Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in the World – 50-26

Le Touessrok in Mauritius is one of the best golf resorts in the world.

What are the best golf resorts in the world? The Golf World Top 100 panel ranks and rates the best golfing getaways on planet earth in our inaugural list.

JUMP TO: 100-76 | 75-51 | 25-11 | 10-1

You can find out who is on the panel that ranks the courses and the criteria we use to mark them, along with answers to the FAQs we receive around the Golf World Top 100s and the courses that were in the running for the continental Europe list by clicking here.

And before you start planning your world golf tour, be sure to check out our guides to Europe’s best courses, best new golf courses and the continent’s best golf resorts.

Of course, if you’re not much of a traveller (and who has been for the last two years), we’ve also got your covered with rankings of the best courses in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, along with the best links, most fun courses, best courses you can play £60 and less and the best golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.

But for now, let’s find out which golf resorts we have ranked 50th-26th.

<<< How we produced this courses ranking <<<

Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in the World – 50-26

50. Finca Cortesin

Malaga, Spain

Course 27 Accommodation 20 Amenities 16 Setting 17  TOTAL 80

The top-ranked single-course resort in continental Europe has a Cabell Robinson-designed layout on an adventurous landscape. Immaculately manicured, with flawless brand-new greens. A hotel of class and opulence with very few peers, even among this most illustrious company.

49. Golf du Medoc

Bordeaux, France

Courses 33 Accommodation 16 Amenities 14 Setting 17 Total 80

A Bill Coore-designed course – with echoes of Walton Heath – when he wasn’t the huge name he is now is the big attraction here, but there’s a second entry in our continental Top 100 too (by Coore’s right-hand man, Rod Whitman). Neat hotel, nice spa, food and the wine (note the location) is naturally divine.

48. Cape Kidnappers

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

Course 33 Accommodation 16 Amenities 12 Setting 20 Total 81

Runs a little contrary to our mantra of eschewing ‘courses with rooms’ as only a handful of guests can stay at one time. The accommodation is exquisite, though. And there is a gorgeous spa and farm to explore. And did we mention the Tom Doak-designed clifftop, World Top 100 course?

47. Doonbeg

Kilkee, Ireland

Course 31 Accommodation 19 Amenities 12 Setting 19  Total 81

What it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. Just one course, a relatively small amount of accommodation and limited non-golf amenities, but the golf and rooms are indubitably world-class. The setting for both, perched on the edge of the Atlantic, is magnificent. Oozes effortless class.

46. Le Paradis

Bel Ombre, Mauritius

Course 27 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 19 Total 82

Spread out between the mountains and white sand of Le Morne peninsula, the course offers Insta-worthy moments on more or less every hole. There are 299 stylish rooms, suites or villas. Sister hotel Dinarobin next door gives it a total of eight restaurants. A wide range of activities.

45. Carton House

Dublin, Ireland

Courses 31 Accommodation 18 Amenities 17 Setting 16 Total 82

Would not have looked out of place 15 places higher – that’s how good it is, but also how high the quality is. Two courses of even standard – the Montgomerie and O’Meara – are beautifully presented, while the hotel is five star and then some. Can charm couples, groups and families very, very easily.

44. Laucala

Laucala Island, Fiji

Course 27 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 19 Total 82

Owned by Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz, this tropical hideaway has ‘just’ 25 villas or it would be higher. They are all luxury versions of traditional Fijian houses, with pool and mod cons. David McLay Kidd course is predictably spectacular. There are five bars and restaurants, a spa and stable.

43. Half Moon Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Course 27 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 18 Total 82

A course by Robert Trent Jones Snr from 1962 that’s routed through an old sugar cane estate, hugging the slopes of hills overlooking Half Moon. There are 210 elegant rooms and 27 villas. Resort amenities start with two miles of beach plus gym, tennis, scuba, water sports, squash and horse riding

42. Ardfin

Jura, Scotland

Course 33 Accommodation 20 Amenities 9 Setting 20 Total 82

The marks tell the story; a wonderful course in a breathtaking setting with world-class accommodation… but it is very much a break for golfers because if you want non-golf amenities, it’s not for you. The Bob Harrison course is already one of Scotland’s finest, and the bedrooms simply exquisite.

41. Heritage Awali

Bel Ombre , Mauritius

Course 27 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 18 Total 82

Stay at Heritage Awali or nearby sister hotel Le Telfair and play at Heritage Golf Club, a couple of minutes away by transfer. The Peter Matkovich design is technically excellent and tranquil. Beachside Awali has an Africa-themed design; a wonderful hotel with a peerless spa and superb dining.

40. Four Seasons Lanai

Hawaii, USA

Course 27 Accommodation 18 Amenities 19 Setting 18 Total 82

This adults-only, luxury retreat is famed for its wellness consultations, spa treatments, fitness and wellbeing classes. A Jack Nicklaus course on lava outcrops hugs the Pacific on three holes. Accommodation is achingly chic. Five restaurants, tennis, pool, cultural tours, fishing, and fabulous setting.

39. The K Club

Dublin, Ireland

Courses 29 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 17 Total 83

Enjoying a real renaissance at the moment, with investment on and off the course, the 2006 Ryder Cup host is a brilliant all-rounder. The courses are two of Ireland’s finest, with the Palmer (now the Palmer North) offering a thrilling finale, while the rooms are absolutely fabulous.

