The Golf Mine
When golfers choose an itinerary they frequently seem to consider three things
- St Andrews – the hub around which they build
- Open Championship venues
- The World Course rankings
Scotland has the land mass of South Carolina, yet has seventeen golf course variously rated in the world’s top-100, and six in the top-20. Ireland has increasingly begun to rise too but has also seen Waterville and the European Club slide off the list.
Faraway Fairways have used the latest bi-annual rankings (2025) for four rating lists, using the highest number for any course that appears which we feature. This has excluded a couple which we could include however such as Ganton or Porthcawl. It might also explain why it’s possible for courses to share the same number
One potential weakness to this method of course, is that it might capture a rogue entry (such as Gleneagles) that only appears in one list.
We’ve highlighted those which appear in all lists in bold
- Royal County Down (3) – ranked same No. in 3 lists
- St Andrews Old (3) – Golf Magazine
- Royal Dornoch (6) – Planet Golf
- Muirfield (7) – Golf Digest
- Royal Portrush (9) – Top 100 courses
- Turnberry (12) – Top 100 courses
- Ballybunion (14) – Planet Golf
- North Berwick (16) – Planet Golf
- Royal St Georges (19) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Birkdale (23) – Golf Digest
- Carnoustie (26) – Planet Golf
- Lahinch (32) – Top 100 courses
- Prestwick (33) – Planet Golf
- Rosapenna (37) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Aberdeen (37) – Planet Golf
- Kingsbarns (43) – Top 100 courses
- Ardfin – (44) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Troon (53) – Golf Magazine
- Portmarnock (54) – Golf Magazine
- Machrihanish (54) – Planet Golf
- Castle Stuart (54) – 100 Top courses
- Prestwick (58) – Golf Magazine
- Gleneagles Kings (58) – Planet Golf
- Lytham (68) – Golf Magazine
- Cruden Bay (70) – Top 100 courses
- Trump Aberdeen Old (77) – Top 100 courses
- Hoylake (95) – Golf Magazine
- St Andrews Old Course (3)
- Royal County Down (4)
- Muirfield (11)
- Royal Dornoch (12)
- Royal Portrush (14)
- Turnberry (18)
- North Berwick (25)
- Ballybunion (29)
- Royal St Georges (30)
- Lahinch (34)
- Carnoustie (39)
- Royal Birkdale (42)
- Rosapenna (44)
- Royal Troon (53)
- Portmarnock (54)
- Prestwick (58)
- Lytham (68)
- Ardfin (72)
- Machrihanish (92)
- Kingsbarns (94)
- Hoylake (95)
- Castle Stuart (97)
Note that Golf Digest has stopped producing a world list. 2018 was their last one before they split it between the US and the rest of the world. We perhaps shouldn’t be using their list any longer as courses like Rosapenna which have risen recently are omitted
- Royal County Down (3)
- Royal Dornoch (4)
- Muirfield (7)
- St Andrews Old Course (9)
- Royal Portrush (12)
- Turnberry (18)
- Royal Birkdale (23)
- Ballybunion (27)
- Carnoustie (38)
- Royal St Georges (39)
- North Berwick (49)
- Kingsbarns (59)
- Lahinch (68)
- Royal Troon (81)
- Royal Lytham (93)
- Royal County Down (3)
- St Andrews Old Course (4)
- Royal Dornoch (6)
- Ballybunion (14)
- North Berwick (16)
- Royal Portrush (17)
- Muirfield (18)
- Carnoustie (26)
- Royal St Georges (30)
- Turnberry (32)
- Prestwick (33)
- Royal Aberdeen (37)
- Lahinch (43)
- Machrihanish (54)
- Gleneagles Kings (58)
- Kingsbarns (71)
- Cruden Bay (80)
- Royal Birkdale (87)
- Castle Stuart (92)
- Royal County Down (3)
- St Andrews Old Course (7)
- Royal Portrush (9)
- Muirfield (10)
- Turnberry (12)
- Royal Dornoch (15)
- Royal St Georges (19)
- Ballybunion (29)
- Lahinch (32)
- Carnoustie (34)
- Rosapenna (37)
- North Berwick (42)
