The top 100 golf courses in the world

Royal Troon Golf Club is an iconic links course on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast, established in 1878 by George Strath and later enhanced by Willie Fernie and James Braid. Renowned for its historic Open Championships and challenging layout shaped by its natural coastal landscape, it offers a world-class links experience to top golfers and is famed for its tradition and prestige.

Royal Dornoch's Championship Course is a world-renowned links designed primarily by Old Tom Morris and later George Duncan. Set along the Dornoch Firth, it is famed for elevated plateau greens, natural undulations, and stunning coastal scenery. Its combination of history, architectural brilliance and firm turf makes it a bucket-list experience for golfers worldwide.

Consistently ranked among the world’s top 20 courses, Kingston Heath Golf Club is a masterpiece of sandbelt architecture in Melbourne, designed by Dan Soutar with input from Dr. Alister MacKenzie. Renowned for its bunkering, fast greens, and superb year-round conditioning, Kingston Heath has hosted numerous major championships, attracting golfers globally for its strategic challenge.

The Los Angeles Country Club North Course, originally designed by W. Herbert Fowler in 1921 and reimagined by George C. Thomas Jr. in 1928, is renowned for its barranca, dramatic topography, and some of the most creative green complexes in California. A world-class championship venue, it underwent a major restoration by Gil Hanse in 2017 and hosted the 2023 U.S. Open.

Friar's Head is a private course in Riverhead, New York, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2003. Set across dunes and former farmland with dramatic views of Long Island Sound, the layout is known for its wide fairways, massive greens, and bearded bunkers. The club prioritizes walking and caddie play, with a focus on options and creativity.

Trump Turnberry Golf Course, originally designed by Willie Fernie and redesigned by Mackenzie Ross and Martin Ebert, is a legendary links layout on Scotland’s rugged west coast. Boasting panoramic sea views and an iconic lighthouse, the Ailsa course has hosted four Open Championships and is regularly ranked among the world’s top golf destinations.

Pinehurst No. 2 is a masterpiece designed by Donald Ross and restored by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Famed for its challenging crowned greens and strategic layout, it has hosted more single golf championships than any course in America, including multiple U.S. Opens. The course presents a classic design with natural areas and no rough, demanding both precision and creativity from players.

Winged Foot Golf Club (West) in Mamaroneck, New York is a legendary private course designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1923, with contributions from Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Gil Hanse. Known for its demanding layout, iconic greens, and championship pedigree, it has hosted numerous major tournaments, including multiple U.S. Opens. The course features bentgrass fairways and greens and a traditional parkland setting.

Royal St George's Golf Club, designed by Dr. Laidlaw Purves in 1887, is one of the most historic and revered links courses in the world. Located along the Kentish coast, it features wild duneland, natural bunkers, and strategic holes. The club has hosted the Open Championship 15 times and offers a quintessential, challenging links experience.

Crystal Downs Country Club, designed by Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell in 1929, is a revered private club nestled between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake. Renowned for its distinctive routing, strategic design, ever-present winds, and dramatic natural setting, Crystal Downs is perennially ranked among the top courses in the U.S. and worldwide. Access is strictly reserved for members and guests.