Best Links Golf Courses in the UK — Complete Guide
Britain’s links golf courses are among the rarest and finest in the world. A true links sits on sandy coastal ground between the sea and farmland, and this creates firm, fast, wind-battered conditions unlike anything else in golf. Britain has about 1,800 golf courses, yet fewer than 250 are genuine links courses — England Golf, 2024. That scarcity makes authentic linksland a big draw for any serious golfer.
Scotland claims over 100 of those links, and the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Carnoustie are among the best-known. England’s Lancashire coast adds Royal Birkdale, Formby, and Royal Lytham & St Annes, while Wales contributes Royal Porthcawl and Aberdovey.
Understanding what separates a true links from a parkland course is the essential first step, since a links-style imitation is not the same thing. This guide will show you the difference.
What Makes a Links Course Different from a Parkland Course?
The defining traits of a links course are physical and climatic, not aesthetic. Links land is sandy, fast-draining ground that sits between farmland and the sea. The word “links” itself derives from the Old English word for the ridges of sand dunes that form this terrain. True links courses share several traits:
- Coastal location — typically beside the sea, on sandy, fast-draining soil
- Firm, fast fairways — the ground runs the ball, rewarding the bump-and-run approach
- Unpredictable wind — often the most significant scoring factor
- Minimal trees — open to the elements in every direction
- Natural undulations — humps and hollows rather than manicured contours
- Pot bunkers — deep, steep-sided, often with a vertical revetted face
In contrast, a parkland course is typically inland, tree-lined, with softer turf and a style that rewards aerial approaches to greens. Britain has about 1,800 golf courses (England Golf, 2024); fewer than 250 of these are genuine links.
Where Are the Best Links Courses in Scotland?
Scotland is home to the greatest number of links courses in the world. The Fife coast alone holds a remarkable cluster. The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous course on Earth. Meanwhile, professionals often cite Royal Dornoch in the Highlands as the finest natural course anywhere. Tom Watson described Royal Dornoch as “the most natural golf course I have ever seen.” You can browse Scotland golf courses → to see the full list.
However, for golfers with more modest budgets, Brora, Golspie, and Cruden Bay offer world-class links experiences for well under £70 per round. Top Scottish links courses:
- Old Course at St Andrews (ballot required; £195 per round in 2024)
- Royal Dornoch (visitor fees from £85)
- Carnoustie Championship Course (visitor fees from £145)
- Royal Troon (Open rota course; visitor restrictions apply)
- Turnberry Ailsa Course (from £300; one of the most dramatic settings in golf)
What Are the Best Links Courses in England?
While Scotland dominates in sheer numbers, England has some extraordinary links courses of its own. The Lancashire coast — Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Formby, and Hillside — forms one of the great golfing corridors in the world. Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open Championship nine times and consistently ranks among the world’s top 25 courses. You can browse England golf courses → to see the full list.
Further north, the Northumberland coast offers exposed, classic links golf at clubs including Bamburgh Castle and Seahouses. The views stretch across to Holy Island (Lindisfarne). Rye Golf Club in East Sussex is private, old, and little-known. Yet it’s still arguably England’s finest links and one of Britain’s most unusual courses.
Top English links courses:
- Royal Birkdale (Southport, Lancashire) — nine Open Championships
- Royal Lytham & St Annes (Blackpool) — eleven Open Championships; visitor-friendly
- Formby Golf Club (Merseyside) — world-class and underrated
- Royal St George’s (Sandwich, Kent) — regular Open venue; visitors welcome
Does Wales Have Good Links Golf?
Wales punches well above its weight for links golf. Royal Porthcawl on the south coast has hosted the Amateur Championship, and many rank it among Britain’s top ten courses. Golf writer Tom Scott called it “one of the twelve finest courses in the world.” It is also one of the few seaside courses where you can see the sea from every hole.
Aberdovey in Snowdonia, where architect Harry Colt described it as “the course that my heart loves best,” is a classic example of Welsh links golf. The course sits at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary, between the coastal dunes and the Cambrian Mountains, and spans 6,454 yards.
