Adare Manor is one of the best golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.

What are the best golf resorts in the UK and Ireland? The latest Golf World Top 100 ranking reveals all so you can plan the perfect golf break in Britain or the Emerald Isle.

1. Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

2. Trump Turnberry, Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland

3. Adare Manor, Adare, Limerick, Ireland

4. Ardfin, Jura, Argyll, Scotland

5. The K Club, Straffan, Kildare, Ireland

6. Stoke Park, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, England

7. Rosapenna, Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland

8. Carton House, Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland

9. Celtic Manor, Newport, South Wales, Wales

10. Trump International Golf Links Ireland (Doonbeg), Doonbeg, Clare, Ireland

RELATED: Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Courses in England

Jump to the Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland ranking

100-76 | 75-51 | 50-26 | 25-11 | 10-1

Best for male groups | Best for female groups | Best for couples

Welcome to the Golf World Top 100 Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland

This seems an extraordinarily good moment to be releasing a ranking of the best golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.

We have long planned to publish this list so it is a happy coincidence in every sense that we do so at a time we can once again actually stay in accommodation. And while I know a lot of you will be desperate to get on a plane and play golf abroad again, I’m sure many will be keen for various reasons to stay closer to home for the foreseeable future.

Well, as this latest Top 100 ranking shows, you have some wonderful options, covering every corner of GB&I, every budget and every type of resort imaginable.

We have golf resorts that are all about the course and have minimal non-golf amenities. We have resorts that are as much a dream destination for children as they are for their golfer parents.

We have resorts that are perfect for a couple’s getaway. We have resorts perched on clifftops, set down by the sea and sitting in inland tranquility.

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We have resorts that range from barely £70 for accommodation and golf to those where there’s no change from £1,000 a night. There is something for everyone, and the strength in depth is incredible.

Of course the list of the best golf resorts in the UK and Ireland will not find agreement with everyone, and perhaps especially because we take accommodation and/or non-golf amenities into account fairly strongly.

Well, we didn’t want a list of ‘courses with rooms’ – otherwise we’d have had to include every Great Britain and Ireland Top 100-ranked course that had a dormie house with one bed in it.

We wanted to reward rounded resorts that could appeal to couples and families as well golf nuts – but rest assured, there are plenty of those golf-specific resorts included too!

I hope you enjoy browsing the list and I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say the feeling of waking up at a resort and going down for breakfast knowing we have a day of golf ahead cannot come quickly enough.

As always, we welcome your feedback on all of our rankings and know that everyone will have an opinion on their favourite's position. We'd love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Chris Bertram, Golf World Top 100 Editor

RELATED: Get all the Top 100 news and updates direct to your inbox

What is the Golf World Top 100?

How we ranked the best golf resorts in Great Britain & Ireland

Well-travelled figures from the golf travel industry plus our panel of club golfers who have played widely formed the list.

The Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland were assessed in four categories... 

Golf course/s (out of 40 marks)

The quality of the course/s – with second or third courses duly recognised.

Accommodation (25 marks)

The range, quality and quantity of the accommodation.

Non-golf amenities (25 marks)

Additional facilities that attract families and couples.

Setting (10 marks)

Lots of 7s for usual countryside locations, but the special spots get 8, 9 and even 10.

In the event of a tie on marks, Golf World Top 100 Editor Chris Bertram adjudicates.

THINK YOU SHOULD BE ON THE PANEL? Get in touch with us, here

Five things we learned while compiling the best golf resorts ranking

It’s not all about high-end golf resorts

There is no doubt that some resorts, especially at the top of the list, are very expensive. We know that. We know their cost is prohibitive for many golfers, but we want to present an objective representation of the very best you can play and stay at. You can then work out what it costs to go, and decide if it is worth the money.

The good news is, there are also plenty of resorts in this Top 100 that offer fantastic value: North Shore in Lincolnshire (with a part-links) is definitely one; Hellidon Lakes in Northamptonshire is another; Telford, Cardrona, Manor House & Ashbury, Portal and The Vale are six more great-value options. They are out there.

Wales have quality but not quantity

Penrhos and Rolls of Monmouth could easily have made it in, and got Wales as a country up to five entries. But there just aren’t lots of Welsh resorts in existence, so in contrast to the Best GB&I Courses You Can Play for £60 and Under ranking – where Wales were exceptionally well represented – the Principality have a number that looks a little thin this month.

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Ireland have quality and quantity!

They do. And it’s not just that Ireland have 15, it’s that they are all in the top 50.

They have five in the top 10 and 10 in the top 25. When Ireland decide to create a golf resort, they don’t do it by halves. Generally built in and around grand castles or manors, they are crammed with activities for kids, luxury for adults and Top 100-calibre courses for the golfers in the party. And there are a handful of pure links resorts, too. 

There are plenty of great golf resorts for families

Yes! We want to reward well-rounded resorts that offer more than just a few rooms and a course, and this ranking is full of resorts that do exactly that. From 1-100 you’ll find amenities galore – but do pay attention to the marks, because while most are 14+ (and that means they have plenty to do), beware of anything lower than that in the Amenities category. It means they will have dining, but not too much more.

Best golf resorts location locator

You can start narrowing down your choice by deciding what kind of setting appeals. We have 11 links resorts, a few clifftop options, some lakeside entries, plenty in tranquil countryside and lots in towns or cities. It is a quick way to rule lots of resorts in/out of your plans.

RELATED: Golf World Top 100 Links Courses in Britain and Ireland

The best golf resorts by country

England leads the way with 65 of the 100 resorts. Scotland has 17 golf resorts in the list, two more than Ireland. Wales has just three but, as we explained above, while the Principality has some incredible course it just doesn’t have that many golf resorts and there were only a couple more that had a realistic chance of getting in. That being said, with a resort of the quality of Celtic Manor, which is a must-visit for all golfers, you don’t need many more.

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Are they any golf resorts that could enter the ranking in 2023?

Yes. Dundonald in Ayrshire are poised to open swish new lodges in August to complement their Kyle Phillips-designed links. We haven’t experienced them yet, so left them out of this ranking – but safe to say they will come into the 2023 GB&I Resorts list. They look terrific.

The best golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland in numbers

5 – Number of English resorts in the final 50 – illustrating the country’s depth.

45 – Number of English resorts in the final 50 – illustrating the country’s depth.

29 – Number of courses within the 100 resorts that have been in our GB&I Top 100 Courses.

15 – Number of Irish resorts in the top 50. Ireland also have half of the top 10.

37 – Number of multi-course resorts (including 27-hole venues).

4 – Number of single-course resorts to make it into the top 10.

