Best golf courses in Europe: Golfers’ Choice Awards 2021

There are many rankings of golf courses, often created by experts, or so-called experts. Some rankings are very good, others... not so much. But in all cases, those rankings are created by just a handful of people who decide for everyone else. But when an expert likes a golf course and ranks it high, that doesn't necessarily have to be the case for the average golfer. Sure, we all love Augusta National, but should it be the no.1 in a ranking, whilst it's (sheer) impossible to play there?

That is why we decided 8 years ago to base our ranking for 100% on the opinion of golfers who have actually played the courses. Essentially making it your ranking. Who better to decide if a golf course or club belongs in a top list than the people who have experienced it themselves?

Every time a golfer writes a review about a golf club, they give ratings (from 1 to 10) for 9 different components: 

• General Impression
• The Golf Course
• Maintenance
• Facilities
• Clubhouse 
• Value for money
• Hospitality
• Surroundings
• Restaurant (new)

Based on those ratings the Golfers' Choice Rankings are created. But only for categories that get enough ratings, as it is not mandatory to rate every single component.

Golfers’ Choice Rankings are only released in countries where Leading Courses has enough reviews to create a reliable ranking. When a golf club has gathered a sufficient amount of reviews and meets the set criteria, they are eligible to qualify for the rankings. To make sure that ratings stay relevant, reviews are devalued over time.

This year rankings have been released for 18 countries on 4 continents. It is the first time a ranking has been created for Switzerland and the Caribbean island of Curaçao.

View all Golfers' Choice Rankings in all countries here

Below a list of the winners in the main category. Click the link(s) to see the overall ranking and use the navigation menu on the left to go to the ranking of your choice.

• Austria - Steiermarkischer Murhof ➡️ View all rankings for Austria
• Belgium - Hulencourt ➡️ View all rankings for Belgium
• Curaçao - Old Quarry Golf Course Curaçao ➡️ View all rankings for Curaçao
• Cyprus - Aphrodite Hills Golf PGA National Cyprus ➡️ View all rankings for Cyprus
• Denmark - Great Northern ➡️ View all rankings for Denmark
• France - Les Bordes Golf ➡️ View all rankings for France
• Germany - Golf- und Land-Club Köln e.V. ➡️ View all rankings for Germany
• Italy - Circolo Golf Villa d'Este ➡️ View all rankings for Italy
• Mauritius - Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club ➡️ View all rankings for Mauritius
• Morocco - The Michlifen Golf & Country Club ➡️ View all rankings for Morocco
• Portugal - Monte Rei Golf & Country Club ➡️ View all rankings for Portugal
• Slovenia - Royal Bled ➡️ View all rankings for Slovenia
• Spain - Real Club Valderrama ➡️ View all rankings for Spain
• Sweden - Bro Hof Slott Golf Club ➡️ View all rankings for Sweden
• Switzerland - Golf Club du Domaine Impérial ➡️ View all rankings for Switzerland
• The Netherlands - Koninklijke Haagsche G&CC ➡️ View all rankings for The Netherlands
• Turkey - The Montgomerie Maxx Royal ➡️ View all rankings for Turkey
• United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi Golf Club  ➡️ View all rankings for the UAE

The No.1 in the rankings of some countries change almost every year (like Belgium, Morocco or Sweden), but others seem to stay at the top spot forever. Such is the case in Portugal and The Netherlands. 

Monte Rei in the Algarve tops the ranking for Best Golf Club in Portugal for the 8th (!) year in a row. The design of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the impeccable maintenance and the top-notch service make a tee time at Monte Rei the most sought after in Portugal. The good news is that it is now possible to book that tee time right here at Leading Courses!

The Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & Country Club is located less than 3 kilometres from the North Sea and is considered to be one of the very best traditional golf clubs in Europe. Every golfer that has played "The Haagsche" will remember the view of the course when you walk up the hill to the first tee. Just spectacular!

More and more clubs are directly bookable online on Leadingcourses.com, including some of the winners in the main categories. You can secure your tee time on these winning golf clubs:

Belgium - Best 18 Holes Golf Club: Hulencourt (Bookable July 1st!)
Italy - Best 18 Holes Golf Club + Most Hospitable Golf Club: Circolo Golf Villa d'Este
Italy - Best Facilities: Royal Park I Roveri 
Portugal - Winner in 5 categories including Best 18 Holes Golf Club: Monte Rei
Portugal- Best Price-Quality: West Cliffs
Spain- Most Hospitable Golf Club: Finca Cortesin
Spain: Best Price-Quality: Izki Golf

Keep an eye on Leadingcourses.com, because more clubs will become bookable soon!