TOP 100
GOLF COURSES
IN ENGLAND
The definitive list ranked by golf’s most distinguished panel
ALSO
INSIDE
AN EXPANDED
‘NEXT 100’ LIST
FOR 2015
INSIGHT FROM: FALDO, JACKLIN, NICKLAUS, ALLISS, CRITCHLEY AND WESTWOOD
Top 100 England 2015
how we produced The lisT
Welcome to the most
comprehensive ranking
to date of the finest
courses in england.
There are so many courses to
highlight (we have focused on
numbers 51-100, as they didn’t feature in last
year’s GB&I ranking), so many stunning
images to find a place for and so many
feature articles to cram in, we need to get
straight to the business of how we put it all
together. Hopefully what follows answers
any questions you have about our Top 100:
Who decided the positions?
Our panel of readers, who are efectively
‘Mystery Shoppers’. They visit the courses
unannounced, pay the green fee and make
their judgements. The list (and the Next 100)
is an amalgamation of their opinions.
do you ‘mark’ each course?
No. This is done by other rankings inside and
outside golf, but at this time the panel purely
rank the course using a ‘mental’ aggregate of
the various factors*. A numerical breakdown
might well add ballast but it’s not something
I personally yearn for, at least not until every
panellist has played every course and we can
thus produce a valid statistical breakdown.
At the moment, producing one would be no
more useful than the ‘mental’ ranking. Watch
this space – although I am personally more
keen on working to get a large panel who’ve
played every single course. That would, in
my view, further improve our Top 100 lists.
What are the factors* in assessing?
This seems obvious to me, but people do
ask; we ask panellists to consider strategic
merit, presentation, memorable holes,
playability, consistency of test and visual
appeal. But not anything of the course. See,
told you it wasn’t nuclear physics...
do tour pros or architects feature?
Using ‘celebrity’ panellists is in my view a
vanity project. Many others do it, and GW
has done in the past – I’ve been involved in
those lists. But I just don’t see how even the
most famous Tour player or the most feted
architect can add credible assistance to the
ranking given they may well have played less
than half of the contenders. The only reason
the panel and I have any justification for
contributing to a list of the ‘best’ courses in
England is because, by virtue of having
played all or the vast majority of the
contenders, they have the ability to compare.
Some architects have indeed played as
widely, but there could be vested interests
given they may well judge their own work.
do readers make good panellists?
I absolutely believe they do. In addition to
their ability to compare, I also very much like
the fact they have paid their green fees; it
removes any possibile inhibitions and also
means they can relate to our readers – and
hopefully vice versa. Remember, they are
readers themselves; our Top 100s are lists for
golfers who like to go on golf trips to the
best courses, created by golfers who like to
go on golf trips to the best courses. Our aim
is for you to feel confident that what we
suggest in our Top 100s will be the reality
when you arrive; it’s such a disappointment
when it isn’t – our panellists know, they’ve
been there too. It’s not to say we aren’t
interested in the views of famous names. In
this supplement alone we hear from Jack
Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Peter Alliss and Lee
Westwood to name a few, plus architects of
the stature of Tom Mackenzie, Frank Pont
and Martin Ebert. A pretty good list!
can i Join the panel?
Yes! The only proviso is you have a wealth of
experience of what are regarded as the
finest courses in GB&I. There are no freebies
or expenses, this is a labour of love – but all
panellists seem to enjoy being involved.
