Rouffach, France
This links-inspired course, though not long by modern standards, offers a challenging strategic experience. Its primary defences are wind exposure, firm running conditions, and exceptional green complexes. While the routing has minor inefficiencies, the architectural merit of the greens and bunkering ensures enduring interest.
This links-inspired course, though not long by modern standards, offers a challenging strategic experience. Its primary defences are wind exposure, firm running conditions, and exceptional green complexes. While the routing has minor inefficiencies, the architectural merit of the greens and bunkering ensures enduring interest.
At 6,426 meters from the back tees (Par 72) , the course is not long by modern standards. Yet the SSS of 73.5 from the championship markers indicates that it plays sterner than its yardage suggests. Its primary defense lies in wind exposure, firm running conditions and the scale and quality of its green complexes.
The course occupies largely flat terrain, with constructed dune forms framing several holes to evoke a links character. The walk is generally manageable; however, there are a few extended transitions — notably after the 11th and 14th — that interrupt the rhythm of the round a bit. These longer walks slightly weaken the routing continuity, and certain connecting paths would benefit from improved conditioning.
A positive architectural detail is the restrained treatment of the teeing grounds. Rather than elevated platforms, the tees sit at fairway level, defined simply by shorter mowing lines, reinforcing the understated links aesthetic.
This is not a penal layout. Fairways are generally generous, encouraging positional play and angles rather than narrow, forced carries. The closely mown surfaces promote considerable run, particularly when combined with the often-present wind near the Vosges foothills.
Rough along the fairway edges can become knee-high during peak season, increasing the penalty for inaccuracy. Around a douEarlier in the year it remains playable and fair, allowing recovery and advancing shots. The course therefore rewards thoughtful placement rather than brute power.
The bunkering is a strong feature throughout. Fairway and greenside bunkers are well integrated into the landscape and shaped so that balls can feed naturally into them. Their rear faces are built up, preventing balls from running through and ensuring that errant shots are properly gathered. On the back nine in particular, several very large conventional bunkers — some extending close to 100 meters in length — provide scale and visual drama while still allowing multiple strategic routes.
The greens are the architectural highlight.
They are expansive — in places approaching 50 meters in depth — quick and, above all, exceptionally true. Speed never overwhelms contour; instead, subtle movement creates interest without artificial severity. The putting surfaces reward precise distance control and provide a consistently pure roll.
Hole 17 (393 meters from the back tees) stands out architecturally. A central mound positioned in front of the green influences both the approach and the preferred angle of play. Depending on pin location, the player must decide how to shape or position the approach rather than simply attack directly. It is a fine example of strategic design guiding decision-making rather than merely testing execution.
The par 3s range from 119 to 187 meters, offering reasonable length variation. The par 4s largely sit in the mid-length bracket (approximately 340–410 meters), favoring positioning and control. The par 5s (482 to 544 meters) are reachable in favorable wind conditions, inviting calculated risk without forcing aggression.
The back nine carries greater visual presence due to the scale of the bunkering, while the front nine feels more understated yet cohesive in character.
The bunker sand is consistently presented and plays uniformly. Fairways are maintained short to encourage running golf. The greens are the strongest conditioning element: firm, fast and remarkably true.
Improvements could be made to certain transition paths between holes, and seasonal rough management influences playability.
This is a thoughtfully constructed, links-inspired course where strategic width, wind exposure and exceptional green complexes define the experience. It does not rely on excessive length or narrow severity, but instead rewards planning, angles and precise distance control.
While the routing has minor inefficiencies between certain holes, the architectural merit of the greens and bunkering ensures enduring interest. It is particularly appealing to players who appreciate strategic nuance and firm, ground-based golf.
The latest ranking of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World serves as the ultimate global golf bucket list. Most members of our World Top 100 Panel are seasoned golfers, each playing 20-30 of these courses annually while travelling extensively over decades to form their opinions on others. We recognise that opinions vary—even among our panel members. Rankings are subjective, and there are undoubtedly 50 or more courses in the UK and USA alone that could easily fit onto this list. Links Golf Pilgrimages The rankings
California, United States
New Jersey, United States
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
New York, United States
New York, United States
