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Welcome to Golfweek's Best 2026 ranking of the Top 100 International Courses, our list of the greatest layouts outside the U.S.
The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate golf courses around the world and rate them based on 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those individual ratings on each course are averaged to produce an overall rating. Each course is then ranked against other courses in the region.
This list focuses on the golf courses themselves, not resorts as a whole or other club amenities. Each golf course included is listed with its average rating from 1 to 10, its 2025 ranking, its location, architect(s) and the year it opened. Courses must meet a minimum threshold of votes to qualify, and it can take several years for a layout to garner enough votes to show up on this list.
* indicates new or returning to this list
Average rating: 8.96
2025 ranking: 1
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Architect(s): George L. Baillie, Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry S. Colt, Donald Steel
Year opened: 1889
Average rating: 8.75
2025 ranking: 2
Location: St. Andrews, Scotland
Architect(s): Unknown first designer, Old Tom Morris
Year opened: Unknown
Average rating: 8.71
2025 ranking: 4
Location: Dornoch, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, John Sutherland, George Duncan, Tom Mackenzie
Year opened: 1877
Average rating: 8.65
2025 ranking: 6
Location: Gullane, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1891
Average rating: 8.63
2025 ranking: 3
Location: Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1926
Average rating: 8.55
2025 ranking: 8
Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Martin Ebert
Year opened: 1929
Average rating: 8.54
2025 ranking: 10
Location: Mangawhai, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2015
Average rating: 8.51
2025 ranking: 9
Location: Hyogo, Japan
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1932
Average rating: 8.49
2025 ranking: 7
Location: Hainan, China
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2012
Average rating: 8.43
2025 ranking: 5
Location: Cap Estate, Saint Lucia
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2023
Average rating: 8.41
2025 ranking: 10
Location: Sunningdale, England
Architect(s): Willie Park Jr., Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1901
Average rating: 8.35
2025 ranking: 12
Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2015
Average rating: 8.35
2025 ranking: 13
Location: Turnberry, Scotland
Architect(s): Willie Fernie, Mackenzie Ross, Martin Ebert, Tom MacKenzie
Year opened: 1901
Average rating: 8.31
2025 ranking: 14
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Architect(s): James McKenna, Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson, Tom Watson
Year opened: 1893
Average rating: 8.23
2025 ranking: 15
Location: Sandwich, England
Architect(s): Laidlaw Purves
Year opened: 1887
Average rating: 8.21
2025 ranking: 16
Location: Mortefontaine, France
Architect(s): Tom Simpson, Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 1927
Average rating: 8.19
2025 ranking: 17
Location: Bridport, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Tom Doak, Michael Clayton
Year opened: 2004
Average rating: 8.15
2025 ranking: 19
Location: Tomarata, New Zealand
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2022
Average rating: 8.13
2025 ranking: 18
Location: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2004
Average rating: 8.12
2025 ranking: 20
Location: North Berwick, Scotland
Architect(s): David Strath, Ben Sayers
Year opened: 1832
Average rating: 8.10
2025 ranking: 22
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Dan Souter, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1925
Average rating: 8.10
2025 ranking: 28
Location: King Island, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Mike Devries
Year opened: 2015
Average rating: 8.08
2025 ranking: 21
Location: Vidauban, France
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Year opened: 1999
Average rating: 8.01
2025 ranking: 24
Location: Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones
Year opened: 1997
Average rating: 8.00
2025 ranking: 25
Location: Southport, England
Architect(s): George Lowe, F.G. Hawtree, J.H. Taylor
Year opened: 1897
Average rating: 7.97
2025 ranking: 27
Location: Lahinch, Ireland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Charles Gibson, Alister MacKenzie, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1894
Average rating: 7.96
2025 ranking: 26
Location: Ascot, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1909
Average rating: 7.92
2025 ranking: 29
Location: Carnoustie, Scotland
Architect(s): Robert Chambers, Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid
Year opened: 1830s
Average rating: 7.92
Location: Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Architect(s): Peter Matkovich, Louis Oosthuizen
Year opened: 2023
Average rating: 7.89
2025 ranking: 30
Location: Kingsbarns, Scotland
Architect(s): Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 2000
Average rating: 7.87
2025 ranking: 31
Location: Balmedie, Scotland
Architect(s): Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 2012
