The Second Hundred Golf Courses of Scotland 2016

The World's Greatest Golf Courses Are More Accessible Than You Think For decades, golfers have dreamed about playing the world's best golf courses, only to discover that many top-ranked venues are private clubs accessible only through member invitations. That changes now with our groundbreaking Best Golf Courses in the World You Can Play ranking—the definitive list of world-class golf courses you can book with a simple phone call and credit card. About the Best Golf Courses You Can Play Ranking Top 100 Golf Courses has always focused on identifying the world's finest golf courses, regardless of accessibility. Our new Best Golf Courses in the World You Can Play ranking changes that approach by highlighting exceptional courses that welcome public play. This comprehensive ranking is a carefully curated derivative of our prestigious World Top 100 ranking, examining golf courses from both our main list and contenders that accept green fee players. The result: 70 of the world's most spectacular golf courses you can actually play. Key Differences from Traditional Rankings Unlike other "courses you can play" lists, our ranking focuses on true world-class quality rather than simply public accessibility. We've excluded most American private clubs (except resort destinations like Sand Valley and Bandon Dunes, plus publicly-owned courses like Bethpage Black) to focus on genuinely accessible world-class golf. Remarkable Statistics: World's Best Golf Made Accessible The numbers tell an incredible story about golf accessibility outside the United States: You can pay to play the world's #3-ranked golf course 5 of the world's top 10 courses are accessible via green fee 11 of the world's top 25 courses accept public bookings 23 of the world's top 50 courses welcome green fee players 56 of the world's top 100 courses are open to public play These statistics shatter the myth that golf's greatest venues are exclusively private. Great Britain & Ireland: The Undisputed Champion of Public Golf Our analysis reveals that Great Britain and Ireland dominates accessible world-class golf. The region's links courses represent golf in its purest form, and most welcome visitors who book in advance and pay appropriate green fees. Scotland leads with legendary venues like St. Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Turnberry. England contributes classics including Sunningdale and Royal St. George's. Ireland and Northern Ireland add gems like Lahinch and Royal County Down. Countries with World-Class Public Golf Courses Pay-and-Play Golf Powers The following countries offer their very best golf courses to green fee players: GB&I: England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Europe: Norway, Spain Asia: Australia, South Korea Americas: Bermuda, Dominican Republic Middle East: United Arab Emirates Africa: South Africa Australia and New Zealand: Accessibility Done Right Both Australia and New Zealand have embraced the British philosophy of making world-class golf accessible to visitors. Australia shines with 10 entries in our ranking, including Royal Melbourne West and the spectacular Cape Wickham Links. New Zealand contributes several outstanding courses, with only the ultra-exclusive Tara Iti as the exception to the general rule of accessible golf in New Zealand. American Golf: Resort Destinations Lead the Way While most top American courses remain private, several resort destinations offer world-class golf: Bandon Dunes Resort, Oregon - Features four courses in our top 70, establishing itself as the world's premier golf resort for serious players Sand Valley Resort, Wisconsin - Multiple courses including Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes Streamsong Resort, Florida - All three courses (Red, Blue, and Black) welcome public play Kiawah Island, South Carolina - The Ocean Course, site of multiple major championships Bethpage State Park, New York - The Black Course proves that municipal golf can achieve world-class status Booking Tips for the World's Best Public Golf Courses Advanced Planning Essential Most world-class courses accepting public play require advance booking: 6-12 months ahead for peak season at top venues Off-season opportunities often available with shorter notice Package deals through golf travel specialists can secure access Expert Golf Travel Planning: For golfers serious about accessing the world's best courses, consider partnering with specialists who understand the booking intricacies of elite venues. Lockhart Travel Club offers members exclusive access to world-class golf exploration and adventure, with expertise in securing tee times at the most sought-after courses globally. Their insider knowledge and established relationships can be invaluable when planning once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences at courses that typically book out months in advance. Green Fee Investment Expect premium pricing for premium golf: Links courses in Britain/Ireland: £100-400+ per round Australian championship courses: AUD $200-500+ per round American resort courses: $200-600+ per round Seasonal variations can significantly impact pricing Accommodation Packages Some courses offer preferential booking through on-site accommodation or partner hotels—particularly valuable for international visitors. Coming Soon: Value and Budget Rankings We're developing additional resources for golfers seeking world-class experiences at various price points: Lowest Price Best Golf Courses in the World You Can Play - Highlighting exceptional quality at accessible prices Value Indexed Best Golf Courses in the World You Can Play - Ranking courses by quality-to-price ratio The Future of Golf Accessibility Despite golf's reputation as an elitist sport, our research proves that the majority of the world's greatest golf courses (outside the USA) welcome visitors willing to pay green fees. This accessibility makes golf travel more rewarding than ever for passionate golfers. The Best Golf Courses in the World You Can Play ranking demonstrates that dream golf is more attainable than most golfers realize. Whether you're planning a pilgrimage to St. Andrews, a links tour of Scotland and Ireland, or an Australian golf adventure, world-class golf awaits your booking. Subscribe today to access detailed course profiles, booking information, and insider tips for playing the world's greatest accessible golf courses.