...and a thank you from me
I’d like to record my sincere appreciation for
the time the panel give us in assimilating
their views. Many thanks to one and all.
chris Bertram
Top 100 Editor
The Top 100
england panel
mike Bailey
Club: Formby Hcp: 12
Brendan Blair
Club: Bristol & Clifton Hcp: 12
peter Bosworth
Club: Hellidon Lakes Hcp: 14
John chapman
Club: Royal Cromer Hcp: 5
dale concannon
Club: Press Golfing Society
Hcp: 7
nick dungay
Club: Singing Hills Hcp: 11
stuart edgington
Club: Ladbrook Park Hcp: 12
alan ferguson
Club: St Andrews New/
Glenbervie Hcp: 4
vic hart
Club: Foxhills Hcp: 22
ian Johnston
Club: The Oxfordshire Hcp: 7
richard lillesmart
Club: Thorpeness Hcp: 12
ian macdonald
Club: Ramside Hcp: 11
peter rudd
Club: Woodbridge, Thorpeness
and Woodhall Spa Hcp: 7
Ben sargent
Club: The Wisley Hcp: Pro
mark squire
Club: Scarcroft Hcp: 8
andrew stracey
Club: Four clubs including R&A
Hcp: 0.6
mike stuckey
Club: Lochinvar, Houston,
Texas. Hcp: 15
gary vaulks
Club: Royal Liverpool Hcp: 8
stephen vincent
Club: Bearwood Lakes Hcp: 10
Bearwood Lakes –
one of our climbers.
Top 100 England 2015
100 Fairhaven (▼ 2 )
Lytham St Annes, Lancs. Par 72, 7,015 yards.
Designers: JA Steer/James Braid.
IM: The numerous deep revetted bunkers are a
hallmark – they will cost you at least one shot
every time.
MB: always in great condition but so many
bunkers so you must take your strategic game.
GW VERDICT: a mix of links and parkland, this
is a fantastic and fair test. What you see is
what you get.
99 Brocket Hall (Palmerston) (▼ 5)
Welwyn, Hertfordshire. Par 73, 6,503 yards.
Designer: Donald Steel.
ND: Built on the wooded, higher ground of this
historic estate, it requires stout hitting and
good putting on the large greens.
VH: all the holes are very individual.
GW VERDICT: edges the Melbourne here
(next 100), a fine parkland that plays across
undulating ground. Some very good holes
among mature Hornbeam, pines and oaks.
97 Stoneham (▼ 13 )
Southampton, Hants. Par 72, 6,392 yards.
Designer: Willie Park.
IJ: a good test among heather and pine which
starts with a par 5 that can be reached in two
by many. First of several fine par 5s.
ND: an oasis of heathland golf with holes
meandering through attractive woods.
GW VERDICT: a slight fall for this heathland,
more as a result of the rise of other similar
courses that found more favour with our panel.
96 Frilford Heath (Red) NEW ENTRY
Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Par 72, 6,912 yards.
Designer: JH Taylor.
PB: Best of the three courses on a site that is
used for open regional qualifiers.
DC: The best day’s golf in the english Midlands.
GW VERDICT: Rather like Foxhills, there is
debate as to which of Frilford’s courses is the
best! The Red was a clear winner (Blue and
green in next 100). The Red is the oldest of
them, laid out in 1908 by the iconic JH Taylor.
95 London Club (Heritage) (▼ 13 )
Brands Hatch, Kent. Par 72, 7,005 yards.
Designer: Jack Nicklaus.
RL: Having built the clubhouse here I feel a
part of this course! Very tough; long with water
coming into play on six holes. The par-3 7th is
great – all carry over water – and the par-5 15th
is a brute. love the 18th, with water on the left.
GW VERDICT: Is a noted Tour host but our
panel prefer cute heathlands to americanstyle
golf. But enough fans to stay in the 100.
94 King’s Lynn (▼ 4)
King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Par 72, 6,640 yards.
Designers: Peter Alliss & Dave Thomas.
CB: This is an historic club but only moved to
this site in 1975. despite being close to the sea,
this is a woodland with birch and heather
giving it a terrific heathland feel.
GW VERDICT: en route to Hunstanton and
Brancaster? do not pass up the chance to play
at this superb woodland-heathland and try to
keep your tee shots out of the trees.
4 golf World Top 100 england 2015
98
Foxhills (Longcross) NEW ENTRY
Ottershaw, Surrey. Par 72, 6,750 yards. Designer: Fred Hawtree
VH: There is a lot of discussion as to which of the Foxhills
courses is the best. Both have improved enormously over
recent years. one of these should be in the mid 90s and the
other in the next 100 in my opinion. Both have superb greens
and many top-quality holes.
