There are many course rankings out there. What’s the point? For starters, to educate golfers on everything this game can do to challenge your skill and — more important — your spirit. That’s exactly what makes GOLF’s inaugural rank of the Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland our most thrilling yet, spotlighting the obvious (i.e., the courses that have played host to the 149 previous Opens ahead of this July’s sesquicentennial), those that routinely pepper our World Top 100 and a few surprises. Golf here is, well, as bloody good as it gets.
While Scotland is the home of golf, England has the most Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland with an astounding 46. Four of the 10 active Open venues are in England — St. George’s, Birkdale, Lytham, and Liverpool (all royal). Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s also hosted a few generations ago.
Rumpled fairways, deep pot bunkers, and subtle green complexes define England’s best. This list has an unrivaled number of illustrious golf courses, and it’s important to note the diversity of styles and terrain. With newer designs (relatively speaking, of course) by Harry Colt — Sunningdale and Swinley Forest — England is home to beautiful blends of links and heathland.
England
7. Sunningdale (Old)
8. Royal St. George’s*
14. Royal Birkdale*
15. Swinley Forest
16. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)
18. Royal Lytham & St Annes*
22. St. George’s Hill (Red & Blue)
24. Rye
27. Royal Liverpool*
29. Royal Cinque Ports**
31. St. Enodoc (Church)
32. Walton Heath (Old)
34. Ganton
38. Royal West Norfolk
40. Notts
41. West Sussex
42. Silloth on Solway
43. Royal Worlington & Newmarket
46. Woking
48. Alwoodley
51. Addington
52. Formby
55. Royal North Devon
58. Burnham & Berrow (Championship)
59. Saunton (East)
60. The Berkshire (Red)
67. Huntercombe
69. Royal Ashdown Forest
70. Southport & Ainsdale
71. Hillside
72. Stoneham
74. Wentworth (West)
75. Huntstanton
76. Hankley Common
78. Broadstone
81. Walton Health (New)
85. The Berkshire (Blue)
86. New Zealand
89. Moortown
92. Worplesdon
94. Cleeve Cloud
95. Liphook
96. Delamere Forest
98. Prince’s**
100. Littlestone (Championship)
*Open Championship host in active rota
**Open Championship host not in active rota