The Open is the oldest major in golf, first played in 1860, and unlike its American cousins it is contested entirely on the windswept links of Britain and Ireland. The courses on this rota are the proving ground where the Claret Jug has been won and lost for more than 160 years, by every legend the game has ever produced.
The good news for traveling golfers is that many of these Open Championship courses welcome visitors. You can book a tee time and play the same fairways as the champions, weather permitting, and the weather rarely permits. The bucket-list links await below.
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
East Lothian,
Scotland
Hosted:
16 Times
Most Recently: 2013 First In: 1892
Open Championship Rota: No
Links Gate
Lytham St Annes,
England
Hosted:
11 Times
Most Recently: 2012 First In: 1926
Open Championship Rota: Yes
St Andrews Links Trust
Fife,
Scotland
Hosted:
30 Times
Most Recently: 2022 First In: 1873
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Waterloo Road
Southport,
England
Hosted:
10 Times
Most Recently: 2017 First In: 1954
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Dunluce Road
Portrush,
Ireland
Hosted:
3 Times
Most Recently: 2025 First In: 1951
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Craigend Road
Troon,
Scotland
Hosted:
10 Times
Most Recently: 2024 First In: 1923
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Meols Drive
Hoylake, Wirral,
England
Hosted:
14 Times
Most Recently: 2023 First In: 1897
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Sandwich
Kent,
England
Hosted:
15 Times
Most Recently: 2021 First In: 1894
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Links House, Links Parade
Carnoustie ,
Scotland
Hosted:
8 Times
Most Recently: 2018 First In: 1931
Open Championship Rota: No
Westin Turnberry Resort
Turnberry,
Scotland
Hosted:
4 Times
Most Recently: 2009 First In: 1977
Open Championship Rota: Yes
Princes Dr.
Sandwich Bay,
England
Hosted:
1 Times
Most Recently: 1932 First In: 1932
Open Championship Rota: No
Links Road
Prestwick,
Scotland
Hosted:
24 Times
Most Recently: 1925 First In: 1860
Open Championship Rota: No
Golf Road
Deal,
England
Hosted:
2 Times
Most Recently: 1920 First In: 1909
Open Championship Rota: No
Musselburgh Links
East Lothian,
Scotland
Hosted:
6 Times
Most Recently: 1889 First In: 1874
Open Championship Rota: No
