Golf World Top 100: Best Courses in the UK and Ireland – 75-51

Old Head of Kinsale is one of the best golf courses in the UK 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 75 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 in Europe and the USA, to the finest golf resorts in Britain and the world, 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 – 75-51

75. Ballyliffin (Glashedy): ⬇️ 14

Inishowen, Co. Donegal

Design 31 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 77

The Old at Ballyliffin was so popular that the club decided to add nine extra holes.

Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock got the commission and so good was the terrain that they built 18. It has larger dunes than its sister, but fewer fairway ripples and a less quirky playing experience. Immaculate.

74. Old Head of Kinsale: ⬇️ 10

Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland

Design 27 Setting 15 Memorability 15 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 78

We could put it anywhere between No.1 and No.100 – or not in the list at all – and it would seem out of place to many. If you’re all about jaw-dropping scenery and exhilarating holes requiring thrilling do-or-die shots, you’ll love it. Design connoisseurs won’t relish it, but secretly find it a blast.

RELATED: Most Fun Golf Courses in Britain and Ireland

73. Machrihanish Dunes: ⬇️ 27

Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland

Design 31 Setting 13 Memorability 13 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 78

The highest entry this modern links has achieved, the panel enjoying its setting and its memorable holes. David McLay Kidd said he simply mowed out a few tees and greens to create it, and there remains a pleasingly natural feel to it. Some really fun, memorable holes sprinkled throughout.

72. Tralee: ⬇️ 15

Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Design 29 Setting 14 Memorability 14 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 8 Total 78

You will have heard of Arnold Palmer crediting God with the back nine and it’s easy to see why. Certainly Mother Nature played a key role in making it one of this ranking’s most spectacular nines. Boasts big dunes, rippling fairways and clifftop tees and greens overlooking the Atlantic.

71. Wentworth (West): ⬇️ 28

Sunningdale, Surrey, England

Design 31 Setting 11 Memorability 13 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 78

Now super private and after several iterations of a once-classic heathland, it’s hard not to feel a course that used to engender real warmth for its place in the golf calendar now does the opposite. What is for certain is that European Golf Design’s most recent work has been a success.

70. Nairn: ⬇️ 21

Nairn, Highlands, Scotland

Design 31 Setting 13 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 6 Presentation 9 Total 78

Former Walker Cup and Curtis Cup host is something of a hybrid, with a stretch along the sea to start with that includes some genuinely fabulous holes – not least the gorgeous 4th – then a phase that darts further inland. Notable for its immaculate greens, the short 14th is another beauty.

69. Dumbarnie: New Entry

Lundin, Fife, Scotland

Design 29 Setting 14 Memorability 12 Playability 9 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 78

Dumbarnie comes into the first Golf World Great Britain & Ireland Top 100 for which it was eligible because from day one it was a links of high quality. Yes, it will improve further as it settles down, but we played it just after it opened and it felt like a links much older than its few weeks.

It is easy to characterise; terrific sea vistas as far as East Lothian, hugely forgiving off the tee and funky around the greens. It’s hard to imagine anyone having a bad day here. Fife just got another superstar.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Scotland

68. Prince’s: ⬇️ 7

Sandwich, Kent, England

Prince’s posed a quandary for this ranking that it never had before… which loops do we include? We sat on the fence and included the club rather than its loops; while they all offer something different, they are now so close in quality.

The Dunes and Shore, always the prime two at the 1932 Open host, have been improved in recent years but it is the Himalayas that has seen the key upgrade. It is genuinely like playing a new course and if you haven’t been for a while, you won’t recognise it. It will, we predict, now be the first choice for many.

There is consistency across the loops and also within those loops; you’ll struggle to find a weak hole among the 27. And what a magnificent day of links golf they make.

“So satisfying to work on Prince’s”

By golf architect Martin Ebert

The objective of the project at Prince’s was to raise the quality of the Himalayas to that of the Shore and Dunes so anyone visiting would be perfectly happy with whichever of the nines they were playing. We are very happy with how it’s turned out.

