Top 100 Courses in the World: GOLF’s 2020-21 ranking of the best golf courses on the planet

Hutchinson, KS Perry Maxwell, 1937/Press Maxwell, 1957

After weeks of tromping around the yucca-choked sandhills of Hutchinson, architect Perry Maxwell proclaimed, “There are 118 good golf holes here. All I have to do is eliminate 100 of them.” All that's missing is an ocean at this linksy-looking layout that played host to the 2002 U.S. Women's Open (Juli Inkster) and 2006 U.S. Senior Open (Allen Doyle). (Down 1)

Carnoustie, Scotland A. Robertson, 1842/Old Tom Morris, 1872/James Braid, 1926

This ancient links dates to 1842 and is defined by heather, gorse, jungle-like fescue rough, steep-faced revetted bunkers and the sinuous Barry Burn — all of which create havoc in the wind. The meanest of the Open rota courses has produced winners such as Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tom Watson. A poor course set-up for the 1999 Open only furthered its reputation as “Carnastie,” but if you play from the right set of tees, you will be surprised by the variety and interest that its holes possess. (Down 4)

Sandwich, England W. Laidlaw Purves, 1887/H.S. Colt, 1922

This 14-time British Open host dates to 1887. “Sandwich,” as it is known colloquially, serves up blind shots and supremely interesting contours in equal measure. Boasting the biggest sandhills of all Open venues, Royal St. George's heaving, dune-studded linksland also sports the rota's most fearsome bunker, a gaping fairway monstrosity on the par-4 4th. (Up 9)

This posh coastal retreat designed by Donald Ross challenges with palms, sea grape bushes, ocean breezes and a varied routing that encompasses two dune ridges. So impressed was Ben Hogan with Seminole's virtues, that he would play and practice here for 30 straight days each year leading up to the Masters.

Bridport, Australia Tom Doak/Mike Clayton, 2004

Australia's greatest links achieves top-40 status thanks in large part to the sophisticated design and but also to the stirring seaside setting in Tasmania, with holes nestled in the large dunes that run parallel to the ocean. (Up 3)

Lahinch, Ireland Old Tom Morris, 1893/Alister MacKenzie/Martin Hawtree, 1927

Lahinch charms with titanic sandhills and stunning views of both the Atlantic Ocean and of the Cliffs of Moher. Old Tom Morris' 1893 design, coupled with Alister MacKenzie's 1927 enhancements, including the 9th green, and Martin Hawtree's 2003 push into the big dunes, proves an irresistible combination of beauty, challenge and fun. (Down 1)

North Berwick, Scotland David Strath, 1878

East of Edinburgh sits this fabled links — at least in architectural circles — thanks to its 15th hole, the much-copied Redan, a par-3 played to an elevated, diagonal green. In the memorability department, however, it takes a backseat to the par-4 13th, The Pit, whose green sits directly behind a low stone wall. This year marks the course’s continued, impressive rise in the rankings as it now cracks the top 50 — and it doesn’t seem finished yet. (Up 14)

Brookline, MA TCC members/Willie Campbell, 1895 William Flynn, 1926

A Boston Brahmin society haunt for more than 100 years, this tree-lined design has played host to three U.S. Opens and the 1999 Ryder Cup. Its tournament course is a composite layout, comprised of 18 of the club's 27 holes. The Clyde/Squirrel combo was used for the 1913 Open when local lad Francis Ouimet stunned the big, bad Brits. Its old-school features include cross hazards and small greens and the golfer is freshly reminded that there is no substitute for hitting fairways and greens. (Down 1)

Miki-Chi, Japan Martin Ebert, 1932

The Japanese had never seen the kind of deep, strategically placed bunkers that architect C.H. Alison introduced to Hirono in the early 1930s, so similar traps built on any course since are known as “Alisons.” Originally, the course bore a sandy, scrubby appearance, but heavy tree planting changed Hirono's character over the years. Ebert's restoration efforts have just been unveiled and once again, sand is a dominant theme. (Up 1)

Southport, England George Low Jr., 1889/Fred Hawtree, 1932

Many of the game's elite consider this course to be the fairest Open rota course. Birkdale boasts towering sandhills and no blind shots, as most of the holes roll through valleys. It has played host to 10 Opens, most recently Jordan Spieth's remarkable win in 2017. (Down 6)