2026 Rankings  - Golf Digest Magazine names Royal Melbourne as our best golf course

ROYAL MELBOURNE WEST regains the top spot. 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. As showcased to a global audience for the 2019 Presidents Cup, and again for the Australian Open in 2025 featuring Rory McIroy the course presented thrilling matches and superb shot-making by the world's best players without being humbled - yet remains playable for senior members throughout the year.

KINGSTON HEATH, nominated by McIroy as even better than RM was once again ranked as the perennial bridesmaid.

CAPE WICKHAM Links on King Island, designed by former ausgolf partner Darius Oliver and American Mike DeVries,remains Australia's best public access golf course in the eyes of Golf Digest judges. After 10 years as The GOLF Course Guide's #1 Public Access layout, this stunning cliff top and seaside links has been ranked our country's finest PA course once again.

COURSE NAME	2026	2024
ROYAL MELBOURNE - WEST	1	2
KINGSTON HEATH	2	3
CAPE WICKHAM	3	1
NEW SOUTH WALES	4	6
PENINSULA KINGSWOOD  - NORTH	5	5
BARNBOUGLE DUNES	6	4
VICTORIA	7	10
BARNBOUGLE LOST FARM	8	7
ROYAL MELBOURNE - EAST	9	8
ROYAL ADELAIDE	10	9
7 MILE BEACH	11	NR
NATIONAL - MOONAH	12	12
METROPOLITAN	13	11
CATHEDRAL	14	14
PENINSULA KINGSWOOD - SOUTH	15	15
THE NATIONAL - GUNNAMATTA	16	16
OCEAN DUNES	17	13
HUNTINGDALE	18	NC
ROYAL SYDNEY	19	NC
NATIONAL - OLD	20	19
KOOYONGA	21	18
LAKE KARRINYUP	22	17
THE LAKES	23	22
COMMONWEALTH	24	NC
THE AUSTRALIAN	25	20
THE DUNES	26	26
ST ANDREWS BEACH	27	25
YARRA YARRA	28	27
GLENELG	29	32
JOONDALUP - QUARRY/DUNES	30	21
BARWON HEADS	31	23
WOODLANDS	32	24
ROYAL CANBERRA	33	29
MAGENTA SHORES	34	35
ROYAL QUEENSLAND	35	28
BONVILLE	36	34
MOUNT LAWLEY	37	NC
HAMILTON ISLAND	38	30
THIRTEENTH BEACH - BEACH	39	33
KENNEDY BAY	40	NC
LONSDALE LINKS	41	36
THE CUT	42	38
BROOKWATER	43	41
SANCTUARY COVE - THE PINES	44	40
BONNIE DOON	45	39
ELANORA	46	43
THE GRAND	47	37
PORT FAIRY	48	50
GRANGE - WEST	49	42
MOONAH LINKS - LEGENDS	50	45
TERREY HILLS	51	44
PORTSEA	52	49
ST MICHAEL'S	53	46
SPRING VALLEY	54	54
MOONAH LINKS - OPEN	55	48
CONCORD	56	47
ROSEBUD - NORTH	57	67
GRANGE - EAST	58	52
LINKS HOPE ISLAND	59	51
THE VINTAGE	60	53
SORRENTO	61	56
COTTESLOE	62	63
SANDY LINKS	63	59
KALGOORLIE	64	57
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN	65	55
AVONDALE	66	58
BOUGLE RUN	67	60
CAPE SCHANCK	68	72
LINKS LADY BAY	69	61
THE HERITAGE - HENLEY	70	77
CURLEWIS	71	62
MEADOW SPRINGS	72	68
THIRTEENTH BEACH - CREEK	73	64
THE HERITAGE - ST JOHN	74	85
PALMER COOLUM	75	80
NAROOMA	76	84
PELICAN WATERS	77	65
BRISBANE	78	78
MOUNT COMPASS	79	71
SANCTUARY LAKES	80	74
SANCTUARY COVE - THE PALMS	81	76
GLADES	82	70
FEDERAL	83	89
KILLARA	84	73
CASTLE HILL	85	86
LAKELANDS	86	69
BLACK BULL	87	75
RIVERSDALE	88	92
PACIFIC HARBOUR	89	83
MONASH	90	90
STONECUTTERS RIDGE	91	81
SETTLERS RUN	92	79
INDOOROOPILLY (WEST)	93	NR
MAROOCHY RIVER	94	96
MURRAY DOWNS	95	98
WARRNAMBOOL	96	93
NOOSA SPRINGS	97	100
MOLLYMOOK - HILLTOP	98	82
EASTERN - SOUTH	99	NR
TASMANIA	100	NR

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