- Kingsbarns (43)
- Ardfin (44)
- Castle Stuart (54)
- Lytham (61)
- Cruden Bay (70)
- Portmarnock (74)
- Trump Aberdeen (77)
- Royal Birkdale (82)
- Royal Aberdeen (88)
- Prestwick (93)
- St Andrews Old (3) – Golf Magazine
- Muirfield (7) – Golf Digest
- Royal Portrush (9) – Top 100 courses
- Turnberry (12) – Top 100 courses (dependent on whether we believe it’s still under consideration)
- Royal St Georges (19) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Birkdale (23) – Golf Digest
- Carnoustie (26) – Planet Golf
- Royal Troon (53) – Golf Magazine
- Lytham (68) – Golf Magazine
- Hoylake (95) – Golf Magazine
Note – the English list would include places such St Enodoc, Ganton, Sunningdale and Swinley that we’ve failed to acknowledge (Ganton would be the most likely we could include). The Welsh would also have a qualifier in Royal Porthcawl
Scotland
- St Andrews Old (3) – Golf Magazine
- Royal Dornoch (6) – Planet Golf
- Muirfield (7) – Golf Digest
- Turnberry (12) – Top 100 courses
- North Berwick (16) – Planet Golf
- Carnoustie (26) – Planet Golf
- Prestwick (33) – Planet Golf
- Royal Aberdeen (37) – Planet Golf
- Kingsbarns (43) – Top 100 courses
- Ardfin – (44) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Troon (53) – Golf Magazine
- Machrihanish (54) – Planet Golf
- Castle Stuart (54) – 100 Top courses
- Prestwick (58) – Golf Magazine
- Gleneagles Kings (58) – Planet Golf
- Cruden Bay (70) – Top 100 courses
- Trump Aberdeen Old (77) – Top 100 courses
Ireland
- Royal County Down (3) – Golf Digest
- Royal Portrush (9) – Top 100 courses
- Ballybunion (14) – Planet Golf
- Lahinch (32) – Top 100 courses
- Rosapenna (37) – Top 100 courses
- Portmarnock (54) – Golf Magazine
England
- Royal St Georges (19) – Top 100 courses
- Royal Birkdale (23) – Golf Digest
- Lytham (68) – Golf Magazine
- Hoylake (95) – Golf Magazine
Faraway Fairways doesn’t keep our own ranking, but we do form a view based on feedback received
The two courses that consistently generate the most positive comments are North Berwick and Kingsbarns. This could equally be a function of how frequently they’re played though, but we’ve never heard a word of disappointment about either in 12 years
We tend to over-rate aesthetics, so would have Ardfin top-10, but its a newish course, in an incredibly remote area (Isle of Jura) and isn’t really available for open public play
The course we think that has been harshly treated perhaps is Dumbarnie, which deserves to feature in at least one list we’d have thought. It got off to a bumpy start though and is possibly still suffering for that. Trump Aberdeen has probably been under-rated too, although it has fallen away from its historic position of around #50, so we can’t believe its an oversight
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”
Enquiry
We don't need to make this an ordeal by 101 filtering questions! In reality there are probably little more than half a dozen things we need to know to build out a proposal. The guidance below might help you frame answers
Duration - usually best expressed as a range up to a maximum
Time of year - can be anything from a specific date range to a named season
Travel class - Faraway Fairways uses 'Luxury', 'Premier' or 'Affordable' for generic purposes. You might choose to reference the international 'star' rating system. We're only looking for something to help steer us into the right sector
Self drive or hired driver - In broad terms, self driving is normally less expensive, and much more flexible, but some folk just don't want to do it
Must play courses/ must do places - a few name checks is all that's needed