11 – Number of resorts in the list with at least one links course.

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Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland – 100-76

100 Greetham Valley

Oakham, Rutland, England

 Courses 18 Accommodation 14 Amenities 14 Setting 7 Total 53

This is frankly the very least Greetham deserves. It has two contrasting, undulating and challenging courses (Lakes and Valley) that give it the bulk of its marks, along with an excellent nine-hole academy course. There's also a renovated range, solid hotel, luxurious self-catering lodges and impressive bar and restaurant in the peaceful countryside of England's smallest county. Outdoor activities, such as archery, bowling, petanque, rambling and along with a modern gym, secure its place in our most competitive GB&I Top 100 Resorts ranking to date. A brilliant venue for societies.

99 Headlam Hall

Darlington, Durham, England

 Course 13 Accommodation 18 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 53

First entry for this Durham resort in our Resorts Top 100. Just nine holes, so if you want loads of golf, it’s not for you. But if you want a nice round followed by really, really good accommodation, an exceptional spa and high-calibre food, this definitely is for you. Such an easy-to-love North-East England venue – you won’t regret going.

98 North Shore

Skegness, Lincolnshire, England

 Course 17 Accommodation 15 Amenities 13 Setting 8 Total 53

Doesn’t affect the ranking, but this is one of the best-value resorts in the 100. The course boasts some proper links holes as well as some more modest parkland ones – more of the former and it would be 20 places higher. The unfussy hotel overlooks the course and North Sea, so it is a good setting. Pair it with Seacroft – No.1 in our £60 and Under list.

97 Worsley Park

Manchester, Lancashire, England

 Course 14 Accommodation 18 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 53

The course is a strong modern layout by European Golf Design in association with Michael King, routinely in good condition and a proper test. The Marriott hotel possibly surpasses it though, of a standard that attracts football teams visiting Manchester. Stately feel to the building, but stylish and well-equipped inside.

96 Lingfield Park

East Grinstead, Surrey, England

 Course 15 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 54

The golf comes in the form of a Harvey Jarrett-designed parkland course that opened in 1987. It sits cheek by jowl with   the famous racecourse, as does the modern hotel, which especially excels in terms of a spa offering. On race meeting days, this can be a vibrant golf-and-racing long weekend but, at other times, a tranquil break.

95 Telford Hotel

Telford, Shropshire, England

 Course 15 Accommodation 15 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 54

Things we liked about Telford: the unpretentious course; the friendly staff; the incredibly good health club; the hearty food; the predictably good QHotel bedrooms. It isn’t trying to be anything it’s not and if you want a pleasant parkland-woodland course and a relaxed vibe for your break (and a gym that shames five-star hotels), head here.

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94 Ufford Park

Woodbridge, Suffolk, England

 Course 15 Accommodation 16 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 54

Expect a parkland course dominated by water – it features on two thirds of the holes – in good condition. That is complemented by a 90-room hotel, including a health club, spa and indoor swimming pool. A really good all-rounder and a great base for Suffolk’s underrated golf attractions – there’s a great trip to be had here.

93 Westerwood

Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Course 16 Accommodation 16 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 55

Now part of the DoubleTree by Hilton group, the course here overlooks the Kilsyth Hills and Campsie Fells, so it has a peaceful setting despite being close to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Seve Ballesteros and Dave Thomas designed it among birch, fir, heather and water features. The four-star, 148-bedroom hotel has a good spa.

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92 Tudor Park

Bearsted, Kent, England

Course 15 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 55

Renowned architect Donald Steel designed the parkland course at this resort in countryside near Maidstone in 1988, routing it in a deer park of rolling hills and wooded valleys. The pedigree course is more than matched by a hotel with up-to-date amenities – including an indoor pool, gym, spa – and style within a historic building.

91 Hellidon Lakes

Daventry, Northants, England

Course 15 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 55

Set in a gorgeous plot of Northamptonshire countryside, Hellidon Lakes has much to offer groups and couples. There are 27 holes to take on, with water features and risk-reward holes to the fore. The four-star hotel has a comprehensive spa and good restaurant options. Shows the strength in depth in GB&I that it is not higher.

90 Shrigley Hall

Macclesfield, Cheshire, England

Course 15 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 55

Located on the edge of the Peak District, on the outskirts of Macclesfield, the hotel impressively sits within a converted Victorian country house. It boasts a large spa and health club with swimming pool and stylish bedrooms. The Donald Steel course is draped over land that rises and falls to give plenty of interesting holes.

89 Wychwood Park

Crewe, Cheshire, England

Course 15 Accommodation 18 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 55

Part of the Legacy Hotels group, the strength of this Cheshire venue has always been its stylish hotel – and it has just had a £3m makeover, so safe to say it is a real attraction. The parkland course has staged the EuroPro Tour and is perfectly nice; the hotel is a lot more than just nice. A leisure club headlines the non-golf amenities.

88 Sprowston Manor

Norwich, Norfolk, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 55

Really nice feel to this Norfolk resort. The 1980s course was renovated by European Golf Design’s Ross McMurray and is a thoughtful woodland-parkland. Then there is a hotel within a converted mid-16th century Manor House. The interior oozes class, an indoor pool and spa lead the non-golf amenities.

87 Linden Hall

Morpeth, Northumberland, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 55

Set in 450 acres of private grounds, this converted country house hotel is part of the Macdonald group. It is stylish and dripping with pedigree and boasts an indoor swimming pool, spa, and a two AA Rosette restaurant. British architect Jonathan Gaunt designed the course in tranquil Northumberland countryside.

86 Heacham Manor

Hunstanton, Norfolk, England

Course 15 Accommodation 18 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 55

The 45-room hotel is probably the star of this resort, because it would be the star of many resorts in the list. Heacham’s hotel oozes character as well as being stylish, cosy and comfortable. This North Norfolk venue sits close to the sea and the course is consistently entertaining, be it on the open, rolling land or its more enclosed holes.

85 Staverton Estate

Daventry, Northants, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 56

It doesn’t take long before you realise the golf here is not your standard resort offering. The first three work the undulating land really well; the 1st dropping cleverly down a ridge, the 2nd playing up and over a hill and the 3rd a strategic dog-leg. The hotel (with the leisure club) is being refurbished and, when complete, we expect Staverton to rise.

84 Wokefield Estate

Reading, Berkshire, England

Course 14 Accommodation 19 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 56

The hotel’s building – featuring 87 guestrooms, including 12 luxury suites – dates back to the 1560s so is steeped in pedigree, but has been transformed by a £20m restoration. Part of Principal Hotels’ De Vere group, the championship course features elevated tees, streams and lakes. A really classy option in Berkshire.

