It that time of the year again. The UK & Ireland Top 50 has been released with some fantastic results for the golf courses of Ireland. The annual rankings, compiled by renowned magazine Golf World list the best publicly available courses to play in Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales.
Ireland, with its array of both links and parkland courses, has featured strongly on the list throughout the years and this year has been no different. There is a total of 22 Irish golf courses making the cut with the ever-popular Royal County Down leading the way for Ireland. This year’s overall winner is the Trump Turnberry Resort – Ailsa Course in Scotland.
The south-west of Ireland courses had a strong year with 6 being ranked within the top 50. These included the obvious Waterville, Ballybunion & Lahinch while Tralee made its first entry into the Top 50. The prominence of south-west of Ireland courses is a testament its position as Ireland’s premier golfing destination.
Irish Rankings
3. Royal County Down
13. Royal Portrush
15. Ballybunion – Old
18. Waterville
19. The European
27. Portmarnock
28. Lahinch
32. Trump International Doonbeg
35. Old Head of Kinsale
45. Rosapenna
49. Tralee
55. Co Louth
69. Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links)
72. The Island
73. Druid’s Glen
77. Mount Juliet
80. Lough Erne
87. Co Sligo
88. K Club – Palmer
92. Portmarnock Links
93. Carne
94. Enniscrone
2017 is already booking up so if you want to plan a golf vacation to Ireland learn more about our best golf courses and tour packages here.
List in full is below:
1.Trump Turnberry Resort (Ailsa Course)
2.Muirfield
3. Royal County Down (Championship Course)
4.St. Andrews (Old Course)
5.Carnoustie (Championship Course)
6.Royal Birkdale
7.Royal Dornoch (Championship Course)
8.Trump International Golf Links Scotland
9.Sunningdale (New Course)
10.Royal St George’s
11.Royal Lytham & St. Annes
12.Sunningdale (Old Course)
13.Royal Portrush (Dunluce Course)
14.Royal Liverpool
15.Ballybunion (Old Course)
16.Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie Course)
17.Kingsbarns
18.Waterville
19.The European Club
20.Royal Troon (Old Course)
21.Castle Stuart
22.Woodhill Spa (Hotchkin)
23.Royal Porthcawl
24.St George’s Hill (Res & Blue Course)
25.Ganton
26.North Berwick
27.Portmarnock (Red & Blue Course)
28.Lahinch (Old)
29.Walton Heath (Old Course)
30.Hillside
31.Burnham & Berrow
32.Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg
33.Nairn (Championship Course)
34.Hankley Common
35.Old Head Of Kinsale
36.St Enodoc (Church Course)
37.Gleneagles (King’s Course)
38.Swinley Forest
39.Formby
40.Notts
41.Saunton (East)
42.The Berkshire (Red)
43.Prestwick
44.Royal St David’s
45.Rosapenna (Sandy Hills Course)
46.Silloth On Solway
47.Royal West Norfolk
48.Alwoodley
49Tralee
50.Walton Heath (New Course)
51.West Sussex
52.Western Gailes
53.Machrihanish
54.Rye (Old Course)
55.County Louth
56.Royal Cinque Ports
57.The Berkshire (Blue Course)
58.Blairgowrie (Rosemont Course)
59.Hunstanton
60.Moortown
61.Saunton (West Course)
62.Gleneagles (Queen’s Course)
63.Gullane (No. 1)
64.Worplesdon
65.St Andrews (New Course)
66.Southport And Ainsdale
67.Liphook
68.Aberdovey
69.Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links)
70.Aldeburgh
71.Woburn (Marquess’ Course)
72.The Island
73.Druids Glen
74.Royal North Devon
75.Trevose (Championship Course)
76.Cruden Bay (Championship Course)
77.Mount Juliet
78.West Lancashire
79.West Hill
80Lough Erne
81.The Belfry (Brabazon Course)
82.Parkstone
83.The Grove
84.Sherwood Forest
85.St Andrews (Castle Course)
86.Woking
87.County Sligo (Championship Course)
88.K Club (Palmer Ryder Cup Course)
89.Woburn (Duchess’ Course)
90.Ferndown (Old Course)
91.Woburn (Duke’s Course
92.Portmarnock Links
93.Carne (Hackett Course)
94.Enniscrone (The Dunes Course)
95.Close House (Lee Westwood Colt Course)
96.Broadstone
97.Pennar
98.Ladybank
99.Tandridge
100.Murcar