A world of lush green fairways, breathtaking views, and terrains that challenge your gameplay skills at every moment is nostalgia. While this sounds like one of the ideal golf courses to play, enjoy golf, and enhance your skills, which are such courses? Well, amongst many courses worldwide, it isn’t easy to choose one! Here’s where I have carefully selected and reviewed the top 100 golf courses in the world.
Besides, golf courses aren’t merely about beauty, terrains, and obstacles but many more factors. Their history and tournaments played on it, coupled with their maintenance, do influence it. So, without any further ado, let’s dig into the details!
Top 100 Golf Courses In The World: What Makes Them Distinct?
Figuring out the rankings of the top 100 golf courses in the world is an easy feat. But as a curious mind, you wonder what makes it remarkable and unique. It’s apparent to think so, and in quest of the answer to the top 100 golf courses in the world, you should check its review below for further details!
1. Cypress Point Club
Cypress Point Club is one of the leading golf clubs and is ranked as #1 of the top 100 golf courses in the world. But did you know that this golf course in the world was eliminated from being a part of a big tournament?
Yes, you got that right! The course refused to permit a black person to enter in the 1990s. Here’s where the tournament committee had abandoned it. Yet, this 6500 yard long course, with the ideal terrain and modern technology makes it the best.
It is located at Pebble Beach, California, just at the end of the central coast. Talking about its features, this golf course has 18 holes. This is why it is known to be the finest golf course.
The most astonishing feature of this course is its series of holes near the Pacific Ocean. This course was designed by Alister MacKenzie in 1928 and built with the help of architect Robert Hunter.
The most famous and signature hole of this course is hole No. 16, which takes a 230-yard tee shot.
2. Royal County Down
The next one is Royal County Down, which has two link courses, each with 18 holes. It is situated in Northern Ireland, in Newcastle County. The two courses, Championship Course and Annesley are the link courses that make Royal County down and make a massive contribution to Irish golf history.
3. Pine Valley
Pine Valley is a course in Pine Valley, Camden County, in southern New Jersey. The course is spread over about 623 acres, and the best part is that about 416 are virgin woodlands.
“There are no weak holes. Every single one is a masterpiece. There is a surprise around every corner: 18 unique and beautiful challenges,” Johnny Miller said.
4. Shinnecock Hills
Shinnecock Hills is located on Long Island, New York, between Peconic Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is an unincorporated golf club started in 1891 in the United States. The course was designed by Willie F. Davis, a Scottish greenkeeper, with 12 holes, but later it was redesigned by Willie Dunn, who expanded it to 18 holes. It’s beauty, landscape and topography is apt for playing golf making it into the list of top 100 golf courses in the world.
5. National Golf Links of America
Coming next on the list is the National Golf Links of America, which is spread across 250 acres and situated on Long Island. The course is famous for the Sahara (2nd hole), Alps (3rd hole), Reden (4th hole), St. Andrew (7th hole), Bottle (8th hole), and Eden (13 holes). Other than that, this course has a windmill between the 2nd and 16th holes. Some holes, like the 14th, were originally designed and named Cape.
6. Royal Melbourne
Another golf course is Royal Melbourne, which has 36 holes in Australia. This golf course is situated in Black Rock, Victoria, in southeastern Melbourne. Do you know its West Course is ranked among the top five courses in the world? This course was founded in 1891. As we talked about above, this course has 36 holes between its east and west courses, and this is known as a composite course.
7. St Andrews
Are you in love with classics and oldies? If yes, then you must love the St. Andrews golf course. The finesse of this place is apt from the fact that golfers since the 15th century have been using it. It is the oldest on the list, with up to seven courses, including Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, Old, and the Castle Course. Yet, all are under the St. Andrews.
Another remarkable feature is that its surface appears as a moon to non-golfers. This is because it has sand mounds, bumps, and no trees. Viewing from its Old Course, there appear 7 holes and 8 fairways in a row, which is an appeal to the golfers.
8. Oakmont
Oakmont, designed by Henry Fownes, is a challenging links-style course in the Allegheny River Valley. With a USGA course rating of 77.5 and 175 bunkers, it is considered one of the most difficult in the United States.
Besides, it features large, fast wave greens and is known for its slope, especially on the holes numbered 1, 3, 10, and 12. One of its most famous hazards is the Church Pews bunker, measuring approximately 100 by 40 yards and featuring twelve grass-covered traversing ridges.
9. Sandhills
Do you know the topography of Nebraska seems to be a massive riddle in the work of architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw? They survey the area around 1000 cubic yards and record that the land has 130 natural holes.
This makes them spend much time choosing the right point to make holes. Thus, there are 18 holes in total, and the course covers an area of 130 acres.