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83 Highbullen

Umberleigh, Devon, England

Course 14 Accommodation 18 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 56

The golf is good, but the off-course facilities really impress. Exquisite accommodation in the manor or estate rooms and amenities that include sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, plus a gym, spa, outdoor tennis, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, croquet, fishing and shooting. The woodland-parkland course doesn’t let the side down.

82 Barnham Broom

Norwich, Norfolk, England

Courses 19 Accommodation 16 Amenities 14 Setting 7 Total 56

Two contrasting courses by notable architects secure this Norfolk resort a prominent place in the list. The Valley by Frank Pennink and The Hill by Donald Steel are in excellent condition and live up to their names. Off the course, the plush hotel has excellent food and we’ve always thought this a fine long weekend option for couples.

81 Belton Woods

Grantham, Lincolnshire, England

Courses 19 Accommodation 15 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 56

One of the most comprehensive golf offerings in the list makes this a brilliant option for male and female groups. There are actually 45 holes here – the Lakes and Woodside 18-holers, plus and a good nine-hole Par 3 course. Off the course, there’s a four-star, 136-bedroom hotel including a leisure club, spa and tennis courts.

80 Hill Valley

Whitchurch, Shropshire, England

Courses 18 Accommodation 16 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 56

There are actually two courses here, which help get Hill Valley into the top 80 – the championship ‘Emerald’, which was designed by Belfry creators Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas in 1975, as well as the sub-5,000-yard Sapphire. The four-star hotel, with pool, gym and spa, make this a strong offering in Shropshire.

79 Hollins Hall

Shipley, West Yorkshire, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 56

Ross McMurray made a fine job of setting down this varied course on what is often notably undulating moorland between Leeds and Bradford. Lots of good holes and memorable moments. The hotel has some character and enough amenities to hold its own in this Top 100. Part of the Britannia Group, it has a fine spa and gym.

78 Thorpeness

Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England

Course 21 Accommodation 18 Amenities 10 Setting 7 Total 56

An England Top 100 course on site – and a GB&I Top 100 course in Aldeburgh, a few minutes away – make this Suffolk option one for the connoisseur. Not much in the way of amenities in the hotel, but the golf on offer – a James Braid original – and nearby is really top class. The hotel’s class certainly matches the course, as does the food.

77 Dorset Golf & Country Club

Bere Regis, Dorset, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 8 Total 56

To 27 holes of Martin Hawtree-designed woodland golf in a tranquil setting, add fabulous, well-equipped log cabins and amenities that include woodland walks, bowling, fishing and a fitness centre. Scenic, super golf, and excellent accommodation.

76 Meon Valley

Shedfield, Hampshire, England

Courses 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 56

Nice base for a Hampshire break with Hamilton J Stutt’s woodland-parkland design from the 1970s – highlighted by the short 12th – backed up by the Valley and played around the ruins of a Roman village. The hotel, part of the Britannia group, has a fitness suite and pool as well as a spa bath, a steam room and a sauna. A fine all-rounder.

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Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland – 75-51

75 The Oxfordshire

Thame, Oxfordshire, England

Course 18 Accommodation 17 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 57

The robust Rees Jones design from 1992 was once a familiar European Tour host and is a strong modern championship course that heads the attractions here. But there’s also 46 bedrooms and four luxury suites in a hotel that does not lack facilities – including a spa with treatment rooms, pool and a health club. Stars of the ’90s all played here.

74 Dunston Hall

Norwich, Norfolk, England

Course 16 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 57

Just four miles from Norwich but completely tranquil, Dunston Hall’s £2m investment has edged it up the ranking and sets it apart from similar venues. Ross McMurray designed the course and it has benefited from some of the investment, as has the well-equipped health club with pool and sauna. Characterful feel to the hotel.

73 Hawkstone Park

Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England

Courses 21 Accommodation 18 Amenities 12 Setting 7 Total 58

Three courses – Hawkstone, Championship and Short – in extensive parkland surrounding the ruins of a medieval castle as well as the cliffs of the world-famous 18th century Follies. The hotel has 66 rooms including two suites and five superior rooms. Not lots of amenities, but there are three courses, so you don’t need them.

72 Formby Hall

Southport, Merseyside

Course 15 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 59

A modern 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole Par 3 and extensive practice facilities. That is all arguably overshadowed by the hotel, though, whose rooms were refurbished in 2017 and are at the top end of four-star status. The spa is really, really good, too, and this is a brilliant base for a few days on ‘England’s Golf Coast’.

71 Cardrona

Peebles, Borders, Scotland

Course 18 Accommodation 16 Amenities 17 Setting 8 Total 59

Dave Thomas-designed course in tranquil Scottish Borders countryside that offers a setting that is better than standard. The Macdonald hotel is modern and has an excellent gym and good spa. The bar and restaurant are informal but very appealing. Close enough to Manchester, Leeds et al to be a really good couples’ weekend option.

70 Aldwark Manor

York, North Yorkshire, England

Course 15 Accommodation 18 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 59

Very good spa and health club facilities which are part of a four-star, 53-bedroom hotel that combines a characterful part in a 17th century manor house as well as a contemporary wing – all are first class. The course has the River Ure meandering through it, but is mainly a flattering parkland to be enjoyed not endured.

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69 Stoke by Nayland

Colchester, Essex, England

Courses 18 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 8 Total 60

Essex is not known as a hotbed of golf, but Stoke by Nayland deserves this top 70 slot for its two 18-hole championship courses – the lake-dominated Gainsborough and the woodland Constable – a two AA Rosette restaurant, a neat 80-bedroom hotel plus five lodges, an extensive spa and gym. Set in  an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

68 Dartmouth Hotel

Blackawton, Devon, England

Courses 20 Accommodation 18 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 61

Another two-course resort, both by Jeremy Penn and headed by the 7,200 yard Championship course, which has hosted the West Region PGA Championships six times. The par 33, nine-hole Dartmouth is a nice back-up. The 35 bedrooms in the Best Western hotel are complemented by new self-catering properties and a large spa.

67 Breadsall Priory

Morley, Derbyshire, England

Courses 20 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 61

Two 18-hole courses here – set in 400 acres of parkland near the Peak District National Park – help Breadsall into the top 70. The Priory by David Cox opened in 1977 and was later joined by the Moorland by Donald Steel. The hotel certainly doesn’t let the side down and the peaceful location will appeal to many. Low-ish profile, but very good.

