10 of Golf Digest's top 100 courses you can play

For many golfers, the Golf Digest World Top 100 is the ultimate bucket list. These are the courses that define the game: historic links, dramatic coastlines, Ryder Cup venues, Open Championship icons and once-in-a-lifetime layouts.

The challenge, of course, is that not every world-ranked course is easy to play. Some are private, some have limited visitor windows and others require planning well in advance. The good news is that a number of the world’s very best golf courses are still within reach for travelling golfers and we have personally experienced them to help you understand which are the best to build your bucket-list trips around.

From Royal County Down, ranked No.1 in the world, to championship links in England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Northern Ireland and the Caribbean, these 10 of the Golf Digest Top 100 courses you can actually play.

These are the courses that sit right at the top of the bucket list. They are playable, but they need planning, flexibility and often a wider trip built around them.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 1st Location: Newcastle, Northern Ireland

Set in Northern Ireland beneath the Mountains of Mourne, Royal County Down is the kind of golf course that stops you in your tracks before you have even hit a shot. It is widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in the world, combining raw natural beauty with one of the most exacting tests in golf.

The Championship Course is visually spectacular but also wonderfully demanding. Blind drives, heather-lined fairways, raised greens, rumpled terrain and famously rugged bunkering all combine to create a round that feels both historic and completely alive. This is links golf at its most atmospheric.

For golfers chasing the ultimate world-ranked course they can actually play, Royal County Down is the headline act.

Key features

• Ranked No.1 in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Spectacular setting beneath the Mountains of Mourne
• Classic links terrain with blind shots, dunes, heather and fast-running fairways
• One of the most memorable opening stretches in golf
• A demanding but unforgettable test for confident links golfers

Courses to tie into a trip:

Royal County Down is best experienced as part of a Northern Ireland links itinerary. Obvious pairings include:

• Royal Portrush
• Portstewart
• Ardglass
• Castlerock

For a longer Ireland trip, it can also be combined with Portmarnock and County Louth for a wider west coast itinerary.

How accessible is it to play?

Royal County Down is playable for visitors, but it is one of the most sought-after tee times in world golf. Availability can be limited and it is essential to plan well in advance. This is not a last-minute add-on; it is the course you build the trip around.

Best suited to golfers who are flexible on dates, happy to travel in shoulder season and prepared to secure tee times early.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 2nd Location: St Andrews, Scotland

The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous golf course in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for many golfers. Set in the heart of the town centre, it is a course defined by history, tradition and a sense of occasion that few venues can match.

From the opening tee beside the R&A Clubhouse to the iconic Swilcan Bridge, vast double greens, shared fairways and legendary bunkers, the Old Course is unlike anywhere else. It may not be the longest or most visually dramatic course in the modern game, but its strategy, heritage and atmosphere make it one of golf’s greatest experiences.

For golfers looking to play a world-ranked course that genuinely belongs on every bucket list, St Andrews is the dream.

Key features

• Ranked 2nd in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• The most historic and famous course in golf
• Home of the Swilcan Bridge, Hell Bunker and the Road Hole
• Classic links layout with shared fairways and huge double greens
• A true pilgrimage destination for golfers around the world

Courses to tie into a trip:

St Andrews is one of the easiest bucket-list destinations to build a full golf holiday around. The Old Course can easily be paired with any of the courses in the St Andrews Links portfolio such as:

• New Course
• Jubilee Course
• Castle Course
• Eden Course

It may also be worth asking one of our Golf Travel Experts for a wider Fife itinerary as well with some of Scotland's best courses all within reach.

How accessible is it to play?

The Old Course is public and playable, but demand is extremely high. Golfers can access tee times through advance applications, ballot, singles queue or selected packages, but there is no guarantee without careful planning, find out everything you need know about getting a tee time on the old course from our team of Golf Travel Experts.

