A “links” course, by definition, rests on sandy, firm soil that was once covered by the ocean. In Canada, that means we don’t have many links courses, unlike England, Ireland and Scotland, where links are fabled and lure tens of thousands of visitors each year to St. Andrews, Dornoch, Ballybunion and other spots.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t courses across Canada that emulate links, or have true links qualities. After all, a links course typically has firm-and-fast fairways and allow you to roll balls into the greens. Fescue is almost always present, as are devilish bunkers designed to sneak up and grab a great shot.

Here is our list of some of the top public links style courses Canada has to offer.

Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs

These are two of Canada’s most notable courses, both of which reside in the Top 100 courses in the world. Cabot Links is the more traditional links of the pair, sitting on an abandoned mine site right next to a sandy beach. Blowout bunkers, double greens and wide fairways to deal with the ever-present wind, are all found at Cabot Links.

Its sister course, Cabot Cliffs, has many of the same elements, but is set high overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It has many of the same elements, and you’ll find holes set in dunes, while others run along an inland water way.

Both are as close to true links golf as you get in Canada.

Links at Crowbush Cove

With a handful of holes that run along the ocean, Crowbush isn’t a traditional links given that several parts of this heralded course are tree-lined. But when it does embrace its ocean setting—especially on the back nine—Crowbush is one that will lure you back time and again to see the majesty of where the sea and golf converge.

TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley

Located a long way away from the ocean—in Caledon, Ont. —the Heathland Course is a Doug Carrick design that incorporates a lot of links elements in a layout that would feel right at home in Scotland. In fact, Carrick has designed a course in Scotland, and he taps into many great links concepts at Osprey Valley, including bunkerless holes, seemingly ancient stone walls, and split fairways, all surrounded by fields of fescue.

Tarandowah Golfers Club

A course designed by Martin Hawtree, a British architect known for his extensive work on British Open courses. Steep bunkering, great use of the ground game, and fescue as far as you can see, make Tarandowah a great faux links, even if it is located in a farmer’s field halfway between Woodstock and London, Ont.

Wolf Creek

Rod Whitman, the designer behind Cabot Links, Wolf Creek’s 36 holes are an homage to great Scottish golf. While the Old Course, Whitman’s first design on the property, is often compared to Scottish links, it is his Links Course, which runs through sand dunes and features wide fairways and expansive natural sand blowouts, that really captures the feel of Old World golf.

What’s your favourite links style course to play?