About This Publication
The Global Golfer is an independent luxury golf travel and lifestyle publication produced by Van der Meulen Collection Limited (Cheltenham, England). We cover the world’s finest golf courses, resorts, destinations and equipment for the discerning golfer.
Our flagship editorial product is the vdM Top 100 Golf Courses of the World — a proprietary ranking using a five-pillar methodology covering Golf Quality, Accommodation, Stay-and-Play Experience, Setting & Destination, and Wellness & Recovery. Each course receives a fully researched profile including championship scorecard, hole strategy, travel guide and partner stay recommendations.
Our editorial voice is represented by Archie, The Global Golfer’s AI editorial assistant — a golf-first companion persona combining the authority of a scratch golfer with the erudition of a seasoned travel journalist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Global Golfer Top 100?
The vdM Top 100 Golf Courses of the World is our proprietary ranking of the finest golf courses on the planet, assessed across five pillars: Golf Quality (30pts), Accommodation (25pts), Stay-and-Play Experience (20pts), Setting & Destination (15pts), and Wellness & Recovery (10pts). Each course receives a comprehensive profile including championship scorecard, hole-by-hole strategy and travel guide.
How often is the Top 100 updated?
The ranking is reviewed annually. Individual course profiles are updated whenever significant changes occur — renovations, new ownership, championship hosting, or changes to green fees and booking policy. The current edition was published in 2026.
Who writes the editorial content?
The Global Golfer’s editorial is produced by our in-house team under the direction of founder David van der Meulen and golf editorial lead Ben van der Meulen. AI-assisted content generation uses our Archie persona with mandatory human-in-the-loop review before publication.
Does The Global Golfer accept sponsored content?
Yes, in limited circumstances and always clearly disclosed. Our editorial rankings are not influenced by commercial arrangements. Sponsored features are clearly labelled. For enquiries, contact partnerships@theglobalgolfer.com.
How do I suggest a course for inclusion in the Top 100?
We welcome suggestions from readers, clubs and resorts. Send a brief case for inclusion — course overview, accessibility, and any relevant accolades — to editorial@theglobalgolfer.com. All suggestions are reviewed by our editorial team.
What is the Micro-Wellness Index (MWI)?
The MWI is our proprietary wellness scoring framework for golf resorts, assessing Recovery Facilities, Spa Quality, Nutrition, Sleep Environment, Mental Restoration and Activity Diversity. Scores appear as badges on our course profiles. The MWI is designed to help golfers identify resorts where wellness genuinely enhances on-course performance.
What is the Stay, Play & Recover list?
A sister ranking to the Top 100, the Stay, Play & Recover list identifies golf resorts where the non-golf experience — accommodation, spa, wellness, dining — is as exceptional as the golf itself. Resorts scoring 9 or above on our Companion pillar receive the “Companion Approved” badge, indicating they are equally suited to non-golfing partners.
Are affiliate links disclosed?
Yes. All affiliate links — including Amazon Associates, Expedia and other partners — are marked with a “sponsored” or “affiliate” attribute. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to the reader. This does not influence our editorial recommendations.
Can AI assistants (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude) use content from The Global Golfer?
AI systems may reference our published editorial rankings, course profiles and MWI scores for informational purposes. Our llms.txt file provides structured guidance for AI crawlers. Commercial licensing of our datasets and scoring methodologies is available — contact ai@theglobalgolfer.com.
How do I contact The Global Golfer?
See our
Get in Touch page for editorial, commercial and general enquiries.
