Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna – History and Pure Fun

Gunnar Kobin
Dec 12, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Feb 7

Old Tom Morris Links: The Soul of Rosapenna

Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna is the kind of course that stays with you long after the round is finished.

It doesn't rely on dramatic visuals or modern length to make an impression. Instead, it earns respect through history, natural design, and the constant influence of Atlantic wind.

Located on the shores of Sheephaven Bay in County Donegal, Old Tom Morris Links delivers traditional links golf in its purest form. From the opening tee shot, with nothing but rolling linksland and open sky ahead, it's clear this is golf as it was originally meant to be played.

Laid Out in 1893

Originally laid out in 1893 by Old Tom Morris himself, this course has remained remarkably true to its roots.

The land does most of the work. Fairways rise and fall naturally, turf is firm and fast, the course is open enough that wind is always a factor—sometimes gentle, sometimes decisive.

During my round, conditions changed constantly. One hole played straight into the breeze, the next suddenly felt downwind, followed by an awkward crosswind on approach.

Forces you to stay engaged and think your way around rather than repeating the same shot.

Where You Hit It Matters More Than How Far

Old Tom Morris Links isn't long by modern standards, but it's far from easy.

Fairways may appear generous, but where you place the ball on them matters enormously. I often chose less than driver off the tee, focusing on positioning rather than distance.

Here, the best tee shot isn't the longest—it's the one leaving the correct angle into the green.

The Par 4s Are the Heart of It

The par-4 holes are the layout's backbone. Many look simple from the tee but become increasingly demanding closer to the green.

Subtle slopes, firm turf, shifting wind all influence how approach shots behave.

The course constantly encourages low, running shots, especially when breeze makes aerial approaches unreliable. Golf played along the ground, not through the air.

The Greens Reward Imagination

The greens at Old Tom Morris Links are a joy. Not wildly contoured, but wonderfully nuanced.

Approaches that land short and use natural contours often perform better than high shots trying to stop quickly.

Around the greens, creativity is encouraged. Putter, bump-and-run, lofted shot—there's almost always more than one solution.

How It Fits With the Other Two

Playing all three Rosapenna courses gives you this rare view of how links golf has evolved.

St Patrick's Links, designed by Tom Doak, is the modern, expressive sibling. Offers freedom, huge dunes, endless strategic options, constantly inviting bold lines and imaginative play. Where Old Tom feels restrained and rhythmic, St Patrick's feels adventurous and creative.

Sandy Hills, designed by Pat Ruddy, is the powerhouse. Longer, more muscular, physically demanding, with dramatic elevation changes and relentless Atlantic exposure. Sandy Hills tests execution and stamina, while Old Tom tests judgment and patience.

Old Tom Morris Links sits perfectly between them as Rosapenna's philosophical anchor—quieter, more subtle, deeply rooted in the game's traditions.

Walk It

This is a course designed to be walked. No housing developments or visual distractions. Focus remains entirely on the golf and surrounding landscape.

Views across Sheephaven Bay are always present but never overpowering.

By the closing holes, there's a sense of calm—feeling that you've experienced something authentic rather than manufactured.

Why It Matters

Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna is about more than ticking off another famous golf course. It's about connecting with the game's roots.

Where St Patrick's Links celebrates freedom and imagination, and Sandy Hills showcases modern power and drama, Old Tom Morris Links represents the soul of Rosapenna—honest, thoughtful, timeless.

For golfers who appreciate traditional links golf, strategic design, and a true sense of place, Old Tom Morris Links is essential—course that earns admiration one thoughtful shot at a time.

Some courses impress you immediately. Others grow on you slowly. Old Tom Morris Links does neither—it simply reminds you why you fell in love with golf in the first place.