66 Forest Pines

Brigg, Lincolnshire, England

Courses 20 Accommodation 16 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 60

Three loops of nine that are good enough to have hosted the Boys Home Internationals. They live up to the resort’s name, with holes winding among tall pines. One of the best courses in the second half of this ranking. There’s also a four-star, 188-bedroom hotel with two restaurants, a refurbished health club and a spa with swimming pool.

65 Old Thorns

Liphook, Hampshire, England

Course 16 Accommodation 19 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 61

A Peter Alliss-designed course sitting among mature woodland and notable for, at times, significant elevation change as well as small targets and some water hazards. It is arguably overshadowed, though, by a large hotel – as well as self-contained stylish flats – with a brilliant spa and leisure centre. Terrific couples or groups option.

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64 Oulton Hall

Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Course 18 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 61

Dave Thomas-designed 27 holes among mature parkland on the outskirts of Leeds  of a really good standard. The hotel, set in a grand old building, has been rated five-star and exudes real character and style. It features two restaurants, a grill room and an excellent golfers’ restaurant. There’s also a champagne bar and outstanding spa.

63 Mottram Hall

Prestbury, Cheshire, England

Course 17 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 62

A 120-bedroom, four-star hotel tells you the basics, but doesn’t explain how cute and charming it is. Into that character has been added the UK’s first Alfresco ThermoSpace spa as part of an excellent health club. The 7,006-yard parkland-woodland course is lined by oak and beech and adds to a well-heeled resort verging on five stars.

62 Rudding Park

Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England

Courses 18 Accommodation 20 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 62

A real sense of grandeur at this North Yorkshire resort. The stately hotel in a fabulous old building is set in wonderful estate grounds and is beautifully appointed, with a predictably fine spa. A Martin Hawtree-designed 18-holer and the funky six-hole Repton provide the varied golf. Outstanding option for all parties.

61 Luton Hoo

Luton, Bedfordshire, England

Course 17 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 62

Extremely good single-course resort in Bedfordshire. There is a robust, modern course – created out of the old Victorian nine-hole layout – that winds between oak, beech and sweet chestnut in Grade I listed parkland, plus a five-star hotel within a late 18th century Mansion House that has a spa, tennis, bikes and shooting as amenities.

60 Stapleford Park

Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England

Course 17 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 62

We have ranked Stapleford even though the course – by Donald Steel in Capability Brown-landscaped grounds – is currently closed. We are hopeful this well-groomed English parkland is open again soon and it remains a resort. The course is backed up by a luxury hotel within a Grade I listed mansion with many country pursuits.

59 Portal

Tarporley, Cheshire, England

Courses 22 Accommodation 16 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 62

Two 18-hole courses and a nine-holer give Portal a rare quantity of holes. The Championship course is backed up by the Premier, which might have the best hole on site, the short 7th in a sandstone quarry. The large hotel is headlined by a really good spa and this is a terrific option for male/female groups who want lots of golf on site.

58 Mar Hall

Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Course 17 Accommodation 20 Amenities 16 Setting 9 Total 62

Location plays a big part in setting Mar Hall apart from other single-course venues which follow in the list. It sits in tranquil parkland on the edge of the Clyde and boasts a course designed by Dave Thomas and his son that has been in our Scottish Top 100. The hotel is arguably even better, offering serious luxury in a stately setting.

57 Dale Hill

Wadhurst, East Sussex, England

Courses 22 Accommodation 17 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 62

You don’t hear much about this East Sussex venue and it’s hard to understand why. There is an eponymous Ian Woosnam-designed course plus a second 18-holer in The Old – both sitting on hillside terrain and among mature woodland – while the 35-bedroom hotel has an indoor heated pool and well-equipped gym. Nice location too.

56 Bowood

Calne, Wiltshire, England

Course 15 Accommodation 20 Amenities 20 Setting 7 Total 62

A Dave Thomas-designed course in a Capability Brown-landscaped estate that was the home of the Lansdowne family for over 250 years. The well-manicured course in rolling land, including a large lake, is just one part of the appeal, though; the 43-room boutique hotel with adventure playground and soft play for kids is uncommonly good.

55 Manor House & Ashbury

Okehampton, Devon, England

Courses 17 Accommodation 15 Amenities 24 Setting 7 Total 63

Four 18-hole courses of varying configurations plus two nine-holers represent the enormous amount of golf here. But that’s just the start. There are also  two hotels – 222-room Ashbury hotel and 204-room Manor House – and, best of all, there are more than 70 sport, craft, leisure and spa activities. Family heaven.

54 The Mere

Knutsford, Cheshire, England

Course 19 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 63

This Cheshire resort is a ‘place to be seen’, such is its quality and glitz. Off the course, the historic main building has been stylishly decorated inside and expanded with contemporary extensions. A first-class spa and excellent food lead the non-golf attractions. The course has pedigree and is being returned to its heathland origins.

53 Murrayshall

Scone, Perthshire, Scotland

Courses 23 Accommodation 18 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 63

A main course that is a Scottish Top 100 contender and a pleasant No.2 that is short, fun and perfect for a second round in a day or for beginners. The accommodation is arguably even better, whether in the grand old sandstone main building or in self-contained chalets. Tranquil setting. One of the best options for couples in the entire list.

52 Tewkesbury Park

Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England

Course 18 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 63

Four years ago, Tewkesbury was in the mid-70s in our ranking, so this spot on the cusp of the top 50 suggests the £3m investment has been a success. The parkland course has been upgraded by amateur legend turned architect Peter McEvoy, while the bedrooms in the refurbished hotel are genuinely as sumptuous as many in the top 10. A health club and spa lead the amenities. A terrific couples option in peaceful Gloucestershire.

51 Meldrum House

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Course 21 Accommodation 21 Amenities 14 Setting 7 Total 63

You can only play the course – which is a Scottish Top 100 fixture – if you stay in the swish hotel. It isn’t cheap (cost doesn’t affect our ranking) but it does offer quality. The parkland-woodland course by Graeme Webster is consistently interesting and the hotel is really, really good. Luxurious yet cosy with real style and excellent food.

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Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland – 50-26

50 Goodwood

Chichester, West Sussex, England

Courses 24 Accommodation 19 Amenities 13 Setting 7 Total 63

Some real pedigree here, with the James Braid-designed Downs – which has been renovated by Tom Mackenzie and is a Top 100 England course – backed up by Donald Steel’s Park. Then there is a wonderful country hotel with style and panache. The food is exquisite and so is the health club, with gym, pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and tennis.

49 Mount Wolseley

Tullow, Carlow, Ireland

Course 17 Accommodation 19 Amenities 20 Setting 7 Total 63

The high-class Irish entries keep coming. This one is in Carlow and is a very balanced offering between a lush, immaculate Christy O’Connor Jnr-designed parkland – with water featuring on the 3rd, 4th and 11th – and a luxury hotel. The course is Top 100 Ireland calibre and the hotel is opulent and packed with amenities.

