Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in the UK and Ireland – 25-11

Ballybunion Old is one of the best golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

What are the best golf courses in the UK and Ireland? The revered Golf World Top 100 reveals all in our most anticipated ranking.

JUMP TO: How we did it | 200-101 | 100-76 | 75-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1

We’re into the upper echelons of our ranking of the best golf courses in Britain and Ireland. Head over to our ‘How we did it’ to find out about the panel and our scoring system for this mammoth task!

And, as this is our flagship ranking, we’ve produced a special 84-page digital magazine, which is packed with additional content, including expert interviews, opinion, guides to the best GB&I trips, statistics from the rankings and a fascinating look at the evolution of the list. You can download your copy, here.

As always, please do feed back where you feel we’re right and, more likely, where you think we’ve gone wrong. We’d love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

And, once you’ve enjoyed this ranking, please do take a look at some of our others – from the best courses Europe and the USA, to GB&I’s best links, and the finest golf resorts the World has to offer, we’ve got it covered.

Chris Bertram, Golf World Top 100 Editor

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Golf World Top 100: Best courses in the UK & Ireland – 25-11

25. Skibo Castle: ⬇️ 4

Dornoch, Highlands, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 14 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 10 Total 83

It wasn’t long ago that Skibo was 95th. But that was before we had digested the overhaul by Tom Mackenzie and director of golf David Thomson. Gorse removal and architectural changes have reaped huge rewards. It’s exacting, but it has a heavenly backdrop, it sets clever tests and is flawlessly presented.

24. Rosapenna (St Patrick’s): New Entry

Downings, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Design 33 Setting 13 Memorability 14 Playability 9 Consistency 8 Presentation 6 Total 83

St Patrick’s is a game changer for the Rosapenna Resort, the county of Donegal and the whole of the north-west corner of Ireland. It is a splash new entry at No.24 for a course that opened barely nine months ago, but a look at the marks tells you where we expect it to go; when its presentation settles down (which is literally a natural process of time as well as greenkeeping skill) it will threaten the top 10. Add a couple of marks on and see where that would take it in this list…

As long as you accept it is a young course that is bedding down and the presentation will thus be less refined than on other elite venues (and indeed will be on St Patrick’s in due course), you should have this new superstar high on your wishlist. For at least one panellist who puts less emphasis on conditioning, it’s already a top-15 course.

Laid out by Tom Doak on a spectacular piece of land on the edge of Sheephaven Bay, it takes you on an epic journey on a scale rarely seen in GB&I. The holes by the water will likely get most of the attention but those heading inland are every bit as clever and engaging as you’d expect from Doak and his team. We are sure it is worthy of this notable entry position… we aren’t sure exactly where it will end up on this list.

RELATED: Our world-exclusive play of Rosapenna St Patrick’s

Tom Doak: Why St Patrick’s is so special

The revered architect gives us an insight into Ireland’s new superstar.

I never dreamed of building a links course in Great Britain or Ireland when I was travelling there back in the early ’80s; there hadn’t been a new one in 30 years! So the idea that I would build several of them in my life was too fantastic to consider then. But I think I did play a part in convincing developers that the way to build special projects was to find special land, and when some of those properties were in sand dunes, my experience in Britain and Ireland after college in the early ’80s served me very well.

I am very happy with the way St Patrick’s has turned out. I had not been back between shaping the last green in October 2019 and summer 2021 because of the pandemic; my associates Eric Iverson, Clyde Johnson and Angela Moser finished the bunkering and fairway shaping last year.

It’s a beautiful site and combining the two original courses into one gave us the freedom to explore the best of 300-plus acres.

I do think that, like the very best Irish courses, and places like Cruden Bay or St Enodoc, the routing of St Patrick’s is a real adventure and you never expect what’s around the next corner.

First impressions of a course are really important; honestly, I think the first hole is more important than the 18th. When you have a good first hole you have to live up to that standard. If the first hole is really good, I’m much more inclined to believe the rest of the course will be, too. I think the 1st at St Patrick’s definitely sets the tone.

The front nine starts through big dunes and works its way up to the dramatic tee at the 4th; it’s funny how many of my best courses – such as Pacific Dunes, Ballyneal, Tara Iti, and Barnbougle – hit the coast right around that same mark.