The 240 “Real Links” courses of Britain & Ireland Last month we published our inaugural rankings of the Top 100 Links Courses of Britain and Ireland. In that news release we promised to publish a full list of all the links courses in Britain & Ireland that we felt warranted the accolade of “Real Links”. We’ve previously mentioned publications that have listed courses which the authors felt qualified to be called “authentic links”, but we discovered some links courses within Britain & Ireland had been omitted while others had been included which we felt were not sufficiently links-like in nature. Our alphabetical list includes courses located within the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and on the Scottish islands as well as the two main islands of Britain and Ireland where the vast majority of “Real Links” courses are found. 240 courses in Britain and Ireland have made our Real Links list but we do not feature every one of them within our various ranking categories. Being a links course doesn’t automatically qualify clubs for entry into our rankings. Scotland can proudly lay claim to possessing more links courses than any other country, 100 in total. But there are 63 in Ireland (50 in the Republic and 13 in the North), 55 in England and 18 in Wales. We mustn’t ignore the trio of links gems on the Channel Islands and the mighty Castletown on the Isle of Man. We fully expect this list to stimulate debate and we’d like nothing more than to receive comments about any links courses that we have omitted or any that we’ve included which you feel are not genuine. But, before you contact us, we should explain our selection criteria. Of the 240 listed links courses (the list includes a mixture of layouts ranging from nine to eighteen holes) not every hole on every course is necessarily a real links hole. We decided that if at least 50% of the holes on any course are genuine links holes, the course made it on to our final list. There are many points of argument and debate as to what constitutes a real links course. For example, we could discuss grass types for a very long time. Purists argue that meadow grass has no place on links courses, but the reality is that poa annua is prevalent on some. Until 2016, the greens on the Old course at Ballybunion were dominated by poa annua, but no author dreamt of uttering the suggestion that Ballybunion was not a links course. Our Interpretation of "Links" After much thought and consideration we think we’ve taken a pragmatic view, which we believe is fair and reasonable. Some links courses will play homage to the ground game more enthusiastically than others, but you’ll find mostly the spirit of true links within the courses we’ve listed. Here’s our list of the 240 links courses in Britain & Ireland that we genuinely believe deserve the “Real Links” title: Course Contact us if you disagree – our aim is to get it right – and if we agree with your assertions we’ll correct our list. Treat this iteration as version one because we fully expect to refine the listing in light of feedback received. The following courses were carefully considered and debated at length but we couldn't quite find enough evidence to include them within our list:

The biennial Ryder Cup matches have graced some of golf's most celebrated courses since 1927, creating an unparalleled legacy across two continents. These twenty-five championship layouts have witnessed the sport's greatest team battles, from crushing defeats to miraculous victories that have defined professional golf's most coveted team trophy. Each venue stands as a testament to architectural excellence and competitive drama. For comprehensive rankings of these legendary venues, explore our detailed analyses: Best European Ryder Cup Venues, Best USA Ryder Cup Venues, and the complete Top 25 Ryder Cup Venues ranking. Fancy a flutter on the Ryder Cup? Betway is dedicated to providing the best in online betting. Enhance your enjoyment of the Ryder Cup with Betway! The Ryder Cup - Golf's Ultimate Stage What began as a friendly competition between American and British professionals has transformed into the sport's most intense team rivalry. The inclusion of continental Europeans in 1979 revolutionised the matches, creating the modern era's nail-biting contests that have elevated these courses to legendary status in golf history. 1. Muirfield - The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers Hosted: 1973 | Final Score: USA 19-13 Home to The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, established in 1744 as golf's oldest verifiable club, Muirfield broke new ground as Scotland's first Ryder Cup host. The East Lothian links, originally crafted by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and masterfully redesigned by Harry Colt in 1925, presented a formidable test that featured the competition's inaugural hole-in-one. 2. Oakland Hills Country Club - South Course Hosted: 2004 | Final Score: Europe 18½-9½ Michigan's Oakland Hills delivered European golf's most emphatic victory on American soil during the 35th matches. Donald Ross's 1918 masterpiece proved the perfect stage for Bernhard Langer's tactical brilliance, as Europe dominated from start to finish in what became a watershed moment for international team golf. 3. Pinehurst Resort No. 2 Hosted: 1951 | Final Score: USA 9½-2½ The North Carolina Sandhills witnessed American supremacy at its peak when Ben Hogan and Sam Snead's powerhouse squad demolished Great Britain. Donald Ross's crown jewel, which he proclaimed his "fairest championship test," provided the backdrop for one-sided matches that epitomised the pre-European era's competitive imbalance. 