Would You Consider These Golf Courses to Be Iconic

Which golf courses would you consider to be iconic? That's an adjective we regularly see attached to various subjects, but it might first be instructive to see exactly how this word is defined. 

According to the Oxford Dictionary, iconic designates; "a person or thing regarded as representative of a culture or movement; important or influential in a particular (cultural) context."

How that applies to individual golf courses is all in the eye of the beholder, but we decided to ask a trio of seasoned minds, Golfshake Senior Writer Derek Clements, Golfshake Travel Editor Andy Waple, and Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken to identify a group of layouts across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and Continental Europe, that they would term as being iconic.

And we can now present below what they came up with!

Do you agree with their selections - and which courses do you think should be added to the list?

Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course)

Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "A must play course. Unbelievable course, the best I have ever played. Amazing scenery and view of the ocean on many holes."

The Belfry (Brabazon Course)

Location: Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.84

Review Comment: "Magnificent and ultra challenging. Bring your 'A' game and your driving skills particularly. Every hole a real challenge and makes you think and plan your strategy. Long and so well protected by water and bunkers. To add - staff at The Belfry are great, so helpful, accommodating and willing to provide the very best experience."

Celtic Manor (Twenty Ten Course)

Location: Newport, Gwent

Golfshake Rating: 3.95

Review Comment: "Amazing - it's the 2010. Fantastic layout, great clubhouse and exceptional whole experience."

Crans-sur-Sierre (Severiano Ballesteros Course)

Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Golfshake Rating: 4.09

Review Comment: "What a place to play golf. Stunning course, in a stunning setting. Each hole offers up something different too. So much fun to be had. Selection of tee boxes so pick one based on ability to get the most enjoyment out of your round here. Some slick greens and run off areas, as you'd expect for a championship course, but you'll need to be some way off line to lose many balls here. Had a great time."

Gleneagles (King's Course)

Location: Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "The best at Gleneagles. A fantastic challenge, with no two holes alike. In great condition throughout and the greens very demanding with their hidden subtle borrows."

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Location: Kingsbarns, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Great experience in a very professional environment. Scenic views and a great course with high quality of the tee boxes, fairways and greens."

Le Golf National (Albatros Course)

Location: Guyancourt, France

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Review Comment: "Well, what can you say? What a wonderful experience to walk in the footsteps of some of your golfing heroes. The first and second holes are great fun and the closing four holes are also tough but really good fun. You will lose a few balls round here and it can be difficult but don't let that put you off, just take it for what it is - a great golfing experience. The best greens I have putted on!"

Old Head Golf Links

Location: County Kinsale, Cork

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "A fantastic course with many challenges and great views of the fabulous shoreline and countryside."

Penina Golf Club (Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course)

Location: Penina, Portugal

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Review Comment: "The oldest course in the Algarve, lovely location, challenging championship course."

Portmarnock Golf Club

Location: Portmarnock, Dublin

Golfshake Rating: 4.82

Review Comment: "Truly stunning course, easily makes its way into my top five list of best courses I've played, somehow reminds me very much of Royal Dornoch. Great facilities, lunch was included in the price, people were very friendly, can't wait to go back."

Real Club Valderrama

Location: Sotogrande, Spain

Golfshake Rating: 3.94

Review Comment: "SUPERB! Great course, with a lot of class. Great staff, and course in great shape. Buggies and green fees are pricey, but you get what you pay for!"

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "The course has a rich history and is in great condition. It's a beautiful venue and the staff are exemplary."

Royal County Down Golf Club (Championship Course)

Location: Newcastle, County Down

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "It is one of the best golf courses in the world, steeped in history and prestige. The design, condition, including impeccably manicured grounds, the layout, and challenge are first class and make it one of the greats in the world."

Royal Dornoch Golf Club (Championship Course)

Location: Dornoch, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "Exceptional. Truly stunning. It's ranking as one of, if not the best course in the world is well deserved. Masterpiece."

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "The fairways and greens are in great condition and it is a very difficult course, with fast running greens. Highly recommended!"

Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links)

Location: Portrush, County Antrim

Golfshake Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "The views were stunning and the course was in excellent condition when I played in late October. The greens were fabulous and playing on the course had a real Open Championship feel to it. The starter was an entertaining guy and the clubhouse had a real sense of history. The view as you walk onto the fifth green is breathtaking. It was fairly tough and expensive to play the course, but it was worth it to play one of the top ten golf courses in the world."

Royal St David’s Golf Club

Location: Harlech, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.87

Review Comment: "Breathtaking. One of the finest courses I have played. Pure fun mixed with wild rough, undulating fairways and glassy greens. Links golf at an affordable price. Hugely enjoyable."

St Andrews Links (The Old Course)

Location: St Andrews, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "It's my favourite course on the planet. Always special and rewarding."

Sunningdale Golf Club (Old Course)

Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Quite simply one the best courses I've ever played. Amazing views all the way around, long tough but rewarding, if you hit the fairway. Greens ran true throughout and the halfway house lived up to the hype."

Terre Blanche (Le Chateau Course)

Location: Cotes D'Azur, France

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "Such a beautiful course. Unforgiving and technical but a pleasure to play. A buggy is essential."

Turnberry (Ailsa Course)

Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "A real treat. Lived up to all the hype. Amazing place. Course just immaculate and testing but fair. People make this also. The staff are just brill!"

Walton Heath Golf Club (Old Course)

Location: Tadworth, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.82

Review Comment: "I had a great time at Walton Heath. The staff were friendly and the course was in great condition. It's a classic heathland course and it's definitely one of the best in the country. I'll definitely be back!"

Wentworth (West Course)

Location: Virginia Water, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "It is perfect in every way, with great practice facilities, and the course is outstanding. The greens are very fast and true, tee boxes like most course greens. Friendly staff."

Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin Course)

Location: Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "This course is really blooming hard but I love a challenge, and this course definitely provides one. The fairways are excellent, there are lots of bunkers and the greens were superb. It's perfectly maintained and stunning layout make it a real joy to play."

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