When it comes to golf, the course is just as important as the clubs and balls. Golfers worldwide are always on the lookout for the best courses to play on. And what better way to find out which ones they are than through rankings? Here’s a look back at some of the most famous golf course rankings.
Golf Digest has been ranking courses since 1966. The publication first used a panel of experts who rated courses based on various criteria such as shot values, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics and conditioning. Later, in 1996, Golf Digest introduced their ‘America’s 100 Greatest Courses’ list that ranked American golf courses from one to 100.
The Golf Magazine also started ranking courses in 1985 with their Top 100 Courses in America list but eventually expanded it to include international destinations too. In recent years both publications have included separate lists for public access and private/exclusive courses.
But these two magazines aren’t alone when it comes to rating golf courses! Other popular publications such as Links Magazine and Golfweek also publish annual lists of top-rated golf courses across different categories like residential communities or resort destinations.
One highly anticipated ranking is that by GOLF.com – The World’s Top-100 Courses that ranks all the top-rated international destination golf resorts including those located in Europe, Asia-Pacific region and South Africa amongst others
While each publication uses its unique set of criteria while evaluating a course; there are some common factors that make up a great course irrespective of who is doing the evaluation:
1) Design: A well-designed golf course should be challenging yet playable for all skill levels.
2) Scenery: A visually stunning location can enhance any round of golf;
3) Course Condition: Well-maintained greens & fairways plus immaculate bunkers add value;
4) History: Some older renowned clubs have hosted major tournaments over time which adds additional prestige;
One of the most notable courses in the world, Augusta National Golf Club, is famous for hosting The Masters tournament each year. Ranked consistently at number one by various publications over the last few years, it’s a course that has been designed to test a golfer’s strategy and skill.
Another iconic golf course is St. Andrews Links in Scotland. Home to the oldest golf course in the world, it’s an important pilgrimage site for any keen golfer with its Old Course being ranked highly on many lists.
In recent years there has been a rise of new courses making their way into ranking lists. One such example is The Barnbougle Dunes resort in Tasmania which opened in 2004 and quickly became popular due to its stunning coastal views and challenging layout.
The Cabot Cliffs course located on Cape Breton Island off Canada’s East Coast also made waves after opening in 2016 with some critics comparing it favorably to Pebble Beach – another iconic American golf destination known for its dramatic coastline setting.
But rankings are not just limited to these high-end resorts; local public access courses too have also received recognition through various publications’ annual rankings. Pinehurst No.2 located in North Carolina which hosted both men’s and women’s U.S Open Championships was once again named America’s best public-access golf course by Golfweek magazine recently.
While rankings are subjective when it comes down to deciding who takes top honors as “the best,” they do play an important role within the sport of golf. They provide invaluable guidance for avid enthusiasts looking for great courses to add onto their bucket list while helping operators know what criteria they need to focus on improving if they want their clubs considered amongst the elite ones!