PB: Must be included in the Top 100 – and in my view
alongside its sister course the Hunt. Both are special; the
longcross is the more challenging venue.
GW VERDICT: Some prefer the Hunt, which is in the next 100
for this year but could easily come into the main list in 2017,
such is the afection for the work of Ryder Cup man Bernard
Hunt, the club’s first pro who served for 25 years. The
longcross has the edge for the majority of our panel, though,
as it beautifully combines challenge and charm, with a
serious test of 6,750 yards being softened by the aesthetic
charm of a course that is routed through Scots pine, beech
and silver birch trees. Comparisons with Sunningdale’s old
Course are not fanciful. Well-balanced nines give you
chances of scoring with two par 5s on each half being nice
respite from the exacting two-shotters. a class act.
EXClUSIVE
I am fortunate in that I play the
top courses in england on the
amateur circuit, and my three
favourites might surprise some.
The first would be Royal
lytham & St annes. It is
probably the toughest course
I have ever played but it still
manages to be enjoyable.
“People miss out on some of the inland courses”
ashley Chesters, the 2014 open’s amateur star, on why links courses are favoured too much.
next I would go for Woburn,
which is always in such good
condition. I am a big fan of
parkland/heathland courses in
the amateur game; I feel like we
don’t play enough parklands – a
lot of the links courses get talked
about and people miss out on
some of the inland courses.
My third would be Forest of
arden, for much the same
reasons as Woburn. It is always
in such good condition and I also
like the two par 5s – the 12th and
17. It is also a really pretty course
with deer walking round.
of course, I enjoyed Hoylake
for The open. They were the
best greens I have putted on on
a links course by a mile. They
were so fast and so smooth.
My favourite hole was the
15th; I like short par 3s and there
was a massive stand around that
green so it was exciting.
• Ashley plays England’s finest
courses on the amateur circuit.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 5
Top 100 England 2015
93
Camberley Heath NEW ENTRY
Camberley, Surrey. Par 71, 6,426 yards. Designers: Colt/Pont.
DC: absolute class only held back from an even higher entry spot because of its
few poor holes that are currently being addressed.
PB: Classic Surrey heathland – includes a couple of short but challenging par 5s.
GW VERDICT: often one of those most unlucky to miss out on the main list in
previous years, Camberley Heath comes into the Top 100 as a result of the work
carried out by Frank pont and the greenkeeping staf over the past two years. a
programme of forestry and heathland conservation management means it now
plays to its sand-based best with heather proliferating and the whole experience
benefiting from a more open feel. a future rise higher is entirely possible.
6 golf World Top 100 england 2015
92 Berkhamsted ( )
Berkhamsted, Herts. Par 71, 6,605 yards.
Designers: Harry Colt/James Braid.
IJ: a superb heathland/woodland with a series
of solid holes, where there are no bunkers to
interfere with your score.
IM: If it is possible to find a hidden gem in
suburban Hertfordshire, this is it.
GW VERDICT: a good test but playable for all
skill levels, it relies on ridged gulleys and clever
contouring to protect the greens. Fine par 3s.
EXCLUSIVE
My Camberley plan
By leading architect Frank pont.
I initially got involved with
Camberley Heath after their
Centenary captain really liked
my work at Broadstone, another
heathland Colt course. The club
had the strong desire to develop
a long-term plan to bring back,
restore and safeguard critical
elements of their Colt course.
I was chosen from a shortlist and
started working on a long-term
plan. phase I entailed restoring
the four par 3s – the 2nd, 8th,
11th and 14th – by restoring their
Colt bunkers, expanding the
greens to their original sizes and
cutting the trees which had
started blocking the views on
the greens from the tees and
were too close to the greens.