The Shore and Dunes are on slightly higher and drier linksland than the Himalayas, but that is not to say the Himalayas is on flat ground and lacking in natural feature. That level difference led to the incorporation of dune slacks within the Himalayas, although there have been some wetlands introduced to the Shore and Dunes as well. One thing which does tie all three nines together is the wonderful quality of undulations of the 27 greens and green surrounds which Sir Guy Campbell and John Morrison (interestingly, not working for the same practice) designed when 27 holes were restored after WWII.

The Himalayas has always had some great holes but they have been polished up now and the major project to run the old 2nd and 3rd together, to allow the new par-3 5th (Bloody Point) to be added, has given the loop of holes a major boost. Bloody Point plays directly towards the Channel, offering a great backdrop and a welcome change of direction as the dune ridges dictate that many of Prince’s holes run parallel with the coast.

It absolutely helped that owner Rob McGuirk is such a well-travelled and strong golfer. He and his father Mick have always been extremely supportive of proposals we made and, in many cases, have themselves generated the concepts for the ideas implemented. That comes from their understanding of what makes great holes. It’s also been refreshing that the project has been a case of Mick and Rob giving the go ahead, then being clear to get stuck into the work.

67. West Lancashire: ⬆️ 13

Southport, Merseyside, England

Design 33 Setting 11 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 9 Total 78

Time was when West Lancs used to be the Southport course that missed out on the GB&I list. Now look at it. An unremitting examination of your game that becomes one of the great tests in a breeze. Firm but springy turf that is in prime condition all year round just adds to West Lancs’ appeal.

66. Hillside: ⬆️ 3

Southport, Merseyside, England

Design 30 Setting 13 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 78

Always been famed for its back nine but if you think the front side is mundane, think again. There is plenty of quiet excellence in the opening half – you can’t get into the 60s of this list with just nine good holes. And with Martin Ebert opening up Hillside to pleasing effect, this is one to watch.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in England

65. Gullane (No.1): ⬆️ 11

Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

Design 31 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 7 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 78

Begins and ends in the town, which is a good start in terms of ambience and experience. Expect some fine views and consistency, as well as a beautifully conditioned course – exactly how a links should be presented. This ranking is just about the lowest you can imagine it being.

64. Gleneagles (Queen’s): ⬆️ 1

Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

Design 30 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 9 Consistency 8 Presentation 9 Total 79

Who wouldn’t enjoy a course that flatters and delights in equal measure? The Queen’s enjoys the tranquil majesty of its setting in the remote Ochil Hills and is a test of your ball-striking and course management rather than your brute strength. One could surely never tire of the Queen’s.

63. Hankley Common: ⬇️ 6

Farnham, Surrey, England

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 79

Sits apart from Surrey’s elite and offers its own style of heathland pleasure. Expect open vistas, blankets of heather and just enough pine trees to offer optimal target lines. Some slightly weaker holes, otherwise it would be pressing for a top-50 slot. An exhilarating heathland experience.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Surrey

62. Hunstanton: ⬆️ 3

Hunstanton, Norfolk, England

Design 31 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 79

A pleasing contrast with fun-packed nearby Brancaster; this is Norfolk’s championship course, offering a thorough all-round exploration of your ability yet with enough endearing qualities to entertain you as well as challenge you. A bouncy, fast-running links that demands control of your ball.

61. County Sligo: ⬆️ 8

Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 79

A soulful links with surroundings to match. Benbulben is a brooding presence as the backdrop to historic Rosses Point, famous for its dramatic two-level terrain and wonderful back nine revered by Tom Watson. The 17th is part of a fine finish. Not Ireland’s most famous, but one of its best.

