Five Open championship venues are part of a new venture aimed at promoting links golf in Scotland. St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Troon, Turnberry and Carnoustie have joined forces with VisitScotland and 35 other Scottish links courses as part of the initiative.

Golfers worldwide will be familiar with such landmarks as the Swilcan Bridge and the 17th Road Hole on St Andrews’ Old Course and the famous 8th hole at Royal Troon nicknamed The Postage Stamp. The Great Scottish Links Collection website has been launched to raise awareness of some of the lesser-known links courses in the country where the game began.

The project has received the full backing of former Royal & Ancient Club secretary and captain Sir Michael Bonallack. Bonallack, who won five British Amateur titles between 1951and 1970 and appeared in nine Walker Cups, said, "Links golf is the truest test of the game. It brings out all the toughest characteristics in golf – not just as a golfer but also as a person. You get good bounces and bad bounces on undulating terrain. It is all about how you deal with them. Scotland’s courses offer the best test of them all."