Featured architects

Harry Colt

The architect who brought strategy inland

Born
1869, England
Years active
c. 1905–1939
Works
300+ worldwide
Era
Golden Age

Why the name endures

Colt translated the strategic principles of links golf to heathland and parkland ground, proving intelligent design did not require the coast. A solicitor by training and the first secretary of Sunningdale, he set the template for the inland championship course.

A good shot should be rewarded and a poor shot punished.

Harry Colt

Design principles

  • Risk and reward written into every hole
  • Bunkering placed to influence decisions, not to punish
  • Layouts that reward precision over power

Surviving work

Courses to see

Sunningdale (Old)

Berkshire, England

The heathland benchmark: subtle elevation and superb green complexes.

Royal Portrush (Dunluce)

Northern Ireland

An Open venue of dramatic elevation and the finest set of green sites in Ireland.

Muirfield

East Lothian, Scotland

Colt's returning-loops routing made the wind a different question on every hole.