How we put together our 2023 ranking

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Dan Murphy, Editor of NCG Top 100s, chaired the panel, which consisted of 18 experienced, enthusiastic and knowledgeable golfers. Scroll down to learn more about it.

Visits from the panelists

Our judges were out and about visiting the shortlisted courses throughout the 2022 season – specifically from the end of March to the end of October. This allowed us to create an up-to-date list.

Off-course facilities

We are only interested in golf courses – the round starts when we arrive at the 1st tee and ends when we leave the last green.

What we base our rankings on

The following categories and the weights in parentheses result in a final mark of 100 for each course.

Architecture and Design: How well designed are the individual holes and the course overall? Do the holes offer the golfer choices? Is there a mix of penalty, strategy, and hero holes? How does the course work? Are tee shots generally close to the previous green? Does the course fit into its environment? Are long and short holes evenly spaced? How much better is the best hole than the least best hole? Do all the holes feel like they belong in the same place? Does the course test all facets of the game or does it ask the same questions over and over again? Is the golfer’s ability to play a variety of shots with each club in the bag adequately rewarded? (40)

Condition/presentation/greens: How easy is it to knock off the lawn? How good are the greens for putting? Does each hole play the same way as the others? (20)

Surroundings: How attractive is this place to play? (10)

Challenge and Playability: How does the course, when played from the correct tees, challenge and test the skill of the elite golfer while at the same time being enjoyable and playable for the short hitter and higher handicapper? On the one hand, does the golfer have the opportunity to show his skills to the limit? On the other hand, are there forced carries and overly severe hazards that make it difficult for the recreational golfer to enjoy the course to the maximum, no matter how conservatively he plays? (10)

memorability: Does the course inspire affection and will it be remembered for a long time? How reluctant do you want to leave and how much do you want to give back? (20)

High weighting of the panelists’ rankings

We place more value on the rankings of panelists who have either played a course recently, played a course multiple times, or both.

x2 If the course was last played in the last 10 years OR the reviewer has played the course 3 or more times

x3 If the course was last played in the last three years OR the reviewer has played the course 5 or more times

x4 If the reviewer has played the course 3 or more times and most recently within the last 10 years

x5 If the reviewer has played the course 5 or more times and most recently within the last 10 years OR the reviewer has played the course 3 or more times and most recently within the last 3 years

x6 If the reviewer has played the course five or more times and most recently within the last three years

Example: Five panelists played a course. Reviewers A, B, C and D each played the course once 15 years ago. Their scores are 48, 46, 50 and 56 respectively. Reviewer E has played the course eight times, most recently this year. Your score is 70. Score: 48 + 46 + 50 + 56 + (6 x 70) = 620 / 10 = 62

Now let’s move on to the NCG Top 100 panel

Dan Murphy

Above: Dan is the founder and editor of the NCG Top 100 course rankings
Disability: 4
home club: Alwoodley
A non-Scottish course I love: The Annesley in Royal County Down asks tons of questions and lasts just two hours
What makes a great course in four words: Turf, angles, options, strength

Sean Arble

Above: Sean is an expat from Detroit, USA and a lover of characterful golf courses
Disability: fifteen
home club: Burnham & Berrow
A non-Scottish course I love: Kington may flatter your handicap, but everyone will have fun
What makes a great course in four words: Terrain, Greens, Features, Walk

Michael Atkinson

Above: Michael is a consumer brand investor, author and speaker, and co-founder of Oltomo, publisher of Golfland Scotland
Disability: fifteen
home club: gullane
A non-Scottish course I love: Sunningdale Old – historic, beautiful, challenging and a touch of the Highlands of southern England
What makes a great course in four words: Attitude, diversity, fairness, condition

Jim Banting

Above: Jim is a writer and golf journalist
Disability: 1
home club: west sussex
A non-Scottish course I love: Sunningdale Old – A really great layout giving you options in every green and beautifully presented
What makes a great course in four words: Presentation, Test, Environment, Design

Ed Battye

Above: Ed is a links golf enthusiast who enjoys visiting new courses and returning to the best
Disability: 5
home club: Woodsome Hall
A non-Scottish course I love: Silloth – a golf course that goes beyond your typical “championship links”.
What makes a great course in four words: Links country, uniqueness, strategy, cadence

