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 […]
LINKS Golf Podcast Ep. 85: LINKS Summer Issue Preview with Editor George Peper

The hosts review the across-the-pond features in the Summer 2021 issue on this episode of the LINKS Golf Podcast, presented by Ashcroft Capital, including George’s “exclusive” interview with the Claret Jug. They also discuss 18 great courses in the shadow of the nine Open Championship venues, Old Tom Morris’s 200th birthday, and the best courses […]
10 of the Decade’s Toughest Major Championship Holes

In all, 39 championships were played over the last decade and 29 different major champions crowned—equaling a plethora of moments etched in the history of the game. A total of 29 different golf courses played host to majors over the last 10 years—some much more difficult than others. Which were toughest? And more specifically, which […]
Catching Up with Champion Golfer of the Year Shane Lowry

Champion Golfer of the Year. It’s one of the most prestigious titles in golf. For Irishman Shane Lowry, that title can now be rephrased as Champion Golfer of the YEARS, plural. With the 2020 Open Championship pushed back to 2021, the 2019 winner at Royal Portrush has been afforded the rare opportunity of enjoying two […]
Ben Wright: Sneak Preview
The 1965 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Jack’s Place: Muirfield Village Golf Club

It all began as an idea in 1966 from then 26-year-old Jack Nicklaus while sitting at Augusta National Golf Club. That’s when Nicklaus says he first thought about hosting a golf tournament near his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. “I’ve spent more time and effort on Muirfield Village than any place else,” says Nicklaus, who named […]
My Top 5 Golf Bucket-List Experiences

This May will mark seven years that I’ve been working in golf media, and there’s nothing more I can say except I’ve been living the dream. I’ve played Augusta National (short version: Used Jack Nicklaus’s locker in the Champions locker room, birdied 12, can still recall every shot). I’ve tucked behind the curtain at Shadow […]
Five of James Braid’s Best Courses

James Braid was an immense figure in the game, belonging to a very short and distinguished list of greats who not only won at least five major championships, but also became productive (if not always brilliant) course designers—a list that includes J.H. Taylor, Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Nick Faldo. Add […]