48 Selsdon Estate

Croydon, Surrey, England

Course 19 Accommodation 19 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 63

A move into the top 50 for a resort we have always thought had a lot of potential; there was always the spine of a really good course here – as befits a 1929 JH Taylor design. Investment has been made in polishing it, likewise the hotel, which had a shabby chic quality before and is now just enjoyably grand. Tranquil, yet close to central London.

47 Fota Island

Fota Island, Cork, Ireland

Courses 21 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 64

Three championship-standard course configurations – the original Deerpark, Belvelly and Barryscourt – across 27 holes among woodland and around water features. Championship course has hosted the Irish Open.  The five-star hotel’s spa, fine dining and off-course activities are a fine complement.

46 Trevose

Padstow, Cornwall, England

Course 26 Accommodation 17 Amenities 13 Setting 8 Total 64

All about the course here. Well, there is on-site lodge accommodation that caters for groups of between two and six people, and a wonderful seaside setting. But this is about the Harry Colt course that has been renovated by Tom Mackenzie and is an English Top 100 fixture and a contender for the GB&I list. A connoisseur’s choice.

45 Forest of Arden

Meriden, Warwickshire, England

Courses 23 Accommodation 17 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 64

Two courses secure this Warwickshire resort a slot in the top 50. The Arden was designed by Donald Steel on Lord Aylesford’s 10,000-acre estate in the 1970s, while the shorter Aylesford is a nice complement. The Steel course has hosted seven English Opens. The large hotel lacks a bit of sparkle, but is perfectly good.

44 Hanbury Manor

Ware, Hertfordshire, England

Course 18 Accommodation 20 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 64

A strong course in 200 acres of parkland by Jack Nicklaus II that astutely incorporates features from an earlier nine-holer by Harry Vardon and has Tour-hosting pedigree. Add to that a 17th century Jacobean-style country house that has been converted into a fine hotel – picture wood-panelled libraries and intricate fireplaces.

43 Heythrop Park

Enstone, Oxfordshire, England

Course 19 Accommodation 22 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 66

Leading architect Tom Mackenzie has created a fine championship course among mature woodland, lakes and streams within an estate that dates back to 1710. There are two hotels to choose from: the historic, grand Heythrop Park Hotel and a more modern alternative. A health club & spa and children’s activities offer plenty to do.

42 Slieve Russell

Ballyconnell, Cavan, Ireland

Course 18 Accommodation 20 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 66

Seriously unfortunate not to be in the top 40, illustrating the strength of this ranking. The Top 100 Ireland course by Patrick Merrigan is routed among lakes and hills – with water especially to the fore on the back nine. The hotel offers a high level of luxury and there are tonnes of facilities – from tennis, to a kids’ room and a spa with pool.

41 Old Head of Kinsale

Kinsale, Cork, Ireland

Course 29 Accommodation 16 Amenities 12 Setting 10 Total 67

A new entry – and a very high one at that – as a result of an expanded accommodation offering. Allied to the GB&I Top 100 course and the best setting in the entire list, the extra luxury suites give it sufficient rooms to become eligible. There is a high-calibre spa too, which helps its Amenities mark. A weekend of Insta-worthy moments awaits.

40 Close House

Newcastle, Northumberland, England

Courses 26 Accommodation 24 Amenities 10 Setting 7 Total 67

The marks (above) tell the story. If you just want lots of good golf and excellent accommodation, this is for you – with few better in the list in this respect. For other things to do, seek elsewhere. The Colt is an English Top 100 entry and the Filly a solid 18-holer No.2. The accommodation is gorgeous – and right next to the courses.

39 St Pierre

Chepstow, Wales

Courses 24 Accommodation 20 Amenities 16 Setting 7 Total 67

There are so many strong two-course venues in the 30s of this list. Here, a £1.8m renovation of the hotel and £2m spent on the Old Course – host of the Solheim Cup – has reaped rewards. Built around a 14th century manor and 11th century church, the Old has an infamous par-3 18th to finish. The Mathern is a forgiving, solid No.2.

RELATED: What is Wales' best golf course?

38 Carden Park

Chester, Cheshire, England

Courses 21 Accommodation 20 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 67

Carden can cater for any kind of golf party. For those seeking purely solid golf, there are two 18-hole courses – the Nicklaus and the Cheshire. For couples looking for an elegant stay, there is a large spa and opulent accommodation with more than a hint of grandeur. For families, activities range from archery and tennis to a children’s playground.

37 The Roxburghe

Kelso, Borders, Scotland

Course 20 Accommodation 23 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 67

First time inside our top 40 for this Borders retreat owing to extra amenities that mean it can offer an action-packed weekend. The Dave Thomas course is a Scottish Top 100 entry, the manor house a refined retreat with fabulous dining and the activities, including a brand-new spa, are superb. If it sat 10 spots higher it would not flatter it.

36 Brocket Hall

Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England

Courses 25 Accommodation 21 Amenities 15 Setting 7 Total 68

Has a storied history in every sense, though we were never quite sure of what they were trying to achieve in recent years, but that has now gone and there is a fresh feel to Brocket. The two championship courses are fine parklands, the Melbourne crossing the River Lea on several occasions, and the Melbourne Lodge offers exquisite rooms.

35 Dalmahoy

Edinburgh, MidLothian, Scotland

Courses 26 Accommodation 17 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 68

Well-known Scottish resort has hosted the Solheim Cup and has two fine parkland courses as its star attractions. The East by James Braid is a Scottish Top 100 entry and can be a monster from the back tees, while the West is a good mix of shorter par 4s and par 3s. The hotel sits in a charming historic building and has good leisure facilities.

34 The Vale

Hensol, South Wales

Courses 25 Accommodation 18 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 68

Two courses, a fine hotel and some of the most comprehensive leisure facilities in the list make The Vale a strong presence in the 30s. It also offers some of the best value, incidentally, even though it doesn’t affect this ranking. The courses are both in our Wales Top 50, the National being a thrilling modern test, the Lake a playable No.2.

33 Bovey Castle

North Bovey, Devon, England

Course 17 Accommodation 22 Amenities 22 Setting 7 Total 68

The JF Abercromby course, set down in 1926, was in our £60 and Under GB&I Top 100. It has some lovely old-school touches and an enjoyable traditional feel. It might not be the key attraction, though – that, for most, will be a five-star hotel of pedigree and tasteful luxury. There is lots to do for children, so a good family or couples break.

