The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is underway in Scotland. Week in week out those lucky sods blessed with the skills required to make it as a professional golfer get to play the world’s best golf courses but during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship they are spoiled even more than usual. This week they get to play not just one, but three of the finest golf courses in Scotland and even the world. The St Andrews Old Course needs no introduction and the pros and their amateur playing partners will also be heading to the devilish Carnoustie Championship Course and the mighty Kingsbarns. We wanted to take you closer to these fantastic golf courses so here is our Alfred Dunhill Links Championship photo guide.
The famous Swilcan Bridge on the St Andrews Old Course where many an Open Champion and travelling golfer have posed for a quick picture.
The Swilcan Bridge crosses the famous and hazardous Swilcan Burn which has claimed many a golf ball since golfers started visiting the famous St Andrews links all those years ago.
Sweeping undulations and cavernous pot bunkers define the Old Course and provide the main protection for Old Man Par!
While watching the Old Course being played on TV it can appear quite flat but at the right time of day the extent of the mind boggling undulations becomes apparent.
Although it would be difficult to leave the comfort of establishments such as the Fairmont St Andrews and the Old Course Hotel it is worth draggin yourself out of bed to catch the sun coming up over the St Andrews skyline.
The proximity of the course to some St Andrews buildings is enough to rattle golfers who struggle to keep it on the straight and narrow.
Although Kingsbarns is a relatively young course having been opened just over a decade ago it seems as if it has been there for hundreds of years!
The 12th hole at Kingsbarns is one of the finest par 5s in the world. The prevailing wind can make this a seriously tough proposition and any long hitter arriving on the tee hoping for a birdie will have to produce two of their Sunday best to get home in two.
The other contender for the signature hole at Kingsbarns is the par 3 15th where the sensible (if a little cowardly) golfer will be aiming in the general direction of the bunker left of the green!
Considering its youth Kingsbarns has developed a reputation as one of the very best links courses in Scotland and (in Your Golf Travel’s opinion) therefore one of the finest golf courses in the world.
One of the best things about Scotland’s best links courses and specifically Kingsbarns is the sheer space afforded for each and every hole.
As with many of Scotland’s finest links courses Kingsbarns features breathaking undulations that require serious consideration when selecting which club to use.
The Championship Course at Carnoustie is one of the most testing in the world. Pot bunkers, gorse and of course the fine Scottish weather all add to the challenge.
Golfers playing Carnoustie on a Scottish golf break would be oh so lucky to play in conditions like this!
There seems to be something missing from this photo…Oh yes that’s right…Jean Van de Velde sans shoes and socks!
For information on Scottish golf breaks and other UK golf holidays please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644.
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