10. Trump Turnberry
Turnberry course or resort features the Ailsa Course, King Robert the Bruce course, and Arran course. The Ailsan Course is redesigned by Mackenzie Ross and again by Martin Ebert. This course is renamed AilsanHomess, and its 18th hole is named ‘Duel in the Sun’ to honor Tom Watson. The Arran course has 9 holes.
Besides, the Kintyre Course, designed by Donald Steel, replaced the KING Robert the Bruce course and was built on the plan of the old Arran course in 2017. Furthermore, The new Arran Course was opened in 2002.
11. Muirfield
Muirfield, a golf course designed by Old Tom Morris, is renowned for its distinctive layout and fairness. The course features nine holes, with the first nine running clockwise around the perimeter while the back nine runs anti-clockwise on an inner circuit.
It is a fair test of links golf, with two par fives and two par threes in each 9 and relatively flat fairway landing areas. The course has 150 bunkers.
12. Augusta National
Augusta National course is located in Augusta, Georgia, United States. Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts founded it, while Alister MacKenzier and Jones are the designers of this beautiful course. This course is designated as the classic course. You might feel it weird that each of its holes is named after a tree or shrub.
But several holes like 1-11 are renamed. This fantastic course was opened for all in 1932 and still stands in the list of top 10 golf courses in the world.
13. Royal Dornoch
Royal Dornoch has two courses in Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland. The course features two 18-hole courses: the Championship Course and the Struie Course. The Championship Course was ranked No. 1 in the world by golfscape.
It features 18 holes, with the first eight following a ridge and the remaining ten bounded, except for the 17th and 18th. The par of 70 is evenly distributed, with the par four finishing holes particularly challenging in windy conditions. Old Tom Morris designed the unique plateau greens.
14. Royal Portrush
Royal Portrush in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, has 36 holes. Do you know Royal Portrush features two link courses, the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links?
Let’s learn about the Dunluce course, or Championship course, which has signature holes like the fourth, fifth, and sixteenth holes. The fourth is a long par four with bunkers, the fifth is a short downhill par four with views, and the sixteenth, also known as Calamity Corner.
Further, it is 236 yards longer and is an uphill par three over a ravine. The course was last hosted in 2019.
15. Merion
Merion Golf Course in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania, has two courses: the East Course and the West Course. The East Course has been rated in the top 10 by Golf Digest and has hosted five U.S. Opens. The club was founded in 1896 by members of the Merion Cricket Club.
Besides, it opened its East Course in 1912, and the West Course in 1914. The club did not officially separate from the Merion Cricket Club until 1941.
16. Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach is the most extensive meeting of land and sea in American golf, featuring nine holes above the Pacific surf. The beautiful location of Pebble Beach in California makes it a fascinating golf course. The course’s sixth through eighth are considered golf’s Amen Corner, with a few Hail Marys over an ocean cove on the eighth.
Moreover, Pebble hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2018 and the sixth U.S. Open in 2019. Recent improvements include redesigning the 14th and 17th greens.
17. Ballybunion
As we talk about the top 100 golf courses, how could we forget the Ballybunion course located South of Ballybunion on Sandhill Road, county Kerry, Ireland? This fantastic course features two links: The old course and the Cashen Course.
Firstly, the old course has a blue tee of length 6,802 yards and a white tee of length 5459 yards. Another course is the Cashen course, a blue tee length of 6306 yards and a white tee length of 5997 yards.
18. Fishers Island
The next Fishers Island golf course is an eighteen-hole at the eastern end of Fishers Island, New York. Do you know who is the designer of this golf course? Seth Raynor is the designer, and his design is now in the top ten golf courses.
This golf course is also known as CypressPoint of the East, and you know what is the most exciting part of it that its members call the big club. This course was opened in 1926.
19. Royal St. George’s
St George’s golf course features unique holes with different pointing directions, making aiming points crucial. If you like challenging golf courses, then you must approach this course.
Approaches are tough; the golf course has the deepest bunkers around the fourth hole. The 15th and 6th holes are standouts, with challenging par-4s and attractive short holes.
20. Kingston Heath
Kingston Heath was the longest course in Australia; Dan Souter designed it. The course has 72 par and fairways known as Santa Ana Couch. All of these things have enabled it to achieve the feat of top 100 golf courses in the world. It is called the perfect course for golf lovers, and this course is spread around 6800 yards with 19 holes in total.
21. Bandon Dunes
The Bandon Dunes resort, designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd, opened in 1999 and has since undergone several changes.
The first course, Bandon Dunes, was designed by Kidd and is known for its forgiving landing areas and green complexes. The second course, Pacific Dunes, was designed by Tom Doak and Renaissance Design, Inc. and was rated the number one resort golf course in the country in 2005.