32 Cameron House/The Carrick

Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Course 19 Accommodation 23 Amenities 17 Setting 10 Total 69

An easy one to describe; the accommodation is magnificent, the golf good and at times great, and the setting bewitching. Cameron House, on the edge of Loch Lomond, is an unforgettable base and The Carrick a course of highs in every sense. They are five minutes apart, so it loses a few spots for that minor inconvenience. Otherwise, a joy.

31 East Sussex National

Uckfield, Sussex, England

Courses 27 Accommodation 17 Amenities 18 Setting 7 Total 69

The two 18-hole courses, the East and West, are of very similar standard – they were just a handful of places apart in our £60 and Under GB&I Top 100. The courses at this former European Tour host are more interesting than most of their type built in the ’80s. A large hotel with decent amenities means it is unlucky not to make the top 30.

30 Rockliffe Resort

Darlington, Teesside, England

Course 21 Accommodation 21 Amenities 20 Setting 7 Total 69

The parkland course by Marc Westenborg is a contender for our English Top 100, being one of the finest modern courses in the country. Add to that a five-star hotel and luxury cottage suites that are overshadowed by very, very few in this list. A really good spa and leisure facilities, plus fine dining, help this Teesside resort into the top 30.

29 Prince’s

Sandwich, Kent, England

Course 34 Accommodation 17 Amenities 9 Setting 9 Total 69

How to decide if Prince’s is for you: if amenities aren’t important and you want high-class golf and a nice place to stay, it is perfect. Other than dining, it lacks non-golf attractions. But with 27 holes (the additional nine give it a nice extra boost in the Courses mark) that are better than ever after a Martin Ebert renovation, and neat on-links lodge accommodation, Prince’s is seriously alluring.

28 Manor House

Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England

Course 17 Accommodation 24 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 69

For a one-course resort to be so high and for the course not to be an English Top 100 entry tells you how good it is. It sits in ‘chocolate box’ village Castle Combe and the hotel is utterly exquisite, with bathrooms to die for. The food is Michelin starred and there are tennis courts and amazing gardens. This really is something special.

27 Spey Valley

Aviemore, Highlands, Scotland

Course 21 Accommodation 18 Amenities 21 Setting 9 Total 69

A Scottish Top 100 course designed by Dave Thomas is really just the start. To that you need to add three hotels and 18 lodges, plus activity rooms, a pool with slides, soft play, gym and café plus a 650-seat 4K cinema. And it is all set at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. A brilliant option for all the family.

26 Slaley Hall

Hexham, Northumberland, England

Courses 25 Accommodation 17 Amenities 20 Setting 8 Total 70

A large resort that also manages to seem friendly and informal. The stars are the two championship courses – the Hunting (host of the European Tour) and the Priestman. They sit just outside our English Top 100 – no mean feat. The four-star hotel within an Edwardian mansion is good if not spectacular, and has plenty of amenities.

Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland – 25-11

25 Dromoland Castle

Newmarket-on-Fergus, Clare, Ireland

Course 19 Accommodation 24 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 71

A top 25 slot for this Co. Clare resort – and yet the accommodation is so good it feels harshly done by. If you want to stay in a castle, and if sliding between slender stone passageways, breezing down grand halls, and climbing intricate stairways are your thing, this is for you. Oh, and the Ron Kirby parkland course is an Irish Top 100 entry.

RELATED: Ireland's best inland course 

24 Portmarnock Links

Malahide, Dublin, Ireland

Course 24 Accommodation 20 Amenities 18 Setting 9 Total 71

Another high-end links resort, this one in delightful Dublin seaside suburb Malahide. Laid out by Bernhard Langer and European Golf Design, it is a proper, fast-running links on the edge of the Irish Sea. It’s in terrific nick after large investment and the hotel, in the former home of the Jameson whiskey family, oozes character and style.

23 Foxhills

Ottershaw, Surrey, England

Courses 28 Accommodation 19 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 71

You might know Foxhills has an English Top 100-ranked course (Longcross) plus another (Hunt) that is pretty much as good. You might know it has a cute Par 3 course, too. But did you know it also has a fabulous hotel of stylish suite rooms in addition to an excellent spa? Such a strong offering; that it is No.23 shows the quality of the top 25.

22 Trump International Golf Links Scotland

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Course 31 Accommodation 23 Amenities 8 Setting 9 Total 71

A tricky one to place. It has the second-ranked course in the list after Turnberry, it has an epic setting and the accommodation in MacLeod House is incredible. It lacks non-golf amenities, but if those don’t matter to you, this is high-end in every sense. A GB&I top 10 course and a seriously opulent stay.

21 Machrihanish Dunes

Machrihanish, Argyll, Scotland

Course 29 Accommodation 21 Amenities 11 Setting 10 Total 71

The hotel is 50 yards from the iconic 1st tee of Machrihanish Old and although that can’t count in this ranking as they are totally separate, do bear it in mind, because it is a real lure. Its own course is, of course, David McLay Kidd’s brilliantly quirky ‘Mach Dunes’, a GB&I Top 100 fixture. The hotel is really, really nice – for golfers, by golfers.

20 Archerfield

Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

Courses 33 Accommodation 24 Amenities 8 Setting 7 Total 72

Very easy to classify – as the marks demonstrate. If you want non-golf facilities, move on – because other than good food and a spa, Archerfield is lacking. If you want two Scottish Top 100 courses, which would be worthy GB&I entrants, and some of the finest accommodation (in lodges) in the list, this is very much for you. Real class.

19 Druids Glen

Newtown Mount Kennedy, Wicklow, Ireland

Courses 25 Accommodation 20 Amenities 20 Setting 7 Total 72

This resort, south of Dublin, has two Top 100 Ireland-ranked courses – Irish Open venue the Glen by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, while the Heath is a solid No.2. They’re set between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea. The hotel has 145 rooms and suites, extensive dining and a Spa and Health Club. No.19 is the least it deserves.

18 St Mellion

Saltash, Cornwall, England

Courses 29 Accommodation 17 Amenities 20 Setting 7 Total 73

The key thing to understand about St Mellion is that the golf is its strength. The hotel and leisure facilities are fine, and the Setting is seven+ in terms of marks, but the courses are the real attraction. The Nicklaus course has been a GB&I Top 100 entrant and a notable European Tour venue, and the Kernow is a really, really good No.2 course.

17 The Machrie

Islay, Argyll

Course 30 Accommodation 22 Amenities 12 Setting 9 Total 73

The extraordinary revolution is complete. First, DJ Russell renovated the ancient links resulting in it being more playable with better use of the setting, so making it a World Top 100 course. Now a brand-new hotel has opened overlooking the 18th green. A very, very special golf break awaits at The Machrie.