Average rating: 7.85
2025 ranking: 23
Location: Tomarata, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2023
Average rating: 7.83
Location: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Architect(s): David Dale
Year opened: 2009
Average rating: 7.81
2025 ranking: 32
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1930
Average rating: 7.80
2025 ranking: 33
Location: Porthcawl, Wales
Architect(s): Ramsey Hunter, J. Simpson
Year opened: 1895
Average rating: 7.79
2025 ranking: 34
Location: Weybridge, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1913
Average rating: 7.78
2025 ranking: 34
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1927
Average rating: 7.78
2025 ranking: 36
Location: Bridport, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2010
Average rating: 7.75
2025 ranking: 37
Location: Wassenaar, Netherlands
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1938
Average rating: 7.74
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Cruden Bay, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler
Year opened: 1899
Average rating: 7.74
2025 ranking: 49
Location: Matauri Bay, New Zealand
Architect(s): David Harman, Rees Jones
Year opened: 2000
Average rating: 7.72
2025 ranking: 38
Location: La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1928
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Jack Nicklaus
Year opened: 2006
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Sunningdale, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, John Morrison
Year opened: 1923
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1925
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 44
Location: Scarborough, England
Architect(s): Tom Chisholm, Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Harry S. Colt, Alister MacKenzie, Tom Simpson, C.K. Cotton
Year opened: 1891
Average rating: 7.70
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Lytham St. Annes, England
Architect(s): George Lowe, Harry S. Colt, Herbert Fowler, Tom Simpson, C.K. Cotton
Year opened: 1897
Average rating: 7.69
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman
Year opened: 2012
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 51
Location: Troon, Scotland
Architect(s): George Strath, Willie Fernie, James Braid
Year opened: 1878
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 48
Location: Woodhall Spa, England
Architect(s): Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, Harry S. Colt, Stafford Vere Hotchkin, Tom Doak
Year opened: 1905
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 38
Location: Namhae, South Korea
Architect(s): Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 2013
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 38
Location: Isle of Jura, Scotland
Architect(s): Bob Harrison
Year opened: 2017
Average rating: 7.66
2025 ranking: 53
Location: Shizuoka, Japan
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1936
Average rating: 7.66
2025 ranking: 49
Location: Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Architect(s): Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf
Year opened: 1993
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 54
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Mark Parsinen
Year opened: 2009
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 51
Location: Letterkenny, Ireland
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2021
Average rating: 7.64
Location: Balmedie, Scotland
Architect(s): Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 2025
Average rating: 7.63
2025 ranking: 55
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Joe Carr, Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins
Year opened: 1997
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): William Meader, Oscar Damman, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1927
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 58
Location: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1937
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 96
Location: Jeju Island, South Korea
Architect(s): Ron Fream, David Dale
Year opened: 2001
Average rating: 7.58
2025 ranking: 55
Location: La Romana, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Pete Dye
Year opened: 1971
Average rating: 7.57
Location: Chuncheon, South Korea
Architect(s): Ted Robinson Jr., Eric Iverson
Year opened: 2011
Average rating: 7.57
2025 ranking: 55
Location: Quilchena, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman, Richard Zokol, Armen Suny
Year opened: 2009
Average rating: 7.52
2025 ranking: 61
Location: Wadebridge, England
Architect(s): James Braid
Year opened: 1907
Average rating: 7.52
2025 ranking: 59
Location: Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner
Year opened: 2021
Average rating: 7.50
2025 ranking: 63
Location: Waterville, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Tom Fazio
Year opened: 1973
Average rating: 7.50
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Bosch en Duin, Netherlands
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1929
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Portmarnock, Ireland
Architect(s): George Ross, W.C. Pickeman, Mungo Park
Year opened: 1894