The third course, Bandon Trails, was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2005. The fourth course, Old Macdonald, was designed by Doak and Urbina and opened in 2010. The fifth course, Bandon Preserve, is a Par-3 short course with 13 holes.
Besides, the Punchbowl is a 100,000-square-foot putting course with 18 holes and takes about an hour to play. The sixth course, Sheep Ranch, opened in 2020 and features ocean frontage and cliff shots.
22. Sunningdale
Coming to the next course, the Sunningdale golf course, is situated in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England; this course is in southwest London. It has two 18-hole courses named the Old course and the new course. Willie Park Jr. designed the first one, which Harry Colt redesigned.
Moreover, the course has a stunning view with bunkers and slopes, which makes this course challenging.
23. Los Angeles
Next on the list is the Los Angeles North course, which George C. Thomas Jr. designed. It has two 18-hole courses, the north and the south. T
he court is famous for its many holes, but it is exceptional for its third hole, the longest of all other holes of this course. And the seventh hole is called to be the toughest one.
Further, the ninth hole is the signature hole of the course.
24. Crystal Downs
Crystal Downs Golf Course is situated in Benzie County, Michigan, U.S. It is another golf course designed by Alister Mackenzie and Perry Maxwell. The coast is famous for its crucial fairways and bunkers. All of these make the course full of difficulties that a golf player like to play.
25. Hirono
The next course is the Japan Hirono course, which has eighteen holes. It is spread around 7169 yards. The edged slopes and bunkers make this course an exciting place to play a challenging golf station. There are around 131 slopes. It is also known as Pine Valley of Japan. The course uses ravines, ponds, trees, and rolling sandy terrains.
26. Barnbougle Dunes
This Tasmania course, Barnbougle Dunes, has 18 holes like other golf courses. The main feature of this course, which makes it more challenging, is its sandy dunes. This course allows you to hit shots you might not find easy at other golf courses. Also, it has a gorgeous and eye-locking view around Birdport.
27. Friar’s Head
The next course is the Friar’s Head course, open to the public, is a course that offers multiple shot variations. The course opens with a green land and fairway bunkers. It also has a driving range and a pristine coastline.
Do you know the designer Mike Clayton and Grey Ramsey try to make the holes stand out from others and make the green complex more classy? Moreover, this course will give you a memorable experience.
28. Pinehurst
Pinehurst, in North Carolina, is a historic golf destination renowned for its timeless elegance and challenging courses.
With nine world-class eighteen-hole golf courses, including the famed Pinehurst No. 2, this course ranked in the top golf courses list. It offers wave fairways, tricky bunkers, and crowned greens.
Also, the landscape’s natural beauty, towering pines, and strategic design make you feel like you are in paradise.
29. Tara Iti
Tara Iti is another golfing paradise situated on the coast of Mangawhai, New Zealand. The golf course gives a breathtaking view. Also, it has a linked course that offers different shots on 18 holes on the terrain of this course. It consists of rolling dunes, stunning ocean views, and native vegetation.
This excellent golf course was designed by Tom Doak, who tries to make it full of challenges for the golfers with strategic bunkering and natural contours. The golf course will give you an unforgettable and challenging golfing experience.
30. Riviera
Riviera Country Club, located in sunny Los Angeles, is a golfer’s paradise. This historic course boasts lush fairways, challenging bunkers, and stunning ocean views.
With its iconic clubhouse and famous 18th hole, Riviera is a favorite among professional golfers and enthusiasts. Strategic bunkering, narrow fairways, and unforgettable holes characterize its iconic par-71 course.
31. Lahinch
Lahinch Golf Club, situated on Ireland’s stunning west coast, offers a wonderful golfing experience. The course gained fame for its challenging design, natural terrain, rugged dunes, and breathtaking ocean views.
Moreover, the course was established in 1892 and has traditional links to golf with fairways and greens. The golfers will have a great experience on the course.
32. Winged foot
The winged foot golf course, like other golf courses, has 18-hole courses situated in the Northeastern U.S. Yes, you heard right, there are two courses of 18-hole.
Amongst it, the first course is the West course, a par 72 covering the land of about 7477 yards. The second one is the east coast; it has 72 par but is spread on 6808-yard land. Each coast has 140 slopes. All the slopes give different levels of experience to the golfers.
33. Prairie dunes
Have you ever heard about a golf course situated in Hutchinson, Kansas?
This course is ranked among the best courses in the United States. Emerson Carey founded this club. Here, you find beautiful and edge slopes and bunkers. The eighteen-hole grass greens will give you a more thrilling golf experience.
34. San Francisco
San Francisco Golf Course is situated near the Pacific Ocean. The course offers 18 holes and covers an area of over 140 acres. Golfers can enjoy the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline while enjoying the golf together. Well, It’s a public course, so it is open to all.
