Best Ryder Cup golf courses in Europe

Last time out in 2014, Europe were runaway winners at Gleneagle’s PGA Centenary course in the most dominant performance in recent memory (apologies to our American readers). Adding salt to the USA’s wounds, the Jack Nicklaus-designed venue should have worked in the travellers’ favour: it plays long (nearly 7,300 yards from the tips) to huge greens, with plenty of risk-reward along the way. Shame, that’ll be three victories for Europe in a row, thank you very much. Prior to the tournament, the course underwent extensive renovations that have undoubtedly improved the experience for players of all levels, while the provision of two other outstanding golf courses in the Kings and Queens, and one of the finest luxury hotels in the world on-site, make this the perfect location to bask in former Ryder Cup glory. gleneagles.com

Last time out in 2014, Europe were runaway winners at Gleneagle’s PGA Centenary course in the most dominant performance in recent memory (apologies to our American readers). Adding salt to the USA’s wounds, the Jack Nicklaus-designed venue should have worked in the travellers’ favour: it plays long (nearly 7,300 yards from the tips) to huge greens, with plenty of risk-reward along the way. Shame, that’ll be three victories for Europe in a row, thank you very much. Prior to the tournament, the course underwent extensive renovations that have undoubtedly improved the experience for players of all levels, while the provision of two other outstanding golf courses in the Kings and Queens, and one of the finest luxury hotels in the world on-site, make this the perfect location to bask in former Ryder Cup glory. gleneagles.com

If there is one golf course synonymous with the Ryder Cup it is The Belfry’s Brabazon. Simply put, world-renowned designer Dave Thomas and ‘voice of golf’ Peter Alliss achieved a remarkable feat when they transformed an uninteresting patch of farmland into what is now a bucket list golf course. If you remember any of the TV coverage at this four-time host, your imagination won’t have to stretch too far to imagine the 30,000 fans waiting for you to take your next shot. It’s a thrill before you reach the dramatic par-4 18th, but that final approach over the water to a tricky three-tiered green leaves your heart racing like few other holes on the planet can. Nowadays, there’s another 36 holes to enjoy, while a handsome four-star hotel makes a long weekend sound like an excellent idea. thebelfry.co.uk

If there is one golf course synonymous with the Ryder Cup it is The Belfry’s Brabazon. Simply put, world-renowned designer Dave Thomas and ‘voice of golf’ Peter Alliss achieved a remarkable feat when they transformed an uninteresting patch of farmland into what is now a bucket list golf course. If you remember any of the TV coverage at this four-time host, your imagination won’t have to stretch too far to imagine the 30,000 fans waiting for you to take your next shot. It’s a thrill before you reach the dramatic par-4 18th, but that final approach over the water to a tricky three-tiered green leaves your heart racing like few other holes on the planet can. Nowadays, there’s another 36 holes to enjoy, while a handsome four-star hotel makes a long weekend sound like an excellent idea. thebelfry.co.uk

If there is one golf course synonymous with the Ryder Cup it is The Belfry’s Brabazon. Simply put, world-renowned designer Dave Thomas and ‘voice of golf’ Peter Alliss achieved a remarkable feat when they transformed an uninteresting patch of farmland into what is now a bucket list golf course. If you remember any of the TV coverage at this four-time host, your imagination won’t have to stretch too far to imagine the 30,000 fans waiting for you to take your next shot. It’s a thrill before you reach the dramatic par-4 18th, but that final approach over the water to a tricky three-tiered green leaves your heart racing like few other holes on the planet can. Nowadays, there’s another 36 holes to enjoy, while a handsome four-star hotel makes a long weekend sound like an excellent idea. thebelfry.co.uk

The 2006 Ryder Cup will always be Darren Clarke’s tournament: returning from the death of his wife, the Northern Irishman (and Europe’s 2016 captain) helped the hosts to a tremendous 18.5 to 9.5 victory over the USA. Not to be overshadowed, the Arnold Palmer-designed course proved a worthy venue for what remains the biggest golfing event in Irish history. Like most tracks on this list, the Palmer course represents one of golf’s toughest tests: the River Liffey meandering through the holes proves problematic on many holes, while devilishly thick rough and a host of other pesky hazards ensure errant shots are immediately punished. By time you reach the 600-yard par-5 16th, you’ll already know the course is as staggeringly beautiful as it is monstrous. Post-round deliberations (and well-deserved rests) are undertaken at the sumptuous Kildare Hotel on site, while the superb Smurfit course is ready for any golfers ready for round two. kclub.ie

The 2006 Ryder Cup will always be Darren Clarke’s tournament: returning from the death of his wife, the Northern Irishman (and Europe’s 2016 captain) helped the hosts to a tremendous 18.5 to 9.5 victory over the USA. Not to be overshadowed, the Arnold Palmer-designed course proved a worthy venue for what remains the biggest golfing event in Irish history. Like most tracks on this list, the Palmer course represents one of golf’s toughest tests: the River Liffey meandering through the holes proves problematic on many holes, while devilishly thick rough and a host of other pesky hazards ensure errant shots are immediately punished. By time you reach the 600-yard par-5 16th, you’ll already know the course is as staggeringly beautiful as it is monstrous. Post-round deliberations (and well-deserved rests) are undertaken at the sumptuous Kildare Hotel on site, while the superb Smurfit course is ready for any golfers ready for round two. kclub.ie

