Interesting to see Golf Digest (USA) has released the worlds top 20 Golf Courses.
The good news is Australia have 3 courses in the Top 20. Kingston Heath Golf Club Melbourne is ranked Number 20.
Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course Bridport, Tasmania (The Original) is ranked Number 11.
Royal Melbourne West Course Melbourne is ranked Number Number 9.
The composite course at Royal Melbourne which is made up of 12 holes from the West course and 6 holes from the East course is not considered to be a golf course as it is only played in Tournaments such as the Australian Masters, Australian Open, Presidents Cup etc.
When it is considered (for rating criteria) as a complete course it is usually in the top 3 courses in the world.
I find it very interesting that courses like Royal Melbourne East, Royal Adelaide and Metropolitan are not featured on the list. I feel that all of these courses are better golf courses as a whole than Barnbougle Dunes.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Barnbougle and am a huge fan. It is a wonderful golf course and a great place to visit. I do and have done almost every year for the past 10 years.
Its just that when we are talking about the WORLD TOP 20 Golf Courses…..Barnbougle has too many ordinary holes to make that list. I think people get carried away with the beauty and majesty of the holes among the dunes, mostly on the front 9.
if I had the chance to play a round at Royal Melbourne East, Royal Adelaide or Metropolitan or Barnbougle Dunes I would choose the first 3 courses every day.
I often ask myself after playing a new course. “Could I play this course all of the time?” If my answer is yes I give it a big tick. When I ask myself this question after playing Barnbougle Dunes my answer is no. A handful of rounds per year would see me out.
Ranking golf courses is always full of conjecture. There is no right or wrong. Everyone has a different opinion and that is a great thing.
It is a great way to stimulate conversation at the 19th hole after your round.
I would be interested to know what you think.