It is one of the most accessible dream courses in principle, but one of the most competitive to secure in practice. Build the trip around St Andrews, allow flexibility, and include nearby courses so the experience feels complete even before you step onto the first tee.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 5th Location: Portrush, Northern Ireland

Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Course is one of the great championship courses in world golf. Set on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, it combines dramatic dune land, sea views, exacting green complexes and a genuine Open Championship pedigree.

The course is famous for its natural movement, strategic bunkering and thrilling variety. Holes such as the par-3 16th, Calamity Corner, are part of golfing folklore, while the modern changes made ahead of The Open have only strengthened its reputation as one of the world’s elite links.

Portrush delivers everything travelling golfers want from a bucket-list course: history, drama, challenge and a destination that feels made for a golf trip.

Key features

• Ranked 5th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Host venue for The Open Championship
• Dramatic links setting on the Causeway Coast
• Home to the famous Calamity Corner
• Combines major-championship conditioning with classic links character

Courses to tie into a trip:

Royal Portrush pairs perfectly with other top courses in the area for a clasic links itinerary, consider courses like:

• Portstewart
• Castlerock
• Ballyliffin

It also works brilliantly alongside Royal County Down for a world-class Northern Ireland trip.

How accessible is it to play?

Royal Portrush welcomes visitor play, but Dunluce Links tee times are in high demand, particularly after The Open. It is more accessible than some ultra-private world-ranked courses, but still requires forward planning, especially in peak season.

For travelling golfers, this is very achievable with the right itinerary and enough notice.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 4th Location: Inverness, Scotland

Royal Dornoch is one of golf’s great pilgrimages. Remote, timeless and wonderfully natural in the Scottish Highlands, it is a course that rewards the journey north with a links experience unlike almost anywhere else.

The Championship Course in particular is famed for its raised plateau greens, subtle strategy and natural routing through the dunes. It is not a course that relies on spectacle alone, though the setting is beautiful. Instead, Royal Dornoch gets under your skin through its rhythm, variety and purity.

For many golfers, this is the thinking player’s bucket-list course: less commercial, deeply historic and endlessly rewarding.

Key features

• Ranked 4th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• One of the most revered links courses in Scotland
• Famous for raised plateau greens and natural contours
• Remote Highland setting with a true pilgrimage feel
• A course that rewards creativity, strategy and imagination

Courses to tie into a trip:

Royal Dornoch is a natural fit for a Highlands golf itinerary definitely consider basing yourself at Cabot Highlands and adding a few of these courses into your trip:

• Castle Stuart
• Old Petty
• Nairn

How accessible is it to play?

Royal Dornoch is visitor-friendly compared with many courses of its stature, but demand is extremely high. Its remote location means it suits golfers who are happy to commit to a dedicated Highlands trip rather than trying to squeeze it into a wider Scotland itinerary.

Book early, stay nearby and give the course the time it deserves.

These courses are still highly aspirational, but they sit slightly closer to the kind of trips many golfers can realistically plan with the right support.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 17th Location: Southport, England

Royal Birkdale is one of England’s finest links on the stunning Golf Coast of England. Located in Southport, it has a championship pedigree few courses can match and a layout that is both fair and exacting.

Unlike some links courses where the drama comes from blind shots and quirky bounces, Birkdale is known for its definition. Holes are framed by dunes, the routing is clear, and the challenge is right in front of you. It is a course that asks for strong ball-striking, patience and control, particularly when the wind gets up.

For golfers who want to play a world-class Open venue in England, Royal Birkdale is one of the most compelling options.

Key features

• Ranked 17th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• One of England’s great Open Championship venues
• Famed for its famous pot bunkers all over the course
• Excellent conditioning and championship atmosphere
• Located in the heart of England’s Golf Coast

Courses to tie into a trip

Royal Birkdale sits at the centre of England’s Golf Coast, making it ideal for a multi-course break. Pair it with top courses like:

• Royal Lytham & St Annes
• Hillside
• Formby
• Southport & Ainsdale
• West Lancashire
• Royal Liverpool

How accessible is it to play?

