GOLF’s 2017-18 ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the World

Gullane, Scotland Old Tom Morris/H.S. Colt, 18891/1925

This 16-time Open venue was never more testing or memorable than in 2013, when Phil Mickelson rode his 3-wood to victory. It so impressed Jack Nicklaus in his 1966 win that he named his own major-worthy course in Ohio after it. Tom Weiskopf cites the primary appeal: 'The continuous change in direction from hole to hole leads to different winds, great balance and maximum variety.'

Pebble Beach, Calif. Jack Neville/Douglas Grant, 1919

The first great American public seaside course, Pebble benefited from an ingenious Figure-8 design that brought the player right to ocean's edge, then away into the woods, then back again.

Oakmont, Pa. Henry Fownes, 1903

No course on earth plays so much viciously harder than it looks than Oakmont. No trees, no water, few forced carries and huge greens normally add up to a sea of red numbers for the game's best, but not here.

Southampton, N.Y. C.B. Macdonald, 1911

NGLA, or 'National,' as it's known, offers the greatest variety of strategic holes and greens in golf. There are blind shots, links-style holes that feature firm, fast-running fairways, forced carries and a remarkable mix of short and long holes.

Southampton, N.Y. William Flynn, 1931

Venue for four U.S. Opens since 1986, with a fifth on the way in 2018, Shinnecock boasts a William Flynn design that combines parkland bunkering and greens with a seaside sensibility.

Augusta, Ga. Alister MacKenzie/Bobby Jones, 1933

Nearly every hole at Augusta National provides a safe route to the green and also a riskier one. Combine staggering beauty and Masters tradition and it's easy to see why Augusta National is so revered.

Newcastle, Northern Ireland Old Tom Morris, 1889

This 1889 Old Tom Morris creation is one of the most beautiful tests in the world. Perhaps golf's most fearsome looking bunkers populate the entire course. Golf's best front nine boasts the 217-yard, par-3 4th and the blind par-4 9th that does offer other views, the Irish Sea, the Mountains of Mourne and the red brick steeple of the Slieve Donard Hotel among them.

St. Andrews, Scotland Nature, 1400s

The birthplace of golf features multiple blind bunkers, huge double greens, quirks such as the Road Hole and Hell Bunker and strategic options that vary by the day. The emphasis on variety and strategy became foundations for all great designs in years to come, including Augusta National.

Pebble Beach, Calif. Alister MacKenzie, 1928

As Alister MacKenzie himself must have felt about his 1928 design, it's almost inconceivable that land this stunning was made available for golf. For the lucky few who have access to super-exclusive Cypress, they're privileged to enjoy the best walk in the sport.

There's no secret as to why Pine Valley has been ranked No. 1 in the World by GOLF Magazine since 1985. Uniquely beautiful and brutal, 99-year-old Pine Valley serves up multiple forced carries on holes that hopscotch from one island of turf to the next.