35. Seminole
Seminole Golf Course, located in Juno Beach, Florida, is a timeless gem known for its classic design and challenging layout. The course is situated along the Atlantic coast; it has stunning ocean views and a rich history that every golf lover should experience. The different fairways and windswept dunes make the play more enjoyable.
36. Morfontaine
Another course is Golf de Morfontaine, located in France, which is an enchanting and beautiful course with unforgettable natural beauty and exceptional design.
The golf course has 27 holes, which Tom Simpson designs in such a way that it will offer golfers a mindblowing experience with fairways and bunkers. The whole course ensures a memorable round for golfers who like challenging fields.
37. Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale in England is an iconic championship links course. This 18-hole golf course has a stunning sea view and is counted among the most challenging courses in the world. It features rugged terrain and challenging dunes, which will create a thrilling test of golf for you.
Do you know the course has a rich history of hosting major tournaments, and in 2026, the course will witness a memorable championship?
38. Rosapenna
Rosapenna Golf Resort in Ireland showcases two linked courses set against breathtaking scenery. The Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links offer an authentic look of traditional Irish golf with dramatic coastal views.
The course also provides golfers with challenging holes to enhance their skill levels. You can choose where to play, like Narin & Portnoo, Cruit Island, Portsalon, Ballyliffin Old, and Glashedy.
39. Cabot Cliffs
Cabot Cliffs Golf Course, situated in Nova Scotia, Canada, is a perfect example of modern golf mastery. The course has dramatic cliffs with an eye-catching view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed the course.
If you love to play golf, then you can find that this course offers you a thrilling golf experience with an ocean view, cliffside tee shots, and challenging fairways that challenge and inspire you simultaneously.
40. Somerset Hills
The Somerset Hills Country Course gives you a memorable experience for your whole life. The course is located in New Jersey, USA. If you are a golf lover, then you must visit this golf course, which has old-world charm and a rich golfing heritage.
Architect A.W. Tillinghast designed this famous golf course. This course offers a parkland-style layout with bunkering, beautiful wooded areas, and a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to golfers seeking classic elegance.
41. Portmarnock
Portmarnock Golf Course is near Dublin, Ireland, and comprises a links course. As we said, in Ireland, this golf course offers you a beautiful panoramic view of the Irish Sea. It also gives you a land full of challenging dunes and a tricky layout, making it a favorite among golf lovers.
If you are a golfer who likes traditional links and wants to experience and check your golf skills, you must come to this course, which makes you feel obliged with stunning views and proper golfing tests.
42. Kingsbarns
Another golf course in the top 100 golf courses in the world is Kingsbarns Golf Links, located in Scotland. The course is near the northern sea, so you can enjoy a stunning ocean view while golfing. Kyle Phillips is the designer of beautiful courses. This modern links course offers strategic bunkering and a seamless blend of golf with nature’s beauty.
43. Kawana
Kawana Hotel Golf Course in Japan is one of the best golf courses in Japan and the world. The course offers two seaside courses with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. With wavy fairways and testing greens, the course presents a delightful golfing experience. The bunkers and 18 holes in 72 par are challenging. There are approximately 123 slopes ready to give you a great training set of shots.
44. Swinley forest
Swinley Forest Golf Club in England is a classic heathland course that embodies timeless charm. Harry Colt designed this challenging course and tried to make it more targeted for golf lovers. It features tree-lined fairways, heather-lined bunkers, and a feeling of stepping back in time.
45. The Country Club
The Country Club in Massachusetts, USA, is a historic gem. This course is known for its championship courses, and the venue has hosted major tournaments. Golfers can appreciate a combination of classic design, stunning New England landscapes, and a rich golfing heritage, making it a cherished destination.
46. New South Wales
The New South Wales Golf Club in Australia boasts an extraordinary coastal setting near Sydney. Dr. Alister MacKenzie designed this golf course, offering a thrilling mix of challenging holes, ocean views, and firm, fast fairways. These features, of course, make it a must-visiting golf course for golf lovers.
47. Camargo
Next on the list is Camargo Club, located in Ohio, USA. This is a classic golf course wholly designated to Harry Colt, the course designer. The course offers parkland-style golf with a touch of British flair.
Also, it features rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, and beautiful tree-lined fairways. It also provides a delightful golfing experience in a serene and private setting.
48. Shanqin Bay
Shanqin Bay Golf Course, as we’ll know it throughout China, is a modern masterpiece between mountains and the South China Sea.
So you can imagine what it feels like to golf between the mountains and the sea. The spectacular course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, tries to make it more challenging for golfers. It offers dramatic coastal holes and a unique golfing adventure.
49. Ballyneal
Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Course is a golf course on the landscape of Colorado, USA. This is a challenging course designed by Tom Doak. Also, its minimalist design and rugged beauty provide golfers with a challenging links-like experience amidst the high plains, fescue grasses, and wave terrain.