Royal Birkdale welcomes visitors, but it remains a prestigious private members’ club with specific visitor availability, dress expectations and booking requirements. Tee times should be arranged well in advance, especially around championship years.

It is achievable, but it is best planned as part of a structured England’s Golf Coast itinerary.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 30th Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Trump International Scotland is one of the most dramatic modern links courses in the UK. Set among towering dunes on the Aberdeenshire coast, the Old Course delivers a big, bold and visually striking round of golf from start to finish.

Designed by Dr Martin Hawtree, the course uses the scale of the dunes to create a sense of theatre rarely found in modern links golf. Elevated tees, sweeping fairways, deep bunkering and views across the North Sea all contribute to a round that feels grand in every sense.

For golfers looking for a world-ranked course that is both spectacular and relatively straightforward to book, this is one of the strongest options on the list.

Key features

• Ranked 30th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Modern championship links set among huge dunes
• Designed by Dr Martin Hawtree
• Dramatic coastal views and bold visual features
• Strong fit for luxury Scotland golf breaks

Courses to tie into a trip:

Aberdeen is an outstanding golf base for Trump International and can be easily paired with:

• Trump International New
• Royal Aberdeen
• Murcar Links
• Cruden Bay

How accessible is it to play?

Compared with many world-ranked courses, Trump International is very accessible. Visitor tee times can be booked directly and on-site accommodation makes it easy to turn the round into a short break.

It still carries a premium feel and price point, but from a booking perspective it is one of the more achievable courses on this list.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 34th Location: Sotogrande, Spain

Valderrama is one of continental Europe’s most iconic golf courses. Best known as the host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, it remains the benchmark for championship golf in Spain and one of the most prestigious venues in the game.

Set in Sotogrande, Valderrama is a tree-lined test of precision rather than power. Narrow fairways, immaculate conditioning, small greens and perfectly placed cork trees make it a course where every shot demands thought. It is strategic, exacting and unmistakably premium.

For golfers who want a world-ranked course with Ryder Cup heritage, sunshine and a superb supporting cast nearby, Valderrama is hard to beat.

Key features

• Ranked 34th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Host of the 1997 Ryder Cup
• One of Europe’s most prestigious private clubs
• Tree-lined, strategic layout requiring accuracy and control
• Located in Sotogrande, one of Spain’s best golf destinations

Courses to tie into a trip:

Valderrama works beautifully as part of a Costa del Sol trip, nearby options include:

• Real Club de Sotogrande
• La Reserva
• Finca Cortesin
• San Roque Club

How accessible is it to play?

Valderrama is a private members’ club, but it does offer limited visitor access. That makes it playable, but not casual. Tee times are limited, green fees are premium and advance planning is essential.

This is best approached as the centrepiece of a high-end Spain golf holiday rather than a course to add at short notice.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 37th Location: Swansea, Wales

Royal Porthcawl is the standout course in Wales and one of the most underrated links experiences in world golf. Set beside the Bristol Channel, it offers sea views from almost every part of the course and a wonderfully exposed test when the wind blows.

Unlike many classic links courses, Royal Porthcawl does not follow a simple out-and-back routing. Instead, it moves across open, rumpled terrain with constant changes in direction, keeping the wind in play throughout the round. The result is a course that feels strategic, natural and endlessly engaging.

For golfers looking for a world-ranked course that combines quality, history and relative accessibility, Royal Porthcawl is a brilliant choice.

Key features

• Ranked 37th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Widely regarded as the best course in Wales
• Sea views and exposed links conditions
• Championship pedigree with a strong amateur and professional history
• A pure, natural links test with excellent variety

Courses to tie into a trip:

Royal Porthcawl can be paired with a variety of courses, from other links classics to top resorts courses like:

• Pennard
• Southerndown
• Ashburnham
• Pyle & Kenfig
• Celtic Manor

How accessible is it to play?

Royal Porthcawl is one of the more accessible courses on this list. It welcomes visitors and is well suited to UK-based golfers looking for a world-ranked course without the same international demand as Royal County Down or Royal Dornoch.

