The World Top 100 shows links golf is having a renaissance

What makes a great golf course in 2026? For decades, the answer often centred on immaculate conditioning, championship pedigree and perfectly manicured landscapes. But Golf Digest's latest World Top 100 rankings suggest golfers are increasingly looking for something different.

In the previous edition of the rankings, 40 courses could be classified as links courses. In the latest list, that figure has risen to 54. Even more strikingly, nine of the world's top 10 courses are now links courses, up from six in the previous ranking.

Many of the game's most celebrated links layouts continue to dominate the upper reaches of the rankings. Royal County Down in Northern Ireland remains one of the most highly regarded courses in the world, while Royal Dornoch, Muirfield and Ballybunion continue to demonstrate the enduring appeal of traditional links golf. Their prominence reflects a broader shift in how greatness is being defined.

This is about far more than nostalgia, the latest rankings reflect a growing appreciation for courses that offer authenticity, strategic variety and a strong connection to the natural landscape.

The rise of links golf is not simply the result of tradition or history. Instead, it reflects a broader shift in what modern golfers value when they travel.

For much of the late 20th century and early 2000s, many of the world's most celebrated courses were defined by pristine conditioning, lush fairways and target-style golf that rewarded precision through the air. While those qualities remain important, today's golfers are increasingly seeking courses that feel natural, strategic and unique to their surroundings.

The shift mirrors wider trends in luxury golf travel, where authenticity and memorable experiences often outweigh standardised perfection. Golfers are becoming more interested in destinations that tell a story, reflect local character and provide a genuine sense of place.

Links golf offers exactly that. Whether playing beneath the dunes of Royal County Down, along the Ayrshire coastline at Turnberry or on the rugged terrain of Royal Dornoch, golfers encounter landscapes that feel inseparable from the courses themselves.

One of the defining characteristics of links golf is that it rarely provides the same experience twice.

Built on sandy coastal terrain and shaped by natural contours, links courses are heavily influenced by wind, weather and firm playing surfaces. A hole that plays one way in calm conditions can require a completely different strategy when exposed to a strong coastal breeze.

That unpredictability has become part of the attraction. For many golfers, the challenge is not simply playing the course itself, but battling the elements that come with it. Changing winds, sudden rain showers and fast-running fairways demand adaptability and imagination, rewarding those who can think creatively and adjust their game on the fly.

Rather than striving for perfection, golfers increasingly enjoy the challenge of working with the conditions they are given. Every round becomes a test of strategy and resilience, with weather often acting as an additional opponent.

The Old Course at St Andrews remains perhaps the ultimate example. Despite its seemingly simple appearance, wind direction and course conditions can dramatically alter how the world's most famous course plays from one day to the next. The same is true at courses such as Royal Portrush and Lahinch, where weather and terrain continually reshape the challenge.

A round on a great links course is often remembered not because of flawless conditions, but because no two shots, rounds or visits ever feel quite the same.

The growing popularity of links golf also reflects changing travel preferences.

Modern golf travellers increasingly want courses that feel discovered rather than manufactured. They value destinations that offer history, culture and a sense of place alongside great golf.

This helps explain the continued popularity of destinations such as Scotland's Highlands and Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. In these regions, the golf experience extends far beyond the fairways. Many of the world's greatest links courses are found in remote coastal locations, surrounded by dramatic scenery, charming villages and landscapes that have changed little over generations.

Days on the course are often complemented by evenings spent in centuries-old pubs, fresh local seafood restaurants and welcoming communities where golf remains woven into everyday life. Whether it is watching the sun set over the dunes after a round or sharing stories in a historic clubhouse, these experiences create a deeper connection to the destination.

For many golfers, the appeal lies not only in playing great courses but in immersing themselves in the places that surround them. The journey, the people and the atmosphere have become just as important as the scorecard.

The influence of links golf now extends far beyond the coastlines where the game originated.

Many of today's most respected architects have embraced principles traditionally associated with links golf, including strategic design, firm-and-fast conditions and a greater emphasis on ground play.