4. Bethpage State Park - Black Course Upcoming: 2025 A.W. Tillinghast's 1936 municipal masterpiece will make history as New York's second Ryder Cup host, representing public golf's highest achievement. The Long Island layout's democratic accessibility and championship pedigree embody American golf's inclusive spirit while promising to challenge the world's elite. 5. Oak Hill Country Club - East Course Hosted: 1995 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Rochester's Donald Ross gem witnessed European hearts breaking American dreams when Philip Walton's nerveless final-hole performance secured continental glory. The New York venue's tree-lined majesty has welcomed every major championship, cementing its status among America's most versatile championship tests. 6. Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club Hosted: 1961, 1977 | Final Scores: USA 14½-9½, USA 12½-7½ Lancashire's railway-flanked links earned Bernard Darwin's immortal description as "a beast of a course, but a just beast." Royal Lytham & St Annes twice watched American dominance in the twilight years before European inclusion, with the 1977 matches marking the final Great Britain & Ireland contest. 7. Ganton Golf Club Hosted: 1949 | Final Score: USA 7-5 Yorkshire's heathland jewel showcased Ben Hogan's post-accident resilience as American captain while delivering Britain's closest challenge of the immediate post-war period. The inland links hybrid, blessed with North Sea characteristics, demonstrated championship golf's finest architectural principles during September's dramatic conclusion. 8. Royal Birkdale Golf Club Hosted: 1965, 1969 | Final Scores: USA 19½-12½, Tied 16-16 Southport's towering dunes provided the stage for sportsmanship's defining moment when Jack Nicklaus conceded Tony Jacklin's crucial putt, creating the competition's first deadlock. Royal Birkdale established the template for gracious competition that continues to influence modern matches. 9. Whistling Straits - Straits Course Hosted: 2021 | Final Score: USA 19-9 Wisconsin's manufactured links delivered America's most comprehensive modern triumph, with Lake Michigan's winds witnessing Dustin Johnson's historic perfect record. Pete Dye's artificial seaside creation proved that manufactured drama could match natural theatre in producing unforgettable championship moments. 10. Real Club Valderrama Hosted: 1997 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Andalusia's cork oak-lined masterpiece shattered geographical barriers as the first continental host, with Seve Ballesteros orchestrating European triumph on Spanish soil. Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s precision-demanding layout proved the perfect canvas for continental golf's coming-of-age celebration. 11. Walton Heath Golf Club Hosted: 1981 | Final Score: USA 18½-9½ Surrey's emergency host delivered American dominance when construction delays forced a venue change from The Belfry. Walton Heath's heathland classic's strategic challenges couldn't prevent the United States' commanding performance during Europe's transitional period following continental inclusion. 12. Kiawah Island Golf Resort - Ocean Course Hosted: 1991 | Final Score: USA 14½-13½ South Carolina's windswept peninsula created the "War by the Shore," where Bernhard Langer's missed putt on the final green handed America victory in golf's most tension-filled conclusion. Pete Dye's oceanside links established the template for dramatic match finishes. 13. The Country Club - Brookline Hosted: 1999 | Final Score: USA 14½-13½ Massachusetts witnessed the "Miracle of Brookline" when Justin Leonard's impossible 45-foot putt sparked America's greatest comeback from a seemingly hopeless position. The historic Boston-area venue proved that championship golf's oldest venues could still produce modern magic. 14. Scioto Country Club Hosted: 1931 | Final Score: USA 9-3 Ohio's sweltering heat intensified American dominance during the competition's fourth edition, establishing patterns of home-soil success that would define early matches. 15. Olympic Club - Lake Course Future Host: 2033 San Francisco's fog-shrouded challenge will bring Pacific Coast golf to the international stage, promising that California's unique coastal conditions will test the world's finest players. Returning to California for the first time since 1959 (Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells), the Ryder Cup's return to the West Coast at the Olympic Club will be marvellous. 16. Muirfield Village Golf Club Hosted: 1987 | Final Score: Europe 15-13 Jack Nicklaus's Ohio tribute to Scottish Muirfield backfired spectacularly when Europe claimed their first American victory on the Golden Bear's home course. The designer-captain's strategic masterpiece couldn't prevent Tony Jacklin's tactical triumph in this watershed European success. 17. Ridgewood Country Club Hosted: 1935 | Final Score: USA 9-3 New Jersey's parkland test restored American confidence following Great Britain's 1933 breakthrough, demonstrating home advantage during the competition's pre-war consolidation period. 18. Medinah Country Club No. 3 Hosted: 2012 | Final Score: Europe 14½-13½ Illinois witnessed European golf's greatest resurrection when José María Olazábal's team overcame a commanding deficit through Sunday's extraordinary singles surge. The Chicago-area venue's championship pedigree couldn't prevent one of sport's most stunning turnarounds. 