Golf World Top 100: Best Courses in the UK and Ireland – 50-26

Royal Cinque Ports is one of the best golf courses in 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 Top 50 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!

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.

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

NEVER MISS A TOP 100: Subscribe to Today’s Golfer here | Get Top 100 news direct to your inbox

Golf World Top 100: Best courses in the UK & Ireland – 50-26

50. Burnham & Berrow: ⬇️ 4

Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 80

This top-50 place follows on from its strong showing in our England ranking; and if anything, it ‘feels’ as if B&B could be even higher. A couple of weaker holes perhaps, but many, many more outstanding ones. A links of real character and adventure, there is so little to choose between it and the 30s.

49. Western Gailes: ⬇️ 9

Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 9 Presentation 8 Total 80

An awesome closing stretch. A wonderful collection of two-shot holes, delightful seaside turf, enough quirk around the greens, an admirable variety of examination – and really well presented. Western Gailes is absolutely the real deal. Do not visit Ayrshire and not play here.

48. Saunton (East): ⬇️ 5

Braunton, Devon, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 80

Herbert Fowler is renowned for his work on heathlands such as Walton Heath and The Berkshire, but here he created a brilliant links in the 1920s. One of the most classy-yet-exacting starts to a round in England, a five will very often win you the par-4 1st. That sets the tone for the awesome round.

RELATED: Best Golf Resorts in Britain and Ireland

47. Silloth-on-Solway: ⬆️ 15

Silloth, Cumbria, England

Design 32 Setting 13 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 80

Tucked away on the Cumbrian coast, Silloth rewards the determined traveller with a links of quality, consistency and variety. An unpretentious club with a world-class links offering sea views and clever holes among sandy ridges. Irrelevant to this ranking, but it’s unbelievable value.

46. Formby: ⬇️ 10

Southport, Merseyside, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 80

A wonderful links-heathland hybrid, where it is hard to remember a single weak hole. This former Curtis Cup and Amateur Championship host manages the rare feat of testing the elite while being playable for the rest of us. We rate it the No.2 in Southport, which is a significant achievement.

45. Woking: ⬆️ 4

Woking, Surrey, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 81

The highest placing for Woking in the 40 years of our ranking. Why? And what sets it apart from its neighbours? The green complexes. Woking has that extra dash of magic. Its strategy, not least in the seminal 4th, inspired Tom Simpson to take up design. Woking is in the top 50 to stay.

44. The Machrie: ⬆️ 13

Islay, Argyll, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 81

This position, its highest in our rankings, is vindication for the D.J. Russell overhaul instigated by its new owners. It is now more playable by more golfers in any weather, yet there is still tonnes of quirk and adventure. Russell also takes you on a more scenic tour of this alluringly wild stretch of Islay coast.

43. Ganton: ⬇️ 6

Ganton, East Yorkshire, England

Design 33 Setting 11 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 9 Presentation 9 Total 81

The host of the Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cup oozes pedigree. Sits inland, but plays like a links as a result of sandy Ice Age deposits. Suffers a little from the emphasis away from notably stringent tests, but don’t mistake this East Yorkshire links for anything other than a magnificent venue.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in England

42. West Sussex: ⬇️ 12

Pulborough, Sussex, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 81

“Utterly enchanting, without a doubt one of my favourite courses with one of the best collection of par 3s of any course I know.” Many contributions were along those lines and this is one position that feels too low because West Sussex has it all. Some of the most intriguing holes in England.

41. Royal West Norfolk: ⬆️ 4

Brancaster, Norfolk, England

 Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 81

The 8th and 9th at the far end, affected by the tide and played to the noise of flapping flagpoles on the nearby boats get the attention, but RWN has unforgettable moments throughout the round. Quirky, compelling, endearing and memorable, it is one of England’s outstanding experiences.

40. Rye: ⬆️ 14

Rye, Sussex, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 81

“Superb. While from 10 to 12 isn’t quite as good as the rest, it is an oustanding links,” says one panellist. “Enchanting and magical – I was smitten before we even teed off and fell deeply in love thereafter!” says another. A step back in time in every sense, Rye has few peers worldwide in terms of ambience.

39. St Enodoc (Church): ⬇️ 16

Rock, Cornwall, England

Design 32 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 81

This ranking’s emphasis is on playable, fun courses that leave you entertained, so the Church was always going to excel.

What was once a holiday course has developed, through input among others from those gigantic golf brains of Peter McEvoy and Tom Doak, into a World Top 100 entrant. You will have read and heard it has a weaker phase and it is true that a corner of the back nine lacks the pyrotechnics of the rest. It is marked down accordingly, but that just goes to show how good the other holes are.

It begins with a bang, a par 5 played directly towards the estuary, and after that it captivates you with a succession of beguiling holes. Poet John Betjeman adored it, and it’s so easy to see why.

38. Machrihanish: ⬆️ 15

Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland

Design 33 Setting 13 Memorability 14 Playability 8 Consistency 6 Presentation 7 Total 81

A weaker finish and not quite the flawless greens of others in this section of the list, but one of the strongest front nines in this ranking that is packed full of unforgettable holes is the highlight of this Old Tom Morris classic. Starts with the legendary first blow of the day over the edge of the Bay.