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Bridge of Don, Scotland
Architect(s): Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson, James Braid
Year opened: 1888
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 70
Location: Deal, England
Architect(s): Henry Hunter, James Braid, Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1892
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 70
Location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1915
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 80
Location: Ottershaw, England
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd
Year opened: 2001
Average rating: 7.48
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Rye, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Sir Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1894
Average rating: 7.47
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Architect(s): Davis Love III
Year opened: 2009
Average rating: 7.45
2025 ranking: 75
Location: Machrihanish, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, J.H. Taylor, Sir Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1876
Average rating: 7.44
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Hyogo, Japan
Architect(s): H.C. Crane, Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1920
Average rating: 7.43
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Leeds, England
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1907
Average rating: 7.43
2025 ranking: 61
Location: Cape Schanck, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Michael Woolveridge, Tom Doak
Year opened: 2000
Average rating: 7.41
2025 ranking: 79
Location: Caledon East, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry
Year opened: 1992
Average rating: 7.40
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Alex Russell, Mick Morcam
Year opened: 1931
Average rating: 7.40
2025 ranking: 81
Location: George, South Africa
Architect(s): Gary Player
Year opened: 2000
Average rating: 7.39
2025 ranking: 76
Location: Tadworth, England
Architect(s): Herbert Fowler
Year opened: 1903
Average rating: 7.39
2025 ranking: 84
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1912
Average rating: 7.36
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Belmullet, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Ally McIntosh, Jim Engh
Year opened: 2017
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 83
Location: Morfontaine, France
Architect(s): Tom Simpson
Year opened: 1913
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Gimoysand, Norway
Architect(s): Jeremy Turner
Year opened: 2015
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 82
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman
Year opened: 2003
Average rating: 7.34
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Goodwood, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Donald Steel, Martin Ebert, Tom Mackenzie
Year opened: 2011
Average rating: 7.33
2025 ranking: 84
Location: Sayama, Japan
Architect(s): Komei Otani, Gil Hanse
Year opened: 1940
Average rating: 7.32
2025 ranking: 92
Location: Kirkby in Ashfield, England
Architect(s): Willie Park Jr., J.H. Taylor, Tom Williamson
Year opened: 1901
Average rating: 7.32
2025 ranking: 86
Location: Panorama, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Doug Carrick
Year opened: 1999
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 93
Location: Prestwick, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris
Year opened: 1851
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 95
Location: Irvine, Scotland
Architect(s): Fred Morris, F.W. Hawtree
Year opened: 1898
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 86
Location: Seaton, South Australia, Australia
Architect(s): H.L. Rymill, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1906
Average rating: 7.28
Location: Tralee, Ireland
Architect(s): Arnold Palmer
Year opened: 1984
Average rating: 7.28
2025 ranking: 96
Location: St. George’s, Bermuda
Architect(s): Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor
Year opened: 1921
Average rating: 7.28
2025 ranking: 60
Location: Hyopo, Japan
Architect(s): Osamu Ueda
Year opened: 1961
Average rating: 7.27
2025 ranking: 76
Location: St. James, Barbados
Architect(s): Ron Kirby
Year opened: 2022
Average rating: 7.27
2025 ranking: 98
Location: North Berwick, Scotland
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2008
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek's Best 2026: Top 100 international courses outside U.S.
Continue reading...
The hundreds of members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate golf courses around the world and rate them based on 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those individual ratings on each course are averaged to produce an overall rating. Each course is then ranked against other courses in the region.
This list focuses on the golf courses themselves, not resorts as a whole or other club amenities. Each golf course included is listed with its average rating from 1 to 10, its 2025 ranking, its location, architect(s) and the year it opened. Courses must meet a minimum threshold of votes to qualify, and it can take several years for a layout to garner enough votes to show up on this list.
