Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in the World – 75-51

Reynolds Lake Oconee in the USA is one of the best golf resorts in the world.

What are the best golf resorts in the world? The Golf World Top 100 panel ranks and rates the best golfing getaways on planet earth in our inaugural list.

JUMP TO: 100-76 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1

You can find out who is on the panel that ranks the courses and the criteria we use to mark them, along with answers to the FAQs we receive around the Golf World Top 100s and the courses that were in the running for the continental Europe list by clicking here.

And before you start planning your world golf tour, be sure to check out our guides to Europe’s best courses, best new golf courses and the continent’s best golf resorts.

Of course, if you’re not much of a traveller (and who has been for the last two years), we’ve also got your covered with rankings of the best courses in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, along with the best links, most fun courses, best courses you can play £60 and less and the best golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.

But now, let’s reveal the golf resorts we ranked 75th-51st in the world.

<<< How we produced this courses ranking <<<

Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in the World – 75-51

75. Lough Erne

Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

Courses 29 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 18 Total 78

The Nick Faldo design has been in our GB&I Top 100 and makes the most of its setting among lakes. Sprinkled with memorable holes, this excellent parkland is backed up by the Castle Hume layout. There is a wonderful hotel offering a luxury stay in a very characterful building.

74. Fairmont St Andrews

St Andrews, Scotland

Courses 27 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 18 Total 78

Lacks for absolutely nothing. Want an Insta-worthy setting? Feast your phone camera on its cliff-edge holes. Want more than one course on site? Try its two Scottish Top 100 fixtures. Want a stylish hotel with amenities to keep everyone happy? The Fairmont effortlessly obliges.

73. La Cala

Malaga, Spain

Courses 30 Accommodation 16 Amenities 16 Setting 16 Total 78

La Cala’s cosy hotel is perfect for a relaxing afternoon by the pool, enjoying a world-class spa and indulging in La Bodega’s to-die-for tapas. But all that is topped by its golf offering. It has 54 holes and good luck trying to do a 1-2-3 of the courses, they’re so evenly balanced. The common theme? They’ve just been impressively renovated.

72. Mount Juliet

Kilkenny, Ireland

Course 28 Accommodation 18 Amenities 17 Setting 15 Total 78

A course by Jack Nicklaus that has hosted the European Tour and a WGC. It is a beautifully manicured parkland that’s regarded as one of the top three inland courses in Ireland. A luxury hotel that is a wonderful retreat and will leave even the most discerning traveller satisfied.

71. The Belfry

Sutton Coldfield, England

Courses 30 Accommodation 15 Amenities 18 Setting 15 Total 78

A three-course resort, a refurbished hotel and a definite feeling of an ‘experience’ given its Ryder Cup history. The Brabazon is in truth by far the best of the trio, but expect all three to be in perfect condition year round. Lots for the family to do away from the course, inside and out.

70. French Lick

Louisville, USA

Courses 30 Accommodation 16 Amenities 16 Setting 16 Total 78

Nestled in Hoosier National Forest, this is an American resort oozing pedigree. It is home to two historic hotels, two spas, and even a casino in addition to 45 holes of golf. The great Donald Ross’ 1917 creation hosted the 1924 US PGA and was later joined by Pete Dye’s 18 and nine by Tom Bendelow.

69. Celtic Manor

Newport, Wales

Courses 29 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 15 Total 78

A course that has been in our GB&I Top 100 and has the ‘experience’ factor of having hosted a Ryder Cup is backed up by two other 18-holers – a good start. Add to that a five-star hotel – with extensive amenities – and other accommodation options and you have an exceptionally rounded offering.

68. Omni Homestead

Virginia, USA

Courses 28 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 17 Total 78

Sitting in the natural beauty of the Allegheny Mountains, the two  championship courses – Cascades and the Old – have entertained Presidents Taft, Eisenhower and Bush. There are 423 rooms, five restaurants, a spa, pool, hiking/biking, zipline, fishing, pools and equestrian.

67. Grand Wailea

Maui, Hawaii

Courses 30 Accommodation 17 Amenities 14 Setting 17 Total 78

Three courses with awesome views of Mount Haleakala and the Pacific. The Blue is on the lush lower slopes, the Trent Jones Gold is a real test, the Emerald a fun round. There are 383 rooms, four restaurants, a spa, tennis, pool, and fitness in 40 acres of tropical gardens just a few steps from Wailea Beach.

66. Banyan Tree, Phuket

Phuket, Thailand

Course 26 Accommodation 18 Amenities 17 Setting 17 Total 78

Luxury, all-pool villas nestled around a lagoon, surrounded by lush greenery and edged by the sweeping white sands of Bang Tao Beach. Laguna Golf Phuket was renovated by Paul Jansen in 2014 and offers an enjoyable test. Kids’ club, fitness, pools, tennis and yoga make it a complete package.

65. Hambantota

Ambalantota, Sri Lanka

Course 24 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 18 Total 78

Designed by Rodney Wright, the course at Shangri-La’s Hambantota on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka is a delight. Set among a coconut plantation and framed by lakes and the Indian Ocean. Its exquisite, effortlessly good beachfront hotel has many amenities. For the connoisseur, quietly magnificent.

