Golf Monthly Magazine
UK & Ireland Top 100 - 2019/20
The Golf Monthly UK & Ireland Top 100 is one of the longest establish ranking lists after being founded in 2004 and, in a change to the norm, in recent years has been compiled by a panel of readers. It is published every two years.
In addition to this the magazine elected not to include some private/exclusive golf clubs which do not allow or, at best, do not actively offer visitor green-fees without a member introduction. This meant no place for Loch Lomond, Skibo Castle, Wentworth (West & East), Renaissance & Queenwood (most of which do feature in the comparable lists from Golf World Magazine and the Top 100 website). This effectively freed up six places for newcomers.
Both of these changes has resulted in a slightly different list compared to recent times with a dozen courses included which do not feature in either of the other two publications.
Perhaps understandably the recently refurbished Adare Manor is included and well placed at 25th spot too! There is favour with three South-West links; Trevose, Saunton (West) and Royal North Devon exclusively making the Golf Monthly table. More modern designs at Close House, The Grove, Woburn (Duchess) and The Belfry only appear here as do a pair of Irish inland venues; Druids Glen and Mount Juliet. Tandridge and Murcar are the other two that just squeak in but are not seen elsewhere.
On the other hand the omissions (courses which appear in both Golf World and Top 100) are Carne, Machrihanish Dunes, Dundonald Links, The Addington, Brora, Royal Ashdown Forest and Little Aston.
A selection of courses which feature in all three lists but punch above their weight in the Golf Monthly listing are; Royal Liverpool, Royal Aberdeen, Royal Troon, Walton Heath (New), Old Head, Southport & Ainsdale, Tralee, Burnham & Berrow, Gleneagles (Queens), Hankley Common and Liphook.
Meanwhile at the other end of the scale there isn't as much love for; Cruden Bay, The Machrie, County Sligo, Enniscrone, Woking, The Island and West Sussex. You could also argue that Royal County Down, Royal St. George's and Royal Dornoch do not quite meet their potential in this list.
Golf Empire founder, Ed Battye, has played the majority of courses on the list and below you can find links to his golf course reviews.
You can also view other rating lists. Or you can check out our combined Great Britain & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses from the three main rankings.
