Golf News: The Best Golf Course Logos from Around the World

Royal Portrush

The UK is awash with great golf logos. I could have easily chosen Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Liverpool, Royal Troon, or even the venerable St. Andrews. All are superb logos.

I chose Royal Portrush because I love that it got an Open this year and is hopefully back in the Rota. It’s also a storied track that incorporates the best elements of the UK golf logos.

First, it’s “Royal”. There are about 66 “Royal” courses throughout the former British Empire. They basically designate a course that has the Royal Family stamp of approval. They are also places where ascots are worn unironically.

There are a couple of elements, design-wise, that make the Royal Portrush logo both emblematic and special among the “Royal” course logos. First, you have the crown. Then, you have the regal color palette of navy, maroon, and gold. The use of a distinctive serif typeface in all caps adds a hint of gravitas and pride.

Finally, and this is the element that cinched it for me, you have the belt clasp at the bottom. Without this, it’s simply a nice logo. This little design feature pushed it to greatness in my mind.

World Golf Hall of Fame Historian Dr. Tony Parker explains it better than I can, but here’s the gist.

The first trophy for The Open was a “Challenge Belt”. (Think old-timey wrestling belt. Yes, I’m serious.) Young Tom Morris won it three times in a row from 1868-70 and then basically said, “Screw it, I’m keeping it.” In 1871, there was no Championship because there was no trophy. Crazy, right?

The Claret Jug was then created, but not finished, in time for the 1872 Open. Guess who won? Yep, that little bugger probably would have absconded with the jug, too, had it been presented. Luckily, in 1873, Tom Kidd won and he received the first Claret Jug, though Young Tom’s name was added as the previous year’s champion.

I note all this because now the belt buckle at the bottom of the Royal Portrush logo has a new, deeper meaning. Though Portrush wasn’t open until well after these Championship Belt hijinks, the tip-of-the-cap design element in the logo is a delightful touch. It also creates an uneven platform upon which the logo rests. It helps catch the eye and adds visual intrigue to the overall design.

Here’s to hoping we’ll see that beautiful logo again soon at an Open Championship.