The Best Golf Courses in England - 2025 Ranking Release
England is perhaps the greatest golfing country in the world, with a plethora of world-class golf courses found both on the coast and inland.
Thirteen of the world's top 100 golf courses are in this tiny country, and a total of 45 are included in the GB&I Top 100.
We have an extensive list of contenders, but 50 are regularly audited and watched to see if they can crack the Top 100.
Watch or Listen to the Podcast discussing the release:
For the travelling golf enthusiast looking to play the world's finest courses, England has always been a treasure trove of architectural gems. With the release of the latest Top 100 England rankings, a fascinating transformation is underway that extends far beyond the mere shuffling of numbers. This paradigm shift represents a fundamental change in how courses are evaluated, restored, and presented to visitors, and savvy golf travellers should take note.
The Geographic Revolution: Planning Your Golf Pilgrimage
The most immediate practical change for travelling golfers is the shift from traditional county-level rankings to broader regional classifications. As the podcast hosts note, "most people couldn't find Wilshire on a map, even if you lived in England." The new system divides England into eight intuitive regions:
This reorganisation isn't just administrative—it's transformative for trip planning. Instead of trying to decipher which obscurely named county contains your target courses, you can now focus on the regions you're visiting. Want to play around London? The "London and Southeast" grouping immediately clarifies your options.
Architecture Trumps Reputation: The Fall of The Belfry
Perhaps the most telling indication of the new ranking philosophy is the dramatic exclusion of The Belfry from England's Top 100. This isn't just any course—it's a historically significant venue that has long been considered among England's finest. Its removal signals an uncompromising commitment to architectural merit over reputation or conditioning.
As the hosts bluntly put it: "We're about golf course architecture, right? It's not about how good your green keeping is." Courses struggling with drainage issues or prioritising manicured aesthetics over architectural integrity are being reassessed.
For the travelling golfer, this means the rankings now better reflect courses that offer the most architecturally interesting playing experience rather than those with the most immaculate conditions.
The Architectural Renaissance: Rising Stars
The Addington's Dramatic Ascent
No course exemplifies the new evaluation philosophy better than The Addington. This JF Abercromby design near London has rocketed up over 20 places thanks to an impressive restoration program that includes:
- Extensive tree removal opening up original vistas and strategic options
- Heather regeneration restoring the intended aesthetic and playability
- Routing improvements enhancing the flow and experience
- Creation of short game areas and alternative routing options
What makes The Addington's transformation so remarkable is the passionate stewardship driving it. As the podcast emphasises, having someone "who has educated himself on the minutiae of every single aspect" makes all the difference. With renowned architect CDP consulting and master shaper Mike Devres involved, The Addington is poised to continue its ascent, potentially reaching the heights of courses like Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and St. George's Hill.
For visitors, this means experiencing a course that combines historical architectural significance with modern restoration excellence—a rare combination.
The Cult Favourites Rising
England's ranking reshuffling has elevated several "cult favourites" that architecture aficionados have long championed. Courses like:
These courses might lack the manicured polish of resort destinations but offer architectural integrity and playing interest that reward the discerning golfer. Their rise reflects a broader appreciation for "rough and ready" courses with authentic character rather than manufactured perfection.
The Restoration Revolution: What Makes Good Courses Great
Perhaps the most valuable insight for the travelling golfer is understanding what separates good courses from great ones in the modern ranking philosophy. Several key factors emerge:
1. Tree Management Done Right
Tree removal has become a hallmark of quality restoration, but as the podcast warns, it must be done with expertise. A cautionary tale of a continental course that "actually looked worse after than before" due to improper tree removal underscores the importance of professional guidance.
2. Expanding Greens to Original Sizes
One of the simplest yet most effective restoration techniques is returning greens to their original dimensions. Over time, maintenance practices naturally shrink greens, limiting pin positions and strategic options. The podcast notes that even at world-class venues like Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, and St. George's Hill, "they still struggle with the same thing."
For visitors, courses that have reclaimed their original green expanses offer more interesting putting surfaces and approach shot challenges.
3. Heather Regeneration
The revival of traditional heathland aesthetics and playing characteristics through heather regeneration has dramatically elevated courses like The Addington. Sutton Coldfield is highlighted as another success story, where removing "trees and scrub" has allowed the heathland to thrive once again.
4. Proper Mowing Lines
Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference. Proper mowing patterns that reflect the original design intent can transform a course's strategic interest without major reconstruction. The hosts emphasise this as "just good hygiene of a golf course" that any venue can implement.
5. Bunker Restoration
While "renewing bunkers is not going to push it to the top of the ranking," thoughtful bunker restoration contributes significantly to a course's overall architectural integrity. Stoke Park is cited as a course that has benefited from this approach.
Planning Your England Golf Pilgrimage
For the golf traveller assembling an England itinerary, these insights suggest several approaches:
- Target the Rising Stars: Courses making big moves up the rankings often represent the best value and most exciting developments. The Addington and Wallasey should be high on your list.
- Don't Overlook Cult Favourites: Venues like Yelverton may lack mainstream recognition but offer architectural interest that exceeds their reputation.
- Look Beyond the Name: Historic reputation no longer guarantees a spot in the top rankings. Focus on courses that have embraced architectural restoration rather than those coasting on past glory.
- Regional Planning: Utilise the new regional classifications to build more efficient itineraries that maximise quality golf while minimising travel time.
- Watch for Restoration Projects: Courses undergoing significant restoration work often provide the most dynamic and interesting experiences as their original design intent is revealed.
The New Standards of Excellence
What's perhaps most exciting for travelling golfers is the podcast's suggestion that this movement could establish "the American standard to the UK of what it means to restore a golf course." With venues like The Addington and St. George's Hill potentially "setting the bar for restoration work," we're witnessing a golden age of British golf architecture rediscovery.
For those planning their next golf pilgrimage to England, these developments promise richer, more authentic experiences that showcase the best of classic design principles. The rankings no longer simply tell you where to play—they reveal which courses are committed to presenting their architectural heritage in its purest form.
Whether you're constructing an itinerary around London, exploring the rugged northwest coast, or venturing into the heathlands, understanding these architectural trends will transform your appreciation of England's golf treasures and ensure your next golf journey delivers memorable experiences that transcend the scorecard.
Movers & Shakers in the England Ranking
The following courses all moved down five or more spots in the latest ranking: St Mellion (Nicklaus), Wisley (Church & Garden), Lindrick, Sheringham, Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), Woburn (Marquess), Woburn (Dukes), Little Aston, Royal Birkdale, New Zealand, Wentworth (East), Remedy Oak, The Grove, and the Isle of Purbeck.
Alongside the courses that fell were those that saw the biggest rise: The Addington, Wallasey, Royal Worlington & Newmarket, Hayling, Huntercombe, Goswick, Blackmoor, Hadley Wood, Ashridge, Stoneham, Rye (Old), Seaton Carew (Micklem), and Cavendish.
The standout is The Addington with an incredible 22-spot rise, followed by Wallasey with a 16-spot rise.
Changing of the Guard
It is probably the Top 10 in the country that will be the most contentious. Sunningdale Old and New are now ranked 2nd and 3rd. Royal Lytham, St Enodoc, and Ganton all rise above Royal Birkdale - no doubt for the first time. Woodhall Spa also stumbles out of the Top 10 after being overtaken by Royal Cinque Ports, West Sussex and Rye.