Honestly, trying to pin down the definitive "best" anything is a fool's errand. But when you're talking about the top 100 golf courses in the world, the stakes feel weirdly high. It’s not just about grass and sand. It’s about history, bragging rights, and—let's be real—spending a small fortune on a bucket-list trip.
For 2026, the rankings have settled into a predictable rhythm, yet there’s a quiet shakeup happening. Pine Valley still sits on its throne in the New Jersey scrubland like a king who refuses to age. It’s been at the top since the mid-80s. But does that mean it’s actually the "best" to play? Ask a hundred guys at your local muni and you’ll get a hundred different answers.
Why the top 100 golf courses in the world keep changing
The list isn't a museum. It's more like a living, breathing ecosystem. Lately, we've seen this massive shift toward "minimalist" design. Basically, architects like Tom Doak or the duo Coore & Crenshaw are getting rewarded for doing less. They find a piece of land that already looks like a golf course and just... stop.
Take a look at Childress Hall in Texas. It just debuted at number 73. A few years ago, nobody was talking about golf in Childress. Now, it’s the darling of the panelists because it feels raw. It’s not over-manicured. It doesn't look like a suburban lawn on steroids. That’s what people want now.
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The Heavy Hitters You Already Know
- Pine Valley (USA): Still the benchmark. It’s private, impossible to get into, and supposedly has 18 of the most distinct holes in existence.
- Cypress Point (USA): Alister MacKenzie’s masterpiece on the Monterey Peninsula. If Pine Valley is the test, Cypress is the romance.
- St. Andrews Old Course (Scotland): The literal "Home of Golf." It’s quirky. It’s got double greens. If you don't appreciate the history, you'll probably hate the blind shots.
- Royal County Down (Northern Ireland): Often cited as the most beautiful course on the planet. The Mountains of Mourne in the background are basically cheating.
There’s a tension here, though. You’ve got the old-school legends like Shinnecock Hills and National Golf Links of America (NGLA) holding firm in the top ten, while "new" classics like Sand Hills in Nebraska keep proving that you don't need an ocean to be world-class.
The "Secret" Movers of 2026
If you’re actually planning a trip, looking at the top five is kind of useless. You aren't getting into Pine Valley unless you know a guy who knows a guy. But look further down the list.
Shanqin Bay in China just rocketed up 31 spots. It’s a coastal beast on Hainan Island. Then there’s Lofoten Links in Norway—it jumped 22 spots. You’re playing golf under the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle. Is it "better" than Oakmont? Probably not in a technical sense. But is it an experience you'll remember longer? Absolutely.
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The 2025-26 rankings also saw some heartbreak. Gamble Sands, once a staple at the bottom of the list, fell off entirely. It’s a reminder that the world is building incredible golf at a frantic pace. If you aren't improving, you're dying.
Public vs. Private: The Accessibility Gap
It's kind of a bummer that so many of the world's greatest courses are private. But the tide is turning. Look at the "Cabot" effect. Cabot Saint Lucia (Point Hardy) just crashed the party at number 69. It’s a resort. You can actually play it. Same goes for the Bandon Dunes collection in Oregon. Pacific Dunes (35) and Bandon Trails (76) are proof that you can have a world-class experience without a silver spoon in your mouth.
What most people get wrong about these rankings
People treat the top 100 golf courses in the world like a checklist. "I played number 12, now I need number 11." That’s a miserable way to enjoy the game.
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Expert raters—the folks at Golf Magazine or Golf Digest—are looking at "Resistance to Scoring" and "Aesthetics." You? You're probably looking for a good time and a burger that doesn't cost forty bucks. Sometimes a course ranked 90th is way more fun than a course ranked 10th that beats your brains out for four hours.
Take Merion (East) for example. It's eighth. It’s tiny. It’s cramped. It’s brilliant. But if you’re a high handicapper, it might just feel like a very expensive way to lose twenty balls. Meanwhile, North Berwick in Scotland (number 25) is pure fun. It has a wall you have to hit over. A wall! It’s "quirky" in the best way.
Planning your "Top 100" pilgrimage
If you're serious about hitting these spots, you need a strategy. Don't just fly to one course. Aim for clusters.
- The Monterey Trio: Pebble Beach, Cypress Point (if you're lucky), and Spyglass Hill.
- The Long Island gauntlet: Shinnecock, NGLA, Maidstone, and Garden City.
- The Scottish Highlands: Royal Dornoch (which jumped to 12) and Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart).
Keep an eye on the newcomers. 2026 is seeing a massive influx of "short courses" and accessible gems. Tiger Woods’s TGR Design is opening "The Q School" at Cobbs Creek in Philly. It’s a 9-hole short course that's part of a massive restoration. It won't be in the Top 100 next year, but it represents where golf is going: faster, funnier, and less stuffy.
Actionable Insight for the Road: Stop chasing the number next to the name. If you want to play a Top 100 course this year, look for the "climbers." Courses like Sand Valley’s The Lido or Tara Iti in New Zealand are where the energy is. Book your tee times at least a year out for anything in the UK or Ireland. Seriously. If you wait until the summer to book St. Andrews or Royal County Down for a 2026 trip, you’re already too late. Start with the "Top 100 Golf Courses" website to see who allows public play, then verify directly with the club's secretary. Don't trust third-party booking sites with these kinds of greens fees.