The top 100 golf courses in the world

Castle Pines Golf Club is a private, iconic Jack Nicklaus Signature course set amidst rolling wooded hills south of Denver. Opened in 1981, it is known for its scenic mountain views, championship pedigree, and pristine conditions. The course hosted the PGA Tour’s International from 1986–2006, and is renowned for its challenge, elegance, and member-centric exclusivity.

Bethpage Black is one of five courses at Bethpage State Park and is acclaimed for its demanding layout, challenging length, and championship pedigree. Designed by legendary architect A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1936, it hosts major events like the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Known for its penal rough, iconic bunkering, and walking-only policy, it is revered as one of America’s greatest public courses.

Portmarnock Golf Club is a world-renowned links course designed in 1894 by W.C. Pickeman and George Ross. Sitting on a coastal peninsula, the club has hosted the Irish Open, Walker Cup, and numerous major championships. Its classic links layout, windswept dunes, and storied legacy make it a must-play for golf purists.

Ardfin Golf Course is an exclusive, world-class golf course on the Isle of Jura in Scotland, set on a dramatic coastal estate. Designed by Bob Harrison, the course is known for its striking seaside setting, strategic bunkering, and bold green complexes. Access is only available to guests of the Ardfin Estate’s high-end accommodations, making it one of the most private and coveted experiences in Scottish golf. You may be able to get a reduced tee time through obscure ways, but a minimum two night stay is required to play golf here, costing over $100,000.

Morfontaine Golf Club, founded in 1913 by Armand de Gramont and redesigned by renowned architect Tom Simpson, is a private, historic, and revered French club. The Grand Parcours 18-hole course stretches over manicured parkland, blending natural beauty with elite design. Consistently ranked among the world’s top courses, its exclusivity and tradition are matched by superb routing and subtle strategic challenges.

Shanqin Bay Golf Club, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, occupies a spectacular coastal site on Hainan Island, China. This par-71 layout navigates cliffs, dunes, beaches, and jungle-like valleys with minimal artificial shaping, offering strategic challenges amplified by sea winds. Ranked among the world's top courses, it blends natural drama and ocean vistas in a groundbreaking design for Chinese golf.

Peachtree Golf Club is an iconic, ultra-private course in Atlanta, crafted by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Bobby Jones in 1948. Often compared to Augusta National, it features rolling terrain, towering pines, immaculate bentgrass greens, and signature bunkering. The course blends classic design elements and world-class conditioning, earning regular recognition among America's top 50 courses.

Somerset Hills Country Club, designed by A. W. Tillinghast in 1918, is a Golden Age parkland course nestled in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Widely admired for its classic architecture, the course features rolling terrain, strategic bunkering, and a thoughtful routing. Restoration by Renaissance Golf Design has revived the historic character, making it a favorite for architecture enthusiasts and club members.

Whispering Pines Golf Club, designed by Chet Williams of Nicklaus Design, is a private 18-hole course set on a spectacular 400-acre property near Lake Livingston, Texas. The course features piney woods, lakes, and natural creeks, providing a challenging and scenic experience. Host of the Spirit International Amateur, it is celebrated for its pristine conditioning and memorable layout.

St. George's Golf & Country Club, designed by Stanley Thompson in 1929, consistently ranks among the best courses in Canada and globally. Featuring rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens, it challenges all golfers. The club has hosted multiple Canadian Opens and offers top-tier facilities, blending tradition and modern comforts in a scenic Toronto setting.