50. Sunningdale
Next is Sunningdale Golf Course, located in England, a historic venue with two championship courses. You can find it offering a blend of heathland and parkland golf. It also captivates with its charming, tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and a classic English golfing ambiance.
51. Oakland Hills
Another golf Course is Oakland Hills Country Club golf course in Michigan, USA, which is a famous championship venue. The course maintains a rich history of hosting major tournaments.
It challenges golfers with its classic parkland layout, beautiful greens, and a tradition of excellence maintained by the course for years. This course continues to draw golf’s finest competitors.
52. Castle Stuart
You might hear the name of Castle Stuart, a Scottish golf course on the Moray Firth. This super challenging course offers stunning views of the ocean and surrounding landscapes. The most exciting feature of this course is its championship course, which challenges golfers with wave fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens.
53. California Golf Club of San Francisco
This course showcases a classical design and tree-lined fairways. California Golf Club of San Francisco has a challenging layout that demands systematic shots and strategic play. These features provide a delightful experience for golf enthusiasts.
54. Garden City Golf Club
As we are talking about the best golf courses, how can we forget this beautiful Garden City golf course?
A classic, exclusive club course with a dramatic parkland course on Long Island. Known for its challenging greens and strategic layout, The course always seems like a dreamland golf course; it’s a haven for golfers seeking a traditional and well-maintained course.
55. Cape Wickham
This golf course, the Tasmanian Course, will give you breathtaking coastal views, and its rugged terrain will attract you. Mainly, golfers like to roam through dunes and cliffs, and here, they experience a links-style challenge. If you want to golf at this course, you will encounter unpredictable winds and stunning ocean views.
56. Old Town
The topography of this course is perfect for an ideal game; since 1938, the course has offered several championships. If you go there, you can see a beautiful landscape with high, reaching fairways, uneven terrain, meandering creeks, and great slopes with bold green contours—many bunkers, which give you a great experience.
57. Woodhall Spa
Woodland Spa Golf Course, as it seems by its name, is not a spa but a super relaxing golf course as you might experience in a spa. It is situated on the landscape of Woodland Spa, United States. It is also called the house of English golf. Woodhall Spa presents a demanding yet enjoyable layout.
Golfers encounter heather-lined fairways, bunkers, and strategic challenges that test skill and strategy.
58. Maidstone
The Maidstone Golf Course is elegant in East Hampton, New York. This course has two types of courses: one that offers an 18-hole course and another that offers a 9-hole course. Maidstone provides a links-style experience along the Atlantic ranges.
Willie Dunn designed this course but later redesigned it by several; lastly, it was redesigned in 2012 by Ben Crenshaw. They make the course full of natural beauty and give the gift of a challenging layout, which offers a tranquil yet demanding round for golf lovers.
59. Bethpage
This is one of the most renowned golf courses in Long Island, New York, United States. It is home to multiple courses; there are five 18-hole regular golf courses. Among them, one is notable: the Black Course, which hosts significant championships. Bethpage is a public golf course.
Its challenging layout with dense bunkering and demanding holes attracts golfers of all skill levels.
60. Royal Aberdeen
Scotland’s historic Royal Aberdeen was opened to golf enthusiasts in 1780. The course has 36 holes, and its slopes are rated at around 144.
Here, you will find an actual link-link experience. If you are a challenging golfer who likes to tackle wave fairways, deep bunkers, and coastal winds, Then this course is right for you. Also, this course has relished the challenge against a backdrop of stunning seascapes near the North Sea.
61. Shoreacres
Shoreacres Golf Course is located in Lake Bluff, Illinois. It is a classic, private 18-hole course that opened in 1921. Seth Raynor designed this course spanning 140 acres to make it more challenging.
Well, the place is the best example of natural beauty and challenging gameplay. The design has Raynor’s signature template holes and features strategic bunkering, wavy fairways, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan.
62. Royal Lytham & St Annes
Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, located in Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire, England, is a historic links course established in 1886. This 18-hole course spread over 7118 yards is famous for its championship venue, which has hosted 11 Open Championships.
Also, its challenging par-70 layout features 206 bunkers, undulating fairways, and penal rough. Furthermore, the course is known for its demanding start and iconic closing stretch from the 15th, making it an actual test for golfers.
63. Trump International Golf Links: Scotland
Set amidst dunes on the Aberdeenshire coast, this course presents a challenging learning experience. Golfers face a rugged but scenic layout with elevated tees, deep bunkers, and views of the North Sea.
64. St. George’s Golf & Country Country Club
Trump International Golf Links Scotland is an esteemed course along the Aberdeenshire coastline. This championship course was opened in 2012, and Martin Hawtree designed it. This course has 71 pars, covering over 1,500 acres.