16 The Grove

Watford, Hertfordshire, England

Course 27 Accommodation 22 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 77

The Kyle Phillips-designed course is one of the few parklands in our GB&I Top 100 – that it muscles in among the storied links and heathlands shows how good it is. And this WGC host is in bewilderingly pristine condition. The hotel is an enjoyable mix of luxury and glamour, with a brilliant spa and gym plus lots of children’s activities.

15 Old Course Hotel/Duke’s

St Andrews, Fife , Scotland

Course 23 Accommodation 24 Amenities 21 Setting 9 Total 77

Loses a mark in Setting for the distance between the course and hotel, but otherwise this has so much going for it. The hotel is seriously good, with five-star rooms and loads of amenities, while its location overlooking the Old Course’s 17th and 18th can hardly be bettered. The heathland Duke’s course is a Scottish Top 100 entry.

14 Lough Erne

Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Course 26 Accommodation 23 Amenities 20 Setting 8 Total 77

This Sir Nick Faldo-designed course is really, really good. It is the second-ranked parkland in our Ireland list and has been in our GB&I Top 100. It enjoys a delightful lakeside (lough) setting and is notable for its varied and interesting holes. Add to that a gorgeous five-star hotel, which mixes old-world pedigree with layers of luxury.

13 Fairmont St Andrews

St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Courses 27 Accommodation 22 Amenities 19 Setting 9 Total  77

A very balanced offering from this resort on the outskirts of St Andrews, as the marks here illustrate. Strong in all categories, it doesn’t matter what the make-up of your golf party is, they will enjoy Fairmont St Andrews.

While it lacks a GB&I Top 100 course, it does have two Scottish Top 100 entries, the Torrance and the Kittocks. Both of them enjoy wonderful sea views as well as of the Home of Golf in the town below. The accommodation is at least as impressive, a large but friendly hotel with a wealth of amenities, chic interior and superb bedrooms. A very enviable location, excellent golf and a special hotel.

RELATED: What is the best golf course in Scotland?

12 Mount Juliet

Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland

Course 24 Accommodation 25 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 77

A couple of new entries push Mount Juliet out of the top 10, but that really doesn’t reflect its quality. It has a course that is good enough to have regularly been in our GB&I Top 100 and which is routinely in terrific condition. The hotel is five-star+ and the amenities include an equestrian centre, archery, falconry, fishing and a spa.

11 The Belfry

Wishaw, West Midlands, England

Courses 33 Accommodation 20 Amenities 17 Setting 7 Total 77

The significant improvements to the hotel keep The Belfry among the biggest hitters in GB&I. It is now a much more fitting complement to the 54 holes on offer – a collection that, of course, includes Ryder Cup venue The Brabazon. Two more 18-holers and extra non-golf facilities make it a fine option for groups and families.

Golf World Top 100: Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland – 10-1

10 Trump International Golf Links Ireland (Doonbeg)

Doonbeg, Clare, Ireland

Course 30 Accommodation 25 Amenities 13 Setting 10 Total 78

Any single-course venue in the top 10 has to be special – and Doonbeg is. The setting is arguably the best in the list, because the links and hotel sit so hard to the Atlantic. The course, originally by Greg Norman, has a handful of truly all-world holes. We absolutely adore the cottage-style accommodation. The whole thing is sheer class.

9 Celtic Manor

Newport, South Wales

Courses 30 Accommodation 22 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 78

Celtic Manor is really, really good. The hotel exterior looks a little austere and hardly magisterial in an Adare or even Stoke Park sense, but inside it is fabulous. Then there’s the thrill-a-minute Ryder Cup course and two more 18-holers, plus lots of facilities. And it does not affect the ranking but, FYI, this is the best-value five-star resort going.

8 Carton House

Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland

Courses 28 Accommodation 24 Amenities 19 Setting 7 Total 78

Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, should be talked about a lot more than it is. Another resort on the western edge of Dublin, it has two 18-hole courses of almost equal merit; some prefer the Montgomerie, others the O’Meara. Both are high in our Irish ranking. The hotel is sensational and there are plenty of other things to do. A resort with no weaknesses.

7 Rosapenna

Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland

Courses 40 Accommodation 19 Amenities 10 Setting 9 Total 78

A leap into the top 10 for this long-time favourite as a result of the June opening of their new St Patrick’s Links. We have been fortunate to have a sneak preview of the Tom Doak links and it is a game-changer for Rosapenna – and indeed the north-west of Ireland. Add in the muscular Sandy Hills – a GB&I Top 100 course – and the easy-to-love Old Tom (high in our Irish Top 100), plus a good golfers’ hotel and super location and this is the choice for the discerning golfer.

6 Stoke Park

Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, England

Course 21 Accommodation 25 Amenities 25 Setting 7 Total 78

Three loops of nine have been restored to a high level in-house; a fixture in our English Top 100, it is a pristine, classy parkland. Those 27 holes are just the start. Choose from charming but luxurious rooms in the main mansion house or modern rooms in an annexe where the spa is. Awesome food and so many amenities to choose from.

5 The K Club

Straffan, Kildare, Ireland

Courses 27 Accommodation 24 Amenities 21 Setting 7 Total 79

A Ryder Cup host and a No.2 that’s a fixture in our Irish Top 100 are just the start of the attractions here. This resort on Dublin’s western outskirts offers opulence and space in its dazzling hotel’s bedrooms that have to be experienced to be believed. Additional activities range from fishing to falconry and shooting to tennis. Superb spa and dining.

4 Ardfin

Jura, Argyll, Scotland

Course 31 Accommodation 25 Amenities 14 Setting 10 Total 80

This is no ordinary new entry. A World Top 100 course, a setting which, as you can see, is epic, and off-the-charts accommodation mean Ardfin comes straight in at No.4.

Its price tag is not for the faint-hearted but we don’t mark on value, and Ardfin deserves this position. It gets top accommodation marks, even though there are relatively few rooms – that’s how good it is.

There are some ‘pursuits’ in addition to golf, but this is essentially tranquility, luxury and world-class food. The course? Bob Harrison’s clifftop-seaside masterpiece is already sufficiently highly regarded to be close to our Scottish top 10. Ardfin is no ordinary resort.

