Travel

The courses YOU can play on GOLF’s newest Top 100 Courses in the World ranking

By: James Colgan November 18, 2021

Making your trip through GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the World? Perhaps it's time to schedule a stop at the People's Country Club, Bethpage Black.

Getty Images

Making your trip through GOLF's Top 100 Courses in the World? Perhaps it's time to schedule a stop at the People's Country Club, Bethpage Black.

Getty Images

There are, inevitably, two sides to any coin — even when that coin is GOLF’s ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the World.

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.

Top 100 Courses in the World: GOLF's 2021-22 ranking of the best designs on the planet

By: GOLF’s Course Raters and Ran Morrissett, Architecture Editor

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)

Turnberry is a Scottish paradise for golfers everywhere. Getty Images

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

Prestwick might be too short to host a serious tournament in today’s golf world, but there are few better places for enjoying the sport. David Cannon/Getty

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)