18 Aug 2023
There are thousands of excellent and diverse courses worldwide, from the centuries-old links courses of Scotland to cutting-edge modern courses in the Middle East. But which are the best in the world, and which should be at the top of any golfer’s bucket list?
To find out, online slots site Genting Casino has ranked 50 of the best courses globally and in the UK on factors such as social media and Google search popularity, as well as review scores.
The Best Golf Courses Across the World
1. Pebble Beach (Del Monte, United States) - 9.07 out of 10
The Pebble Beach Golf in Del Monte Forest, California, USA, tops the list, with an overall score of 9.07. With over 23,000 Instagram posts and an impressive 6.6 million TikTok views, it’s among the most loved courses on social media. The course also draws over 600,000 annual Google searches and has a high Google review score of 4.8.
Pebble Beach is one of the world's most iconic and beautiful golf courses, offering spectacular views of Carmel Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The course also has a long history, being first established in 1919, and it has since hosted many major tournaments over the years.
2. St Andrews (St Andrews, United Kingdom) - 8.66 out of 10
Following closely behind is the St Andrews golf course in Scotland, UK, with an overall score of 8.66. Despite having fewer Instagram posts and TikTok views than Pebble Beach, it still maintains a high reputation, as indicated by its Google review score of 4.8.
Known as "The Home of Golf”, St Andrews is a name that resonates deeply in golf history and is considered one of the oldest courses in the world. The course has been integral to the development of the sport and has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments over the years, most notably the Open Championship, which it has been home to on 30 occasions. It also hosts the annual St Andrews Links Trophy.
3. Augusta National (Augusta, United States) - 8.34 out of 10
Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia, USA, ranks third, with an overall score of 8.34. Although its social media presence is lower than that of Pebble Beach and St Andrews, it still garners many annual Google searches (653.5K) and maintains a solid average review score (4.7/5.0).
The course is widely considered one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs and was opened 90 years ago. It is best known for hosting The Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships in professional golf.
The Most Loved Global Golf Course on Social Media
Augusta National - United States
Instagram posts: 107,309
TikTok views: 68.5 million
The golf course with the most Instagram posts and TikTok views is Augusta National, in Georgia, with over 100,000 on Instagram and 68.5 million on TikTok. The course is home to the Masters, one of golf's most prestigious tournaments, and this alone has propelled it to global fame. The iconic moments, legendary matches, and the distinctiveness of the Green Jacket ceremony contribute immensely to its allure. This, alongside its meticulously manicured course featuring blooming azaleas, make it a hit with visitors on social media.
The Most Searched-for Golf Course Globally
St Andrews - United Kingdom
Annual searches: 779,300
St Andrews comes out on top when we look at which course is the most popular online, with just under 780,000 searches in the last year. With a history of over 600 years, it is the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. The Old Course, in particular, is revered and on every golf enthusiast's bucket list. This considerable search volume is a testament to its global reputation, drawing in not just golfers but historians, tourists, and scholars alike.
The Best-reviewed Global Golf Course
Royal Birkdale - United Kingdom
Average review score: 5 out of 5
Just one course achieved a perfect review score of 5 out of 5, Royal Birkdale in Southport in the UK. This course is known for its impeccable maintenance and challenging layout, providing an unmatched experience for its visitors, as reflected in the top-tier reviews.
The Best Golf Courses in the UK & Ireland
Having explored the very best golf courses across the globe, let’s take a look closer to home at the top courses in the UK and Ireland, the region that birthed the sport itself*.
*Note that the ranking presented here is exclusively against other UK and Ireland courses, hence the variance in scores for some courses.
1. St Andrews (St Andrews, Scotland) - 8.98 out of 10
Known as the "home of golf," St Andrews tops the chart with an impressive overall score of 8.98/10. The course relishes a substantial online presence, with nearly a million TikTok views and 12,928 Instagram posts. Its annual Google search count is 779,300, and the course retains a high Google review score of 4.8.
The St Andrews complex has seven golf courses, including the Old Course, the most famous. The Old Course is renowned for its unique features, including its massive double greens, which allow golfers to play in two directions.
2. Gleneagles (Auchterarder, Scotland) - 8.62 out of 10
Ranking second is another Scottish course, Gleneagles, with an overall score of 8.62/10. The course's Instagram presence is substantial, with 80,926 posts, and it has been viewed 6,000,000 times on TikTok. Gleneagles annual searches are also higher than those of St Andrews at 1,222,500, paired with a Google review score of 4.7.
Gleneagles is a world-renowned golfing destination located in Auchterarder, Scotland. The resort boasts three championship golf courses and a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century.
3. Royal Birkdale (Southport, England) - 8.11 out of 10
Royal Birkdale holds the third spot, with an overall score of 8.11/10. Despite having fewer Instagram posts and TikTok views than the top two, its perfect Google review score of 5.0 sets it apart.
Royal Birkdale is one of England's most prestigious golf clubs, located in the town of Southport. It is one of the courses on the Open Championship rota and is regularly selected to host the tournament, widely considered one of the four major championships in professional golf.
The Most Loved Golf Course on Social Media in the UK & Ireland
Gleneagles - Scotland
Instagram posts: 80,926
TikTok views: 6 million
Gleneagles in Auchterarder, Scotland, stands out with over 80,000 Instagram posts. It’s also the most popular course on TikTok, with six million views. The Gleneagles Hotel opened in 1924, is a five-star luxury establishment with opulent facilities and accommodations. But it is the golfing aspect that has drawn international acclaim.
The Most Searched for Golf Course in the UK & Ireland
Gleneagles - Scotland
Annual searches: 1.22 million
The most searched-for course is Gleneagles once again, with 1.22 million annual searches. This demonstrates a strong global interest in this course, likely due to its reputation and the high-profile tournaments it has hosted.
The Best-reviewed Golf Course in the UK & Ireland
Royal Birkdale - England
Average review score: 5 out of 5
As was the case globally, Royal Birkdale is also the best-reviewed course in the UK and Ireland, with a perfect review score of 5 out of 5. What sets Royal Birkdale apart is its fair but challenging layout. Unlike many links courses, the fairways at Royal Birkdale are relatively flat, but the course's difficulty comes from its strategically placed bunkers and the often unpredictable coastal wind.
Methodology
An initial seed list of the top courses was created using the Top 100 Golf Courses’ global and Britain & Ireland rankings.
The top 50 from each were ranked on the following factors, each given a normalised score out of ten for each factor before an average of these scores was taken.
For the Instagram, TikTok and Google search factors, the most commonly used keyword for each course was used, ensuring that no keywords were used that could potentially have a different intent than for the course itself.
Instagram posts
The number of posts on Instagram that mention the course using hashtags as of August 7th, 2023.
TikTok views
The number of views on TikTok videos that mention the course using hashtags as of August 7th, 2023.
Annual Google searches
The number of global Google searches made for the course between July 2022 and June 2023, according to Google Ads Keyword Planner.
Google review score
The average score given to the course by users on Google.
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