Architects such as Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have championed naturalistic approaches that work with the land rather than against it. Courses such as Tara Iti in New Zealand, Barnbougle Dunes in Australia and Streamsong in Florida demonstrate how links-inspired architecture can thrive far from Scotland and Ireland.

Their success reflects a growing belief that great golf architecture is not about imposing a vision on the landscape, but revealing the qualities that already exist.

Links golf is also gaining attention for reasons that extend beyond architecture and playing experience.

As sustainability becomes a greater focus across the golf industry, many of the characteristics associated with traditional links golf are proving increasingly relevant. Firm playing conditions often require less irrigation, while sandy soils naturally provide excellent drainage.

Many modern developments are therefore adopting elements of links-style maintenance and design to reduce resource consumption while maintaining high-quality playing conditions.

What was once simply a product of geography is increasingly being viewed as a model for the future.

The latest World Top 100 rankings reinforce what golfers have known for generations: links golf remains one of the purest and most rewarding ways to experience the game. Yet the rankings also reveal something equally important. Links golf is no longer confined to a handful of famous coastal courses.

From the legendary fairways of St Andrews and Royal County Down to modern masterpieces such as St Patrick's Links, golfers now have more opportunities than ever to experience the strategy, creativity and natural beauty that define links golf.

Whether you're planning a classic Scottish links tour, exploring Ireland's dramatic Atlantic coastline or simply looking to play your first true links course, there has never been a better time to discover the game's original form.

Travel tips

• Book early for iconic courses such as the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, where demand can be extremely high during peak season.
• Consider combining famous championship venues with lesser-known links gems. Courses such as Cruden Bay, and Enniscrone offer unforgettable experiences away from the spotlight.
• Embrace the conditions. Wind, firm fairways and changing weather are all part of the links golf experience, and often what makes it so memorable.
• Travel beyond a single region. Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and England's coastline each offer distinct links golf experiences with their own character and history.
• Build flexibility into your itinerary. Playing multiple links courses allows you to experience the remarkable variety that exists within this style of golf.

Q: What is a links golf course? A: A links course is traditionally built on sandy coastal land, often featuring firm turf, rolling terrain, natural dunes and minimal tree coverage. Links golf rewards creativity, strategic thinking and the ability to adapt to changing weather conditions.

Q: Where are the best links golf courses in the world? A: Many of the world's highest-ranked links courses are located in Scotland and Ireland, including Royal County Down, the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Royal Portrush and Ballybunion.

Q: Why is links golf considered so special? A: Unlike many inland courses, links layouts are heavily influenced by natural terrain and weather. No two rounds are ever quite the same, creating a golf experience that values imagination, adaptability and strategic shot-making.

Q: Is links golf harder than parkland golf? A: Not necessarily, but it presents different challenges. Wind, firm conditions and uneven terrain often requires golfers to think differently and utilise a wider range of shots than they might on a typical parkland course.

Q: When is the best time to play links golf? A: The most popular months are between April and October, when temperatures are generally milder and daylight hours are longer. However, many golfers believe spring and autumn provide some of the best links conditions, with fewer crowds and excellent value. Their naturally sandy foundations provide exceptional drainage, helping links courses stay firm and playable in all seasons.

Q: What should I expect on my first links golf trip? A: Expect firm fairways, unpredictable weather, breathtaking scenery and plenty of strategic decision-making. Links golf often rewards patience and creativity more than power, making it one of the most enjoyable and memorable forms of the game.

The rise of links golf does not mean parkland golf is disappearing from the game's highest echelon. Iconic inland courses such as Augusta National and Cypress Point continue to demonstrate that exceptional architecture transcends style and setting.

However, Golf Digest's latest World Top 100 rankings suggest that links golf currently aligns most closely with what many golfers are seeking. Authenticity, strategic variety, adaptability and a deep connection to the landscape are becoming increasingly valued qualities.

The latest rankings do not simply celebrate links golf's past. They suggest that the qualities that defined golf's earliest courses may also be the qualities that define its future.