5 Great Links-Style GolfNow Courses

July 26, 2013

As we come down from the high of another fantastically memorable Open Championship at Muirfield and find ourselves amid all kinds of royal baby buzz, we can’t help but feel nostalgic for traditional, UK-born links golf.

From the most historic courses in the United Kingdom to modern day tracks in the U.S., links golf can provide the sternest of tests for even the most seasoned golfers.

Here are five GolfNow links-style courses that provide a fantastic glimpse at the earliest iterations of the game.

Olivas Links Golf Course – Ventura, California

Olivas Links is a municipal course in Ventura located just 40 minuets from Los Angeles that provides a stern test at a bargain price – $59 on the weekends if purchased through GolfNow. The Forest Richardson re-designed track combines seaside grasses and rolling hills with cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean located within miles of the design. With four different sets of tee boxes and well-guarded greens, Olivas Links is fun for all skill sets and was ranked by Golfweek Magazine in 2011 as one of the 10 best municipal courses in the country.

 

 

Eagle Eye Golf Club – Bath, Michigan

One of the secrets of the Midwest is Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath near Lansing. This course has mouth-watering shot options from the very first hole until your round is complete. Chris Lutzke and Pete Dye put together this challenging layout, including the signature 17th hole, which features an island green very similar to Dye’s TPC Sawgrass design. If the winds kick up, Eagle Eye provides an authentic links-style challenge.

 

 

Kinghorn Golf Club – Bishopton, Scotland

One of the oldest courses in Scotland, Kinghorn Golf Club was founded in January 1887 as a 9-hole course designed by Old Tom Morris. The course was expanded to 18 holes in 1947 following the war and remains very similar in design today. Situated in Fife on the east coast of Scotland, Kinghorn offers breathtaking sea views over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.

 

 

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links – Portmarnock, Ireland

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is a championship course designed by Bernhard Langer that opened for play in 1995. The course has hosted many top class amateur and professional events including the 2008 & 2009 Ladies Irish Open. Stay and play for great value at the Portmarnock Golf Club hotel.

 

 

Nags Head Golf Links – Outer Banks, North Carolina

In the Americas, there might not be a better links course than Nags Head in North Carolina. Pure beauty is how to describe this track that lies off of the tranquil Roanoke Sound. Ranked one of Golfweek’s Top 50 courses, the Bob Moore layout plays at only 6,126 yards. Wild seaside grasses and a well-bunkered layout combine with coastal breezes to provide a stiff test to all golfers. The beautiful views of the Sound more than make up for the difficulty of the course as many holes play into the wind. Enjoy your trek around the course and enjoy the original game of golf.