Advance booking is still recommended, but this is a very realistic bucket-list round.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 50th Location: Dominican Republic, Caribbean

Teeth of the Dog is one of the most spectacular resort courses in the world and very different to the rest of the courses on this list. Designed by Pete Dye and set along the Dominican Republic coastline, it is famous for its oceanfront holes, Caribbean setting and dramatic rock-edged shoreline.

The course has a completely different feel to the links-heavy names elsewhere on this list. Here, the appeal is sunshine, resort luxury and unforgettable coastal scenery. With seven holes playing along the ocean, Teeth of the Dog delivers the kind of visual drama that makes it a true bucket-list holiday course.

For golfers who want world-ranked golf with a long-haul resort experience, Casa de Campo is one of the best options anywhere.

Key features

• Ranked 50th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Pete Dye design in the Dominican Republic
• Seven holes along the ocean
• Consistently regarded as the No.1 course in the Caribbean
• Resort setting with multiple on-site courses

Courses to tie into a trip:

Casa de Campo is particularly easy to build into a golf holiday because Teeth of the Dog is supported by other on-site courses:

• Dye Fore
• The Links

How accessible is it to play?

Teeth of the Dog is very accessible for guests staying at Casa de Campo. It is less about securing access to a private members’ club and more about planning the right resort stay.

For travelling golfers, this is one of the clearest “book it and play it” options in the Golf Digest Top 100, especially for those looking for a luxury winter-sun golf holiday.

Golf Digest ranking 2026/27: 60th Location: Liverpool, England

Royal Liverpool, or Hoylake, is one of the most important clubs in the history of championship golf. Founded in 1869, it has hosted The Open on numerous occasions and remains one of England’s great strategic links.

At first glance, Hoylake can look flatter and less dramatic than some of its neighbours, but that is part of its genius. The challenge is in the wind, the angles, the internal out of bounds, the bunkering and the need to control your ball flight. It is a course that has tested the very best players in the world and continues to reward thoughtful golf.

For golfers who want Open Championship history in a destination that is easy to reach, Royal Liverpool is an excellent trip anchor.

Key features

• Ranked 60th in the Golf Digest World Top 100
• Historic Open Championship venue
• One of England’s oldest seaside clubs
• Strategic links test requiring accuracy and control
• Located on the Wirral, close to Liverpool

Courses to tie into a trip:

Royal Liverpool can be combined with amazing courses in the area like:

• Royal Birkdale
• Hillside
• Formby
• Wallasey

It also pairs well with a Liverpool city break, giving golfers the chance to combine championship golf with restaurants, nightlife and culture.

How accessible is it to play?

Royal Liverpool is one of the more accessible Open venues in the Golf Digest Top 100. Visitor tee times are available, and its location near Liverpool makes travel straightforward.

It still requires advance booking and careful planning around visitor availability, but for UK golfers in particular, Hoylake is a very realistic world-ranked course to tick off.

The Golf Digest World Top 100 can sometimes feel like a list of places most golfers will only ever read about. But look a little closer and there are some remarkable courses that are genuinely playable.

Whether you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Northern Ireland, a Highlands golf pilgrimage, a luxury break in Sotogrande or a more accessible championship links tour closer to home, our team of Golf Travel Experts are able to help you secure one of your most memorable trips. With over 25 years of experience sending people on golf holidays to world-class venues all over the world, you can trust that we can get you the trip you deserve!

Playing one of the world’s top-ranked courses takes more planning than a standard golf break. Tee times can be limited, visitor days may vary, and many clubs have specific handicap, dress code and booking requirements.

For the most in-demand courses, it is best to plan 9–18 months ahead and stay flexible with dates. Build your trip around the hardest tee time first, then add nearby courses to create a fuller itinerary. Travelling in shoulder season can also improve availability, offer better value and still deliver excellent playing conditions.

Finally, avoid treating these courses as one-off rounds. The best bucket-list golf trips combine the headline course with other outstanding layouts nearby, giving you a richer experience and making the journey feel even more worthwhile.