* indicates new or returning to this list
1. Royal County Down (Championship)
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Average rating: 8.96
2025 ranking: 1
Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Architect(s): George L. Baillie, Old Tom Morris, George Combe, Harry S. Colt, Donald Steel
Year opened: 1889
2. St. Andrews (Old Course)
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Average rating: 8.75
2025 ranking: 2
Location: St. Andrews, Scotland
Architect(s): Unknown first designer, Old Tom Morris
Year opened: Unknown
3. Royal Dornoch (Championship)
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Average rating: 8.71
2025 ranking: 4
Location: Dornoch, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, John Sutherland, George Duncan, Tom Mackenzie
Year opened: 1877
4. Muirfield
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Average rating: 8.65
2025 ranking: 6
Location: Gullane, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1891
5. Royal Melbourne (West)
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Average rating: 8.63
2025 ranking: 3
Location: Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1926
6. Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
Average rating: 8.55
2025 ranking: 8
Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Martin Ebert
Year opened: 1929
7. Tara Iti
Average rating: 8.54
2025 ranking: 10
Location: Mangawhai, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2015
8. Hirono
Average rating: 8.51
2025 ranking: 9
Location: Hyogo, Japan
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1932
9. Shanqin Bay
Average rating: 8.49
2025 ranking: 7
Location: Hainan, China
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2012
10. Cabot Saint Lucia (Point Hardy)
Average rating: 8.43
2025 ranking: 5
Location: Cap Estate, Saint Lucia
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2023
11. Sunningdale (Old)
Average rating: 8.41
2025 ranking: 10
Location: Sunningdale, England
Architect(s): Willie Park Jr., Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1901
T12. Cabot Cape Breton (Cliffs)
Average rating: 8.35
2025 ranking: 12
Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2015
T12. Trump Turnberry (Ailsa)
Average rating: 8.35
2025 ranking: 13
Location: Turnberry, Scotland
Architect(s): Willie Fernie, Mackenzie Ross, Martin Ebert, Tom MacKenzie
Year opened: 1901
14. Ballybunion (Old)
Average rating: 8.31
2025 ranking: 14
Location: Ballybunion, Ireland
Architect(s): James McKenna, Lionel Hewson, Tom Simpson, Tom Watson
Year opened: 1893
15. Royal St. George’s
Average rating: 8.23
2025 ranking: 15
Location: Sandwich, England
Architect(s): Laidlaw Purves
Year opened: 1887
16. Golf de Morfontaine (Le Grand Parcours)
Average rating: 8.21
2025 ranking: 16
Location: Mortefontaine, France
Architect(s): Tom Simpson, Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 1927
17. Barnbougle Dunes
Average rating: 8.19
2025 ranking: 17
Location: Bridport, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Tom Doak, Michael Clayton
Year opened: 2004
18. Te Arai (South)
Average rating: 8.15
2025 ranking: 19
Location: Tomarata, New Zealand
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2022
19. Cape Kidnappers
Average rating: 8.13
2025 ranking: 18
Location: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2004
20. North Berwick Golf Club (West Links)
Average rating: 8.12
2025 ranking: 20
Location: North Berwick, Scotland
Architect(s): David Strath, Ben Sayers
Year opened: 1832
T21. Kingston Heath
Average rating: 8.10
2025 ranking: 22
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Dan Souter, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1925
T21. Cape Wickham
Average rating: 8.10
2025 ranking: 28
Location: King Island, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Mike Devries
Year opened: 2015
23. Vidauban Golf Club (formerly Prince de Provence)
Average rating: 8.08
2025 ranking: 21
Location: Vidauban, France
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Year opened: 1999
24. Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club
Average rating: 8.01
2025 ranking: 24
Location: Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones
Year opened: 1997
