A golf course in Lancashire has been named among the top 200 in the UK and Ireland.

Today’s Golfer revealed that its team had played more than 20,000 golf courses and ranked their top 200.

The golf courses have been scored for a variety of factors, including design, setting, memorability, playability, consistency and presentation. Each is then given a total score.

Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lytham has been ranked in 30th place in the list, having moved down three places from a previous ranking.

Why is the Lytham golf course among the best in the UK and Ireland?

Royal Lytham & St Annes received the following scores:

• Design – 34

• Setting – 11

• Memorability – 12

• Playability – 6

• Consistency – 9

• Presentation – 9

• Total – 81

The panel said: “The best bunkered course on The Open rota and fantastic, tough par 4s. Maybe the bunkering is too penal in places and the setting lacking in drama, but no-one can deny this strong links is a formidable test for all.”

You can find the full list of the best golf courses in the UK and Ireland via the Today’s Golfer website.

An additional comment was added to the breakdown: “A little less affection for RL&SA this time. Not quite the level of presentation of others in its area and there’s no doubt it is exacting for the less skilled golfer.

“Changes are being made to the 7th and 11th to accommodate a new range in order to bring The Open back. It will be interesting to see if they improve the overall course.”

Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club has received praise on Tripadvisor with visitors giving it an overall 4.5/5 star rating from 108 reviews.

One visitor said: “Huge thanks to the team at Royal Lytham
for a wonderful experience. From the superb bookings team, to the incredible food and service to one of the best tracks in the world in superb condition we had a wonderful trip.

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“I’ve played here with family and with friends over the past 12 months and we think it is one of the best golf experiences in the world.

“I haven’t been fortunate enough to stay in the Dormy House yet, however I’ve heard it’s amazing, like the rest of the experience. If you are visiting do allow some time to take in the incredible clubhouse which is steeped in Golf History – it’s amazing.

“We found the members very welcoming and friendly. Special mention to Lauren, Elaine and Janet for all their help.”

In first place is St Andrews in Fife which is a non-mover and earned a total score of 89, scoring more than Lytham’s golf course in all categories except consistency where it scored the same.