Must-Play Links Courses That Have Never Hosted the Open Championship
Since its inception at Prestwick in 1860, the Open Championship has captivated golfers the world over. Justly branded as “golf’s original championship,” The Open, as it’s often casually called, has played host to stunning outcomes, dramatic storylines, and exceptional performances. Yet, across more than 160 years, the championship has been contested at only 14 courses. […]
A Chat With the Claret Jug
Having endured a full year out of the limelight, the coveted decanter was ready to have a natter Not long ago, I was privileged to gain an audience with golf’s most iconic trophy, the Claret Jug awarded to the Champion Golfer of the Year. It was a typically dreich Scottish morning when I arrived in […]
A Candid Conversation about Links Golf with Greg Norman
During the summer of 1993, Greg Norman teed it up at Royal St. George’s for the Open Championship and promptly shot four rounds under par. He saved the best for last, however, shooting a six-under 64 during the final round to win by two strokes. “That final round was one you just dream about,” the […]
18 Exceptional Golf Courses in the Shadow of the Open Championship Venues
“Why then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.” —The Merry Wives of Windsor Smiling at these words, you put down your book of Shakespeare and fall into a deep sleep. Now begins a remarkably vivid dream that fuses the quote with your other favorite subjects: golf and travel. The dream begins […]
LINKS Golf Podcast Ep. 89: An Insider’s Guide to the Open Championship Experience
LINKS contributor Nick Edmund has been to his fair share of Open Championships over the years—he shares his most memorable experiences, tips for first-time attendees, his favorite course in the Open rota, and must-play courses nearby the nine Open Championship venues in this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, presented by Ashcroft Capital. You can […]
Darren Clarke Looks Back at his 2011 Open Win
You don’t win the Open Championship by accident. It has to be your week—your time. For Darren Clarke, that time came in 2011 at Royal St. George’s, which hosts the Open for a 15th time in 2021. Clarke’s immensely popular win there seemed like it was destined to happen. A native of Northern Ireland, Clarke […]
Gil Hanse Explains the Importance of Fairways
Most golfers don’t think of the fairway as an architectural feature, instead believing it’s just there for maintenance. However, we spend almost as much time marking out fairway lines in our new construction as we do anywhere else on the course. Why? Because the fairway is the first target every golfer aims for and where […]
Top Golf Courses in National Parks: From Washington, D.C., to Yosemite
“I think all our parks should be opened for golf unless there is some specific objection in public needs.” -President William H. Taft During the Golden Age of Golf in the early 20th century, eight public golf courses were built within the nation’s capital. Three of those historic facilities remain today, among them East Potomac […]
Top 10 Old Tom Morris Courses
Old Tom Morris designed or redesigned more than 100 courses, including some of the best known and loved in Great Britain and Ireland. He may not have been skilled with a map and pencil, but he knew very well how to create wonderfully scenic holes with unprecedented drama. OLD COURSE, ST. ANDREWS Front nine, new […]
LINKS Golf Podcast Ep. 88: Restoring the East Course at Oak Hill
Oak Hill Country Club’s East Course, host of the 2023 PGA Championship, six previous major championships, and the 1995 Ryder Cup, recently reopened for play after the completion of a 10-month restoration project led by architect Andrew Green. Digital Editor Al Lunsford sits down with Oak Hill golf course superintendent Jeff Corcoran who details the […]