Over the past fortnight, we have been counting down the courses that have made it into Golf Course Architecture’s Architects’ Choice Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, as voted for by over 240 golf course architects from 28 countries across the globe.

The number one in the Golf Course Architecture Architects’ Choice Top 100 is:

St Andrews (Old)
Fife, Scotland

“The Old Course, incomparable, sits atop – forged by Mother Nature,” says Paul Mogford. Golf has been played at St Andrews for over 600 years, originally with players going out and then playing the same holes back in the reverse direction. The course evolved naturally, but Tom Morris, greenkeeper at St Andrews between 1865-1903, is generally regarded as having had the most influence on the current eighteen hole layout.

Chad Goetz of Nicklaus Design says: “During the history of the profession, so many ideas and so much inspiration was taken from this course. I can’t think of any other course that has influenced design and the game more.”

Brandon Johnson of Arnold Palmer Design Company says: “It is a place that is endlessly complicated, mysterious, intriguing, strategically challenging and stimulating under all circumstances and simultaneously breaks and defines all the rules of design. It stands in a category of its own.”

Rick Robbins says: “The Old Course not only has such enormous tradition but in all respects has stood the test of time in regards to strategy of play and challenge to golfers. The fact that this icon of golf is open for all to play and is playable by all is an added bonus.”

Later today, a full report of the Top 100 – including the observations of golf course architects – will be sent to Golf Course Architecture monthly e-mail newsletter subscribers. Sign up for free by entering your email address in the e-mail newsletter box on the home page of this website.

Architects’ Choice: 100-91| 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | the full report