The publishers of the popular Peugeot guide of Europe’s top golf courses have released their latest offering. Sponsored this time by Rolex, D’Algue Selection has taken on the challenge of identifying the top 1000 courses in the world.

Like the Peugeot guide, which is modelled on the Michelin restaurant guides, the Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses claims to be a totally independent guide to the best of golf.

Each course has been the subject of an examination based on a 100 point questionnaire to establish levels of site excellence, quality of course architecture and standards of maintenance. “To complete the picture we have produced a comprehensive list of practical information, some recommended hotels, restaurants and sites of local interest, together with local maps to help with ease of access,” said Gaëtan Mourgue d’Algue.

Of the 1000 listed courses, 362 are in the US, 282 in Europe, 237 in Asia-Pacific and 119 elsewhere. A top score of 100 has been awarded to just 15 courses: seven in the UK (Carnoustie, Muirfield, the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Birkdale, Portmarnock, Sunningdale New and Royal County Down), six in the US (Cypress Point, Torrey Pines South, Augusta National, Pine Valley, Bethpage Black, and Oakmont), and two in Australia (Kingston Heath and Royal Adelaide).

The guide costs €35, £25 or US$35.