Cairndhu Golf Club

A good halfway house can turn a great round of golf into a memorable one. It might be a cold beer on a Scottish links, a burger with a spectacular view or a hot drink to warm you up before the back nine. Whatever is on offer, the best halfway houses give golfers a chance to forget about the scorecard for a few minutes and enjoy the experience. We recently asked the Top100 Golf Courses community to share their favourite halfway houses, uncovering plenty of memorable stops around the world. We've picked five of their recommendations, alongside five more renowned halfway houses that are well worth knowing about. What is a Halfway House? A halfway house is a food and drink stop positioned around the turn of a golf course, usually between the ninth and 10th holes. Some are little more than a hut serving snacks and drinks, while others have become destinations in their own right, offering everything from full meals and cocktails to fires, views and plenty of local character. Five Halfway Houses Chosen by the Top100 Community Sunningdale Golf Club (England) There is a reason the halfway hut at Sunningdale has become one of the most famous refreshment stops in golf. The small Swiss-chalet-style building has been in place since 1903, sitting where the ninth holes of both the Old and New Courses meet their respective 10th holes. But the building itself isn't the main attraction. That would be the sausage sandwich. Sunningdale's legendary hut serves a simple sausage on buttered bread, with other food and refreshments available alongside it. The hut has become such an established part of the experience that the club's own tradition says everybody stops, but does so speedily. It's not fancy, and that's rather the point. After nine holes of heather-lined fairways, a hot sausage sandwich and a cup of tea can feel like exactly what golf ordered. Nairn Golf Club - The Bothy at Nairn (Scotland) The Bothy at Nairn has a history that goes well beyond golf. Built in 1877, the stone building and neighbouring icehouse formed part of the Easter Delnies Fishing Station, one of five salmon fisheries operating along the coast between Nairn and the mouth of the Findhorn. In a good season, the fishery could catch up to 5,000 salmon, with ice collected from local rivers and a specially made pond and stored in the icehouse to keep the catch fresh. The buildings have since been given a new lease of life, with the Bothy converted into a halfway house where golfers can stop for snacks and refreshments at the turn. On a cold day beside the Moray Firth, there's also a fireplace to warm up beside. The historic stone building, Highland setting and views across the course provide plenty of atmosphere. One of our community members put it rather simply: a dram of whisky and a fire are hard to beat. Hard to argue with that. Turnberry Ailsa (Scotland) Turnberry's halfway house is about as far removed from the traditional golf hut as you can get. The Ailsa's ninth hole now finishes beside the famous Turnberry Lighthouse, which doubles as a halfway house for golfers. The lighthouse itself dates back to 1873, while the golf course's dramatic ninth was redesigned as part of the Ailsa's major renovation. Inside, golfers can stop for food and drink before heading to the 10th, but the real attraction is outside. From the lighthouse, there are views across the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig. It's a halfway stop that feels more like a destination than a quick pit stop. When your halfway house is a historic lighthouse overlooking one of Scotland's most spectacular stretches of coastline, you've got a pretty good excuse to take your time. Ardglass Golf Club (Northern Ireland) At Ardglass, the halfway-house experience is wonderfully straightforward: have a Guinness and enjoy the view. The course's old cottage halfway house at the back of the 7th green has become one of its most memorable features, with golfers able to stop for a pint before continuing their round. A recent visitor described it as a gorgeous cottage with Guinness, while another praised the combination of a Guinness, sausage roll and views over the Irish Sea. It fits Ardglass perfectly. The County Down links is already one of the most dramatic places to play golf in Northern Ireland, with the Irish Sea never far away. Add a pint of Guinness just before the turn and you've got a halfway house that feels distinctly of its surroundings. Sometimes you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Blair Atholl Golf Estate (South Africa) Blair Atholl might have been one of the less obvious names to appear among the community recommendations, but the descriptions made it impossible to leave out. The halfway stop sounds less like a quick break and more like an event. One golfer highlighted the chicken burger, a chef cooking a barbecue beneath the trees and a deck sitting beneath