Best Donald Steel golf courses

Few golf course architects have left a legacy as quietly influential as Donald Steel. A former president of English Golf Union (EGU) and one of the game’s great thinkers, Steel believed that the best golf holes already existed in the landscape, his job was simply to uncover them. This mindset earnt him recognition from Golf Magazine in 2003 where he was named as the 4th most influential golf architect in the world.

A career of designing and redesigning golf courses, spanning over 50 years, from 1965 to 2006, Steel has advised on more than 500 courses across 40 different countries. From true links style designs to English parkland classics Donald Steel is a architectural genius.

Based on customer reviews and international rankings we have picked out his very best courses! From true links style designs to English parkland classics Donald Steel is a architecture genius.

Location: Ayrshire, Scotland | Par: 68 | Yardage: 5,204 yards | Opened in: 2001

A classic links golf experience in the heart of Ayrshire, the stunning King Robert the Bruce Course offers a more forgiving but no less memorable Turnberry experience, than its older sibling, The Ailsa Course. Breathtaking coastal views across the Firth of Clyde along with clever green complexes, natural undulations and ever-changing wind conditions ensure plenty of interest.

It’s the perfect course for a Trump Turnberry visit where you may also take on the Ailsa Course and play two of Scotland's best courses. A standout option for golfers seeking authentic Scottish links golf and an opportunity to tick off of two of Scotland's top 20 courses according to Golf Digest.

Key features:

• Authentic links golf with sweeping coastal views
• More forgiving alternative to the famous Ailsa Course
• Clever green complexes influenced by traditional links design

Travel tips:

• May–September for longer daylight and better weather
• Stay at Trump Turnberry for a premium, on-site experience
• Pack for all weather – layers and waterproofs are essential

Location: Vilamoura, Portugal | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,060 yards | Opened in: 1991

A cornerstone of Algarve golf holidays, Pestana Vila Sol is a 27-hole resort course that showcases Steel’s ability to blend challenge with playability.

Winding through pine forests and alongside water features, Vila Sol offers three distinct 9-hole loops, allowing for variety across multiple rounds. Accuracy is rewarded, greens are subtly contoured, and the overall experience is perfectly suited to a relaxing yet competitive golf break in the Portuguese sunshine.

Key features:

• 27-hole layout offering variety and flexibility across multiple rounds
• Pine-lined fairways with lakes and streams shaping strategic play
• Championship-level course with proven tournament pedigree

Travel tips:

• March–May and September–October for ideal golf temperatures
• Fly into Faro Airport (20–25 minutes transfer)
• Take advantage of the 27 holes to mix layouts across multiple rounds

Location: East Lothian, Scotland | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,601 yards | Opened in: 1998

Located in Scotland’s famous golf coast, Craigielaw is a modern links-style course rooted in traditional principles. Steel’s design encourages creative shot-making along firm fairways, with bunkering and coastal winds shaping each hole.

The course evolves with the weather, offering a different challenge every day. It’s an excellent addition to any East Lothian itinerary and a favourite among purists, it is a course that often rank within the top 100 in Scotland and sits in the top 20 courses in Lothian according to Top 100 courses.

Key features:

• Modern links-style layout shaped by coastal winds
• Firm fairways encouraging creative shot-making
• Ideal addition to classic East Lothian golf itineraries

Travel tips:

• Spring and autumn can deliver quieter tee sheets and great value
• Fly into Edinburgh Airport (around 45 minutes by car)
• Combine with Gullane, Dunbar or North Berwick West Links

Location: Tenerife, Spain | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,651 yards | Opened in: 1989

Set in the sun-soaked Tenerife is one of Donald Steel's most distinctive and memorable designs, Amarilla Golf & Country Club. Carved through volcanic terrain and framed by the Atlantic Ocean, the course offers a unique blend of strategic golf and dramatic scenery.

The layout builds towards a thrilling seaside finish, where the final holes run alongside the ocean and the ever-present breeze adds an extra layer of challenge. Playable yet full of character, Amarilla Golf is a standout choice for a warm-weather golf break in Spain.

