With so much improvement work going on at many of our courses, it’s never been truer that if you’re not striving to move forwards, you’re almost certainly going backwards in the Golf Monthly UK&I Top 100 course rankings, such is the level of competition.
That said, there is probably less new-build work going on at the top end than at any time over the past couple of decades, so at least clubs are no longer having to contend with several excellent newcomers every ranking cycle.
But there are still some, as our highest new entry proves…
New entries
Just as last time round with the arrival of Dumbarnie, so too is our highest new entry this time a modern links. St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna in Co. Donegal enters our list in 61st place.
The magnificent newcomer, which opened in 2021 and is the handiwork of Tom Doak, is laid out over stunning linksland where two former courses had lain dormant for some time.
Tom Doak’s St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna has rapidly gained a big reputation
(Image credit: Courtesy of Clyde Johnson)
It is a vast rollercoaster adventure through the dunes, benefitting from the feeling of space that having just one course on land previously occupied by two has allowed. We will be watching its progress in our rankings with keen interest over the coming years.
Wallasey on The Wirral enters our rankings for the first time in 89th place after taking big steps forward in recent years. Among many improvements are those to the lovely little par-3 12th, where all bunkers have been rebuilt, plus considerable clearing out in the dunes between 10 and 18 to create much more stirring visuals.
Impressive improvements at Wallasey see the Wirral links enter our Top 100 for the first time
(Image credit: Wallasey Golf Club)
Dundonald Links joins our already strong Ayrshire contingent in 99th place following major investment by its new owners. Since 2019, Darwin Escapes has invested £25 million in total, including an impressive proper clubhouse (for the first time!).
The course has undergone significant improvements too, but while that is the main focus of our ranking criteria, facilities and visitor experience do account for 20% of the evaluation, and the sheer extent of improvements on those fronts alone at Dundonald has been enough for it to break free from the cluster of clubs nipping keenly at the heels of our Top 100.
Dundonald now joins four other Ayrshire courses in our Top 100
(Image credit: Mark Alexander)
Gleneagles PGA Centenary course received…
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