Golf Digest Unveils First-Ever World 100 Greatest

Longtime readers know I have little regard for the Golf Digest panel's sensitivity to timeless design over short term hystrionics. The panel is often caught up in experiential fun over design, much in the way a theater critic might be too enamored with seats, sound, lighting and cocktail options instead of the actual play they've been assigned to analyze.

So it was refreshing to see the panel's first ever world ranking avoiding any cringeworthy selections based on everything but golf architecture (we call this The Alotian Club syndrome). Granted, Turnberry is about 20th on the list of links worth paying to play, not a world top 20, but at least it features several incredible holes, a beautiful setting and loads of history.

While I'm pretty sure Pine Valley is still the No. 1 golf experience, I'm not sure it's the No. 1 design after studying the historic photos featured in the club's amazing new book where George Crump's vision shines through. And Merion at No. 4 is a typical panelist over-hype based on a recent U.S. Open hosting, though it's certainly worthy of tops in the world status. *Seems it was No. 14, not No. 4, which sounds about right. But you can still pretty much guarantee Pinehurst No. 2 will be a top 20 selection the next time the Digest panel votes on their world favorites.

Most heartening was the inclusion of both Barnbougle Dunes courses, where the magnificent Tom Doak-Mike Clayton first course landed at No. 11 on the list.

Here's a slideshow of the top 20.

Comments

[FWIW]

I believe it meant Merion was No. 14 and not 4.

[Pat]

Royal County Down is number 4.

[Ryan]

"Avoiding cringeworthy selections"?? What about the long list of asian clubs who entered the list out of the blue? Seems to be someone is trying hard to sell their magazines in the far east.

[BillV]

Lists always incite debate and criticism, but this one is the most bizarre one I've seen, if not the winner. Absurd inclusions and exclusions, not to mention order, this list will incite howls to a level never before heard.

[Media driven]

A first?? I seem to recall previous world rankings from GD, but they've done so many permutations off the 100 Greatest that it has diluted what was once the magazine's top franchise. One appeared in a separate upscale offshoot and focused on the overall "experience,'' not the golf courses. Don't think this one will kick up much controversy, there really is no way to compare a links with Winged Foot or Pinehurst.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

If Royal Dornoch was uber-private and located in the US near a metropolitan area, it would absolutely bitch-slap Pine Valley off its perch in the rankings. IMO

(and I've played both)

[Pasaplayer]

Controversy? There needn't be any with this list as it makes no sense at all.

[@sevethecomm]

Why rank them if not to just stir up a bunch of controversy?

[Talking Head]

This list is the very near definition of "cringworthy."

Whitten & Finch botched their first attempt (to compete head on with GM's Top 100 World). Inclusion of the bogus Asian tracks along with putting the likes of Valderrama, Cabot Links, Fancourt and Kauri Cliffs into the top 50 (and Kawana at 51????) is laughable.

I know they polled their USA panelists a few months ago and added in their foreign affiliates (hello advertising dollars!), but really???

Finally, Ron & Peter did a botched job of editing and presenting and seem to have inserted their two cents (not always accurately either) into the course descriptions. Far from GD's finest hour…..but great commode material.

[Hawkeye]

ADG +1

[No Longer]

I started ignoring these lists years and years ago. Don't feel as if I am missing a thing.

[wayne]

good info

[Sari]

Abu:

I don't always agree with you, but on this, you are 1000% right; that's why I am so glad I am going back there this summer!

[The Pro from Dover]

@ Abu Dhabi Golfer If, "if and buts" were candy and nuts........................,or better yet, "IF a bullfrog had wings he wouldn't bump his arse every time he jump!" Any silly list such as this is totally subjective to begin with, thus the ridiculous comments from anyone saying "this course is better than that course, or vice versa.

I have played both PV and RD and they are both wonderful - different, yet wonderful tracks. Let each of them stand on their own merit for what they are. There is no need to "b---h slap" any golf course of PV's caliber in the first place.