Work started last autumn, with
shaping done by george Waters,
one of the best guys in the
industry (pinehurst 2,
Renaissance Club, Cal Club),
assisted by the greenkeepers of
the club led by nick paris, who
totally ‘gets’ the things we need
to do to bring back Colt. The
bunkers were finished with
chunks of heather being
transplanted into their edges to
give them the instant classic
look of neighbours such as
Swinley and new Zealand.
• Frank Pont is one of the world’s
leading architects and renowned
for restoring Harry Colt courses.
91 Stoke Park (▼ 4)
Stoke Poges, Bucks. Par 71, 6,751 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
SV: a handful of fantastic holes – with the two
par 3s, especially the 7th, springing to mind.
VH: a very historic parkland of high quality
with a magnificent clubhouse and hotel.
GW VERDICT: There are not many courses like
this in england; a lush parkland but which is
not dominated by trees. It is in terrific nick and
a wonderful all-round experience.
90 Saunton (West) (▼ 4)
Braunton, Devon. Par 71, 6,403 yards.
Designers: Herbert Fowler/Frank Pennink.
SV: a nice contrast to the even tougher east
course, with some stunning holes.
BS: despite being the ‘weaker’ of the two at
Saunton, still one of the best links in england.
SE: lovely, just don’t expect beach views.
GW VERDICT: Winds through large dunes at
times but despite largely sitting on flatter ground,
there is still much to enjoy on the springy turf.
Top 100 england 2015 Golf World 7
Top 100 England 2015
89
Close House (Colt) NEW ENTRY
Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland. Par 71, 6,813 yards.
Designers: Lee Westwood/Simon Macpherson.
GW VERDICT: opened in 2011, it is a nod in terms of its name and influence to
Harry Colt; rectangular tees, the bunkering, and the style of the par 3s are all
influenced by the great man. located in a picturesque northumberland valley on
the banks of the Tyne, this is Roman army territory – indeed ‘Hadrians Wall’
almost abuts the course itself. a quality new addition to england’s portfolio.
“A great strategic
test of golf”
You’re going to get distracted by the scenery
at Close House but you can’t aford to let your
guard drop. The Colt is a great tactician’s golf
course. every tee shot asks a question and every
hole rewards a good decision and well-executed
strategic play. a lack of power won’t cause you
too many problems here, but lack of thinking
certainly will trip you up.
Nick Wright,
Golf World editor
8 golf World Top 100 england 2015
Why I’m so proud
of my first design
By lee Westwood.
Close House is a perfect
members’ course that is capable
of staging a major tournament in
years to come. For a brand-new
course it is in great condition.
The greens are of a very high
quality and I always look
forward to going back and
playing it again, as I usually do
when I am back in england.
on the front nine the 6th is a
great hole, a downhill drive that
looks tight but has more fairway
over the wall than there looks.
Then it’s a nice downhill second
with out of bounds on the left
and a deep bunker front right.
on the back nine, there is a
great run in the middle. The 12th
is a lovely slightly uphill par 3 to
a sloping green and is followed
by a long par 4 with incredible
views from its wide fairway.
There are lots of bunkers to
avoid of the tee and a stream to
the right of what is a large green.
another good short hole
follows at the 14th, with this one
located in the trees. It’s the
shortest hole on the Colt but you
must find the course’s smallest
green and also clear a stream.
after a short but dangerous
uphill par-4 15th, comes the dogleg
left 16th that plays through a
corridor of trees. You need to
get past the corner to have a
shot to the green then hit over
the cross-bunkers and try to use
the slopes left of the green to
run the ball in. a very good hole.
• Lee Westwood is a former
world no.1 and a Ryder Cup
stalwart for europe since 1997.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 9
Top 100 England 2015
88
Chart Hills (▼ 3)
Biddenden, Kent. Par 72, 7,132 yards. Designer: Sir Nick Faldo.
BS: Underrated. I’d argue it is a better design and a
more enjoyable experience than nearby inland courses.
VH: First-class design with very good greens. The best
inland course in Kent. Could easily be a lot higher.