a stream. Another mentioned silver-service high tea. That's quite the halfway-house menu. It's also a good example of why the best stops aren't necessarily the most famous. A halfway house can become memorable because of the food, the setting or simply the feeling that you're being looked after rather than rushed back onto the course. Five More Renowned Halfway Houses St Andrews Links - The Old Course (Scotland) If we're talking about halfway houses, it makes sense to visit the place that has a claim to starting the tradition. In the 19th century, David "Old Da" Anderson sold ginger beer and other refreshments from a cart on the Old Course at St Andrews. It has been described as golf's first refreshment stand. The modern version sits behind the ninth green and keeps the tradition going, albeit with a rather more substantial menu. The pork and haggis sausage roll is a popular choice, while the club's own Tom Morris 1821 Lager provides a suitably Scottish accompaniment. It's difficult to think of a more fitting place for a halfway stop. The Old Course is steeped in golfing history, and even the break between nines has a story of its own. Pine Valley Golf Club (New Jersey, United States) Pine Valley's halfway house is memorable before you've even ordered anything. Rather than a conventional hut, it is built into the base of an old water tower, which golfers encounter around the eighth hole and again near the 12th tee. It's an appropriately unusual feature for one of the world's most unconventional golf courses. The tower doubles as a stop for drinks and snacks, giving golfers a chance to take a breather before continuing around Pine Valley. It even boasts an impressive collection of golf balls from around the world. There aren't many halfway houses that can claim to be built inside a water tower. Quivira Golf Club (Baja California Sur, Mexico) Quivira has taken the halfway-house concept and spread it across the entire round. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course has multiple all-inclusive comfort stations, each offering golfers food and drinks as they make their way around the Cabo San Lucas layout. The most spectacular is The Cliffs, perched almost 300 feet above the Pacific, where golfers can stop for a breakfast burrito and take in the views over the ocean. Then there's The Oasis, the main halfway house near the ninth green. Here, the emphasis is on the food, with freshly prepared Baja cuisine including tacos and tostadas, alongside a full tequila bar. A final stop, Cañada, sits near the 16th tee, while another comfort station beside the oceanfront practice facility offers snacks and cold drinks before golfers even reach the first tee. The food and refreshments are included in the green fee, making Quivira's comfort stations much more than somewhere to grab a quick drink. Tacos, tequila and spectacular Pacific Ocean views make the breaks almost as memorable as the golf. Whistling Rock Country Club (South Korea) At Whistling Rock, there isn't just one halfway house to look forward to. The South Korean club is made up of three nine-hole loops, each with its own themed tea house: Cocoon, Temple and Cloud. The three buildings are each distinctly different. One is a rounded structure between a lake and forest, another is a formal wood-and-glass building, while the Cloud tea house sits high among the trees. The result is a halfway-house experience that feels distinctly different depending on which nine you're playing, with each tea house adding another layer to the Whistling Rock experience. Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Scotland) Royal Dornoch's halfway house is proof that sometimes the best idea is a simple one. The stop sits behind the ninth green of the Championship Course, with views back across the links towards the Dornoch Firth. And then there's the traditional order: hot chocolate with Bailey's Irish Cream, a combination that makes considerably more sense when you're standing on a Scottish links in a North Sea wind. It's a small detail, but one that has become part of the Royal Dornoch experience and exactly the sort of halfway-house tradition golfers remember.

