The Best Alister MacKenzie Courses in the UK & Ireland

Born to Scottish parents in Yorkshire, Alister MacKenzie became one of the most celebrated golf course architects in history. Trained a surgeon, the Cambridge University graduate was a civilian doctor during the Boer War, but golf was his lifetime passion. Having been a member of clubs around Leeds, he was instrumental in the development and building of Alwoodley, where many of his design principles were first introduced. It marked the beginning of a remarkable career that spanned from the turn of the 20th century till his death in the 1930s.

Later, he charted the Old Course at St. Andrews, providing an unmatched intellectual view of architecture. That venerable template became his reference point and education, adapting many of the strategic ideals into his creations across the world. From Cypress Point in California to Royal Melbourne in Australia, Crystal Downs and Lahinch, MacKenzie's body of work stands as one of the finest in the game. But it was his final contribution that remains his most famous, joining forces with the legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones to imagine Augusta National in Georgia, destined to become home of the Masters Tournament. Sadly, 'The Good Doctor' passed away before the inaugural Invitational Tournament in 1934.

While that course is unfortunately inaccessible to only a lucky few, you can play a MacKenzie closer to home. We have taken a look at his legacy to pick out layouts in the UK & Ireland, including their rating on Golfshake, independently reviewed by regular golfers who have gratefully had the opportunity to experience the creations of a genius.

Alwoodley Golf Club, Leeds (Golfshake Rating: 4.49)

Bingley St Ives Golf Course, Harden, Bingley, West Yorkshire (Golfshake Rating: 4.13)

Bonnyton Golf Club, Eaglesham (Golfshake Rating: 3.8)

Cavendish Golf Club, Buxton, Derbyshire (Golfshake Rating: 4.6)

Cleckheaton & District Golf Club, Bradford (Golfshake Rating: 4.55)

Cork Golf Club, Cork (Golfshake Rating: 4.75)

Darlington Golf Club, County Durham (Golfshake Rating: 3.97)

Douglas Golf Club, Cork (Golfshake Rating: 4.32)

Douglas Golf Course, Pulrose (Golfshake Rating: 4.6)

Duff House Royal Golf Club, Banff (Golfshake Rating: 3.74)

Erskine Golf Club, Renfrewshire (Golfshake Rating: 4.53)

Galway Golf Club, Galway (Golfshake Rating: 4.8)

Garforth Golf Club, Leeds (Golfshake Rating: 4.09)

Hadley Wood Golf Course, Hadley Wood (Golfshake Rating: 4.77)

Hazel Grove Golf Club, Cheshire (Golfshake Rating: 4.46)

Low Laithes Golf Club, Wakefield (Golfshake Rating: 4.31)

Moortown Golf Club, Leeds (Golfshake Rating: 4.33)

Muskerry Golf Club, Cork (Golfshake Rating: 3.8)

Nenagh Golf Club, Co. Tipperary (Golfshake Rating: 3.8)

Oakdale Golf Club, Harrogate (Golfshake Rating: 4.35)

Pitreavie (Dunfermline) Golf Club, Fife (Golfshake Rating: 3.93)

Ravensworth Golf Club, Gateshead (Golfshake Rating: 4.63)

Reddish Vale Golf Course, Stockport (Golfshake Rating: 4.19)

Sand Moor Golf Club, Leeds (Golfshake Rating: 4.68)

Seaton Carew Golf Club Course, Seaton Carew (Golfshake Rating: 4.6)

Sitwell Park Golf Club, Rotherham (Golfshake Rating: 4.45)

South Moor Golf Club, Stanley, County Durham (Golfshake Rating: 4.02)

Stanley Park Golf Club, Stanley Park, Blackpool (Golfshake Rating: 3.23)

Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, North Warwickshire (Golfshake Rating: 4.29)

Teignmouth Golf Club, Devon (Golfshake Rating: 4.86)

Temple Newsam Golf Club, Leeds (Golfshake Rating: 3.09)

The MacKenzie Championship Course at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen (Golfshake Rating: 3.31)

The Old Course at Lahinch Golf Club (Golfshake Rating: 4.77)

The Portland Course at the Royal Troon Golf Club (Golfshake Rating: 4.79)

The Worcestershire Golf Club, Malvern (Golfshake Rating: 4.38)

Willingdon Golf Club, Eastbourne (Golfshake Rating: 3.96)

Worcester Golf & Country Club, Worcester (Golfshake Rating: 4.16)