Key features:

• Spectacular coastal holes with uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean views
• Striking volcanic rock formations shaping fairways and bunkering
• Exposed seaside closing stretch influenced by prevailing winds

Travel tips:

• Winter (November–March) is ideal for warm-weather golf escapes
• Transfers are short and straightforward
• Bring sunscreen and a hat even in winter months

Location: Lisbon, Portugal | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,722 yards | Opened in: 2005

Set among rolling countryside north of Lisbon, a peaceful yet engaging test of golf lies at Campo Real. Donald Steel’s routing follows the natural contours of the land, creating a course that flows effortlessly from tee to green. Elevation changes add interest without fatigue, while thoughtful bunkering rewards accurate positioning. It’s an ideal choice for golfers seeking quality golf in a relaxed setting.

Key features:

• Flowing layout following the natural contours of the land
• Subtle elevation changes adding interest without fatigue
• Peaceful countryside setting close to Lisbon

Travel tips:

• Avoid peak summer heat for the most comfortable rounds
• Ideal for relaxed golf-focused groups
• Elevation changes make buggies worthwhile for some players

Location: Devon, England | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,610 yards | Opened in: 1930 (Redesigned in 2003)

At Bovey Castle, Donald Steel re-crafted a course that feels completely in harmony with its dramatic Devon surroundings. Bovey Castle now consistently ranks in the top 10 courses in Devon according to Top 100 courses, its rolling fairways weave through valleys and granite outcrops, while wide views give the course an open, expansive feel making for a memorable experience.

Orginally builty in 1930 by J. F Abercromby, Steel turned the design into a strategic but fair course, making it enjoyable across multiple rounds. Combined with the luxury of the castle hotel, it delivers a truly premium golf break experience.

Key featrues:

• Dramatic Dartmoor landscape with rolling fairways and wide vistas
• Strategic design that remains enjoyable for all handicap levels
• Luxury resort setting paired with championship-style golf

Travel tips:

• April–October for the best course conditions
• Stay Bovey Castle Hotel for a luxury and all-in-one break
• Dartmoor weather can change quickly so bring plenty layers

Location: Cheshire, England | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,398 yards | Opened in: 1992

Nestled on the edge of the Peak District, Shrigley Hall’s Championship Course offers one of the most scenic rounds in the North West.

Donald Steel used the natural elevation changes to great effect, creating dramatic tee shots and panoramic views across the Cheshire countryside. The layout balances challenge and playability, with strong par 3s and a memorable closing stretch that leaves a lasting impression.

Key features:

• Elevated tee shots offering panoramic views of the Cheshire countryside
• Varied layout making full use of natural elevation changes
• Strong mix of memorable par 3s and risk-reward holes

Travel tips:

• April–September for optimal course conditions
• Allow time to enjoy the spa and grounds
• Great option for mixed-ability groups

Location: Óbidos, Portugal | Par: 72 | Yardage: approx. 6,600 yards | Opened in: 2008

Set within a stunning resort on Portugal’s Silver Coast, Bom Sucesso Golf Course is a classic Donald Steel design that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. Routed across gently undulating terrain with mature trees and well-placed water features, the course rewards accuracy and smart course management over raw power. Wide fairways invite confident driving, while cleverly positioned bunkers and subtly contoured greens ensure plenty of challenge on approach.

The peaceful setting and thoughtful design make Bom Sucesso highly enjoyable to play more than once, while its location close to the historic town of Óbidos and Lisbon adds to its appeal as part of a relaxed Portuguese golf break.

Key features:

• Strategic Donald Steel layout designed for enjoyment and replay value
• Lakes and bunkering that challenge decision-making without over-penalising
• Tranquil Silver Coast setting close to Lisbon and the historic town of Óbidos

Travel tips:

• Cooler and less crowded than the Algarve
• Car hire recommended to explore the Silver Coast
• On-site villas and apartments at Bom Sucesso Resort

Donald Steel’s courses are designed to be enjoyed. Thoughtful, strategic layouts that make the most of their natural surroundings and reward golfers of all abilities. To get the very best from these timeless designs, experience matters.

With 25 years of taking golfers to the world’s leading courses and destinations, Golfbreaks brings unrivalled knowledge, trusted relationships and expert organisation to every trip. From seamless planning to handpicked resorts and courses, you can trust Golfbreaks to deliver a perfectly tailored golf holiday to a Donald Steel course anywhere in the world.