Phil Bedford

Above: Phil’s interests include golf and beer
Disability: 4
home club: Wharton Park
A non-Scottish course I love: Lofoten Links, in Norway and within the Arctic Circle – a spectacular location and a fantastic course
What makes a great course in four words: Somewhere near the sea

Steve Caroll

Above: Steve is NCG’s Club Golf Editor and lives and breathes the game. He is also our resident – and fully R&A qualified – rules expert
Disability: 11
home club: York
A non-Scottish course I love: Swinley Forest is so quirky but so good – I’d love to play there forever
What makes a great course in four words: Fun, strength, variety, challenge

Sam Cooper

Above: Sam has spent the last two years playing all UK links and is a staff member at CDP
Disability: 2
home club: Royal Liverpool
A non-Scottish course I love: Blackwell – a contrast to my typical courses – a short Midlands parkland layout but with exceptional greens and elevated routing
What makes a great course in four words: Variety, strategy, food for thought

Niall Flanagan

Above: Niall is General Manager of Lockhart Travel Club and former CEO of Loch Lomond Golf Club
Disability: 9
home club: Sunningdale Heath
A non-Scottish course I love: The Addington now being restored to its original landscape
What makes a great course in four words: Scenery, Definition, Design, Playability

Neil Gray

Above: Neil is co-founder of Golf Marketing Services and former Advertising Director of Golf Monthly
Disability: 7.5
home club: centurion
A non-Scottish course I love: Royal West Norfolk – A traditional old school links and club in a stunning location
What makes a great course in four words: Location, layout, turf, playability

Ben Hunter

Above: Ben is an industry professional and describes himself as a golf enthusiast who represents the average golfer
Disability: 6.8
home club: lipstick
A non-Scottish course I love: Royal West Norfolk – to me it’s golf as it should be played
What makes a great course in four words: Variation, alternation, views

Dove Jones

Above: As a member of ranking bodies on both sides of the pond, Dove is particularly passionate about Scotland’s connections
Disability: 12 (something)
home clubs: Royal Liverpool and Crail
A non-Scottish course I love: Banff Springs, the location of my first hole in one on The Caldron
What makes a great course in four words: Funny, creative, challenging, inspiring

Torquil McInroy

Above:
Disability:
home club:
A non-Scottish course I love:
What makes a great course in four words:

Craig Morrison

Above: Craig is the author of 18 Greatest Scottish Golf Holes, 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes, The Meaning of Golf and Golfland Scotland
Disability: 8th
home club: Mendip
A non-Scottish course I love: County Sligo, Yeats, Colt, Ruddy – this is great company
What makes a great course in four words: Meaning, unity, rhythm, balance

George Oldham

Above: After playing the game for 76 years and writing about it for 40 years, George’s passion remains
Disability: 18
home club: Troon Welbeck
A non-Scottish course I love: Bamburgh Castle is all fun golf but the most magical coastal setting – a must-see
What makes a great course in four words: Attitude, Challenge, Condition, Memorability

Josh Poysden

Above: Josh, a former professional cricketer, now in player management, has played 87 of NCG’s GB&I Top 100
Disability: 9
home club: Seaton Carew
A non-Scottish course I love: St. Patrick’s Links is modern design at its finest – interesting, strategic and a beautiful location
What makes a great course in four words: Fun, unforgettable, interesting, unique

Mike Robertson

Above: Mike is an account manager at agency 18Players and a lover of traditional golf
Disability: 2
home club: Crosland Heath
A non-Scottish course I love: Royal St George’s – It’s just such a challenging, interesting and enjoyable place to play
What makes a great course in four words: Setting, Turf, Variation, Condition

Peter Rudd

Above: Peter owns a telecommunications company
Disability: 7
home club: wooden bridge
A non-Scottish course I love: Royal St George’s is widely regarded as England’s No. 1 course, it’s all natural and a great challenge
What makes a great course in four words: Condition, setting, architecture, playability

Gregory Webber

Above: Greg works as a pharmacist for a living, but describes playing golf and visiting new golf courses as his passion outside of work
Disability: 5
home club: Muswell Hill
A non-Scottish course I love: I played New Zealand for the first time last year and loved it
What makes a great course in four words: Interesting, memorable, fair, accessible

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