Current Ratings
As of 2024, all users of Top 100 Golf Courses can leave a rating when submitting a review. We believe this is important and appreciated by our users. Honest yet fair reviews and ratings matter in a world where glowing platitudes are seemingly always for sale.
User Ratings
Travelling golfers differ tremendously in what they feel is important or should be weighed and measured. We openly publish our Ranking Guidance for Panellists but also realise most will differ in their approach. As well, many golfers haven't had the privilege to see and experience a truly world-class golf course as many are inaccessible for one reason or another. Hence, the barometer of average, good, excellent and perfection can vary tremendously.
A Question of Verbiage
Some individuals have visited clubs as Top 100 Golf Courses Raters and Reviewers which is somewhat misleading, unintentionally or otherwise. Potentially soon, Top 100 Users will be able to leave a 'Score'. Top 100 Panellists will be able to leave a 'Rating'.
Current Rating System
It started as a 6 Ball Rating System and later 1/2 ball increments were added to help add more nuance. Currently, the rating system stands as such:
1 - Very Poor
2 - Poor
2 1/2 - Fair
3 - Average
3 1/2 - Above Average
4 - Good
4 1/2 - Very Good
5 - Excellent
5 1/2 - Oustanding
6 - Perfection
As ratings have become more popular, we have noted that a scale of 3, 5 and 10 has emerged. With regards to a set of 3 (Bronze, Silver & Golf or Good, Better & Best) has become widely used. 5-star ratings for hotels and vacations are widely understood. A base 10 rating is also very common.
Whilst our current system offers 10 options, the 1-6 rating isn't intuitively recognised or understood.
Proposed Rating System
We have spent a lot of time discussing the merits of both keeping the current system and adjusting it slightly. As we have equivalents (i.e. 6 = 10 and 5 1/2 = 9), it seemed best to move to a base 10 system.
The proposed system is as follows:
- Poor
- Below Average
- Average (Most golf courses on Top 100)
- Above Average
- Good
- Very Good (Contender for Top 100 County or State)
- Fantastic
- Excellent (Contender for Top 100 Country but not World Top 100)
- Outstanding
- Perfection (World Top 100)
We feel the clarification will help those leaving 'Scores' or 'Ratings' a better gauge of where they feel the golf course should sit. In addition, if a course that is not currently a contender for Top 100 Country is being given 6's and 7's, perhaps it is time for an assessment to be made.
Ratings In Conclusion
We hope this current review and explaining the proposed rating system makes sense and will give the travelling golfer more confidence when planning their next golf adventure.