Top Welsh links courses:
- Royal Porthcawl (Glamorgan) — Wales’s finest links; Regular Amateur Championship venue
- Aberdovey (Ceredigion) — classic Snowdonia links; 18 holes, 6,454 yards
- Nefyn & District (Gwynedd) — spectacular cliff-top golf on the Llŷn Peninsula
How Do You Play Well on a Links Course?
Links golf demands a different mental approach from parkland golf. The ground is your ally — use it.
- Embrace the bump-and-run: Don’t always reach for a wedge. A low running shot often beats a high approach on firm links turf. Many professionals advocate keeping the ball below knee height on links courses.
- Allow for the wind: Factor in the crosswind especially, particularly when putting. A 10 mph crosswind typically moves a 7-iron shot 5–10 yards off line.
- Stay low when the wind picks up: On exposed links, the ball in the air is at the weather’s mercy. Club down and punch it through the wind rather than against it.
- Use the ground: The fairways are not your enemy — a good links course uses every bounce and roll.
- Plan bogey, celebrate par: Links courses reward patience. Accept double bogeys from impossible lies and play for the hole rather than the shot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Links Golf
What is the difference between links and links-style golf? A true links course sits on natural linksland — sandy, coastal ground formed by glacial deposits. However, a “links-style” course is an inland design that mimics links aesthetics (open fairways, pot bunkers, no trees) but lacks the true sandy subsoil and coastal exposure that define genuine links conditions. Many American and Australian courses describe themselves as links-style; very few are authentic links.
Why is links golf considered harder than parkland golf? The wind is the primary challenge — it affects every shot on an exposed links, including putts. The firm, fast ground also makes it hard to stop the ball with spin. As a result, you need more creative shots. As a result, handicappers typically score 3–6 shots worse on a links course in windy conditions compared to a sheltered parkland.
Which UK links course is best for beginners? Aberdovey in Wales and Brora in Scotland are both fine starting points. Each offers real links golf in a friendly setting. Green fees are modest, and neither asks for a handicap certificate.
Are links courses more expensive than parkland courses? Top-tier links courses — Open rota venues especially — carry premium green fees (£150–£300+). However, most British links courses cost no more than a good parkland. Many in Scotland and Wales charge under £60 a round.
Find links courses near you on GeoGolf →
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The GeoGolf Course editorial team covers UK golf destinations, course reviews, and tips for golfers of all abilities. We maintain the UK's most comprehensive independent golf course directory, covering England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
About GeoGolf Course →Frequently asked questions
What is a links golf course?
A links golf course sits on sandy, coastal ground between the sea and farmland, creating firm, fast, wind-battered playing conditions unlike anything else in golf. The word links comes from the Old English term for the ridges of sandy land where the game originally developed. Many golfers rate true links courses among the rarest and finest examples in the sport.
How many links golf courses are there in the UK?
Britain has around 1,800 golf courses in total, but fewer than 250 of them are genuine links courses, according to England Golf's 2024 figures. That scarcity is part of what makes authentic linksland such a prized draw for serious golfers.
What is the difference between a links course and a parkland course?
The difference is physical and climatic rather than aesthetic. Links land is sandy, fast-draining ground that sits between farmland and the sea, producing firm turf and wind-driven play. In contrast, parkland courses are usually softer and tree-lined further inland. A links-style course built away from the coast is not the same as a true links.
Which are the best links golf courses in Scotland?
Scotland is home to more than 100 links courses, the largest cluster anywhere in the world. Among the best-known are the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Carnoustie.
Does Wales have good links golf?
Yes, Wales has its own strong links tradition, led by Royal Porthcawl and Aberdovey. These sit alongside England's Lancashire coast links, including Royal Birkdale, Formby and Royal Lytham & St Annes. Together, they're part of Britain's wider links golf heritage.
Related reading
Coastal Golf in the UK — Britain's Best Seaside Courses
How Many Golf Courses Are There in the UK?
