Arguably the toughest links course in Britain. The Open Championship has been held here on 7 occasions, most recently in 2007. The present golf course was fashioned in 1850 by Alan Robertson of St Andrews. Gorse, broom, open ditches, pot bunkers on almost every fairway and tricky, speedy greens ruin cards and handicaps. The Barry Burn is an additional hazard over the final three holes. In the wind it is a monster off the back tees. The complementary Burnside and Buddon courses that weave around and inside the main course are cheaper and easier challenges over the same stretch of attractive sand-based terrain.
Host to the Senior Open in 2010 and the Ladies Open in 2011.