Golfalot has compiled the ultimate list of the top 100 golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland using rankings from the major top 100 course lists. The Golfalot Top 100 Golf Course rankings are weighted based on the course's ranking on the various lists. Additionally, to qualify, a course must have been ranked by a minimum of two sources.
Take a look at the list, see how many of the top 100 golf courses you have played, and post a review of the courses you have.
By the numbers
13 of the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Courses have hosted The Open Championship.
(#2 Turnberry, #3 St. Andrews Old, #4 Muirfield, #5 Royal Birkdale, #6 Carnoustie, #7 Royal Dornoch, #8 Royal Portrush, #12 Royal St. Georges, #15 Royal Lytham & St. Annes, #17 Royal Liverpool, #21 Royal Troon, #34 Prestwick and #51 Royal Cinque Ports)
45 of the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Courses are in England, 26 in Scotland, 22 in the Republic of Ireland, 4 in Wales and 3 in Northern Ireland.
60of the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Courses are links courses, 25 are parkland and 15 heathland
303 miles is the combined length of all of the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Courses.
5734 yard Rosapenna Sandy Hills in Ireland is the shortest course on the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Course list.
7215 yard Old Head Golf Links in Ireland is the longest course on the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Course list.
Top 100 Golf Course Sources
Below is a list of the sources we used to compile the Golfalot Top 100 Golf Courses, in addition to the method each source used to rate the courses:
- Golf Monthly Top 100 Courses - Golf Monthly has been publishing its version of the top 100 list since 2004. Consisting of four panels (readers panel, staff panel, senior panel and senior advisory panel), Golf Monthly's team of 47 golfers range in age from 27 to 72 and handicaps from 1 to 18. The criteria that Golf Monthly uses to evaulate the courses takes into consideration 1) quality of test and design, 2) presentation, 3) visual appeal, 4) enjoyment and 5) ambience. Golf Monthly's latest top 100 course list was published in their 2010 December issue.
- Top100GolfCourses.co.uk - Top100GolfCourses.co.uk have developed a unique and comprehensive database containing decades of historical ranking information. Using that information their ratings are based on four components. Firstly, the number of times that course has appeared in a ranking. Second, courses appearing in world rankings or lists are weighted higher. Thirdly, courses appearing in more recent rankings or lists are also weighted higher. Lastly, they employ a team of 17 staff to check and balance the list. Their latest list was published December 8, 2010.
- Today's Golfer/Golf World - Issued October 2010.
- Leisure Link - We are still awaiting feedback on history and ranking method.
- Golf Course World - Evaulation/Ranking method unknown.