38. The Greenbrier

Charleston, USA

Courses 33 Accommodation 18 Amenities 16 Setting 16 Total 83

The Old White by icons Seth Raynor and Charles Blair Macdonald opened in 1914. Raynor then added The Greenbrier, which has hosted the Ryder and Solheim Cups, and The Meadows. Plus a wealth of rooms, restaurants and bars plus spa, pool, fitness.

37. Gloria

Belek, Turkey

Courses 30 Accommodation 18 Amenities 19 Setting 16 Total 83

Three courses and three hotels all within a drive and a mid-iron from each other make this one of Europe’s great resorts. The golf is consistently good across all courses and the hotels offer something a little different to cater for all tastes. The common theme is luxury, with an incredible array of amenities.

36. Eden Roc

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Course 30 Accommodation 19 Amenities 16 Setting 18 Total 83

Jack Nicklaus’ Punta Espada design is routed along cliffs and next to beaches and waterfalls. Opulent accommodation ranging from boutique villas with private pools to beachfront suites. 

Amenities range from mountain bikes to scuba. A high-end resort done exceptionally tastefully.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in the Middle East

35. Sea Island

Sea Island, USA

Courses 32 Accommodation 18 Amenities 16 Setting 17 Total 83

Three courses – the Seaside, which looks like a links and is characterised by tidal creeks, dunes, salt marshes and the Atlantic – the Plantation, where Davis Love grew up and has been remodelled – and the fun Retreat. Three hotels, cottages, hunting lodge, 13 restaurants and a host of outdoor activities.

34. Sandals Emerald Bay

Great Exuma, Bahamas

Course 28 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 19 Total 83

This oceanfront resort in Great Exuma boasts a Greg Norman design with six holes hugging the coastline of a gorgeous peninsula. Host of the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. There is a huge spa, a deepwater marina, 11 restaurants and stylish accommodation.

33. One&Only Palmilla

Los Cabos, Mexico

Course 26 Accommodation 20 Amenities 19 Setting 18 Total 83

Opened in 1992, this was Jack Nicklaus’ first signature course in Latin America. It has three nines with four lakes and notable elevation changes. The range and quality of accommodation has few peers in this list. There are non-golf experiences for families and couples. Simply a stay in paradise.

32. Lemuria

Praslin, Seychelles

Course 25 Accommodation 19 Amenities 19 Setting 20 Total 83

A beach recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful is a good start to a resort. Anse Georgette, really is that good, too. It is the achingly beautiful backdrop to the all-world 15th, a drop par 3 that takes some beating as an Insta brag or screensaver. That is the outstanding highlight of a lovely course that is just one small part of the awesome Lemuria experience.

The picture gives you a good taste of what to expect, but also add in the cute little white-wood villas just yards from the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean. Watersports, tennis, a spa, yoga, a gym and terrific food complement the peerless setting and accommodation.

31. The Broadmoor

Colorado Springs, USA

Courses 31 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 16 Total 84

Has two courses, the East and West, both influenced by Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones Snr. The former has staged the US Women’s Open and Jack Nicklaus’ first US Amateur win. Enjoyed by presidents and celebrities, there are 84 rooms, a spa, pools, 10 restaurants, fitness centre and tennis.

30. Le Touessrok

Trou D’eau Douce, Mauritius

Course 26 Accommodation 19 Amenities 19 Setting 20 Total 84

One of the world’s great locations for golf, Le Touessrok sits picture-perfectly on Ile aux Cerfs (island of deer), made all the more memorable by the boat trip to get there from the hotel jetty. The Shangri-La hotel is set down on fingers of land stretching into the Indian Ocean. Just an amazing place.

29. Fairmont Jasper Park

Alberta, Canada

Course 32 Accommodation 18  Amenities 15 Setting 19 Total 84

It took 50 teams of horses and 200 men a year to clear boulders and debris on land for the No.71 in our World Top 100 Courses.

A Stanley Thompson design, it sits between the Rockies and glistening lakes. There are 442 delightful bedrooms and luxury cabins. The spa headlines the non-golf appeal.

28. Praia D’el Rey

Obidos, Portugal

Courses 34 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 19 Total 84

Two courses in the top 30 of our continental European list, plus a Marriott hotel quietly at least as good as many more vaunted spots. West Cliffs is one of Europe’s new superstars, epic in scale and aesthetics, while Praia D’el Rey is an old favourite that still inspires. Superb Atlantic Ocean setting.

27. Mukul 

Managua, Nicaragua

Course 26 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 20 Total 84

Yes, Nicaragua. And yes, it really is good enough for the top 30. A David McLay Kidd course – called Guacalito de la Isla – is just the start. It has a tropical feel as it winds among native vegetation in an area known as the Emerald Coast, and, as our picture shows, pops its head out onto the Pacific shore. The individual villas with private pool are simply out of this world and just yards from a pristine beach that is a dream for kids, surfers and runners. The spa is exceptional – and one of the very best in this ranking. There is tennis, a kids’ club, yoga and hiking. Yet perhaps Mukul’s USP is its atmosphere, it has an uncommon magic about it.

26. Quinta do Lago

Algarve, Portugal

Courses 33 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 17 Total 84

Part of what is a large village in the Algarve, there wasn’t a hotel attached to the courses until they acquired the enjoyably quirky Magnolia. Add it to the courses – the South is a Top 100 fixture, the revamped North has been one and Laranjal easily could be – plus fantastic sports, and Quinta do Lago has much to enjoy.

>>> Best Golf Resorts in the World – 25th-11th >>>

<<< Best Golf Resorts in the World – 75th-51st <<<

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG before joining Golf World and Today’s Golfer as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.