2023 Masters: Ranking the top courses designed by famed architect Alister MacKenzie
The golf world’s attention is focused on Augusta National Golf Club this weekend, bringing plenty of attention to famed golf course architect Alister MacKenzie. But the annual home of the Masters, as great as it is, isn’t even MacKenzie’s top-rated layout.
Golfweek’s Best ranks courses every year based on the input of more than 800 raters worldwide, and Augusta National in 2022 ranked No. 3 among all classic courses in the United States built before 1960. Golfweek’s raters judge each course on a scale of 1 to 10, with only the top handful of courses in the world surpassing an average rating of 9.
Augusta National – which has been heavily modified over the decades – comes in at 9.51 out of 10, so clearly MacKenzie and the architects who followed with renovations at Augusta National did great work on the old tree farm. Funny thing, though, it’s not even the best course in the U.S. designed by the Scottish surgeon.
Alister MacKenzie
That honor belongs to a club out west. Click through to see MacKenzie’s top courses in the world, as rated by Golfweek’s Best.
It’s worth noting, MacKenzie laid his hands and intellect on many courses. The ones below include tracks that were MacKenzie originals or received substantial MacKenzie input, often with help from other designers. Several clubs he worked on, such as California Golf Club, were not included in the following calculations because much of his work has been redone in subsequent renovations or he didn’t have the majority of the design input.
So here goes, MacKenzie’s top 10:
Nos. 6-10 Alister MacKenzie courses
The 17th hole at Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds, England (David Cannon/Getty Images)
10. Alwoodley
Average rating: 7.46
Where: Leeds, England
Opened: 1907
The MacKenzie details: This heathland layout was MacKenzie’s first design.
Ranking: No. 26 among Great Britain and Ireland’s classic courses; T-39 among all international classic courses
9. New South Wales Golf Club
Average rating: 7.73
Where: La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia
Opened: 1928
The MacKenzie details: For this course bounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and Botany Bay, MacKenzie planned the bunkering and layout in 1926. A handful of architects have made alterations and renovations, including Tom Doak.
Ranking: No. 25 among all international classic courses
8. Valley Club of Montecito
Average rating: 7.74
Where: Montecito, California
Opened: 1929
The MacKenzie details: MacKenzie worked with Robert Hunter on the design, which has been renovated by Tom Doak.
Ranking: T-36 among Golfweek’s Best classic courses in U.S.
7. Pasatiempo
Average rating: 7.78
Where: Santa Cruz, California
Opened: 1929
The MacKenzie details: MacKenzie worked with 1921 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Marion Hollins to develop this public-access course.
Ranking: No. 34 among Golfweek’s Best classic courses in U.S.
6. Lahinch Old Course
Average rating: 7.92
Where: Lahinch, Ireland
Opened: 1894
The MacKenzie details: In 1927, MacKenzie redesigned much of the original course laid out by Old Tom Morris and previously reworked in part by Charles “Mo” Gibson. Martin Hawtree renovated the course in 1999.
Ranking: No. 13 among Great Britain and Ireland’s classic courses; No. 16 among all international classic courses
Nos. 1-5
Cypress Point (Getty Images)
5. Kingston Heath
Average rating: 8.05
Where: Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Opened: 1925
The MacKenzie details: Dan Souter receives design credit for the course in Australia’s famed Sandbelt, with MacKenzie having developed the bunkering for which he was famous and tweaking a few holes. Recent renovations include work by Mike Clayton and his team.
Ranking: No. 13 among all international classic courses
4. Crystal Downs
Average rating: 8.45
Where: Frankfort, Michigan
Opened: 1931
The MacKenzie details: MacKenzie worked with Perry Maxwell to lay out the course on the shoreline between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake.
Ranking: No. 13 among Golfweek’s Best classic courses in U.S.
3. Royal Melbourne’s West Course
Average rating: 8.65
Where: Black Rock, Victoria, Australia
Opened: 1926
The MacKenzie details: MacKenzie laid out this most famous of Australia’s Sandbelt courses, with most of the work being completed by Alex Russell and Mick Morcom.
Ranking: T-3 among all international classic courses
2. Augusta National
Average rating: 9.51
Where: Augusta, Georgia
Opened: 1932
The MacKenzie details: MacKenzie was enlisted by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts to construct the course on hilly terrain that had been a tree and plant nursery.
Ranking: No. 3 among Golfweek’s Best classic courses in U.S.
1. Cypress Point
Average rating: 9.59
Where: Pebble Beach, California
Opened: 1928
The MacKenzie details: 1921 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Marion Hollins hired MacKenzie to lay out the course above the Pacific Ocean, and its par-3 16th is one of the world’s most spectacular holes.
Ranking: No. 2 among Golfweek’s Best classic courses in U.S.
