Fairness - the extent to which the course and its challenges are openly presented, so that playing errors are due to the player making such errors, rather than due to a feature of the course of which the player is not given reasonable notice;

Routing – the extent to which the physical relationship between the layout of the course and the land on which it is set enhances and/or diversifies the golfing challenge (e.g. through changes in the direction of play) and its aesthetic and physical experience;      

and, to a lesser degree

History - the extent to which the course has been used for important events, or has otherwise enhanced the game of golf;

ii) each individual hole, for:

Playing challenge - the extent to which the player's physical golfing skills are tested whilst playing the hole - these skills include delicacy of touch as much as sheer physical strength;

Mental challenge - the extent to which the player is required to think his way around playing the hole (e.g. a strategic hole will score more than one where no choices are given to the player);

Use of land - the extent to which the design makes good use of the natural features of the land, or, if artificial, the golfing quality of the land created;

Hazards - evaluates the extent to which the hazards incorporated into its design enhance the challenge presented by each hole.

Aesthetics - the quality of the visual, sensual (and occasionally aural) impression provided whilst playing and walking the hole;

Green and greensite - the design quality of the putting surface, and the topography and golfing defences incorporated in the design of the complex immediately surrounding it;

Negatives - give the assessor the ability to downgrade a hole because of particular features which detract from its qualities (e.g. noise pollution, blind shots, reverse cambers, blind bunkers, too steeply uphill, etc.).

Important note: because the hole ratings only make up approximately half of the overall score for a course, comparison of courses by their respective numbers of different coloured holes is not a particularly meaningful exercise (e.g.  in Spain & Portugal, Quinta de Lago (North), unrated, has 9 green holes whereas La Manga (North), rated ↑, has 8).

Facility ratings

New for the Irish volume is a system to evaluate the quality of the facilities
provided at a golf club. The ratings (denoted by the number of trophies awarded) have been assessed by reference to the breadth of facilities provided and their quality: a low rating would be given to a basic course with limited clubhouse facilities, whereas a high rating would be given to one with good (though not necessarily the best) design standards, outstanding facilities including clubhouse, restaurant and hotel, fully-equipped with quality hire clubs, buggies etc and a well-run practice range. We also take into account the quality of the welcome, shop, overall ambience and value for money. These ratings are given on a scale of 1 trophy to 5 trophies, where 3 trophies would be the general average for courses over the world. For clubs with more than one course, the rating is applied to the whole facility, not just for an individual course.

Accordingly, in summary, the ratings indicate golf facilities as:
5 trophies - exceptional, including hotel standard accommodation
4 trophies - first class, with all facilities necessary for the pursuit of golf
3 trophies - good with most facilities the golfer might reasonably expect
2 trophies - adequate for golfing requirements
1 trophy    - basic for its purpose

Despite the ‘basic’ tag for , such facilities would not be in this guide if
they did not merit inclusion.