The loop from the 3rd to 6th holes was the last piece of the routing I solved; we had tried to go clockwise there and it was much less dramatic. The 3rd is the first par 3 and was the key to that routing finally falling into place. Walking up to this tee, you get your first glimpse of Sheephaven Bay and the three tees provide different views of the Bay and the trouble that lies between it and green. In film school I think they call it ‘the big reveal’; at St Patrick’s it’s the walk from the 3rd green to the 4th that brings the Bay fully into view. The 8th has always been a favourite hole with the view out the mouth of the Bay from the tee, then the back nine starts with three tough holes away from the sea, but the undulations of those fairways are superb. The best feature of St Patrick’s are the undulations in the fairways and the par-4 11th may be the wildest of the bunch.

Then we go around the back of the big hill for the 13th and 14th and use the par-3 15th to sneak up on the great view from the 16th tee, which has always been the climax of the routing for me. The 14th is not the worst hole I have built. You ride the wind around the bunker on the inside of the dog-leg and play along the shore for the second or hedge right and play over the dunes into the green. The long par-3 17th, with a deep bowl in front, and the short par-4 18th make a rousing finish.

I hate to say there’s nothing really like it, because it sounds snobbish and there are always comparisons people can make. It’s been compared to Tara Iti, but I don’t think it is, or like Pacific Dunes. It’s probably more like Ballyneal or Dismal River in terms of using 250-300 acres. I’m not sure if there is another GB&I links like that or not.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Ireland

23. Royal Troon (Championship): ⬇️ 1

Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland

Design 34 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 83

Has never been outside the GB&I top 25 for good reason. A great blend of easy, fun and hard holes, but unlike other courses they come in blocks rather than interspersed throughout. Has more aesthetic appeal than it is credited with, especially early. World- class holes in the 7th and, naturally, the 8th.

22. Waterville: ⬇️ 11

Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Design 33 Setting 14 Memorability 14 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 83

A magical, almost spiritual place to play the game. From the statue in tribute to Payne Stewart, who loved it here, to the history of the Mass Hole, there is a special atmosphere to Waterville. A couple of weaker holes cost it a mark but you are much more likely to remember the awesome ones, not least 18.

21. Trump Aberdeen: ⬇️ 7

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Design 31 Setting 15 Memorability 15 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 83

A magnificent brute of a course, with higher dunes than Birkdale. Even off the yellows an exacting test of accuracy with minimal forgiveness – it would be a serious test of the world’s top players. Just lacks the nuance of routing and greens to be the 10 places higher you feel the land could have produced.

20. Cruden Bay (Championship): ⬆️ 4

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Design 34 Setting 13 Memorability 15 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 84

“A fun, fun, fun experience through the dunes. Always a delight,” says one panellist. Not a universal favourite, but enough adore its quirky holes for it to make its debut in the top 20. A box of tricks and with as many memorable/bonkers moments as pretty much anywhere. You just have to play it.

19. Swinley Forest: ⬆️ 15

Ascot, Berkshire, England

Design 34 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 84

If a golfer tires of Swinley, they have tired of the game itself. Famed for being short, but it doesn’t play it and its half-par holes make it so much fun. Recent softening of the 15th and 17th greens might not find universal favour, but removal of rhododendrons does and this is by far its highest position. Exquisite.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in England

18. Lahinch (Old): ↔️

Lahinch, Co. Clare, Ireland

Design 34 Setting 13 Memorability 15 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 84

Alister MacKenzie links that has some of GB&I’s most memorable holes. “It has more consistently strong and scenic holes than Ballybunion,” says one panellist. It’s not all about Klondyke and Dell, though; there are many more brilliant holes. And while it is legendarily quirky, it is also a proper test.

17. Carnoustie (Championship): ⬇️ 9

Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland

Design 34 Setting 11 Memorability 14 Playability 6 Consistency 9 Presentation 10 Total 84

In a ranking emphasising playability and fun, it just shows how good Carnoustie is to still be so high. Yes, it asks you to play well, but the rewards are great. A magnificent course in magnificent condition, with tonnes of X factor and memorability despite a relatively modest setting.

16. Sunningdale (New): ⬇️ 1

Sunningdale, Surrey, England

Design 34 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 84

Once 20-plus places apart from the Old, but no more. It might be slightly less enduring than its sister but that is only relative. Has some of the best holes on the property in the likes of the 5th, 6th and 10th, yet also some slightly weaker ones. Easier to work out what to do than the Old, harder to execute.

