World’s Top 100 Golf Courses – golfscape (Part 4)

golfscape has been working with the expertise of industry leaders to put together our first World’s Top 100 Golf Courses, 2019

The golf courses that have been selected to feature in the ranking are those that offer unique, memorable, and luxury experiences worldwide. From the evergreen beauty of South Africa’s golf scene to the enchanting golf gems along Portugal’s coast, we have traveled far and wide to bring you the world’s greatest golf. Join us on the countdown from 100 to 1 and find out who we have selected as a Top 100 golf course and what course managed to make it to our top spot.

It’s the final part of our World’s Top 100 Golf Courses, we hope you have enjoyed the countdown so far, now it’s time to find out what courses reached the top spots!
If you need a little reminder of who secured positions 50-26 just go back here.

25 – East Course, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, South Africa

royal johannesburg kensington-golf-johannesburg-south-africa

Located to the east of Johannesburg, Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club is one of the most esteemed golf clubs in South Africa boasting a rich 128-year history with two superb 18 hole golf courses, The West Course and the Championship East Course. The Club received its Royal charter in 1932 and is regarded as South Africa’s’ home of golf.’

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24 – Streamsong Black, Streamsong Golf Resort, US

streamsong golf resort florida-us

Designed by Hanse Golf Design (Gil Hanse), Steamsong Black course, located in Florida, plays to a par-73 layout with five par-5s and extends to 7,331 yards. Streamsong Black stands alone and stretches across a much larger landscape than the other two courses (Red and Blue).

23 – New South Wales Golf Club, Australia

new south wales golf australia

Located in the Sydney suburb of La Perouse, The NSW Golf Club is flanked by the rugged cliffs of Henry Head and the prominent headland of Cape Banks. The golf course is often named ‘La Perouse’ and is set amongst scrub covered sand hills and valleys that slope down to the Pacific Ocean at secluded Cruwee Bay.

22 – Green Monkey Golf Course, Sandy Lane, Barbados

sandy lane barbados

Sandy Lane offers some of the best golf in the world, with three world-class golf courses – The Old Nine, The Country Club and the world-renowned Green Monkey which is exclusive to Sandy Lane’s guests. Wherever you play, you will be enchanted by the spectacular natural beauty of the terrain and the stunning views of Barbados’ platinum coastline.

21 – Hamilton Island Golf Club, Australia

hamilton island australia

Hamilton Island Golf Club offers a unique and challenging 18 hole, par-71 course with spectacular views from every angle. The island’s natural, mountainous landscape offers incredible 360-degree views across secluded beaches, coves, and islands. Designed by the legendary Australian golfer, Peter Thomson, the course is strung along the ridges and steep valleys of Dent Valley.

20 – Leopard Creek Country Club, South Africa

leopard creek malelane south-africa

Situated on the southern bank of the Crocodile river forming the natural border of the world-renowned Kruger Park lies one of Africa’s golfing jewels – Leopard Creek. Golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek, for much of the water is home to the magnificent creatures for which the river is named, crocodiles.

19 – Osprey Point, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, US

osprey point kiawah sland south-carolina-us

What began as a members-only golf course on Kiawah Island has evolved into a championship-level course with a world-class layout that was completely renovated in 2014. Course architect Tom Fazio takes full advantage of ample water and sweeping vistas throughout this course noted for its playability, making it one of the resort’s most popular courses. The course is marked by four large natural lagoons, salt marshes, and mature maritime forest.

18 – Thai Country Club, Thailand

thai country club thailand

Open to the golfing world in December 1996, Thai Country Club was developed as one of the finest golf clubs in Asia. The design adapts from everyday casual play up to a very tough challenge for the finest players in the world. This beautiful course is known for its immaculate conditions, neo-classic design, and a variety of holes.

17 – The Old Course, Ballybunion Golf Club, Ireland

ballybunion golf southwest ireland

Ballybunion Golf Club is located on the northwest coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes complete with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Old Course exudes a majestic feel that simply cannot be compared to any other course on Earth.

16 – Finca Cortesin, Spain

finca cortesin malaga spain

Nestling in an exclusive corner of Andalucia, Finca Cortesin is globally renowned for providing one of Europe’s most unforgettable experiences. The harmonious relationship between the natural Mediterranean landscape and environment on the resort’s world-class 18 hole championship course make for a most attractive design.

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15 – Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi

yas links abu dhabi

Designed by Kyle Phillips, Yas Links Golf Club is the first true Links course in the region. Yas Links brings the noble heritage of a traditional Links experience to Abu Dhabi, a course that combines unparalleled visual glory with the thrill of golf’s ultimate test.