The 2006 Ryder Cup will always be Darren Clarke’s tournament: returning from the death of his wife, the Northern Irishman (and Europe’s 2016 captain) helped the hosts to a tremendous 18.5 to 9.5 victory over the USA. Not to be overshadowed, the Arnold Palmer-designed course proved a worthy venue for what remains the biggest golfing event in Irish history. Like most tracks on this list, the Palmer course represents one of golf’s toughest tests: the River Liffey meandering through the holes proves problematic on many holes, while devilishly thick rough and a host of other pesky hazards ensure errant shots are immediately punished. By time you reach the 600-yard par-5 16th, you’ll already know the course is as staggeringly beautiful as it is monstrous. Post-round deliberations (and well-deserved rests) are undertaken at the sumptuous Kildare Hotel on site, while the superb Smurfit course is ready for any golfers ready for round two. kclub.ie

Boasting the unique title as the first course to be built specifically for the Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten was the setting for a very wet but memorable tournament six years ago. As you can imagine from a course set up specifically to challenge the game’s very best shot for shot, this course is equal parts exciting and downright formidable. Take on the back tees if you dare: 7,493 yards of golf course, nine water-lined holes and heartbreaking hazards lie ahead of you. Expect three key phases to your round: a links-like beginning, a lake-prominent middle section and a hilly final stretch. If this course sounds confused, rest assured it is nothing but entertaining. Add to that a sumptuous five-star hotel, two other top-class courses and you have one of the finest destinations for golf in the UK. celtic-manor.com

Boasting the unique title as the first course to be built specifically for the Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten was the setting for a very wet but memorable tournament six years ago. As you can imagine from a course set up specifically to challenge the game’s very best shot for shot, this course is equal parts exciting and downright formidable. Take on the back tees if you dare: 7,493 yards of golf course, nine water-lined holes and heartbreaking hazards lie ahead of you. Expect three key phases to your round: a links-like beginning, a lake-prominent middle section and a hilly final stretch. If this course sounds confused, rest assured it is nothing but entertaining. Add to that a sumptuous five-star hotel, two other top-class courses and you have one of the finest destinations for golf in the UK. celtic-manor.com

Boasting the unique title as the first course to be built specifically for the Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten was the setting for a very wet but memorable tournament six years ago. As you can imagine from a course set up specifically to challenge the game’s very best shot for shot, this course is equal parts exciting and downright formidable. Take on the back tees if you dare: 7,493 yards of golf course, nine water-lined holes and heartbreaking hazards lie ahead of you. Expect three key phases to your round: a links-like beginning, a lake-prominent middle section and a hilly final stretch. If this course sounds confused, rest assured it is nothing but entertaining. Add to that a sumptuous five-star hotel, two other top-class courses and you have one of the finest destinations for golf in the UK. celtic-manor.com

One of the finest golfing destinations in Britain and regular on the European Tour, the West Course at Wentworth also played host to a closely contested Ryder Cup in 1953. For those memories that don’t stretch that far, the tournament was won by the USA by a single point. Ouch. The work of legendary designer Harry Colt has changed quite significantly since then but its charming character as somewhere between a parkland and a heathland course remains very much in tact. As you might expect, each hole features sprinklings of heather along its tree-lined undulating fairways while 30 new bunkers and a pretty stream on the closing hole have been added to the course in recent years. Elsewhere, the Wentworth estate boasts the hugely underrated East and Edinburgh courses, while a handful of rooms are up for grabs in the historic clubhouse itself. wentworthclub.com

One of the finest golfing destinations in Britain and regular on the European Tour, the West Course at Wentworth also played host to a closely contested Ryder Cup in 1953. For those memories that don’t stretch that far, the tournament was won by the USA by a single point. Ouch. The work of legendary designer Harry Colt has changed quite significantly since then but its charming character as somewhere between a parkland and a heathland course remains very much in tact. As you might expect, each hole features sprinklings of heather along its tree-lined undulating fairways while 30 new bunkers and a pretty stream on the closing hole have been added to the course in recent years. Elsewhere, the Wentworth estate boasts the hugely underrated East and Edinburgh courses, while a handful of rooms are up for grabs in the historic clubhouse itself. wentworthclub.com

One of the finest golfing destinations in Britain and regular on the European Tour, the West Course at Wentworth also played host to a closely contested Ryder Cup in 1953. For those memories that don’t stretch that far, the tournament was won by the USA by a single point. Ouch. The work of legendary designer Harry Colt has changed quite significantly since then but its charming character as somewhere between a parkland and a heathland course remains very much in tact. As you might expect, each hole features sprinklings of heather along its tree-lined undulating fairways while 30 new bunkers and a pretty stream on the closing hole have been added to the course in recent years. Elsewhere, the Wentworth estate boasts the hugely underrated East and Edinburgh courses, while a handful of rooms are up for grabs in the historic clubhouse itself. wentworthclub.com