsel for both players and fans.
Montrose Links consists of two famous courses: Bromfield and 1562 courses. The Bromfield one is shorter than 1562 but quite challenging with its difficult slopes and holes. This course is designed to let players improve their skills and prepare for the competitions. Another course, 1562, is bigger and allows golfers to learn to play at longer distances.
Montrose Links has special offers and tickets for all, from players and visitors to tour operators. So, if you’re interested in enhancing your golf skills or just want to visit this place to touch its rich history, book your tickets, and be ready for new impressions!
Source: https://montrosegolflinks.com/
Prestwick Golf Club
Another pearl of Scotland is Prestwick Golf Course! This famous place is located in Prestwick, South Ayrshire. Golf had been played there since 1851, when Old Tom Morris organized a golf club for all amateurs. He designed a 12-hole course with 6 greens. All of the themes are still in use, while only 3 holes remain to this day: 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Later, in 1865, Morris decided to increase the number of holes to 18. Prestwick Club was the initial founder of The Open Championship. The first tournament was held there in 1860, and the winner obtained a red Morocco Belt.
The course itself lies on several sand dunes. The tallest of them is Pow Hill, and the other is The Queen’s Jack, and Cearcevlock Hill. The most famous hole of Prestwick Course is third, a par 5, right where the ground descends into a deep bunker. The Club is private, but anyone can buy a special ticket and see everything with their own eyes. Some visitors can even book this course to play golf there and train for the next tournaments.
Royal Aberdeen
This course is an absolute must-visit for every golf lover. Royal Aberdeen is a beautiful area with challenging holes. Royal Aberdeen was constructed along the North Sea shore. The outward nine cuts its way through the dunes, while the inland nine returns to the sea. This course has a truly exceptional balance of the holes. It includes strong 4 par, tough 3 par, and two classical 5 pars. Royal Aberdeen is considered one of the most challenging golf courses due to the weather in these parts. Constantly changing wind, tight greens, and difficult holes make winning in the Royal Aberdeen almost impossible.
The golf club that was developed in this place has the highest rate among other clubs. Many golf fans dream of going on an excursion to Royal Aberdeen, and that’s why the club offers a special package for 1 night, 2 days. This offer includes a stay at the nearest hotel and 2 rounds on 2 famous links at Royal Aberdeen: Balgownie Links and Murcar Links Golf Club. Book now! You definitely won’t regret it!
Source: https://www.adventures-in-golf.com/location/royal-aberdeen/
Pinehurst No. 2
Pinehurst Resort is a golf sanctuary located in North Carolina, United States. This place hosts many popular golf tournaments, including the US Open, US Amateurs, Ryder Cup, etc. Pinehurst itself consists of golf courses with standard 18 holes. They all differ by the numbers, and today, we’ll talk about Pinehurst No. 2. This course currently has been ranked as one of the best golf courses in Pinehurst.
Pinehurst No. 2 was designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1907. It is famous for its green complexities, which were intentionally added by Ross. Because of this, Pinehurst No. 2 is the most difficult-to-play golf course among others in Pinehurst Resort. In 1974, RT Jones added a thick Bermuda rough on this course, which stood until the reservation in 2010. Bill Coore removed this rough and reshaped bunkers and fairways to make it look the way that Ross originally intended it to look.
The future for Pinehurst No. 2 is brighter than we can imagine. It will host the US Open Championship in 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047. So, if you want to attend this famous place, you can wait for 2029 and see the exceptional play in a frame of the US Open tournament!
Source: https://www.adventures-in-golf.com/location/royal-aberdeen/
Royal Liverpool
Royal Liverpool is an old golf club in Wirral, England. The first course and golf club on our list that is not in Scotland. Royal Liverpool was founded in 1869 on the territory of Liverpool Hunt Club Racecourse. This club received the Royal designation from Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught. The Royal Liverpool course was designed by Harry Colt, a famous at that time architect. He redesigned the course in the late 20th, and since then, the Royal Liverpool course has continued to improve and has been supplied with the newest equipment.
Royal Liverpool welcomed The Open Championship 13 times, most recently in 2023. The club itself is located in Hoylake. This is a small town in the north of Wirral Peninsula. The course lies between Hoylake and West Kindy. Royal Liverpool has 18 holes and is considered a seaside link. Visitors and players argue about the quality of the links. Because of the absence of the winds and dry green conditions, the play here goes fast. But sometimes, players face scorched grass and right sandhills. This inconvenience raises questions about course suitability. During 2023, the Royal Liverpool course underwent various changes. Designers added a new 3-par that will be used instead of 17-hole during the tournament.
Source: https://www.haversham.com/royal-liverpool-golf-guide/
Conclusion
Of course, there are many wonderful courses in the world, but today we have focused on the most popular and important to visit for all golf lovers. So, if you’ve dreamed about attending famous golf courses, our article will guide you. And, by the way, start with Scotland. This country has the biggest amount of courses in all its corners!