Links Golf Courses
Links golf is the original form of the game. Played on coastal ground between the sea and the farmland, links courses are defined by firm, fast fairways, deep pot bunkers, minimal tree cover and the constant presence of the wind. The UK is home to the greatest concentration of true links courses anywhere in the world, from the Ayrshire coast in Scotland to the Lancashire coast in England and the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland.
This directory covers links courses across the UK, organised by region. Each course page includes layout details, par, hole count and a link to plan your round using the Scoring Zone app.
Plan your links round smarter
Links golf punishes the wrong shot more than any other course type. Get a personalised round plan that tells you exactly where to miss, where to attack and how to manage the wind.
Start Your Round Plan — FreeLinks courses by region
The UK's links courses are concentrated along the coasts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. Browse by region to find courses in a specific area.
Home to Turnberry, Prestwick and Western Gailes.
The home of golf, including St Andrews.
Muirfield and the East Lothian links belt.
Remote coastal links in the Scottish Highlands.
Royal Portrush and the Causeway Coast.
Carnoustie and the Angus links.
Coastal links on the Northumberland coast.
Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham and Hillside.
Classic links on the Lincolnshire coast.
Links courses on the Welsh coast.
Featured links courses
The courses below include Open Championship venues, classic links layouts and some of the most strategically demanding tests in British golf.
What makes a links golf course?
A true links course is built on linksland, the sandy, undulating ground that links the sea to the inland farmland. The soil drains quickly, producing firm and fast playing conditions. Fairways tend to be wide but heavily contoured, with the ball bouncing and rolling in unpredictable ways. Deep pot bunkers, rough fescue grass and an absence of trees are all characteristic features.
Wind is the defining factor on a links course. A hole that plays downwind in the morning can play as a completely different challenge in the afternoon. Course management, shot selection and the ability to keep the ball low are all more important on a links than on any other course type.
The UK's most famous links courses include Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Troon and Royal Portrush, all of which have hosted The Open Championship. For a full list of Open Championship venues, see the top 100 golf courses in the world.
Links vs other course types
Not all coastal courses are links courses, and not all links courses are on the coast. The defining characteristic is the ground, not the location. For golfers used to parkland or heathland layouts, links golf requires a significant adjustment in approach.