Northern Ireland punches well above its weight in world golf. This corner of the British Isles is home to two courses that regularly feature among the finest on the planet, a coastline that rivals anything Scotland or England can offer, and a depth of quality that surprises even seasoned links travellers. From the Mountains of Mourne to the Causeway Coast, the golf here is nothing short of extraordinary. The Top 100 Golf Courses Northern Ireland Ranking currently features 15 courses assessed by a dedicated panel of local experts. With 10 additional courses on the contenders list and plans to expand the ranking to 25, there has never been more reason to explore Northern Irish golf beyond the headline names. Alongside the standalone Northern Ireland ranking, courses from the region also feature in the Island of Ireland Ranking and the broader GB&I Top 100. The most recent 2025 update was a minor post-COVID refresh — a necessary recalibration after several disrupted seasons. The comprehensive 2026 GB&I ranking overhaul, currently underway, will reassess every course across Britain and Ireland under updated criteria, and the Northern Ireland results are expected later this spring. The Current Rankings: Northern Ireland's Top 15 The 2025 refresh kept the core order largely intact, while revised panellist guidance began to reshape the middle and lower reaches of the table. The shift towards rewarding exciting, strategic golf over pristine conditioning and resort polish is a theme that will accelerate further with the 2026 overhaul. 🏆 The Top 15 at a Glance The Unmoved Elite 🥇 Royal County Down (Championship) — The perennial number one contender. A World Top 100 fixture and, for many, the most beautiful golf course on earth. The outward nine beneath the Mountains of Mourne remains among the finest stretches of links golf anywhere. 🥈 Royal Portrush (Dunluce) — Host of The Open in 2019 and 2025, and the only Irish venue on the Championship rota. H.S. Colt's masterpiece continues to gain momentum in both the GB&I and World Rankings following Martin Ebert's hole revisions. 🥉 Portstewart (Strand) — Firmly established in the GB&I Top 100, the Strand retains third place. The front nine through towering Atlantic dunes has been called the finest nine holes in the British Isles. The Risers ⬆️ Royal Portrush (Valley) — Up following significant recent work to the opening three holes. Martin Ebert's redesign, including new par 3s, has elevated what Tom Doak once called "the most underrated golf course in Ireland." ⬆️ Castlerock (Mussenden) — The Causeway Coast's best-kept secret continues its steady climb. Martin Hawtree's renovation work has transformed the Ben Sayers original into a layout that more than holds its own alongside its celebrated neighbours. The Consistent Core Ardglass — A cult favourite with dramatic clifftop holes and the oldest clubhouse in the world (a 13th-century castle). Ken Kearney's routing changes and new holes are bedding in. Malone — Belfast's finest parkland holds its position. The 27-acre lake dominates the thrilling back nine, and recent upgrades continue to enhance an already impressive layout. Belvoir Park — Another Harry Colt design, this time a parkland gem tucked into Belvoir Forest just minutes from Belfast city centre. Old-world charm and mature tree-lined fairways define the experience. 🗺️ Best Golf Courses by County Northern Ireland's six counties each contribute something distinct to the golfing landscape. County Antrim dominates the upper reaches of the ranking with Royal Portrush (both Dunluce and Valley courses), Portstewart Strand, and Galgorm Castle. The Causeway Coast stretches from Portrush through Portstewart to Castlerock and represents one of the finest concentrations of links golf anywhere in the world. County Down claims the number one spot through Royal County Down's Championship links at Newcastle, along with Ardglass on the dramatic coastline. Belvoir Park adds Belfast-area parkland quality, while the Annesley links at Royal County Down offers an additional links experience following Mackenzie & Ebert's 2015 redesign. County Londonderry contributes both Castlerock courses — the Mussenden and the Bann — ensuring that the Causeway Coast's links pedigree extends well beyond Portrush and Portstewart. County Fermanagh is represented by Lough Erne's Faldo Course, the westernmost-ranked course and the only lakeside resort layout in the top 15. The setting on the Fermanagh Lakelands is unlike anything else in Northern Irish golf. 💡 What the Rankings Tell Us Links Golf Reigns Supreme The top six positions are all occupied by links courses, underlining Northern Ireland's coastal strength. This is a region where the best golf is found on natural terrain shaped by wind and sea rather than by earth-moving machinery. The Causeway Coast Triangle Royal Portrush, Portstewart, and Castlerock form one of the great links triangles in world golf. All three sit within a 15-minute drive of each other along the north Antrim and Londonderry coastline, making this stretch an essential destination for any serious links golfer. Parklands Under Pressure The updated ranking criteria have seen polished parkland and resort courses lose ground — a theme echoed across other Top 100 regional rankings. Courses that deliver exciting, strategic golf have gained at the expense of those offering primarily pristine conditioning and luxurious surroundings. Architectural Heritage Runs Deep Northern Ireland's golf courses read like a who's who of course design. Old Tom Morris, Harry Colt, Ben Sayers, and Willie Park Junior have all left their mark. A Decade of Growth: 2011–2025 The Northern Ireland ranking has evolved considerably since its inception, expanding from a Top 20 to a Top 30 before settling into its current focused format. 