The course boasts stunning sea views, dunes, and challenging terrain. It is known for its huge bunkers, expansive greens, and breathtaking setting; the course is a notable addition to Scotland’s golfing landscape.
65. Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay Golf Course, situated in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is a classic links course that offers a thrilling and memorable experience. Its challenging terrain, rolling dunes, and breathtaking North Sea views make it a must-visit for golfers.
With a history dating back to 1899, it’s a historic venue that has hosted prestigious events. The course is spread on 6287 yards with a par 70. Cruden Bay is celebrated for its rugged beauty and timeless appeal, making it a bucket-list destination for golfers.
66. Ganton
Ganton Golf Club, located in North Yorkshire, England, is a prestigious championship course renowned for its rich golfing history. Tom Chisholm and Harry Vardon designed it in 1891. The course spans 7055 yards over heathland and provides a challenging layout with undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers.
Well, Ganton has hosted various prestigious events, including the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup qualifiers. Also, the course showcases a combination of natural beauty and challenging play, attracting golfers worldwide.
67. Ardfin
The next golf course is Ardfin, situated on the Isle of Jura. Ardfin offers a beautiful and unique golfing experience to the golfers for many years. The challenging course weaves through rugged terrain, presenting stunning views and a demanding yet rewarding round.
68. Chicago
Chicago offers various golf courses, from public to private, catering to different skill levels. The course spans 6950 yards with a par 70. The course consists of Medinah Country Club, host to major championships, and the historic Chicago Golf Club, one of the oldest in the U.S. The Jackson Park Golf Course, designed by Tom Bendelow, is an accessible public course featuring 18 holes.
Along with that, it has stunning views of Lake Michigan. Chicago’s golf scene reflects a rich tradition and a blend of challenging and scenic courses.
69. North Berwick
North Berwick Golf Course, located in East Lothian, Scotland, is a historic links course that dates back to the 17th century. It offers golfers a truly unique experience. The course combines bunkers, fairways, and the ever-present coastal winds to provide a true test of golfing skills.
It boasts iconic holes like the “Redan,” the 15th hole in a par-3 with a challenging sloped green, and the “Pit,” the 13th hole, which is known for its stone wall guarding the green.
70. Carnoustie
Carnoustie Golf Course is a link course in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. The course is linked with four courses, namely the historic Championship Course, the Burnside Course, the Buddon Links Course, and the Nestie. The Nestie is a free-to-play short-golf course with five holes.
Do you know this championship course has been redesigned? All its bunkers have been rebuilt, and many new tees have been built.
71. Royal Porthcawl
Coming next, Royal Porthcawl, located in South Wales, is a challenging golf course famous for its stunning coastal beauty and strategic layout. The course, founded in 1891, features wavy fairways, deep bunkers, and breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel.
The course has hosted multiple championships and offers a tough but rewarding golfing experience. I assure you, if you spend a day there, this place will become a favorite among all others.
72. St. George’s Hill
St. George’s Hill Golf Club, located in Weybridge, Surrey, England, is a renowned golfing destination. Established in 1913, the club boasts three picturesque and challenging 9-hole courses: the Red, Blue, and Green. Harry Colt designed this legendary golf course.
These Heathland courses offer stunning views, strategic bunkering, and a classic golfing experience. The club’s prestigious history and elegant clubhouse add to its allure.
73. St Enodoc
St. Enodoc Golf Course, situated in Cornwall, England, is a links course known for its captivating views of the Camel Estuary and Brea Hill. Well, Church Course, with its high fairways, natural dunes, and challenging bunkers, poses an exciting and demanding round for golfers.
Also, its 13th hole, situated near the 12th-century St. Enodoc Church, is one of the most iconic and unique holes in golf. It has a drive to a hidden fairway guarded by towering sand dunes.
74. Bandon Dunes
Bandon Dunes Golf Course is a famous golf destination located in Oregon. The course has five different courses with stunning ocean views and terrain. Talking about the courses, Each of them has its difficulty level and gives challenges to golfers.
Do you want to know what kind of challenges you will face? There are tricky bunkers and windy conditions. Bandon Dunes offers golfers a wide range of links-style golf challenges.
75. Oak Hill
Oak Hill Golf Course, situated in Pittsford, New York, is a famous golf championship venue. Well, this course has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including multiple U.S. Opens and PGA Championships. The course has two 18-hole courses, named the East and West courses, both presenting a challenging yet fair play.
Also, this course is known for its tree-lined fairways, deep bunkers, and demanding greens. The time flies, but Oak Hill remains a favorite among professional and amateur golfers for its rich history and challenging design.