3 Adare Manor

Adare, Limerick, Ireland

Course 30 Accommodation 25 Amenities 25 Setting 7 Total 87

The fact Adare has only one course, yet sits at No.3 in this highly-competitive top 10 is an excellent illustration of its quality. But, really, it barely scratches the surface of its appeal. Adare is magical, and no marks or even the most skilled words can convey just how special an experience it is to stay and play here. Let’s start with the arrival; we aren’t especially bowled over by service, and if it feels ‘American’ fake, it’s actually a huge turn-off. But at Adare you are greeted by name as you step out of your car and that continues for your whole stay. How the staff memorise all the names/faces is a mystery, but it sums up Adare; lots of thoughtful touches and impeccable attention to detail, but nothing that ever makes you feel uncomfortable. You actually almost feel as if you are returning to a regular weekend haunt, rather than the once-in-a-lifetime stay it most likely is.

And what a stay. There is nowhere to top the hotel. It is our No.1 for accommodation in golf resorts in Britain and Ireland – but we find it very hard to believe there is a definitively better option anywhere in Europe, golf course attached or not. The style, the comfort, the luxury... even the toiletries are noteworthy! Then there is the course, once a decent Top 100 Irish parkland and, after a transformation by Tom Fazio, a GB&I Top 100 certainty.

We can guarantee you’ll never have played on a more immaculately groomed course. It will, as you know, soon host a Ryder Cup. Playable off the tee, there is entertainment and challenge aplenty on and around the green. There is so much to do too, from shooting to spa to falconry and myriad things in between. Days can be lost in the fabulous Carriage House annexe, a heavenly haven for food and drinks. Oh, and you’ve never had a better breakfast (in the long room, pictured right) than here. It alone is worth the trip to south-west Ireland.

2 Trump Turnberry

Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland

Courses 37 Accommodation 24 Amenities 23 Setting 10 Total 94

There are renovations and there are renovations. Some improve things superficially, others are a root-and-branch upgrade on what was there before. Turnberry categorically falls into the latter category. Whatever else you might say about this fabled resort, it is unquestionably a better resort than it was five years ago. The Ailsa course has been – relatively speaking – ripped up and started again. Martin Ebert’s work really was that extensive; and it needed to be.

The Ailsa had been trading on past glory for way too long. It had weak holes and holes that under-performed. The course as a whole punched below its weight. That is certainly not the case now. We have it as our No.4 in the world you can play – and it could have been even higher. The Ailsa scores very highly in terms of memorability, setting and X Factor. Its sister, the King Robert the Bruce, has also been significantly improved. It is a fixture in our Scottish Top 100 and is a fine alternative to the main attraction.

The hotel was arguably in even greater need of a makeover. You would be surprised at just how modest it used to be. No expense has been spared and while it is arguably a touch glitzy for some tastes, it is certainly lavish. There are plenty of other things to do and just look (above) at the view you get from your bedroom...

1 Gleneagles

Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

Courses 40 Accommodation 25 Amenities 25 Setting 9 Total 99

It is often said you always learn something about the Old Course at St Andrews no matter how many laps of the sacred turf you make. I would suggest the same can be said of Gleneagles; you really would have to stay and play here something like 20 times to feel like you’ve seen and done it all. There is just so much to do, so much to eat, so much to drink and so much to enjoy.

Where else can you play the host of a Ryder Cup in the morning then, after a quick lunch, spend an afternoon with your kids learning survival techniques before you are all mesmerised by an hour training gun dogs before dinner? Or play 36 holes a day for three days and not come remotely close to feeling like you want a change of scene? Or be able to eat lunch and dinner in a different restaurant on all three days (and still have more places to experience)? The answer is nowhere in Europe, nor the world.

Gleneagles isn’t just the best on these shores or this continent, there is nothing to compare with it anywhere on the planet. Yes, there are resorts with as many holes and in the case of, say, Bandon Dunes, arguably better courses. But nowhere also has the truly world-class accommodation or the quality and especially the quantity of activities.

Gleneagles’ marketeers dubbed it ‘A glorious playground’ and there is not a hint of hyperbole about the description. It’s not cheap, unsurprisingly. It is not ludicrous, though – by no means the most expensive on this list – and it is a treat. For many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can safely state that it won’t disappoint.

The only headache is in choosing which course(s) to play: the design masterclass that is the King’s; the charm and playability of the Queen’s; the Ryder Cup pedigree of the PGA Centenary. Or which activities to sign up for. Or, maybe, you’ll just relax in the spa and stroll the grounds. With only one mark lost for Setting (arguably harshly), Gleneagles is the Mecca, the Old Course, of golf resorts.

Breaking down the Golf World Top 100 Resorts

The Best UK and Ireland Golf Resorts for Male Groups

10 Forest of Arden
Great matchplay moments in 36 holes.

9 The Vale
Two courses. Good amenities. Great value.

8 Portal
As many as 45 holes to get stuck into here.

7 East Sussex National
Hotel is good, the 36 holes will surprise you.

6 Slaley Hall
Some fun non-golf amenities and 36 holes.

5 St Mellion
Two excellent courses. No fuss. Good value.

4 Celtic Manor
Brilliant value plus 54 holes of good golf.

3 The Belfry
Three courses. Ryder Cup history. Solid hotel.

2 Prince’s
Open venue with 27 holes of links heaven.

1 Rosapenna
Has 54 Top 100-class holes. And Guinness. 

The Best UK and Ireland Golf Resorts for Female Groups

10 Tewkesbury Park
Five-star bedrooms, super course and food.

9 Aldwark Manor
Peaceful. Course that charms. Superb spa.

8 Old Course Hotel
The ultimate location for the trip of a lifetime.

7 Old Thorns
If you want some liveliness after your golf.

6 Fairmont St Andrews
One of the best hotels and two scenic courses.

5 Foxhills
Tranquil golf, classy suites and new £7m spa.

4 Stoke Park
Cocktails alone! And the spa! And the golf!

3 The Mere
Class course and vibrant atmosphere off it.

2 The Grove
Glamorous. So easy to relax in leisure facilities.

1 Gleneagles
Golf. Horses. Spa. Cocktails. Food. Luxury. Heaven.

The Best UK and Ireland Golf Resorts For Couples

10 Mount Juliet
Opulence, glitz and exceptional dining.

9 Rudding Park
A handsome building and lovely vibe.

8 Carton House
Real luxury and a lively atmosphere.

7 The Roxburghe
Small but cosy. Unfussily five-star.

6 Dromoland Castle
The ultimate fairytale setting. Magical.

5 Cameron House
Sits on edge of Loch Lomond. Need more?

4 Manor House
Fabulous hotel in a perfect setting.

3 Stoke Park
Food and cocktails plus exquisite bedrooms.

2 Gleneagles
Whatever kind of break you want, it can do it.

1 Adare Manor
Everything about it takes the breath away.

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