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Golf Digest Top 100 (2018)

2018 Rankings  - Golf Digest Magazine

ROYAL MELBOURNE WEST remains entrenched at the top of the list, this gem of a design is possibly Mackenzie's best work, combined with a wondrous site, superb construction, and supreme conditioning. The Legend fairways have been presented by Superintendant Richard Forsyth to permit the ball to bounce and roll thus preserving the architect's intent, where the clever doglegs mitigate much of the long hitter's advantage. The firm fecue surrounds brilliantly enhance the fun of the running approach shot to greens that can be presented as the firmest and fastest in the world.

CAPE WICKHAM remains at No. 3 in Golf Digest's 2018 list. Neighbour  King Island course OCEAN DUNES debuts at No. 10 - several places higher than judges at The GOLF Course Guide ranked the new arrival as its playing surfaces are yet to mature. Barnbougle LOST FARM improved 3 places in this latest list, with ROYAL ADELAIDE jumping 5 spots.

The exclusive CATHEDRAL LODGE designed by Greg Norman debuts at No. 16.

The full Top 100 is below.

Course Name   2018   2016
ROYAL MELBOURNE WEST   1   1
KINGSTON HEATH   2   2
CAPE WICKHAM   3   3
BARNBOUGLE DUNES   4   5
NEW SOUTH WALES   5   4
LOST FARM   6   9
ELLERSTON   7   6
ROYAL MELBOURNE EAST   8   7
ROYAL ADELAIDE   9   14
OCEAN DUNES   10    
VICTORIA GOLF CLUB   11   8
NATIONAL MOONAH   12   11
METROPOLITAN   13   13
THE AUSTRALIAN   14   12
NATIONAL OLD   15   10
CATHEDRAL LODGE   16    
LAKE KARRINYUP   17   15
THE LAKES   18   16
THE DUNES   19   18
NEWCASTLE   20   19
JOONDALUP - QUARRY/DUNES   21   17
MAGENTA SHORES   22   23
ST ANDREWS BEACH   23   20
BROOKWATER   24   25
KOOYONGA   25   26
WOODLANDS   26   21
COMMONWEALTH   27   22
KENNEDY BAY   28   30
ROYAL CANBERRA   29    
BARWON HEADS   30   27
HAMILTON GOLF CLUB   31   31
THIRTEENTH BEACH - BEACH   32   28
ROYAL QUEENSLAND   33   24
MOONAH LINKS - LEGENDS   34   29
BONVILLE   35   33
GLENELG   36   39
THE CUT   37   42
ROYAL SYDNEY   38   32
THE GRAND   39   35
HUNTINGDALE   40   34
MOONAH LINKS - OPEN   41   36
TERREY HILLS   42   41
HOPE ISLAND   43   37
GRANGE WEST   44   44
ELANORA   45   46
THE VINTAGE   46   43
BONNIE DOON   47   55
GRANGE EAST   48   47
SANCTUARY COVE - PINES   49   45
NATIONAL OCEAN   50   38
YARRA YARRA   51   50
SPRING VALLEY   52   53
PACIFIC DUNES   53   54
GLADES   54   51
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN   55   49
LAKELANDS   56   56
PORTSEA   57   62
AVONDALE   58   65
SANCTUARY COVE - PALMS   59   48
LINKS LADY BAY   60   57
PELICAN WATERS   61   59
KALGOORLIE   62   61
LONG ISLAND   63   63
RIVERSIDE OAKS - BUNGOOL   64   71
PACIFIC HARBOUR   65   60
COTTESLOE   66   64
SORRENTO   67   66
CAPRICORN - CHAMPIONSHIP   68   58
MOUNT LAWLEY   69   69
ST MICHAELS   70   68
PORT FAIRY   71   79
STONECUTTERS RIDGE   72   67
MEADOW SPRINGS   73   78
SETTLERS RUN   74   72
TWIN CREEKS   75   73
BLACK BULL   76    
CURLEWIS   77    
RANFURLIE   78   75
HEALESVILLE (RACV)   79   82
SECRET HARBOUR   80   76
BRISBANE   81   96
SANCTUARY LAKES   82   77
ARUNDEL HILLS   83    
THIRTEENTH BEACH - CREEK   84   74
CYPRESS LAKES   85    
SUN CITY   86    
INDOOROOPILLY - WEST   87   84
FEDERAL   88   87
NAROOMA   89   85
EYNESBURY   90   83
MURRAY DOWNS   91   81
THE VINES - LAKES   92   98
CASTLE HILL   93   88
HERITAGE - ST JOHNS   94   80
  ROYAL PINES - GREEN/GOLD
  95   90
MOUNT COMPASS   96    
KOOINDAH WATERS   97   86
NOOSA SPRINGS   98    
MACQUARIE LINKS   99   92
PARADISE PALMS   100   93

In 2018 Golf Digest amended their criteria:

Our panellists play and score courses on seven criteria:
 
Shot values (score out of 20*)
How well do the holes pose a variety of risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse?
Resistance to scoring (out of 10)
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the back tees?
Design variety (out of 10)
How varied are the holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?
Memorability (out of 10)
How well do the design features provide individuality to each hole yet a collective continuity to the entire 18?
Aesthetics (out of 10)
How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a round?
Conditioning (out of 10)
How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways, how firm yet receptive were the greens and how true were the roll of putts on the day you played the course?
Ambience (out of 10)
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game?

To arrive at a course’s final score, we total its averages in the seven categories, doubling Shot Values*