76. Ellerston
Ellerston Golf Course is located in the heart of the Australian bush in New South Wales. This is a private course; Greg Norman, an architect, designed it.
Moreover, this course spans over 7,100 yards and showcases a challenging layout with various water hazards and bunkers.
77. Koninklijke Haagsche
This golf course in the Netherlands was established in 1893 and is one of the oldest. Its name seems too tricky, like its challenge, Koninklijke Haagsche Golf Course. It is a link-style course with 72 points.
The course has wave fairways and slopes with a challenging spirit. If you like challenges, then you must go there. Here, you find flat terrain with trees and water hazards. The atmosphere is welcoming.
78. South Cape Owner Club
The South Cape Owner’s Club golf course, located in Namhae, South Korea, is a stunning coastal area with breathtaking sea views. Kyle Phillips designed this course, and it features 18 holes.
Also, it is famous for its unique combination of coastal and woodland landscapes. Well, golfers enjoy the challenges they face here, like the varied terrain with cliffs, forests, and seaside holes.
79. Utrecht de Pan
On the landscape of the Netherlands, you will find a golf course named Utrecht de Pan Golf. This course is a well-regarded and traditional 18-hole course. Also, it is known for its beautiful heathland setting and relatively flat terrain, making walking easier.
The course features tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering, offering a fair challenge to golfers of varying skill levels.
80. CapRock Ranch
CapRock Ranch Golf Course offers an enjoyable golfing experience. This Texas-based course spans over acres of rolling green terrain.
With 18 holes, it welcomes both beginners and seasoned players. Also, the course provides scenic views of the surrounding landscape, with challenging bunkers and water features.
81. Cabot Links
Cabot Links, located in Inverness, Nova Scotia, is a renowned golf destination in Canada. It opened in 2012 and quickly gained recognition for its two world-class links-style courses, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs.
The courses overlook the stunning Gulf of St. Lawrence, offering dramatic views. Cabot Links, designed by Rod Whitman, is a traditional links course with rolling terrain, challenging bunkers, and stunning coastal scenery, making it a favorite among golf lovers worldwide.
82. Kiawah Island Resort
Kiawah Island Resort’s golf courses are a golfer’s paradise in South Carolina. This course has five diverse courses. Among all those courses, one is the Ocean Course, famous for hosting the 1991 Ryder Cup and the 2021 PGA Championship.
These courses feature stunning ocean views and challenging terrain, welcoming beginners and pros.
83. Cape Kidnappers
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course on Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand is known for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and unique course design.
Tom Doak is the designer of the course. He made it, remembering it must be challenging, so he made the rugged terrain with dramatic drops toward the sea. Golfers can see amazing views from nearly every hole, making it difficult and beautiful.
84. Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits is a famous golf course in Wisconsin, USA, alongside Lake Michigan. It’s hosted big tournaments like the PGA Championship.
Furthermore, this course has two challenging links-style layouts, the Straits and the Irish. Both have rugged terrain, dunes, and windy conditions. Also, the course has a unique look with tricky bunkers and grassy mounds. Golfers love the challenging play and stunning views of the lake.
85. Naruo
Naruo Golf Course, located in Japan, spans a beautiful landscape, offering 18 holes for golfers. This course features well-maintained fairways and greens.
Also, it is known for its tranquil surroundings and the layout’s straightforwardness, making it enjoyable for both beginners and experienced players.
86. Southern Hills
The Southern Hills Golf Course is situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a famous course with a strong reputation in golf. With its challenging layout and wavy fairways, this course has hosted significant tournaments, including multiple PGA Championships.
Also, it features narrow landing areas, demanding accuracy off the tee, and fast, sloping greens, providing a tough but fair test for golfers. What can be greater than it be inducting in the list of top 100 golf courses in the world as a deserving candidate!
87. Case de Campo
Casa de Campo Golf Course, located in the Dominican Republic, is a vast golfing paradise featuring three top-notch courses: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, and The Links.
First, Teeth of the Dog is world-famous for its stunning oceanfront holes. Secondly, Dye Fore offers spectacular views of the Chavón River. Thirdly, the Links provide a more traditional golf experience.
88. Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, located in Brecksville, Ohio, spans 27 holes. It was opened in 1924. This public course offers tree-lined fairways and challenging elevation changes.
With a par of 71, it provides golfers of all levels with a fair challenge. The course’s friendly atmosphere and well-maintained grounds make it a favorite spot for golfers.
89. Barnbougle Lost Farm
Barnbougle Lost Farm Golf Course is situated in Tasmania, Australia. This is a stunning golf destination with 20 holes around coastal dunes.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are the makers of the course. This course is known for its natural landscape, challenging design, and stunning ocean views, making it a must-visit for golfers worldwide.