@No Longer & Pasaplayer Ditto each of your comments.

BTW, I would cover all action that The DONALD's list of Top 100 would be much shorter! : )

[Mark B]

The editorial standards for this list, specifically the lack thereof, are what's worth discussing. Firstly, they *still* have not gotten the list they are trying to communicate. #43 for example Seminole's description is of...San Francisco. That's just unprofessional.

And then there's the content of the list, which as others have noted goes heavy on Asia. Not one but TWO Nine Bridges! FYI in case you're wondering the Korean and Chinese editions of Golf Digest are about 3x-4x thicker than the (ever thinning) US edition. The extra width is not due to more editorial content.

[Sari]

Pro:

Your rational response is taking all the fun out of this! :)

[Claude]

@Abu Dhabi: I agree. Pine Valley needs a good bitch-slappin'.

@Geoff: "The panel is often caught up in experiential fun over design..." Hmmm. Is that a bad thing?

[The Pro from Dover]

@ Sari Sorry, but I am also wise enough to know that my opinion is just as subjective as the list is. My opinion means nothing to anyone but myself. Don't let it ruin your day. My spouse has learned to live with it rather than fight it! : )

[DTF]

Pro, it's an American course on top hence the inflammatory tone. Were Royal Melbourne in the catbird seat terminology would be different...

[OWGR Fan]

Probably lots of heads exploding at GCA!

[DTF]

I haven't seen the full list....where does Garden City check in?

[KG]

Nirvana in Bali is nice, very nice but not top 100.
Oak Hill should never be ranked ahead of Oakland Hills.
I love St Georges in Toronto but top 30? Top 100 yes yes but not top 30.
The National in Toronto ahead of Lahich or Bandon?
Sheshan in Shanghai is nice, but its not even top 5 in Asia. It's the Doral of China. The only people who call it the Augusta of China are Chinese people. Like they call Hainan Island the "Hawaii" of Asia. Both are not.
TPC is hard and not minimalist but its I think its underrated in terms of design and influence.
Don't get me started on the Spring City courses in Kunming, beautiful setting but not great golf courses.
That's my rant.

[Goldfinger]

@Mark B: I totally agree. The Royal St George's thumbnail photo is of a parkland course.

Some may call this unreasonable to point out. I call it inexcusable to include a photo like that.

[Chinamen]

To Further Bash the Chinese selections. Spring City Lake is not even top 20 in China, Nor is Spring City Mountain, and Sheshan is a golf course that has been built 100's of times over.... Nothing Special.

Shanqing Bay should be included (as it is on Golf Magazine) Along with Mission Hills Lava Fields and or Blackstone... Stone Forest C course And the Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula could be contenders as well.... Certainly not the 3 listed by Golf Digest. Pathetic!

And WTF is that course in South Korea doing at the 40 mark?

[Eric V]

Can someone help me understand why Pine Valley is perennially ranked as the #1 course in these best of lists? It is really due to the quality of the course or does its connected membership factor in here? I do not seem to get it. It looks like a great course with interesting strategy and rich architecture history, but every year it is listed as the number 1 course over the likes of Cypress, Augusta, St. Andrews, etc. Is Pine Valley really the best golf course in the world? I understand a top 5 ranking, but do not get the top course ranking year in and year out. I am sure their service and golf experience is unique and a special place to be, but for the course itself I can see a few courses in this list slightly edging Pine Valley. Anyway, I guess I should not put too much into these lists they are mostly for fun and are subjective. I might not agree or understand the reasons for the order but it is somewhat entertaining. Thanks for your insights.

[The Pro from Dover]

I might be wrong, but I think Muirfield is the only non-American course ever ranked #1 in the GD World rankings.

Does anyone have evidence of any other non-U.S. course ranked #1? Old Course ever #1?

[clashman]

Hey Geoff
What book is that?
Thanks