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14 – Bandon Dunes, US 

bandon dunes oregon us

Bandon Dunes is true to the spirit of Scotland’s ancient links. Players can immerse themselves in the traditions of a timeless game and the grandeur of Oregon’s rugged coast. Sweeping, untamed shores stretch for miles.

13 – Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai

emirates golf club majlis dubai

The Majlis is the first grass course in the Middle East, taking its name from the Arabic word for ‘meeting place.’ Home to the Omega Desert Classic, the world-class course at Emirates Golf Club features challenging holes, undulating greens, and hundreds of indigenous species of flora and fauna.

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12 – Spyglass Hill Golf Course, US

spyglass hill golf us

Located in California, the Spyglass Hill Golf Course is a links golf course part of the Pebble Beach Company. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, the course is renowned for the fourth hole, with Robert Trent Jones called his favorite par 4.

11 – Kingston Heath Golf Club, Australia

kingston heath golf australia

The host of the 2016 World Cup of Golf, Kingston Heath Golf Club is widely recognized as one the world’s finest golf courses. Located in the southeast suburbs of Melbourne, the course was designed by Dan Soutar with the help of Alistar MacKenzie, who provided the bunkering strategy during his visit to Australia in 1926.

10 – Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, New Zealand

cape kidnappers hawkes bay-new-zealand

Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 6,510 meters and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, the spectacular New Zealand golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape complete with stunning sea views, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course plays high above the ocean top dramatic cliffs.

9 – Adare Manor, Ireland

adare manor ireland

The Golf Course at Adare Manor is unmatched in world golf. Re-designed by Tom Fazio, constructed to the highest of standards and opened by four Irish golfing stars: Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, and Shane Lowry. A remarkable construction story set against Ireland’s finest resort destination, Adare Manor is one of the world’s best-golfing experiences.

8 – Cabot Cliffs, Cape Breton, Canada

cabot cliffs canada

A great compliment to its sister course Cabot Links, Cabot Cliffs in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, provides an incredible golf experience. Designed by the decorated team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course meanders through coastal dunes and along ocean-side cliffs. An even mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s offers golfers a wide variety of golf shots. With an ocean view from every hole on the course, postcard-worthy panoramas are par for the course.

7 – Meadow Links, Mission Hills Haikou, China

meadow links mission hills china

The Meadow Links Course at Mission Hills Haikou is part of the enormous and extraordinary Mission Hills complex in China which spans 22 golf courses across two locations, making it the largest golf facility in the world, as recognized by the Guinness World Records. The Brian Curley-designed Meadow Links layout features lay-of-the-land sensibilities and somewhat geometric shapes in both bunkering and fairway lines.

6 – Ailsa, Trump Turnberry, Scotland

trump turnberry scotland

Home of four Open Championships, the legendary Ailsa course has hosted some of the most iconic names in golf. Reborn in June 2016 at the hands of the renowned architect, Martin Ebert, the transformation enhanced the world-class playing experience. Located alongside the glorious Ayrshire coastline, with Arran and Ailsa Craig as a stunning backdrop, Trump Turnberry is one of the finest golfing destinations in the world.

5 – West Course, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia

royal melbourne golf victoria-australia

With so many write-ups on the West Course at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the world-class course simply comes down to the combination of great design and construction. The course is full of dramatic undulation, fertile sandy soil, and a natural rugged appearance.

4 – Pebble Beach Golf Links, US

pebble beach golf links us
Pebble Beach Company Photography

Since 1947 Pebble Beach has hosted a PGA Tour event, rolling out its green carpet fairways for the game’s best golfers and Hollywood stars. Pebble Beach Golf Links is full of breathtaking beauty from stunning seaside holes to dramatic cliffs. The course finishes with two of the most beautiful holes in golf. Pebble Beach is also home to the picturesque but perilous Cliffs of Doom, awaiting heroic golfing shots.

3 – Royal County Down Golf Club, Ireland 

royal county down northern-ireland

Regularly rated as one of the best golf courses in the world, Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Morne. The world famous ‘beaded’ bunkers feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue, and heather. The ninth hole is one of the most photographed holes in golf.

2 – Royal Dornoch, Scotland

royal dornoch scotland

Birthplace of the great Donald Ross, the courses at Royal Dornoch are natural links located in the Highlands of Scotland. Many golfers from all over the world make the journey to Royal Dornoch to experience the plateau greens and to take on the challenge of the course. This must-play course should take the top spot on your bucket list, both the Championship and Struie Courses offer a world-class golfing experience.

1 – The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland 

old course st andrews

The oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. The Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker are recognized across the globe, yet the greatest feature of the Old Course is that despite its grand status it remains a public golf course, open to all.

“I fell in love with it the first day I played it. There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close,” – Jack Nicklaus, Open Championship 1970, 1978.

If you need a reminder of the courses that reached the 50-26 positions, just click here.