64. Mazagan Beach

El Jadida, Morocco

Courses 30 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 16 Total 78

In a location that takes in 7km of beach, add 492 rooms and suites to 13 restaurants and bars, plus myriad non-golf activities, and you have a very attractive proposition. Into that mix also add a Gary Player-design golf course in immaculate condition and with sea views for another Moroccan superstar.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in the Middle East

63. Kauri Cliffs

Matauri Bay, New Zealand

Course 31 Accommodation 16 Amenities 12 Setting 19 Total 78

A World Top 100 course in a breathtaking setting is the main allure of this resort. Like sister property Cape Kidnappers, it is close to a ‘course with rooms’. But if you aren’t seeking lots of amenities, you will love the spectacular course and the limited (in number) but opulent accommodation.

62. Pueblo Bonito

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Courses 28 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 19 Total 78

“I’ve never seen any place that has three holes hanging out over the ocean like this. They are unbelievable.” So says Quivira’s designer Jack Nicklaus. The course is only open to guests of Pueblo Bonito, an adults-only luxury resort with facilities and accommodation of a dreamy level.

61. Reynolds Lake Oconee

Atlanta, USA

Courses 32 Accommodation 16 Amenities 14 Setting 16 Total 78

This American super-resort halfway between Atlanta and Augusta has 251 rooms, five restaurants, a spa, fitness centre, tennis and swimming pools. But the golf is the main attraction, with five courses by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf set in tranquil lake and woodland locations.

60. PGA National Turkey

Belek, Turkey

Courses 30 Accommodation 16 Amenities 17 Setting 15 Total 78

Two courses of very balanced quality, with the Sultan a European Tour host that is a fixture in our continental Top 100, and the Pasha an entertaining and high-class No.2. There are two hotels, the Kempinski and the Sirene, both packed with amenities. A brilliant option for groups and families.

59. Four Seasons Hualalai

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Course 28 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 18 Total 78

A sleek hotel with 25 villas, suites and rooms, six restaurants, fishing, spa and triathlon clinic among its amenities. The Jack Nicklaus course begins in a lush oasis before flowing across green fairways set against black lava, then returning to the ocean for the finale. All-round class.

58. Dom Pedro Vilamoura

Algarve, Portugal

Courses 31 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 16 Total 78

Surpassed by few in this ranking in terms of quantity; the Dom Pedro group have five courses and three hotels to choose from. The Old (a continental Top 100 fixture) and European Tour venue Victoria are joined by Laguna, Millennium and Pinhal. Three tidy hotels near the beach/Vilamoura marina.

57. Michlifen

Ifrane, Morocco

Course 28 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 17 Total 78

Let’s start with the setting. Michlifen sits in the heart of the Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 1,650m. This Alpine-esque twist in North Africa gives the Jack Nicklaus course constantly changing elevation and character as it traverses craggy ravines, winds through forests and follows the edge of bluffs. The Alpine theme continues in the gorgeous accommodation. Fewer amenities than some, but a truly world-class destination.

56. Sandals Ochi

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Course 26 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 17 Total 79

Formerly known as Upton, Sandals renovated the course they acquired in 1992 and turned it into one of the finest in the Caribbean. Rolling fairways in lush hills of Ocho Rios offer sea and mountain views, but Sandals Ochi Beach and Royal Plantation are 15 minutes away, hence a lost mark.

55. Westin Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Course 27 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 16 Total 79

A course of impressive technical merit that has hosted one of the European Tour’s flagship events for many years and which is always in fabulous condition. The 1st tee is a gap wedge from the Westin hotel, with many bedrooms overlooking the course. Facilities led by a super spa. Epic breakfast.

54. Anahita

Beau Champ, Mauritius

Course 25 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 18 Total 79

Set among 213 hectares of tropical gardens, this five-star resort features an Ernie Els-designed course with six ocean-front holes and a high-octane climax. Also add in gorgeous accommodation, two beaches, spa, boutiques, fitness centre, tennis courts, kids’ & teens’ club and a water sports centre.

53. La Quinta Resort

Palm Springs, USA

Courses 33 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 16 Total 80

The well-regarded Stadium at PGA West, the Mountain (nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains) and the faux links Dunes – all by Pete Dye – plus designs by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman in a five-course offering. More than 1,000 rooms, seven restaurants, a spa, pool and tennis.

52. Sandals St Lucia

Gros Islet, St Lucia

Course 26 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 18 Total 80

Sandals St Lucia is a Greg Norman-designed course featuring dramatic elevation changes as it travels between lush Caribbean vegetation. Luxury hotels at La Toc (has nine holes on site) and Halcyon, but Grande St Lucian is far the best option as it is five minutes away. A gorgeous spot.

51. Atlantis Bahamas

Paradise Island, Bahamas

Course 26 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 18 Total 80

Ocean Club is a part of the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, and you have a choice of several excellent hotels, each offering high-end accommodation and amenities. The Tom Weiskopf-designed course has seven holes that border the ocean and all but one have views of the Bahamas’ blue waters.

>>> The Best Golf Resorts in the World: 50th-26th >>>

<<< The Best Golf Resorts in the World: 100th-76th <<<

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.