Best Harry Vardon golf courses

A six-time Open Champion, Harry Vardon is an icon of golfing history. Born in Jersey, Vardon went on to be one of the most successful golfers of his generation, also adding a US Open to his trophy cabinet which continues to see him tied with Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, and Arnold Palmer on the all-time Major Winners Rankings with seven.

Following his playing career, Vardon turned his hand to golf course architecture, helping to craft and reshape a raft of courses across the British Isles. Why not check out some of the best Harry Vardon golf courses you can play on your next golf break!

Location: Northern Ireland | Date: 1889 | Ranked no.1 golf course in Ireland

Following the original creation of the Championship Links at Royal County Down by Old Tom Morris in 1889, many of the leading golfers of the age were drafted in to add their own touches to this magnificent layout. Amongst these were the fabled ‘Great Triumvirate’ of J.H. Taylor, James Braid, and Harry Vardon.

By some margin, this trio were the best golfers of the early 1900’s and helped to put the sport on the map amongst the wider public. Unusually for such a strong player, Vardon’s influence at Royal County Down is generally seen as the implementation of stronger consideration for the difficulties caused by the elements to the average golfer – and thus several fairways and bunkers were reshaped to allow for increased playability.

Key features:

• The most famous hole at Royal County Down is undoubtedly the 4th Hole, known as "The Dunes"
• The course is carved through towering sand dunes covered in heather and gorse
• Many holes require blind or semi-blind tee shots, adding to the challenge

Location: Lincolnshire (England) | Date: 1903 | Top 10 golf course in England

Following a couple of property moves during its early years in existence, the current and enduring location of Woodhall Spa’s, Hotchkin Course was laid out by Harry Vardon in 1903. Whilst this was again tweaked by Harry Colt in 1911, much of Vardon’s original design continues, with the bunkering again created in partnership with J.H. Taylor.

Nowadays, the course is a firm fixture in Top 100 rankings list across the British Isles – generally within the Top 10 in England. Seen as one of the best inland courses in the UK and Ireland, the venue has become the home of England Golf, and as such, benefits from excellent practice facilities and conditioning throughout.

And, if that wasn’t enough, it’s sister course – The Bracken – is also no slouch, making for an almost unbeatable 36-hole golfing destination.

Key features:

• Traditional heathland course that combines natural beauty with strategic design
• Known for its deep, penal bunkers, which are integral to the course's defense
• The course features significant elevation changes, which adds an extra level of difficulty and beauty

Location: Donegal (Ireland) | Date: 1900s | Host to The Donegal Golf Classic

Following a similar pattern seen at Royal County Down, Rosapenna was another course originally designed by Old Tom Morris that saw changes made by Harry Vardon in the early 1900s. With the addition of the St Patrick’s Links, the original course is now known as the Old Tom Morris Links – however, Vardon’s name can still be seen prominently at Rosapenna, notably in the titles of the restaurant named in his honour.

This time, Vardon worked with James Braid, adding length and creating more detailed bunkering, however, leaving the original Old Tom greens untouched. With an on-site holiday and now two incredible courses to enjoy, Rosapenna remains one of our go-to choices for first-class breaks in Ireland.

Key features:

• The course offers stunning views of Sheephaven Bay and the Atlantic Ocean
• Has several well-positioned bunkers, including deep pot-style traps
• The signature hole is the 4th hole, known as "The Dell"

Location: Abersoch (Wales) | Date: 1907 | Host to Abersoch Golf Club Open Week

Back in the UK, Vardon headed out to Abersoch in Wales, creating the golf course here that officially opened on Boxing Day in 1907. The course offers a mix of inland and links holes and is one of the most enjoyable layouts in west Wales.

Of particular note are some of Abersoch’s Par-3’s, notably the 246-yard 3rd hole, with the course also noted for its spectacular views across the water and up to the mountains at Snowdonia. Our customers generally will group Abersoch with courses such as Nefyn, Aberdovey, and Porthmadog to create a superb package in this magical area of Wales.

Key features:

• The course offers breathtaking views over the Cardigan Bay and the surrounding countryside
• Links-style layout that features natural undulations, sandy soil, and exposed fairways
• Offers a mix of shorter par 3s, par 4s, and longer par 5s, which demand different strategies

Location: Hertfordshire (England) | Date: 1800’s | Host to the 2023 Legends Tour

Another course with a culinary nod to Vardon within the clubhouse, Hanbury Manor itself was created as a Jacobean Manor House for the Hanbury family in the late 1800’s. Harry Vardon came in the early part of the next century to add a 9-hole layout which was enjoyed by the family, local members, and the children of ‘Poles Convent’ which was created within the manor house in between the two world wars.

Following the conversion of the convent into a luxury hotel, Jack Nicklaus II was brought in to redesign the course in the early 1990’s with the grand opening happening in 1991. The new layout largely changed Vardon’s original creation, however the 18-holes created were greatly received by both professional and amateurs, hosting several European Tour events in the years that followed.

In modern times, the property has been managed by Marriott, ensuring an excellent standard across both the hotel and golf course. No surprise then, to see it constantly ranked as one of our customer favourites.

Key features:

• This is a parkland-style course, offering a traditional design with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers
• The course includes several water features, including ponds and streams, which come into play on multiple holes
• Has a range of hole types, from long par 5s that challenge distance hitters to shorter, strategic par 3s that require precise iron play