60. Pennard: ⬆️ 30

Swansea, South Wales, Wales

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 14 Playability 8 Consistency 6 Presentation 7 Total 79

Made its debut in the list in 2014 and is now in the top 60. So, you’d have to say we had it wrong for its first 100+ years of existence. Pennard is an intoxicating box of tricks, its undulating land proving perfect for the creation of outrageously good holes and a setting that flits between nice and ‘wow’.

59. Royal St David’s: ⬆️ 9

Harlech, Mid Wales, Wales

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 12 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 8 Total 79

The epitome of a natural links, Harlech begins in fine form but it is the second nine for which it is better known. Here, a succession of brilliant two-shot holes among the dunes tease and test the golfer. Firm, ancient seaside turf perfect for the running game. Wales’ No.2 is majestic.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Wales

58. Doonbeg: ⬇️ 19

Doonbeg, Co. Clare, Ireland

Design 30 Setting 14 Memorability 14 Playability 7 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 79

We have long been fans of Doonbeg, right from the original Greg Norman design, the brilliant/evil/ludicrous short 14th and all. Martin Hawtree has remodelled the greens, but the bones are the same; big dunes, dramatic corridors, heroic shots and one of the best 18th green sites in these islands.

57. The European: ⬇️ 29

Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 13 Playability 6 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 79

Most of the courses that have suffered for the emphasis on fun and playability are in our top half, but The European is definitely also one. Pat Ruddy loves tough courses and his own track is definitely that. It’s a brute, but as long as you’re happy with the test, this is an absolutely magnificent links.

56. Carne (Wild Atlantic Dunes): ⬇️ 10

Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Design 32 Setting 12 Memorability 14 Playability 8 Consistency 7 Presentation 7 Total 80

“Wild links in a remote location – worth the journey,” says one panellist of Wild Atlantic Dunes, which is lifted above courses it was below in the Ireland 100. New configuration is gaining increasing popularity with our panel; a top-50 slot is likely in 2024. A thrill-a-minute adventure among huge dunes.

55. Adare Manor: ⬆️ 8

Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland

Design 30 Setting 11 Memorability 13 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 10 Total 80

An incredible rise to the cusp of the top 50 for a course that wasn’t in the conversation for the list itself before the overhaul under Tom Fazio. One key factor in this rise is its condition; it is the best in GB&I. But it’s also forgiving off the tee and fun/devilish round the greens. A world-class experience.

54. The Berkshire (Red): ⬇️ 5

Ascot, Berkshire, England

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

Recent bunker and landscape restoration work by Tim Lobb is enhancing this Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler heathland. Sits on higher, more undulating land than the Blue and has several enjoyable half-par holes. The mix of six par 3s, 4s and 5s ensures a round of great variety.

53. County Louth: ⬆️ 1

Baltray, Co. Louth, Ireland

Design 33 Setting 12 Memorability 11 Playability 8 Consistency 8 Presentation 8 Total 80

Understated genius. A minimalist, strategic masterpiece by Tom Simpson, who lightly bunkered a piece of linksland that was perfect for his elegant style. ‘Baltray’ is both playable by the club golfer and able to host the European Tour. A class act with terrific short holes, No.53 is the least it deserves.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Ireland

52. Hollinwell: ⬆️ 2

Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Notts, England

Design 32 Setting 11 Memorability 12 Playability 8 Consistency 9 Presentation 8 Total 80

Can sometimes be under-estimated, but it is folly not to have Hollinwell – the home of Notts Golf Club – on your wishlist. The turf is springy and takes you on an adventurous journey through heather, gorse, bracken and pine.

Asks for accuracy off the tee, as befits a final Open qualifier, but isn’t so claustrophobic that it can’t be enjoyed by mere mortals. The drive down to the clubhouse offers wondrous views of the countryside.

51. The Island: ⬇️ 20

Malahide, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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

Comfortably The Island’s highest position in this list and one that feels like it confirms the secret is finally out about this historic links. Simply do not play nearby Portmarnock and not also play here. It is consistently good and throws in some moments you’ll be recalling for decades.

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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.