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.
The warning came from all corners of the golf world, but it carried the same message. It didn’t matter who I chatted with — fellow writers, caddies, players, fans, even complete strangers — when the topic of my impending golf trip to Scotland found its way into the conversation, so too did their caution.
“Oh man, get ready,” they chuckled. “Your life is about to change. It’s just different over there.”
By the time I finally boarded my flight to Edinburgh, I’d heard the warning so many times that I began parroting it myself.
“Yeah, I’ve heard it’s pretty wild,” I heard myself saying. “Just different.“
So what is it about golf in the old country — Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England — that makes it so different? The answer, I soon learned, is just about everything.
The weather is perhaps the best place to start. Damp, chilly temperatures make for ideal playing conditions year-round. Contrary to popular belief, the greener pastures of the UK and Ireland aren’t always … greener. At the height of the playing season — during the summer months — the land is firm, bouncy and brown, providing an ideal test of shotmaking skill and creativity.
On Sundays, The Old Course at St. Andrews becomes a dog park
Yes, linksland is the most common (and beloved) form of course architecture in the region, but it’s hardly the only one available. Variations in land structure and soil lead to natural variations in course design, while the condensed region makes for (reasonably) easy travel between countries and locales. Even the ease of play is reasonable by comparison, with many of the course’s best private clubs opening tee slots for savvy-booking out-of-towners.
In truth, though, the biggest difference between old country and new can’t be quantified in fairways found and putts made, but rather by combing through the pages of golf’s history books. The tapestry of the sport runs freely through the meadows and dunes; pot-bunkers and seaside bluffs. GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland is a celebration of that history, and our best attempt at ranking it all together in one place.
Of course, even the most objective ranking has its flaws, and we don’t expect you’ll agree with every course on the list. What we hope, rather, is that this list will spark your inspiration to try some (or all) of the brilliant locations below for yourself. That you’ll learn, like I did, the wonder in being different. — James Colgan, assistant editor
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GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland, sorted by country
England (46)
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)
23. Sunningdale (New)
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)
Scotland (30)
1. St. Andrews (Old)
3. Royal Dornoch (Championship)
4. Muirfield
6. Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
10. North Berwick (West)
12. Carnoustie (Championship)
19. Prestwick
20. Cruden Bay (Championship)
21. Royal Troon (Old)
25. Ardfin
26. Kingsbarns
28. Machrihanish
30. Castle Stuart
35. Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie)
36. Askernish
37. Trump International
44. Gleneagles (King’s)
45. Western Gailes
47. Loch Lomond
49. Gullane (No. 1)
57. Nairn (Championship)
62. St. Andrews (New)
63. Brora
77. Renaissance Club
80. The Golf House Club (Elie)
87. Machrie
90. Macrihanish Dunes
91. Skibo Castle (Carnegie)
93. Dumbarnie Links
97. Fraserburgh
Ireland (17)
9. Ballybunion (Old)
11. Lahinch (Old)
13. St. Patrick’s Links
17. Portmarnock (Old)
39. Waterville
50. County Louth
53. County Sligo
54. Enniscrone (Dunes)
56. The Island
64. Trump International Doonbeg
65. Tralee
66. Carne (Wild Atlantic)
68. Adare Manor
79. European Club
83. Old Head
88. Rosapenna (Sandy Hills)
99. Ballyliffin (Old)
Wales (4)
33. Royal Porthcawl
61. Pennard
82. Aberdovey
84. Royal St. David’s
Northern Ireland (3)
2. Royal County Down (Championship)
5. Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
73. Portstewart (Strand)
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