As of 2025, all users of Top 100 Golf Courses can leave a rating when submitting a review. We believe this is important and appreciated by our users. Honest yet fair reviews and ratings matter in a world where glowing platitudes are seemingly always for sale.
Travelling golfers differ tremendously in what they feel is important or should be weighed and measured. We openly publish our Ranking Guidance for Panellists but also realise most will differ in their approach. As well, many golfers haven't had the privilege to see and experience a truly world-class golf course, as many are inaccessible for one reason or another. Hence, the barometer of average, good, excellent and perfection can vary tremendously.
Some individuals have visited clubs as Top 100 Golf Courses Raters and Reviewers, which is somewhat misleading, unintentionally or otherwise. Potentially soon, Top 100 Users will be able to leave a 'Score'. Top 100 Panellists will be able to leave a 'Rating'.
It started as a 6 6-ball rating System, and later 1/2 1/2-ball increments were added to help add more nuance. Currently, the rating system stands as such:
1 - Very Poor
2 - Poor
2 1/2 - Fair
3 - Average
3 1/2 - Above Average
4 - Good
4 1/2 - Very Good
5 - Excellent
5 1/2 - Outstanding
6 - Perfection
As ratings have become more popular, we have noted that a scale of 3, 5 and 10 has emerged. With regards to a set of 3 (Bronze, Silver & Gold or Good, Better & Best) has become widely used. 5-star ratings for hotels and vacations are widely understood. A base 10 rating is also very common.
Whilst our current system offers 10 options, the 1-6 rating isn't intuitively recognised or understood. Moving to a base 5 system will be more intuitive and better understood.
We hope this current review and explanation of the proposed rating system make sense and will give the travelling golfer more confidence when planning their next golf adventure.
