This year’s list from our course raters is our finest effort yet at identifying and properly ranking the very best courses on earth. You can find courses in 14 countries spanning four continents on GOLF’s list, an eclectic mix of architects, eras, and styles.
The other side of this coin is a melancholy one. For all the beauty and splendor on GOLF’s list, much of it is inaccessible to the average golfer. Some names — Shinnecock, National Golf Links of America, Augusta National — will never be accessible to the average golfer.
So why care? Well, because nearly half of the list contains courses you very well can play. From tremendous offerings in the U.S. (Bethpage Black, Pinehurst No. 2, Pebble Beach) to a small army of options in Europe and further abroad, the list of Top 100 Courses at your disposal is more than many can hope for in a lifetime.
So stop dreaming! Get out there and start doing.
Ed. note: Many of these courses are completely public and ready for your reservation, and many international/European private clubs in our Top 100 will open their doors — and quite willingly — to visitors, especially with a recommendation from a club in the United States.
Top 100 Courses in the World YOU can play
3. St. Andrews (Old) 6. Royal County Down 12. Royal Dornoch 14. Pebble Beach 15. Royal Portrush 17. Pinehurst No. 2 18. Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
22. Kingston Heath 24. Ballybunion (Old) 28. Pacific Dunes 30. Sunningdale (Old) 33. Royal St. George’s 35. North Berwick (West) 36. Lahinch (Old) 38. Barnbougle (Dunes) 39. Carnoustie (Championship) 42 Royal Birkdale 44. Cabot Cliffs 47. New South Wales 51. Cape Kidnappers 52. Bethpage (Black) 53. Portmarnock 55. St. Patrick’s Links
59. Royal Troon (Old) 60. Kiawah Island (Ocean) 61. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) 62. Kawana (Fuji) 63. Cruden Bay 64. Sunningdale (New) 66. Rye (Old) 67. Royal Lytham & St. Annes 69. Prestwick
70. Cape Wickham 74. Ardfin 75. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) 77. Castle Stuart 78. Cabot Links 79. Royal Liverpool 80. Bandon Dunes 81. Kingsbarns 82. Whistling Straits (Straits) 86. Royal Hague 88. St. George’s Hill 91. Bandon Trails 95. De Pan (Utrechtche) 98. Diamante (Dunes)
James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.