25. Royal Birkdale
Average rating: 8.00
2025 ranking: 25
Location: Southport, England
Architect(s): George Lowe, F.G. Hawtree, J.H. Taylor
Year opened: 1897
26. Lahinch (Old)
Average rating: 7.97
2025 ranking: 27
Location: Lahinch, Ireland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Charles Gibson, Alister MacKenzie, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1894
27. Swinley Forest
Average rating: 7.96
2025 ranking: 26
Location: Ascot, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1909
T28. Carnoustie (Championship)
Average rating: 7.92
2025 ranking: 29
Location: Carnoustie, Scotland
Architect(s): Robert Chambers, Allan Robertson, Old Tom Morris, James Braid
Year opened: 1830s
T28. Heritage Golf Club (La Reserve Golf Links)*
Average rating: 7.92
Location: Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Architect(s): Peter Matkovich, Louis Oosthuizen
Year opened: 2023
30. Kingsbarns
Average rating: 7.89
2025 ranking: 30
Location: Kingsbarns, Scotland
Architect(s): Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 2000
31. Trump International Scotland (Old)
Average rating: 7.87
2025 ranking: 31
Location: Balmedie, Scotland
Architect(s): Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 2012
32. Te Arai (North)
Average rating: 7.85
2025 ranking: 23
Location: Tomarata, New Zealand
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2023
33. Nine Bridges (Haesley)*
Average rating: 7.83
Location: Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Architect(s): David Dale
Year opened: 2009
34. St. George’s G&CC
Average rating: 7.81
2025 ranking: 32
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1930
35. Royal Porthcawl
Average rating: 7.80
2025 ranking: 33
Location: Porthcawl, Wales
Architect(s): Ramsey Hunter, J. Simpson
Year opened: 1895
36. St. George’s Hill
Average rating: 7.79
2025 ranking: 34
Location: Weybridge, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1913
T37. Fairmont Banff Springs
Average rating: 7.78
2025 ranking: 34
Location: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1927
T37. Barnbougle (Lost Farm)
Average rating: 7.78
2025 ranking: 36
Location: Bridport, Tasmania, Australia
Architect(s): Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Year opened: 2010
39. Koninkiljke Haagsche
Average rating: 7.75
2025 ranking: 37
Location: Wassenaar, Netherlands
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1938
T40. Cruden Bay
Average rating: 7.74
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Cruden Bay, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler
Year opened: 1899
T40. Kauri Cliffs
Average rating: 7.74
2025 ranking: 49
Location: Matauri Bay, New Zealand
Architect(s): David Harman, Rees Jones
Year opened: 2000
42. New South Wales GC
Average rating: 7.72
2025 ranking: 38
Location: La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1928
T43. Cap Cana (Punta Espada)
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Jack Nicklaus
Year opened: 2006
T43. Sunningdale (New)
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Sunningdale, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, John Morrison
Year opened: 1923
T43. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1925
T43. Ganton
Average rating: 7.71
2025 ranking: 44
Location: Scarborough, England
Architect(s): Tom Chisholm, Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Harry S. Colt, Alister MacKenzie, Tom Simpson, C.K. Cotton
Year opened: 1891
47. Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Average rating: 7.70
2025 ranking: 41
Location: Lytham St. Annes, England
Architect(s): George Lowe, Harry S. Colt, Herbert Fowler, Tom Simpson, C.K. Cotton
Year opened: 1897
48. Cabot Cape Breton (Links)
Average rating: 7.69
2025 ranking: 45
Location: Inverness, Nova Scotia, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman
Year opened: 2012
T49. Royal Troon (Old)
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 51
Location: Troon, Scotland
Architect(s): George Strath, Willie Fernie, James Braid
Year opened: 1878
T49. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 48
Location: Woodhall Spa, England
Architect(s): Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, Harry S. Colt, Stafford Vere Hotchkin, Tom Doak
