Every year many of the golf magazines take a poll of numerous experts to see which courses they would rate the best. In 2012 Golf Monthly announced its Top 100 UK and Ireland golf courses. Feel free to agree or disagree with them but as you can see there is some legendary courses in their list.
1 Muirfield – Golf was first played here in 1891 on 18 holes laid out by Old Tom Morris.
2 Royal County Down – Championship
3 Old Course, St Andrews Links
4 Turnberry – Ailsa
5 Royal Birkdale
6 Royal St George’s
7 Royal Lytham & St Annes
8 Carnoustie – Championship
9 Royal Dornoch – Championship
10 Sunningdale – New
11 Waterville – Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.
12 Royal Portrush – Dunluce
13 Ballybunion – Old
14 Sunningdale – Old
15 Royal Liverpool
16 Kingsbarns
17 The European Club
18 Woodhall Spa – Hotchkin
19 Royal Aberdeen – Balgownie
20 Ganton
21 Loch Lomond – The scenery at Loch Lomond is idyllic, with the mountains rising up behind the water to create a dramatic backdrop.
22 Doonbeg
23 Lahinch – Old
24 Royal Troon – Old
25 Castle Stuart
26 St Georges Hill – Red & Blue
27 Walton Heath – Old
28 Royal Porthcawl
29 Portmarnock – Red & Blue
30 Hillside
31 North Berwick – Steeped in tradition dating from 1832, providing generous hospitality and a testing golf challenge.
32 Nairn – Championship
33 Old Head
34 Swinley Forrest
35 Wentworth – West
36 Gleneagles – King’s
37 Burnham & Berrow – Championship
38 Formby
39 Saunton – East
40 The Berkshire – Red
41 St Enodoc – Church is a James Braid design that enjoys a justified reputation as one of the West Country’s finest links layouts.
42 Rosapenna – Sandy Hill
43 Prestwick
44 Hankley Common
45 Royal West Norfolk
46 Royal St David’s
47 Royal Cinque Ports
48 Notts
49 Walton Heath – New
50 Machrihanish
51 Tralee – This stunning setting represents a true paradise for those willing to challenge what is widely acclaimed as one of the finest links courses in the world.
52 Western Gailes
53 Silloth On Solway
54 West Sussex
55 The Alwoodley
56 County Loth
57 Saunton – West
58 Aberdovey
59 Blairgowrie – Rosemount
60 The Berkshire – Blue
61 Rye – The Old course remains substantially the same as the 1938 shape except for further gravel working to the right of the 11th hole.
62 Gleneagles – Queen’s
63 Lough Erne
64 Southport & Ainsdale
65 K Club – Palmer Ryder Cup
66 New Course, St Andrews Links
67 Worplesdon
68 Moortown
69 Hunstanton
70 Trevose – Championship
71 Druids Glen – Known as “The Augusta of Europe” this famous course designed by Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock, opened in 1995.
72 Gullane – No.1
73 Liphook
74 Ballyliffin – Glashedy
75 Royal North Devon
76 West Lancashire
77 Aldeburgh
78 The Belfry – Brabazon
79 The Island
80 Woburn – Marquess
81 Bearwood Lakes – Bearwood Lakes meanders through a backdrop of mature pines, beach and oak trees with water coming into play on seven of the 18 magnificent holes
82 The Grove
83 Mount Juliet
84 Ladybank
85 Wentworth – East
86 Renaissance
87 Killarney – Killeen
88 West Hill
89 Cruden Bay
90 Portmarnock Links
91 The Castle Course, St Andrews Links – Set on a rugged cliffline overlooking the ancient town of St Andrews, the course combines breathtaking views with a memorable golfing challenge.
92 Sherwood Forest
93 The Wisley – Church & Mill
94 Woburn Duchess’
95 Nefyn & District – Old
96 Carne
97 Woburn – Duke’s
98 Adare Manor
99 Woking
100 Royal Worlington & Newmarket – The golf course was founded in 1893 and is the home course of Cambridge University.