📅 2011 — The Inaugural Top 20 The first standalone Northern Ireland ranking established the pecking order that would prove remarkably stable for over a decade. Royal County Down and Royal Portrush occupied the top two positions, with Portstewart and Castlerock completing the Causeway Coast quartet in the upper reaches. The initial list showcased the region's links strength while also recognising quality parkland at Malone, Belvoir Park, and Royal Belfast. 📅 2012 — Expanded to Top 25 The ranking grew to 25 courses, reflecting increased panellist coverage and a desire to capture more of Northern Ireland's golfing depth. Ardglass cemented its position as a fan favourite, while the expansion allowed hidden gems from across the six counties to gain recognition. 📅 2014 — Consolidating the Top 30 A further expansion to 30 courses brought the ranking to its largest format. The additional positions allowed courses like Galgorm Castle, which was steadily building its reputation through tournament hosting, to break into the national chart. The depth of Northern Irish golf was becoming increasingly apparent. 📅 2018 — Pre-Open Anticipation With the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush on the horizon, the 2018 update carried added significance. Martin Ebert's new 7th and 8th holes on the Dunluce course — carved from Valley Course land — generated considerable excitement. Portstewart Strand continued to climb following its successful hosting of the 2017 Irish Open, won by Jon Rahm. 📅 2020 — Post-Open Revision Following Shane Lowry's memorable Open victory at Portrush in 2019, the 2020 revision showed remarkable stability. Royal County Down held firm at number one, with only seven courses moving upward and each by just a single position. The Mussenden at Castlerock climbed to 5th following Martin Hawtree's renovation, while the 9-hole Bann course at Castlerock rose four places, earning praise as "the most exciting, fun and engaging 9-hole links course" from the then editor-in-chief. 📅 2022 — The Last Full Pre-COVID Update The 2022 revision confirmed the mature nature of the ranking — very little movement, the same number one, and only four new chart entrants. Edenmore Country Club made its debut at 24th, while City of Derry (Prehen) and Dunmurry re-entered the chart. The departures of Ballycastle, Gracehill, Roe Park, and Warrenpoint reflected tightening standards rather than any decline in those courses. 📅 2025 — Post-COVID Refresh The 2025 update was a minor revision rather than a full reassessment — a necessary refresh after several disrupted seasons. The ranking contracted from 30 to 15 courses, reflecting a tighter focus on quality, while panellist coverage was rebuilt. The headline stories were Royal Portrush Valley's climb to 4th and the downward pressure on polished parklands under revised guidance. Planning Your Northern Ireland Golf Trip Northern Ireland is a compact golf destination where world-class courses sit remarkably close together. The entire region can be covered from two or three well-chosen bases, making it ideal for golf trips of any length. The Causeway Coast is the essential starting point. Base yourself in Portrush or Portstewart, and you are within minutes of Royal Portrush (Dunluce and Valley), Portstewart Strand, and Castlerock (Mussenden and Bann). Five outstanding courses, all links, all within a 15-minute radius. Allow three to four days to do this stretch justice. The Belfast Area offers a different flavour. Malone, Belvoir Park, and Royal Belfast provide top-quality parkland golf, while Galgorm Castle sits just 30 minutes north-west. These courses make excellent additions to a Causeway Coast itinerary or a rewarding standalone trip for those who prefer parkland golf. County Down demands at least a day, ideally two. Royal County Down at Newcastle is a pilgrimage course — the Mountains of Mourne backdrop is unforgettable. Combine it with Ardglass, just along the coast, for a clifftop links experience that delivers some of the most dramatic holes in Irish golf. The Fermanagh Detour adds Lough Erne to the itinerary. It is roughly two hours from Belfast, but the lakeland setting is so distinctive that it rewards the journey, particularly for those seeking a complete picture of Northern Irish golf. The beauty of Northern Ireland as a golf destination lies in its contrasts — wild Causeway Coast links one day, refined Belfast parkland the next, dramatic clifftop golf the day after. Few regions anywhere offer such variety in such a concentrated area. Explore the complete Northern Ireland Golf Course Rankings on Top 100 Golf Courses. The 2026 GB&I ranking overhaul results for Northern Ireland are expected later this year.

