Old Course at Ballyliffin Golf Club, Ireland

The Old Links at Ballyliffin Golf Club has been in steady transformation since the club was officially established after World War II, including a 1973 revamp and the addition of a new clubhouse in 1987. But the course didn't realize its full potential until 2006, when Nick Faldo's design firm redid the bunkering and several greens.

The facelift maintained the Old Links's timeless feel. Bunkers are small and difficult to find from the tee. The terrain is consistently rolling but with few steep elevation changes. The par-3 fifth, playing uphill to a green protected on both sides by large, rock-crowned dunes, is a fabulous sight, but any error off the tee is punished.

Ireland's northernmost golf club, Ballyliffin isn't easy to get to, but the Old Links and its sister course, Glashedy Links, amply reward the trek. This is links golf as pure as you'll find anywhere, laid out over sweeping dunes, guarded by rocky terrain, overseen by looming peaks.