Although many of the best ranges (outside the US) can be found in Scotland, where out of the 100 ranges, 17 are Scottish, the other ranges are sprinkled all over 26 other countries dotted all over the globe.

Foremost is the world acclaimed Royal County Downs in Northern Ireland, built on shaggy sand hills with the amazing Mourne Mountains as the backdrop.  So picturesque is the range that many golfers have often compared it to an oil painting of stunning beauty and grand perfection.
Close second is none other than the very famous St Andrews golf range situated in where else but Scotland. Famous by all means, this pre-eminent golf course continues up to this very day to be the dream venue for golf enthusiasts.  Designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd and inaugurated not too long ago, the Castle course in St Andrews is, like its sister course, also noted for its large, undulating greens and wide elevated areas with unobstructed views of the sea and the town.

The intense rivalries between best known courses during economic bad times have allowed golfing aficionados the once-in-a –lifetime opportunity to play at some of the great golf courses in the world. From Southern Europe to Moscow, the Turkish coast to Palm Beach, Dubai to Japan, the market for new golf courses have generally felt the full brunt of the recession with the value of many of these exotic and famous courses depressed. Yet, for some, it remains even more attractive to many travelers, motivated by the rare opportunity of playing in one of the courses frequented only by the rich and famous.

15 of the Best courses outside the United States

Royal County Down GC, Newcastle, Northern Ireland                          Royal St George’s GC, Sandwich, England
St Andrews Links, St Andrews, Scotland                                           Cape Kidnappers,Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Muirfield, Gullane, Scotland                                                             Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, England
Royal Portrush GC, Portrush,                                                           Northern Ireland  Royal Troone GC, Troone, Scotland
Turnberry Resort, Turnberry, Scotland
Royal Dornoch GC,Dornoch, Scotland
Ballybunion GC, Ballybunion,Ireland
Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie, Scotland
New South Wales GC, Sydney, Australia
Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, England
Kingston Heath GC, Melbourne, Australia       

From : May2009, Golf Digest