WATCH: James Haddock checks out qualifying venues for the 2016 Open

Sky Sports golf reporter James Haddock runs the rule over the four venues which will host the qualifying rounds for next month's Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Gailes, the only Scottish course on the qualifying rota between 2014 and 2017, is just five miles from this year's venue along the west coast of Scotland.

No winner has emerged from previous qualifiers at the links, although 1995 runner-up Costantino Rocca and Jean van de Velde, who famously imploded at Carnoustie four years later, came close to breaking that duck.

Click on the video below to check out James' thoughts on the Gailes…

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Hillside, located on England's 'Golf Coast' in Southport, is a true championship links course where accuracy over length is essential.

However, those brave enough to be teeing it up on the Lancashire links this week, may just benefit from the obvious 'risk and reward' holes which, while demanding full concentration, could offer up a ticket north to Ayrshire for those willing to take it on.

European Tour regular Tom Lewis, who finished tied for 30 at the 2011 Open in Royal St George's, is among those hoping to secure one of the three places on offer for the July 14-17 showpiece at Royal Troon.

Click on the video below to watch the Hillside course guide…

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The Marquess Course at Woburn, which opened for business in 2000, is by far the youngest course being used for Open qualifying this year.

Located on the Bedfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, like Hillside, accuracy from the tee is a must around this tight track.

Ireland's Paul Dunne, who led going into the final day at St Andrews last year before settling for a tied-30th finish, will be aiming to secure his passage to the Championship from the course for a third successive year.

Click on the video below to see what the hopefuls have to negotiate at Woburn...

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Those claiming one of the Open places on offer at Royal Cinque Ports will be well prepared for the challenge that lies ahead on the Ayrshire coast next month.

The traditional links course on the Kent coast - which has twice hosted the Open in 1909 and 1920 - is viewed by those in the know as the 'complete test of golf'.

Low scores must be made on the way out, with a front nine boasting two reachable par fives and a couple of short par fours doing little to prepare would-be qualifiers for the tough test awaiting over the final seven holes. 

Wind is always a factor at Royal Cinque Ports. Click on the video below to see what awaits, among others, Aussie Richard Green and Raymond Russell of Scotland...

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All four days of the Open Championship at Royal Troon will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from July 14-17