h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Possibly the purest & rawest form of golf there is. I'm sure some golf courses just take a stretch of wild moorland, dig a round hole in the ground & plonk a flag in & say: "That's yer hole!" I don't think there's anywhere better for this form of golf than the U.K. & Eire. Countless times has Blighty hosted a major international event @ a links course & truly tested the best players in the world. Call me what you like ,but I can't help feeling a perverse satisfaction from seeing today's millionaire pros battle the elements just to make par.

Carnoustie in 1999
The narrow fairways, thick rough & sea winds (combined with driving rain on the final day) were enough to make a wholly unexpected leaderboard @ the British Open. The littleknown Scot, Paul Lawrie, ran out winner after a play-off.

Royal-Lytham & St. Annes (in the shadow of Blackpool, you know - where Alan Bradley met a sticky end! )
One of the oldest courses in the world, a strong - predominantly westerly breeze - requires a strong shot & precise putting.

Royal Birkdale
Hidden in dunes along the Irish Sea, take care in that wind!

Royal Liverpool (a celebrated English Links)

Ballybunion Old Course, County Kerry
Arguably one of Eire's best courses & guaranteed to test even the best golfers. Blind tee shots & towering sand dunes that come into play on almost every shot. Even if you leave the course less than impressed with your score (which is more than likely! ), you can still enjoy the spectacular coastal setting on the south-west coast when you reach the nineteenth hole!


Special mention to:
The 10th-hole @ the Belfry (not a links course, I know!) for having arguably the toughest matchplay hole in golf.
And to Loch Lomond Golf Course in Scotland for having some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere.
Then, if you've had enough of the Links, you can always go off to the Augusta National in Georgia, USA (home of the US Masters each year) to smell the azalias!


With from Buzz