Year opened: 1905
T49. South Cape Owners Club
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 38
Location: Namhae, South Korea
Architect(s): Kyle Phillips
Year opened: 2013
T49. Ardfin
Average rating: 7.67
2025 ranking: 38
Location: Isle of Jura, Scotland
Architect(s): Bob Harrison
Year opened: 2017
T53. Kawana Hotel (Fuji)
Average rating: 7.66
2025 ranking: 53
Location: Shizuoka, Japan
Architect(s): Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1936
T53. Loch Lomond
Average rating: 7.66
2025 ranking: 49
Location: Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Architect(s): Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf
Year opened: 1993
T55. Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 54
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Mark Parsinen
Year opened: 2009
T55. Rosapenna (St Patrick’s Links)
Average rating: 7.65
2025 ranking: 51
Location: Letterkenny, Ireland
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2021
57. Trump International Scotland (New)*
Average rating: 7.64
Location: Balmedie, Scotland
Architect(s): Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 2025
58. Old Head of Kinsale
Average rating: 7.63
2025 ranking: 55
Location: Kinsale, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Joe Carr, Ron Kirby, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins
Year opened: 1997
T59. Victoria Golf Club
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): William Meader, Oscar Damman, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1927
T59. Capilano
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 58
Location: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Stanley Thompson
Year opened: 1937
T59. The Club at Nine Bridges
Average rating: 7.59
2025 ranking: 96
Location: Jeju Island, South Korea
Architect(s): Ron Fream, David Dale
Year opened: 2001
62. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)
Average rating: 7.58
2025 ranking: 55
Location: La Romana, Dominican Republic
Architect(s): Pete Dye
Year opened: 1971
T63. Whistling Rock CC*
Average rating: 7.57
Location: Chuncheon, South Korea
Architect(s): Ted Robinson Jr., Eric Iverson
Year opened: 2011
T63. Sagebrush
Average rating: 7.57
2025 ranking: 55
Location: Quilchena, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman, Richard Zokol, Armen Suny
Year opened: 2009
T65. St. Enodoc (Church)
Average rating: 7.52
2025 ranking: 61
Location: Wadebridge, England
Architect(s): James Braid
Year opened: 1907
T65. Les Bordes (New)
Average rating: 7.52
2025 ranking: 59
Location: Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France
Architect(s): Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner
Year opened: 2021
T67. Waterville Golf Links
Average rating: 7.50
2025 ranking: 63
Location: Waterville, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Tom Fazio
Year opened: 1973
T67. Utrecht GC De Pan
Average rating: 7.50
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Bosch en Duin, Netherlands
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1929
T69. Portmarnock (Old)
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Portmarnock, Ireland
Architect(s): George Ross, W.C. Pickeman, Mungo Park
Year opened: 1894
T69. Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie)
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Bridge of Don, Scotland
Architect(s): Archie Simpson, Robert Simpson, James Braid
Year opened: 1888
T69. Royal Cinque Ports
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 70
Location: Deal, England
Architect(s): Henry Hunter, James Braid, Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1892
T69. Hamilton (West & South nines)
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 70
Location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt
Year opened: 1915
T69. Queenwood
Average rating: 7.49
2025 ranking: 80
Location: Ottershaw, England
Architect(s): David McLay Kidd
Year opened: 2001
74. Rye Golf Club
Average rating: 7.48
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Rye, England
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Tom Simpson, Sir Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1894
75. Diamante Cabo San Lucas (Dunes)
