This is the ninth edition of the "Best Golf Resorts in Europe" ranking. Each year we compare the ratings of Golf Resorts on Leadingcourses.com and their matching accommodations on Booking.com to create a ranking that is 100% based on the opinion of (golf) travellers.
We know you're eager to scroll down, but before you dig into the ranking there are a couple of things we need to explain so you'll have a better understanding of how this ranking was created.
Best Golf Resorts in Europe criteria
To ensure a fair and accurate ranking, each golf resort must meet specific criteria before being considered for our "Best Golf Resorts in Europe" list. While these requirements might seem stringent, they are essential for maintaining the integrity and transparency of our ranking process. Here's what it takes for a resort to qualify:
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Active Ratings: Both the golf club on Leadingcourses.com and the resort or hotel on Booking.com must have a sufficient number of recent and relevant reviews as of January 1st, 2025. This ensures that the ratings accurately reflect the current experiences of golf travelers and maintain the credibility of our rankings.
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Proximity: The resort or (official) hotel must be situated on the golf course premises or in very close proximity.
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Comprehensive Facilities: The resort must offer additional amenities beyond golf, such as a spa, tennis court, swimming pool, or other leisure facilities.
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Clear Affiliation: The golf club must explicitly mention or link to the specific resort or hotel on its website. General links to multiple hotels do not meet this requirement.
These criteria ensure that only the best and most complete golf resort experiences are included in our prestigious ranking.
What Makes a Golf Resort Exceptional?
An exceptional golf resort offers more than just a great golf course. It combines world-class golfing with luxury accommodation, high-end amenities, and exceptional service. A truly outstanding resort often features multiple golf courses, allowing guests to experience diverse challenges without leaving the property.
This is precisely why Costa Navarino has once again secured the top spot in our ranking. With four championship courses, a selection of luxury hotels, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, this Greek golf resort achieved a remarkable rating of 9.51.
The competition at the top remains fierce. Finca Cortesin has climbed to second place, while Trump Turnberry now rounds out the top three. Resorts need to continue innovating and enhancing their offerings to maintain or improve their positions in such a competitive field.
A notable newcomer is the Ombria Resort, debuting at number 10. With the highest Booking.com rating of 9.7 as of January 1st, 2025, this resort exemplifies the appeal of fresh and exceptional golf destinations.
How Is the Ranking Compiled?
The Leading Courses ranking is entirely based on traveler reviews. The final score is composed of 50% ratings from Leadingcourses.com and 50% hotel and resort reviews from Booking.com. Resorts not listed on Booking.com are ineligible for the ranking, even if they might be considered among the best.
Additionally, bonus points are awarded to resorts with multiple golf courses—more holes mean more golfing enjoyment. In the case of a tie, the golf course rating determines the final ranking. If everything is still equal, the position is shared.
For many golf travelers, a resort with multiple golf courses is a major advantage. It offers the ultimate luxury: arriving, unpacking, and enjoying various courses without ever having to leave the resort.
10 Best Golf Resorts
Below is the ranking of the 10 Best Golf Resorts in Europe. Click the button below to see the full top 100.
- Costa Navarino - 9.51
- Finca Cortesín Golf Club - 9.49
- Trump Turnberry Resort - 9.48
- The Gleneagles Hotel - 9.37
- Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort - 9.28
- Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg - 9.24
- Gloria Golf Club - 9.23
- Praia d'El Rey Golf & Beach Resort / West Cliffs - 9.18
- The Montgomerie Maxx Royal - 9.14
- Ombria Algarve - 9.14
VIEW THE TOP-100
About Leading Courses
For 10+ years, Leading Courses has been helping golfers to find and play the best and most suitable golf courses with the help of hundreds of thousands of reviews. The website and app provide information on more than 25,000 golf courses worldwide. Leading Courses has over 400,000 website visitors per month and offers tee times for over 3,000 golf clubs in more than 20 countries. This makes it Europe's largest platform for golf course reviews and tee times.