RELATED: Best Golf Holes in Britain and Ireland

15. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin): ⬆️ 1

Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England

Design 34 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 6 Consistency 9 Presentation 9 Total 84

Another top-15 slot for this world-class heathland course in the face of increasing competition at the top of the list. The Hotchkin has long been one of the elite but the club realised it could not rest on its laurels and that was a brave and prescient decision, for the Tom Doak overhaul of this classic track has ensured it will remain one of the greats for decades to come. Without the comprehensive overhaul, the Hotchkin would have started to slide down.

“A fantastic big heathland layout with deep bunkers, as they should be in my view, and lovely heather. This heathland is, to my mind, the next best thing to a fast-running sandy links. A truly great course once again.”

“Bunkering probably the best on any course in the world – they all seem to be positioned perfectly. Fantastic routing. The renovated holes provide fantastic views.”

Those views are typical of the panel’s feedback on the Hotchkin, which rises in this ranking despite the playability mark we’ve given it being about as forgiving as some of its bunkers. A brawny heathland experience, it now offers majestic vistas following the tree management programme as well as more strategy and, yes, fun. You’ll find some risk-reward moments here in addition to the more robust holes. Delightful springy turf that is always maintained with great nous and care.

It does not affect the ranking in the slightest, but it’s worth noting it is by far the best value of the elite courses.

RELATED: Woodhall Spa Undercover | The Hotchkin’s redevelopment

14. Ardfin: NEW ENTRY

Jura, Argyll, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 15 Memorability 15 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 84

We do not put Ardfin in this position in the Britain and Ireland Top 100 lightly. To land at No.14 is a significant statement; we’re aware of that and have considered its placing at length. We believe it to be worthy of this position and feel if it moves in any direction in subsequent lists, it will be up not down.

It is a remarkable course in every way. Created on a tiny Scottish island by a multi-millionaire, everything was against its creation – from logistics to soil – except one thing… a setting of bewildering beauty.

We need not dwell on its aesthetics for long as you can see for yourself what Ardfin looks like. Just be assured this view is accompanied by 10 others equally as good.

It is more than just pretty though, architect Bob Harrison crafted this spectacular piece of land into something truly special. His skill was in making the holes on more modest land inland just as engaging as those on the bluffs through clever design, and in making those perched on the edge of the cliffs playable.

Ardfin is still difficult in a breeze; the site dictated it would be no matter how you routed it because there would always be narrow holes with minimal forgiveness.

But it gives you so much back. To play and stay here is indubitably expensive, but in return you get an experience that within two years of existing, is already on a world bucket-list scale.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Scotland

13. Portmarnock: ⬆️ 2

Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Design 35 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 6 Consistency 9 Presentation 9 Total 84

A classy, relentlessly high-quality links that is largely enjoyed more by stronger players. Everyone can enjoy Portmarnock, but those who hit it longer and more sweetly gain more from the round. One of the Tour venues of yesteryear that would still test the elite today – undoubtedly so in a breeze.

12. Ballybunion (Old): ↔️

Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Design 33 Setting 15 Memorability 14 Playability 8 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 84

Only the relatively weak start stops it from cruising into the top 10. After those more modest early holes, it has very few peers. Tom Watson shone a light on this links of big dunes and awesome views and the 11th, ‘Watsons’, on the edge of the cliffs, is one of the many thrilling holes.

11. Kingsbarns: ⬆️ 1

St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 15 Memorability 14 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 85

One of the great achievements in design of any era, when Kyle Phillips turned former farmland into a seaside masterpiece in a way few could. Opened in 2000, it will be viewed in decades to come as marking the start of a superior age in architecture. Scenic, playable and exhilarating.

Ian Woosnam: A few of my favourite courses

The former World No.1 and 1991 Masters champion on his favourite GB&I designs

I’ve been so fortunate to have played so many great courses in Britain and Ireland so it is impossible to choose one favourite. I really love Portmarnock in Dublin though, that’s one I always enjoyed taking on. I love it because it’s a proper firm links so you can run it in. Its holes go in all different directions. You do the front nine then it sweeps round and then darts all around at different angles. Muirfield is like that too.

Birkdale is another favourite and it has changed nicely over the years – it’s just an all-round classy links. And I’ve got a soft spot for Aberdovey, where I’m fortunate enough to be doing some work with my design partner D.J. Russell. I love sea links generally and have got more patient with bad bounces down the years – you have to accept them.

I liked parklands too when I was playing, though, because I felt that I had my ball under control. I loved the old Wentworth – the first day I played it I loved it. Some holes were positional and some you could attack. I like to use every club in my bag and Wentworth was perfect for that.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG before joining Golf World and Today’s Golfer as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.