19. East Lake Golf Club Hosted: 1963 | Final Score: USA 23-9 Atlanta's historic venue delivered the most lopsided result in competition history, showcasing American professional golf's overwhelming superiority during the pre-European era. The Georgia course demonstrated how format changes couldn't address the fundamental competitive imbalance. 20. Wentworth Club - West Course Hosted: 1953 | Result: USA 6½-5½ Surrey's "Burma Road" provided early evidence of improving British competitiveness while maintaining American superiority during the 1950s. Harry Colt's parkland masterpiece has remained European professional golf's spiritual home through decades of championship hosting. 21. Hazeltine National Golf Club Hosted: 2016, Future: 2029 | Result: USA 17-11 Minnesota's championship layout will achieve unique status as America's first repeat Ryder Cup host when matches return in 2029. The 2016 success ended European dominance while establishing precedent for venue revisitation in the modern era. 22. Adare Manor Future Host: 2027 Ireland's luxury resort will showcase Tom Fazio's championship redesign when County Limerick welcomes golf's greatest team competition. The renovated course promises to combine Irish hospitality with world-class championship conditions. 23. Laurel Valley Golf Club Hosted: 1975 | Final Score: USA 21-11 Pennsylvania's exclusive venue marked the final overwhelming American victory before European inclusion transformed competitive balance. The mountain course's championship test couldn't prevent the predictable outcome that prompted format reconsideration. 24. Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club Hosted: 1933, 1937 | Final Scores: GB 6½-5½, USA 8-4 Lancashire's seaside links experienced contrasting fortunes during the 1930s, celebrating Britain's last pre-war triumph before witnessing America's inaugural overseas victory. 25. Moortown Golf Club Hosted: 1929 | Final Score: GB 7-5 Yorkshire's Alister MacKenzie design provided the stage for Great Britain's second victory, establishing early hope that would sustain the competition through decades of American dominance. Championship Legacy These legendary courses represent golf's architectural evolution and competitive development over nearly a century. From Scottish links tradition to American championship innovation, each venue has contributed unique characteristics to the sport's most celebrated team competition. Additional Championship Venues Beyond these top 25, several other distinguished courses have hosted Ryder Cup matches, each adding their own chapter to the competition's rich history: Le Golf National - Albatros Course (2018, Europe 17½-10½) - France's national course delivered European dominance in Paris, with Francesco Molinari's perfect record highlighting continental excellence. Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (2023, Europe 16½-11½) - Rome's Jim Fazio design showcased Italian hospitality while witnessing Europe's commanding victory in the competition's first visit to Italy. The Belfry - Brabazon Course (1985, 1989, 1993, 2002) - Warwickshire's purpose-built venue hosted more matches than any other course, becoming synonymous with European Ryder Cup success during four memorable encounters. Celtic Manor Resort - Twenty Ten Course (2010, Europe 14½-13½) - Wales' modern championship layout battled weather delays to deliver European triumph in the competition's wettest finish. The K Club - Palmer North Course (2006, Europe 18½-9½) - Ireland's Arnold Palmer design provided the stage for European dominance during an emotional week marked by Darren Clarke's inspiring performance. Gleneagles Hotel - PGA Centenary Course (2014, Europe 16½-11½) - Scotland's Jack Nicklaus-designed course witnessed a comprehensive European victory in the Highlands' championship debut. Valhalla Golf Club (2008, USA 16½-11½) - Kentucky's Jack Nicklaus design delivered rare American success during Europe's dominant period of the 2000s. Worcester Country Club (1927, USA 9½-2½) - Massachusetts hosted the inaugural official matches, establishing the competition's foundation with a decisive American victory. Champions Golf Club (1967, USA 23½-8½) - Texas witnessed overwhelming American dominance during the format's expansion era. PGA National Golf Club (1983, USA 14½-13½) - Florida's challenging layout produced the decade's closest contest during competitive balance emergence. Lindrick Golf Club (1957, GB 7½-4½) - Yorkshire's surprise hosted Great Britain's breakthrough victory, ending American dominance and revitalising competition interest. The Greenbrier (1979, USA 17-11) - West Virginia's Sam Snead course marked the European era's beginning with the first continental team inclusion. Old Warson Country Club (1971, USA 18½-13½), Portland Golf Club (1947, USA 11-1), Eldorado Country Club (1959, USA 8½-3½), and Thunderbird Country Club (1955, USA 8-4) each contributed to the competition's development during various evolutionary phases. The diverse collection demonstrates how great architecture transcends geographical boundaries, creating universal tests that challenge the world's finest players. As future venues prepare to join this exclusive fraternity, they assume the responsibility of maintaining the standards established by golf's greatest championship courses.