Average rating: 7.47
2025 ranking: 64
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Architect(s): Davis Love III
Year opened: 2009
76. Machrihanish
Average rating: 7.45
2025 ranking: 75
Location: Machrihanish, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris, J.H. Taylor, Sir Guy Campbell
Year opened: 1876
77. Naruo
Average rating: 7.44
2025 ranking: 67
Location: Hyogo, Japan
Architect(s): H.C. Crane, Charles H. Alison
Year opened: 1920
T78. Alwoodley
Average rating: 7.43
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Leeds, England
Architect(s): Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1907
T78. National Golf Club (Gunnamatta)
Average rating: 7.43
2025 ranking: 61
Location: Cape Schanck, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Michael Woolveridge, Tom Doak
Year opened: 2000
80. Pulpit Club (Paintbrush)
Average rating: 7.41
2025 ranking: 79
Location: Caledon East, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry
Year opened: 1992
T81. Royal Melbourne (East)
Average rating: 7.40
2025 ranking: 72
Location: Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Architect(s): Alex Russell, Mick Morcam
Year opened: 1931
T81. Fancourt (Links)
Average rating: 7.40
2025 ranking: 81
Location: George, South Africa
Architect(s): Gary Player
Year opened: 2000
T83. Walton Heath (Old)
Average rating: 7.39
2025 ranking: 76
Location: Tadworth, England
Architect(s): Herbert Fowler
Year opened: 1903
T83. Toronto GC (Colt)
Average rating: 7.39
2025 ranking: 84
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Harry S. Colt, Martin Hawtree
Year opened: 1912
85. Carne (Wild Atlantic Dunes)
Average rating: 7.36
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Belmullet, Ireland
Architect(s): Eddie Hackett, Ally McIntosh, Jim Engh
Year opened: 2017
T86. Golf de Morfontaine (Valliere)
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 83
Location: Morfontaine, France
Architect(s): Tom Simpson
Year opened: 1913
T86. Lofoten Links
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Gimoysand, Norway
Architect(s): Jeremy Turner
Year opened: 2015
T86. Blackhawk
Average rating: 7.35
2025 ranking: 82
Location: Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Architect(s): Rod Whitman
Year opened: 2003
89. Avalon Club (formerly Goodwood)
Average rating: 7.34
2025 ranking: 89
Location: Goodwood, Ontario, Canada
Architect(s): Donald Steel, Martin Ebert, Tom Mackenzie
Year opened: 2011
90. Tokyo Golf Club
Average rating: 7.33
2025 ranking: 84
Location: Sayama, Japan
Architect(s): Komei Otani, Gil Hanse
Year opened: 1940
T91. Notts (Hollinwell)
Average rating: 7.32
2025 ranking: 92
Location: Kirkby in Ashfield, England
Architect(s): Willie Park Jr., J.H. Taylor, Tom Williamson
Year opened: 1901
T91. Greywolf
Average rating: 7.32
2025 ranking: 86
Location: Panorama, British Columbia, Canada
Architect(s): Doug Carrick
Year opened: 1999
T93. Prestwick
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 93
Location: Prestwick, Scotland
Architect(s): Old Tom Morris
Year opened: 1851
T93. Western Gailes
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 95
Location: Irvine, Scotland
Architect(s): Fred Morris, F.W. Hawtree
Year opened: 1898
T93. Royal Adelaide
Average rating: 7.29
2025 ranking: 86
Location: Seaton, South Australia, Australia
Architect(s): H.L. Rymill, Alister MacKenzie
Year opened: 1906
T96. Tralee Golf Club*
Average rating: 7.28
Location: Tralee, Ireland
Architect(s): Arnold Palmer
Year opened: 1984
T96. Mid Ocean Club
Average rating: 7.28
2025 ranking: 96
Location: St. George’s, Bermuda
Architect(s): Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor
Year opened: 1921
T96. Ono Golf Club
Average rating: 7.28
2025 ranking: 60
Location: Hyopo, Japan
Architect(s): Osamu Ueda
Year opened: 1961
T99. Apes Hill
Average rating: 7.27
2025 ranking: 76
Location: St. James, Barbados
Architect(s): Ron Kirby
Year opened: 2022
T99. Renaissance Club
Average rating: 7.27
2025 ranking: 98
Location: North Berwick, Scotland
Architect(s): Tom Doak
Year opened: 2008
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Golfweek's Best 2026: Top 100 international courses outside U.S.
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