** OLD OPEN ITINERARY - The Open 2019

Located 30 miles from Belfast on the beautiful County Down coast, Ardglass GC is links golf as it should be. With views of the rugged and beautiful coast line from every hole and the majesty of the Mourne Mountains providing the perfect back-drop, Ardglass has a true claim to be rated amongst the world?s greatest links courses.

Royal County Down is one of the oldest Golf Clubs in Ireland with traditions dating back for more than one hundred years. Situated in Newcastle, where in the immortal words of Percy French, "The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea", Royal County Down is not only a fine test of golf but has accompanying scenery that is spellbinding.

Many golfers have portrayed Royal Portrush Golf Club Dunluce Links as one of the most challenging in the golf course world.

The golf club was founded in 1888 and has hosted many championships, such as the first Open Championship ever held in Ireland in 1951. In more recent times, Royal Portrush has hosted the Senior British Open 1995-1999 and The Amateur Championship in 1993.

Situated on the beautiful North Antrim Causeway coast, Royal Portrush Golf Club occupies a triangle of giant sandhills which present magnificent views in all directions.

The hills of Donegal in the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the north, with the Giant's Causeway and the Skerries in the east. The course is overlooked by the ruins of 13th century Dunluce Castle and this gives its name to Royal Portrush's famous Dunluce course.

The Old Course at Ballybunion is one of the most popular courses in the whole of Ireland. American visitors in particular just love the course and five-times Open champion Tom Watson is a self-confessed fan of Ballybunion.

Established in 1893, the course was extended to 18 holes in 1926. Due to the threat of coastal erosion - it is set in sandhills alongside the Atlantic Ocean - the order of the holes was changed in the early 1970s and you now actually start at the old 14th.

Visitors to Ballybunion will undergo a stiff test from start to finish and the homeward nine on the Old Course are simply spectacular. The 11th is possibly the most famous and rated by Tom Watson as one of the toughest holes in the world. The 12th is possibly tougher for the amateur, a long par-3 to an elevated green across an entire expanse of wild duneland.

The par-5 16th possibly typifies Ballybunion, it is intimidating with a tee-shot played to a dog-leg. The temptation to take an agressive line often does not pay dividends and the more consevative line, while difficult to understand from the tee, does not make the hole impossibly long. The 2nd shot must be played uphill through a funnel of dunes leaving a short pitch to one of the larger greens on the course.

The 18th hole is one of the most discussed holes after a round on the Old Course. The approach is again uphill to another dune well protected by sand dunes and almost blind from the fairway. A par on this hole is a noteworthy achievement!

Opened in October 1984, Tralee Golf Course was the first European golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. When he first saw the area upon which his company was to build Tralee golf links, he was ecstatic about the possibilities. "I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course" he said.

"I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine", Palmer explained. "I am happy that we have one of the worlds' great golf links here."

"The setting is quite the most magnificent backdrop for a golf course that I have ever encountered", wrote Peter Dobereiner, the famous golf writer, not long after the course was opened.

While it always boasted a magnificent setting, with the course settling down and the greens thriving over time, Tralee has now joined the elite group of Irish links.

With views of the Atlantic and white sandy beaches from almost every hole, Tralee earns rave reviews from all who play it. There are some great holes on the course, notably the second, which runs along the clifftops, and the third, which has been likened to the famous seventh hole at Pebble Beach.

Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Waterville Golf Links is currently rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.

Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather. Forget the lob wedge. Think bump and run and creative shot making.

It is hard to believe that Waterville Golf Club was only built in 1973. It's the type of place you feel that has been there forever. Jack Mulcahy, an Irish-born American, had the vision for this links gem and, after returning to Ireland to live, he handed the task of designing the course to the legendary Eddie Hackett.

His creation is widely regarded as one of the top links courses in the world and the Americans in particular flock to Waterville in their thousands every year.

While the front nine is good, the inward half is even better and make sure you take a minute or two to enjoy the view of Mulcahy's Peak at the par-3 17th. Yes, it is easy to see why this place is so popular.

While its golf origins date back to 1793, the multi-award-winning Kingsbarns Golf Links only opened in the summer of 2000. It immediately established itself as one of the world’s must-play links courses – debuting at 46th on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Worldwide list.

Since 2001, Kingsbarns has co-hosted the annual European Tour’s elite Dunhill Links Championship along with the Old Course and Carnoustie. Kingsbarns has become a favourite destination for first-time and returning international and UK golf visitors to St Andrews. This reputation is based on a combination of playability, dramatic seaside location, classic links turf and staff dedicated to personal service.

Designed by Kyle Phillips and Mark Parsinen, every hole on this championship standard course offers inspiring views of the North Sea.

Sir Michael Bonallack, Past Captain and Past Secretary of the R&A said of Kingbarns: "Mere words cannot convey just how extraordinary the place is. It must be seen to be believed. And once seen, it will never be forgotten".

The Old Course at St Andrews is a must for all avid golfers, who should make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. This is where it all started – the undoubted Home of Golf.

This traditional links course is the oldest in the world. Its layout is unique and challenging and the sense of history is overwhelming. To tread the turf of St Andrews, where in the 13th century shepherds played a form of golf, is a marvellous experience. The course is known for its 112 bunkers including one of the most famous in golf, the Road Hole bunker at the 17th hole.

A peculiar feature of the layout of the Old Course is the double greens where the outward and inward holes are cut on the same putting surface. These large greens can mean that golfers may be faced with putts of almost 100 yards.