In the world of modern golf, where the European Tour makes regular visits to South Africa, Australia and the Middle East, there are fewer tournaments in the UK. Even so, quite a few remain, with most of them using the same course each year, at least for much of their history. There are so many great golf courses in the UK, with Scotland alone having a wide variety of world-class venues.
We cannot cover every single golf course that holds or has held any sort of tournament, so instead we will focus on the ones that currently host a European Tour (DP World Tour) event regularly. We will also look at all the courses on the rota for the Open Championship.
Wentworth
The West Course at Wentworth, in the affluent Surrey village of Virginia Water, is home to the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event on the European Tour. Wentworth is the HQ for the PGA European Tour, so it is a good fit. The club opened in 1922 and staged the Ryder Cup in 1953 and the World Match Play Championship between 1964 and 2007. The West Course is used for such championships and was designed by Harry Colt, with Ernie Els behind the various alterations in the 21st century.
Renaissance Club
The Renaissance Club has been the home of the Scottish Open since 2019, an event seen as a key preparation tournament for The Open, which takes place the following week. Situated near North Berwick, the par-70 course was only opened in 2008. Designed by leading American architect Tom Doak, a student of Pete Dye, the links design is a fair but hugely challenging track.
St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns
Considered by many to be the home of golf, St Andrews’ Old Course is part of the Open rota but is also used for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, along with Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. Carnoustie is also on the rota for The Open and is one of the very best courses in the world. Located in Angus, around 11 miles from Dundee, it opened in 1842 but did not hold its first British Open until 1931; 2018 marked the eighth time it had done so.
St Andrews has held the British Open more than any other course and hosts the event roughly once every five years. With roots stretching back to 1552, St Andrews held The Open for the first time in 1873 and for the 30th time in 2022. It is located in St Andrews, Fife, and while the course can be attacked on calm days, it is still a magical test.
Kingsbarns is not as well known as the other two Alfred Dunhill courses and does not stage the British Open, but is considered a modern classic. It is about six or seven miles from St Andrews and offers beautiful sea views, making the most of its position on the North Sea coast. Though the site has been used for golf since the late 1700s, the modern course opened in 2000 and is a public course, designed by Kyle Phillips. A classic par-72, it counts Rory McIlroy among its many fans.
The Open Championship Rota
There are, as of 2026, ten courses that are on the official R&A rota to act as host for the biggest tournament held on these shores – and for many, the biggest and most prestigious full stop – The Open. The British Open, to use one of its other monikers, was founded in 1860 and over the years, fourteen venues have been used. The four no longer on the rota are:
- Prestwick – located around 30 miles southwest of Glasgow, this course hosted the first 12 Opens, but last did so in 1925
- Musselburgh Links – situated in East Lothian, this course hosted six tournaments between 1872 and 1920
- Royal Cinque Ports – this course, in Deal, Kent, held The Open just twice, in 1909 and 1920
- Prince’s – another Kent venue, Prince’s is in Sandwich and held the British Open in 1932, when Gene Sarazen won
Of the ten remaining courses, we have already looked at St Andrews and Carnoustie, with those used for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The other eight are detailed below.
Muirfield
Muirfield was established in 1891 and replaced Musselburgh on the rota. Located in Gullane, it held its first Open in 1892 and in 2013 it held its 16th Open Championship. It has also
been used for the Women’s and Senior Opens.
Royal St George’s
One of four English courses used for the Open, this Kent venue is the only one in the south of the country. The Sandwich course, inaugurated in 1887, was the first English one to hold the tournament when it did so in 1894 and was used for the 15th time in 2021.
Royal Liverpool
This Hoylake course, built in 1869, is actually situated on the Wirral, so isn’t in Liverpool and is another that held its first Open at the end of the 19th century (1897). Hoylake hosted the championship for the 13th time in 2023 with Brian Harman winning.
Royal Troon
Troon was opened in 1878, albeit with just five holes back then. Over the years, 40 more have been added. It first hosted the British Open in 1923 and did the honours for the 11th time 101 years later. It is located in the town from which it takes its name, in South Ayrshire.
Royal Lytham and St Anne’s
This course is one of three in the North West of England and is situated in the quaint town of the same name. Built in 1886, the course hosted its first Open in 1926, and it is set to hold its 12th tournament in 2028. Seve Ballesteros won two of his three Opens here.
Royal Portrush
This is the only course used for The Open that is outside Britain (Northern Ireland being part of the UK). Situated in County Antrim and founded in 1888, it has held the Irish Open, as well as The Open. It first hosted the latter in 1951, then faced a long wait until 2019 due to the political situation in the country. Scottie Scheffler won Portrush’s third Open in 2025.
Royal Birkdale
This course, in Southport, was built in 1889 and first held The Open in 1954. It was used rather regularly back then, holding its fifth tournament in 1976. The course hosted the championship for the 11th time in 2026.
Turnberry
Trump Turnberry, as it has been called since a certain President bought it in 2014, has not been considered for hosting duties for some time, ostensibly due to issues with transport and accommodation, plus practice facilities. It was built in 1906 and held its fourth Open in 2009. Its first, in 1977, was an all-time classic, Tom Watson seeing off Jack Nicklaus in the famous Duel in the Sun.
Other Notable Courses
Many other notable courses have staged important events in the past and are likely to do so in the future. We can’t list them all, but a few of note are:
- The Belfry – synonymous with the Ryder Cup and recently used for the British Masters
- Gleneagles – has held the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and more
- Loch Lomond – held the Scottish Open for many years
- Sunningdale – has held the British Masters and Walker Cup, as well as the Women’s Open and Senior Open Championships
- Woburn – was a regular host of the British Masters