Ireland holds roughly a quarter of all natural links courses in the world, and the quality runs astonishingly deep. From the towering dunes of Donegal to the Atlantic-battered coastline of County Kerry, the island offers a concentration of world-class golf that rivals anywhere on the planet. Six Irish courses currently sit in the World Top 100, and more than twenty contend for places in the GB&I Top 100 — a depth bettered only by England and Scotland. See the Island of Ireland Ranking See the Republic of Ireland Ranking See the Northern Ireland Ranking Top 100 Golf Courses has ranked Ireland's golf courses biennially since 2006, tracking two decades of evolution across the Republic's twenty-six counties and, separately, Northern Ireland's six. That ongoing process has charted the rise of new architectural masterpieces, multi-million euro renovations, and the enduring dominance of courses that have occupied the summit since rankings began. 2026 Republic of Ireland Update Ballybunion Old, Lahinch Old, Rosapenna St Patrick's Links and Portmarnock all hold their positions, reinforcing two decades of consistency at the summit. Four Republic of Ireland courses sit in the World Top 100, and sixteen feature in the GB&I Top 100 — a depth that underlines the country's status as one of the premier golf destinations on the planet. Brittas Bay Club (formerly The European Club) has been removed while its comprehensive Kyle Phillips redesign takes shape ahead of a planned 2027 reopening. Curracloe Links, a potential future game-changer for the Republic, is also flagged as one to watch but remains outside the current rankings. ⬆️ The Rising Stars Portsalon is the headline climber. Situated on a remote stretch of County Donegal coastline, Portsalon's rise further strengthens the county's extraordinary concentration of quality, with five Donegal courses now in the Republic's top twenty-five. Ballyliffin Old continues to gain recognition and climbs to seventeenth. The K Club Palmer North also rises. Carne, Tralee, Enniscrone, Narin & Portnoo, Rosapenna Old Tom Morris and Galway Bay all rise - in part due to The European Club being removed. ⬇️ Notable Adjustments Adare Manor slips three places to fourteen — a reflection of the updated criteria's emphasis on the golf itself rather than resort polish, though the Tom Fazio redesign remains Ireland's premier parkland course and 2027 Ryder Cup venue. Old Head drops four to 21, while Cork eases two places to twenty-four. 🏆 Irish Rankings - A Historical Glance The Unchanging Summit Ballybunion Old has held the number one position in the Republic of Ireland rankings since the inaugural 2006 edition — an unbroken twenty-year reign. Largely anonymous until Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay's 1930s intervention, the course gained worldwide prominence after Tom Watson's famous visit in 1981. A major greens replacement project by Atlantic Golf Construction, overseen by architect Graeme Webster, has only strengthened its standing. Lahinch Old, Waterville, The European Club and Portmarnock have been near-permanent fixtures in the upper reaches. For fourteen consecutive years, gaining entry to the top five was, as our 2020 article noted, "a very tough nut to crack." ⬆️ The Course That Broke Through That changed dramatically in 2022 when Rosapenna St Patrick's Links crashed into the rankings at number three — the highest new entry in the history of our Ireland listings. Designed by Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design with lead associate Eric Everson, Clyde Johnson and Angela Moser, the course was built on 300 acres of spectacular Donegal dunescape previously occupied by two mediocre layouts. Opened in 2021, it immediately rewrote the top-five hierarchy. 🌍 Ireland's World-Class Depth The island's representation at the highest levels of world golf is remarkable. Six courses — Royal County Down, Royal Portrush Dunluce, Ballybunion Old, Lahinch, Rosapenna St Patrick's and Portmarnock — all feature in the World Top 100. The overwhelming character is links golf. Ireland's Atlantic-facing coastlines provide the ideal combination of sandy soil, undulating terrain and prevailing wind that defines the links game at its purest. Adare Manor breaks the mould as the top-ranked parkland entry, demonstrating that world-class inland golf also has its place on the island. County Kerry and County Donegal dominate the upper reaches of the rankings, but quality is genuinely distributed. Dublin's links courses — Portmarnock, The Island, Royal Dublin, and County Louth — provide accessible world-class golf close to the capital. The west coast, from County Sligo to Enniscrone to Carne, offers some of the most naturally dramatic links terrain anywhere. And the hidden gems — Cruit Island, Dunfanaghy, Strandhill — continue to climb as more golfers discover their charms. What the Rankings Tell Us Consistency at the Summit Ballybunion Old's twenty-year hold on the top position is extraordinary by any measure. The same small group of courses — Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, Portmarnock, The European Club — have anchored the top tier since 2006, with only Rosapenna St Patrick's managing to break the stranglehold. This stability reflects the enduring quality of Ireland's classic links designs, many of which trace their architectural lineage through Tom Simpson, Alister MacKenzie, Old Tom Morris and Harry Colt. The Donegal Renaissance County Donegal has emerged as perhaps the most exciting golfing region in Ireland. The arrival of Rosapenna