Old Tom Morris, the man who sculpted the original outline of the Old Course at St Andrews, was paid just four guineas to produce this links masterpiece in 1889. It was improved upon in 1908 by Harry Vardon, though it was not altered dramatically.

This is one of the world's greatest links courses. It has all the classic elements; imposing sand dunes, tight, rolling fairways, small undulating greens and countless blind shots.

An American golf magazine was so enamoured by the experience of a round at Royal County Down that it rated it third best in the world behind Muirfield and Pebble Breach.