90. Myopia Hunt
Myopia Hunt Club golf course is one of the oldest in the United States and was established in 1894. It is located in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and spans over 18 holes. This traditional course is known for its classic design and tree-lined fairways.
It also hosted the U.S. Open in 1908, adding to its historical significance. You might find this course simpler than others, but it is beautiful. Golfers appreciate its simplicity, mature landscape, and challenging yet straightforward layout.
91. Eastward ho!
Eastward Ho! Golf Club of Chatham, Massachusetts, is a historic golf course established in 1922. With this long year of fame, it spans across Cape Cod’s scenic landscape. This course offers 18 holes with a traditional layout.
You will feel relaxed here and have an enjoyable game. Moreover, over the years, it has been known for its classic golfing experience.
92. Royal Cinque Ports
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club is a course in Deal, Kent, England. This is a historic golf course founded in 1892. It is a coastal links course that measures around 6,700 yards and is known for its challenging gameplay, especially when the wind blows from the English Channel.
Also, this course has hosted the Open Championship and remains a popular destination for golfers due to its undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers.
93. Inverness Club
This course in Toledo, Ohio, known as the Inverness Club Golf Course, is a historic venue for hosting major golf tournaments. This course was established in 1903 and features a classic layout with tree-lined fairways and subtle greens.
The club has hosted several prestigious events, including the U.S. Open and PGA Championships.
94. Paraparaumu Beach
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course is a famous links-style golf destination in New Zealand. It was opened in 1949 and offers a dramatic coastal setting with stunning ocean views. This 18-hole course gained fame for hosting prestigious tournaments and welcoming golf legends like Tiger Woods.
The course is famous for its challenging bunkers, undulating fairways, and unpredictable winds.
95. Lofoten Links
Lofoten Links, located in the beautiful destination of Norway, believes in environmental sustainability in its practices. Besides, hills and mountains surround it, giving it a scenic beauty. Its natural terrain and varying elevations, coupled with Coastal winds, ensure a more exciting experience while playing golf.
96. Baltusrol
If you are a hardcore golfer who would love to test your skills, then Baltusrol is one of the best golf courses in the world. It has challenging bunkers, hilly greens, and tricky fairways; thus, you can test your skills and improve your game better.
Besides, it has rolling hills and a classic park layout, which is no less than a dreamland.
97. Rock Creek Cattle Company
Though this sounds like the name of a firm, trust me, it is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the United States. Tom Doak has designed this massive and luxurious. In your break time, you can relish the nostalgia of fly fishing as well.
Tom Doak has transformed the beautiful natural landscape into an 18-hole golf course. It boasts the next level of spirit in your golf game, especially in springs, where this place has a heavenly look, giving you aesthetic appeal. This gives you a feel-good factor, and you perform better.
98. Fazenda Santa Pazienza
Fazenda Santa Pazienza is one of the best golf courses in Brazil since it has the longest hole in the country, a 680-yard par-5 hole. It also hosts other challenging holes that will train your skills to the best.
The course is built on a 1000-acre property, which also has a great aesthetic appeal. When roaming throughout it, you would see little waterways as well.
It is an ideal place to play because of its apt terrain condition, consisting of well-groomed fairways, greens, and sand bunkers. Simultaneously, it even provides the challenge to sharpen your golfing skills. and thus it deserves to stand as one of the top 100 golf courses in the world. Yet, it offers limited memberships to golfers.
99. Real Valderrama
This golf course in Spain, Real Valderrama Golf Course, is a famous golfing destination. Do you know it has hosted the Ryder Cup?
The course is widely respected for its challenging layout with narrow fairways, cork trees, and undulating terrain? It’s a par-71 course that covers 6,356 meters. Besides, its difficult 17th hole, which requires golfers to navigate around water to reach the green makes it remarkable.
Moreover, this course offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for golfers.
100. Yale
The Yale Golf Course, situated in New Haven, Connecticut, is a renowned 18-hole private golf facility. Built in 1926, it covers around 6825 yards and has a par of 70.
Charles Blair MacDonald and Seth Raynor are the architects; it features wavy fairways, strategic bunkers, and greens. The course has hosted numerous championships and is a favorite among golfers of varying skill levels. Thus, the beauty, topography and careful design makes it one of the top 100 golf courses in the world.
The Bottom Line
You would have now gone through the list of top 100 golf courses in the world and what makes them unique.
Whether it be the #1 with a suspicious history like the Cypress Point Club or the one since the 15th century like the St. Andrews, all have special significance. The latter has 7 courses in, which are connected, making a breathtaking view of 7 holes and 8 fairways on the St. Andrews Old Course.
Besides, the Lofoten Links and Fazenda Santa Pazienza also stand distinct owing to their topography. By the way, which one did you like the most? Which is your favorite and why?
Please let us know in the comments below!