37. Royal Porthcawl: ⬇️ 12

Porthcawl, South Wales, Wales

Design 31 Setting 14 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 81

Wales’ No.1 for the 20th consecutive Great Britain & Ireland list – and just look what awaits all who play here.

Anyone who has had the pleasure will immediately recognise this hole. For anyone who hasn’t, this is the 1st. No, Porthcawl does not waste any time in taking you to golf of a world-class level. We have pictured here the 1st green and the 2nd tee, and as you can surmise from the image, the 2nd carries on down the coast as does the next, providing one of the most explosive starts in British and Irish golf.

You never lose sight of the sea after that, nor the quality. Porthcawl is clever, it is scenic and it gives you something back. It is not all about brawn, with placement of drives between rough and mastering the often fast-running conditions as important as thumping it miles. There is a set of greens that are routinely slick and uncommonly contoured.

Now up to 7,100 yards from the back tees, 6,580 off the whites will be ample for all but single-figure players – and the 6,300 off the yellows advisable for most.
The regular changes in direction, with holes pointed in every direction on the compass, is another strong theme and ensures it is always testing and interesting.

Porthcawl has hosted the Walker Cup, the European Tour and, most recently, the Senior Open, when it was praised by everyone from Bernhard Langer to Tom Watson to Colin Montgomerie.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Wales

36. Alwoodley: ⬆️ 2

Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Design 34 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 9 Presentation 8 Total 81

“In firm conditions, this and West Sussex are as close to Melbourne Sandbelt golf as we get in the UK,” says a panellist. High praise, but Alwoodley is worthy of it. Asks questions of all parts of the game without beating you up; perhaps unsurprising given it is the (debut) work of Alister MacKenzie.

35. Walton Heath (Old): ⬇️ 6

Tadworth, Surrey, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 9 Presentation 7 Total 81

Falls from its position within our England Top 100 a year ago as a result of relative maintenance issues which we are sure will be resolved during this Top 100’s two-year cycle. We had to acknowledge the current situation, but the 1981 Ryder Cup host remains an outstanding heathland.

34. Royal Aberdeen: ⬆️ 15

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 81

The front nine is as good as anywhere, the back nine into the prevailing wind very much ‘hang on to your hat’ time. Not easy to score on, but always an exhilarating and honest test. The first shot of the day towards the North Sea, from under the windowsill of the clubhouse, is a treat.

RELATED: Best Golf Holes in Britain and Ireland

33. Loch Lomond: ⬇️ 2

Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Design 30 Setting 15 Memorability 14 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 82

The sole parkland in the top 50, Loch Lomond is something of an outlier. Now conditioned more consistently year-round after a sand-capping exercise – and that means incredible levels of manicuring. You don’t need us to tell you how scenic it is, but also a better design than often suggested.

32. Prestwick: ⬆️ 8

Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 14 Playability 9 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 82

“Eccentric. Bonkers. Blind shots and crazy greens. A must-play for anyone who can swing a club.” That feels a fairly accurate summary of what Prestwick offers. Add in the experience factor of playing a links with as much history as any, and you have a phenomenal package. Highest-ever ranking.

31. Royal Cinque Ports: ⬆️ 9

Deal, Kent, England

Design 34 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 82

Its highest position since the first list of 100 courses in 1994. ‘Deal’ builds over the first 11 holes and is then an epic journey home. Leapfrogs some from our England ranking, this unfussy links has everything.

30. Gleneagles (King’s): ⬇️ 3

Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 13 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 82

James Braid designed or remodelled around 250 courses, but this was said to be his favourite. “A toss-up between the King’s and Sunningdale Old as to the best inland track in these isles,” says one panellist. The variety of holes is spectacular and it is endlessly entertaining as a result.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Scotland

29. St George’s Hill (Red/Blue): ⬆️ 6

Weybridge, Surrey, England

 Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 82

Legitimately in the discussion for the finest heathland course in Britain and Ireland and this, by far its highest position in this list, is proof of that. Harry Colt used the elevation changes here wonderfully to provide a more adventurous experience than its Surrey cousins. Entertaining from 1 to 18.

28. Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart): ⬆️ 3

Inverness, Highlands, Scotland

Design 32 Setting 14 Memorability 12 Playability 9 Consistency 8 Presentation 7 Total 82

Another highest position for a course. Some believe it is at least as good as Kingsbarns, as it is more playable, more strategic and more fun. It’s certainly wide but making easy pars or birdies requires taking the right line off the tee. Funky around the greens and regularly breathtaking.

27. Royal Liverpool: ⬇️ 1

Hoylake, Merseyside, England

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 82

Perhaps the most low-key of the Open venues, but a superb mental test in working out the right strategy. Its relative lack of aesthetics might not play to the crowd, but it adds to the strategic nature and in many ways is the closest to the Old Course of any other in these isles.

26. Royal Lytham & St Annes: ⬇️ 6

Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire, England

Design 34 Setting 11 Memorability 12 Playability 6 Consistency 9 Presentation 10 Total 82

It needs little introduction. Most know it is a stringent examination, with the number and penal nature of the bunkers key to that challenge. Famously nothing to look at, but loses more marks for a lack of variety and subtlety in the test. It is, however, consistent and presented absolutely beautifully.

>>> Best Courses in the UK and Ireland – 25-11 >>>

<<< Best Courses in the UK and Ireland – 75-51 <<<

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.