St Patrick's transformed the county's reputation, but the story is broader. Narin & Portnoo's Hanse-Wagner reimagination, the steady rise of Rosapenna's Old Tom Morris course, the cult appeal of Cruit Island, and the rediscovery of Dunfanaghy have collectively established Donegal as a destination to rival Kerry and Clare. Architecture Driving Change The biggest ranking movements have consistently been driven by architectural intervention. Tom Fazio's work at Adare Manor, Tom Doak's creation at St Patrick's Links, Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner's remodelling at Narin & Portnoo, and Mackenzie & Ebert's master plan at The Island all demonstrate that thoughtful design investment — whether building new or reimagining existing layouts — is the most reliable path to ranking advancement. The Authentic Links Resurgence Shorter, quirkier courses with genuine strategic interest have gained ground, while lavish resort courses, though still excellent places to visit, have seen their rankings adjust. As the new criteria emphasises, budget size has not been the deciding factor, but rather memorable, engaging golf is what matters. 📅 A Decade of Growth: 2010–2025 2010: Your Top 100 — The People's Rankings The 2010 "Your Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland" was a distinctive edition — a crowd-sourced ranking based entirely on player review ratings rather than the dedicated panellist approach used in other years. Published alongside companion lists for Scotland, England and Wales, it was part of a wider "Your Britain & Ireland Top 100" exercise that number-crunched thousands of golf ball ratings submitted by the Top100 community. The European Club, Tralee, Ballybunion Old and Rosapenna Sandy Hills all featured prominently in the combined GB&I list. 2012: The Republic's Own Top 100 The dedicated Republic of Ireland Top 100 was updated with Ballybunion Old maintaining its familiar position at the summit, continuing the dominance established in 2006. The established order remained largely intact, with the same core group of links courses holding the upper tier. 2014: Stability and Steady Progress The 2014 update continued the biennial cycle with Ballybunion Old once again unchallenged at number one. The top five remained the same handful of courses that had occupied those positions since the rankings began, reinforcing the extraordinary consistency at the summit of Irish golf. 2018: The Seventh Biennial Revision The 2018 edition brought seven new entries into the Top 100. Notably, Adare Manor was absent from the table, its course closed and under complete reconstruction as the Tom Fazio redesign took shape. 2020: Adare Manor Returns and Seven Newcomers The headline story was unmistakable: Adare Manor's re-emergence at number fourteen following its multi-million euro Tom Fazio transformation. The old Robert Trent Jones Sr. course had been entirely replaced, with Atlantic Golf Construction installing new drainage, new greens and sand-capped fairways to create what is now one of the best-maintained courses in all of Ireland. The Ryder Cup 2027 announcement added further lustre. Seven new entries in total, with Hogs Head the highest newcomer at thirty-four Luttrellstown Castle climbed eight places to forty-eight, entering the national top fifty for the first time Cruit Island surged fifteen places to sixty-five, gaining cult status among visiting golfers Royal Dublin rose four places to twenty-three, with Clayton, DeVries & Pont appointed for a bunker renovation 2022: Rosapenna St Patrick's Crashes the Top Five The ninth biennial revision produced the most dramatic shake-up in the rankings' history. Tom Doak's Rosapenna St Patrick's Links entered at number three — the first course to crack the established top-five fortress since rankings began. Narin & Portnoo climbed ten places to eighteen after its Hanse-Wagner reimagination. Further down, Cruit Island continued its rise (up twelve to fifty-three), Dunfanaghy surged twenty-six places to seventy-four, and Woodenbridge climbed twelve to seventy-one. 2025: New Criteria, New Philosophy The most recent update applied revised evaluation criteria that emphasised authentic golfing experiences over resort polish. Fifteen courses moved up five or more places. Traditional links courses rose sharply; parkland resort courses adjusted downward. Rosapenna Old Tom Morris broke into the top thirty, Royal Dublin into the top twenty, and the rankings signalled a clear direction: exciting, strategic golf — regardless of budget or amenities — is what defines Ireland's best. 🔭 Looking Ahead The comprehensive 2026 GB&I ranking overhaul, currently underway, will reassess every course across Britain and Ireland under updated criteria. The Ireland results are expected later this spring and will provide the most thorough evaluation yet of the island's golfing credentials. Several developments are worth watching. Brittas Bay Club — the Kyle Phillips redesign of Pat Ruddy's European Club — is set to reopen in 2027 with improved playability, expanded sea views and restored native ecosystems. The continued maturation of Rosapenna St Patrick's Links is widely regarded as still having significant upside. And with the Ryder Cup arriving at Adare Manor in 2027, the spotlight on Irish golf has never been brighter. Ballybunion Cashen continues enhancement work, and Rosapenna's Old Tom Morris course is gaining traction with every season. The depth of talent across Ireland's 400+ golf courses means the competition for ranking places will only intensify.