Top 100 Golf Courses Europe 2015
1-10 | 11-20 | 21-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-80 | 81-90 | 91-100
The Scandinavian (New)
Farum, Denmark | Par 72 | 7,135 yards
OD The New is good but there are a few weaker holes that hold it back from a higher ranking. TV Denmark's newest championship course and the club is the place for the rich and famous.
GW VERDICT Impressive new woodland course with lots of risk-reward holes made exciting by the presence of water.
Villa d'Este
Montorfarno, Italy | Par 69 | 6,268 yards
NB The quality of the treat that awaits here is quickly revealed at the downhill par-5 1st and returning uphill par-4 2nd. Mature fi r trees together with occasional oak, birch and chestnut provide tree-lined avenues all visitors will love.
GW We adore this old-fashioned woodland, which is given plenty of bite by small greens.
Barseback (Masters)
Malmo, Sweden | Par 73 | 7,245 yards
TJ A walk through majestic pine forests and a raw seaside landscape.
OD Wonderful mix of holes surrounded by huge pines sculpted by the wind and lovely links holes.
BL Wonderful woodland-links combination. The wind from the sea gives it another dimension.
GW Fine marriage of woodland and seaside golf.
Santander
Madrid, Spain | Par 72 | 7,500 yards
JAL Rees Jones has built a long and really attractive design at Santander.
GW Stays in the top 50 but there wasn't as much aff ection for this long course as in previous lists. Rees Jones' work can be marmite and these 7,500 yards of water-infused parkland perhaps lacks the charm of others in the higher positions.
Seignosse
Landes, France | Par 73 | 6,702 yards
PBe A magical course; challenging, beautiful, and exciting. For me, it is in front of Bro Hof.
CB Easy to see why some view Seignosse as too tough, because at times your hands are sweating over a 90-yard wedge approach. But when 'out in the country', the ambience is majestic.
GW Exacting examination in glorious woodland.
Rosendaelsche
Arnhem, Netherlands | Par 72 | 7,100 yards
One of the Netherland's most historic clubs, Rosendaelsche hosted the Dutch Open, with participants including Lee Trevino and Bernhard Langer, who won by opening with a scintillating 64 – a new course record that still stands today.
GW VERDICT It has been in the Top 100 previously but now returns in its highest position – and it deserves every last place.
Oceanico Old
Algarve, Portugal | Par 73 | 6,839 yards
JVP A historic mark of courses in Portugal. A good score is accessible if you stay out the pines.
GW A notable move up the list for a course that has previously become all too easy to ignore in the wake of new developments across Europe. The fact is, arriving at the Old still indicates you are in for several hours of classy, pine-lined fun.
LykiaLinks
Belek, Turkey | Par 72 | 6,924 yards
CB An essential experience on the Continent. Not a links as Britons understand it, but one of the continent's most distinctive courses – and a proper test too. The top 30 is competitive... but Lykia's distinctive nature would enhance it.
GW VERDICT Spectacular seaside course that is the most memorable (and top ranked) in Belek.
Son Gual
Majorca, Spain | Par 72 | 7,240 yards
CB German owned and designed, after playing here you aren't surprised to discover this course works in every respect. New, but already settled in nicely. Tough, but aesthetically pleasing. Relatively expensive, but reassuringly so.
GW VERDICT Majorca's No.1 is the epitome of a high-calibre modern championship course.
Royal Park
Torino, Italy | Par 72 | 7,180 yards
NB Located just north of Turin, in the grounds of La Mandria Regional Park is 'I Roveri', home to a much-admired layout spread across gently undulating terrain, this classical design contains one very good hole after another.
GW VERDICT Incorporates tree-lined and open parkland phases and remains Italy's No.1.