ND: Characterised by large dramatic bunkering,
including the anaconda which covers much of the
length of the par-5 5th. only the strangely modest
par 3s let down this otherwise impressive design.
PB: long and punishing course – tough for all levels
of golfer.
SV: Serious test; I used every club in my bag here.
GW VERDICT: a lot more than just a lot of sand. our
panel may love links, but they generally rated Sir nick’s
design very highly. exacting but satisfying, this inland
course among oak trees and around water proves Kent
is more than just a trio of ‘open’ links in Sandwich.
EXClUSIVE
My design ethos
By Sir nick Faldo.
While my favourite courses all
possess the visual ‘wow’ factor,
they also feature the great holes
which visually tell you how to
play the golf shot.
The fun for me is that if you
can do what the hole visually
indicates, you are rewarded and
if you don’t the experience gets
more challenging.
Chart Hills was a challenge,
given the abundance of classic
courses in the UK – but I feel we
produced a very strong layout.
The gently undulating landscape
is populated by ancient oaks –
very english countryside setting.
Within this beautiful site are
18 very distinctive holes which,
collectively, demand a great
variety of shot-making skills. It
is a very strategic test; a real
thinking man’s course.
I wanted to design a course
that would ofer diferent
challenges to diferent players
and I believe we succeeded.
• Sir Nick is a six-time major
champion who is now one of the
most respected architects.
10 golf World Top 100 england 2015
SheringhamGolfClub
Hosttothe2015EnglishGirlsChampionship
Hindhead Golf Club
TheClubhasadistinguishedgolfinghistoryandisproudtohavehosted
manymajoramateurevents,theseinclude:TheEnglishLadies’Golf
Championships,TheEnglishBoysChampionshipsandTheSeniorLadies’
HomeInternationalMatches.
Aswellasthehistorysurroundingtheclub,visitorsaregreetedwitha
warmwelcomeandtreatedtowhatiswidelyregardedasoneofNorfolk’s
bestgolfcourses.Theundulatingfairwaysandfast,truegreenswillprovea
testtoallstandardsofgolferandtheviewsaretrulyspectacularwiththe
NorthSeaononesideandlocalsteamtrainsontheother.
SOCIETIESWELCOME
Discountpricesavailableforlargegroups
SheringhamGolfClub
WeybourneRoad,Sheringham,Norfolk.NR268HG
T:01263823488/E:info@sheringhamgolfclub.co.uk
W:www.sheringhamgolfclub.co.uk
Founded in 1904 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and a small
group of golfing enthusiasts, Hindhead Golf Club is set in
one of the most glorious natural seƫngs and ranks amongst
the best of Britain’s heathland courses.
The Devil’s Punchbowl is a large hollow of dry sandy heath
to the east of Hindhead and it is overlooked by Gibbet Hill,
which is the second highest hill in Surrey. Holes two to nine
are laid out through these same heather strewn Ice Age
valleys and the first hole and the back nine plays on the
hillside heathland plateau.
Undoubtedly, the front nine is the most dramaƟc, but
the back nine represents a fine golfing challenge on ideal
golfing terrain. The Club are invesƟng significant sums in the
development and condiƟoning of the course, including the
regeneraƟon of heather and improvements to the 40-odd
bunkers on the course.
The 18-hole layout measures 6,390 yards, with a par of 70
and, situated close to the A3 and just an hour’s drive from
central London, this wonderfully condiƟoned and presented
course is a must for every golfer.
Hindhead Golf Club, Churt Road, Hindhead,
Surrey. GU26 6HX
www.hindheadgolfclub.co.uk
admin@hindheadgolfclub.co.uk
01428 604614
Play one of the Top 100 courses
from £50.00 * this summer
Quote reference: Golf World 15
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Top 100 England 2015
87 Royal Worlington ( ▲ 10 )
Bury St Edmunds, Suf. Par 70, 6,228 yards.
Designers: Tom Dunn/Harry Colt.
IM: an absolute treat. The routing of the holes
maximise the terrain.
ND: The game could do with more nine-hole
masterpieces to attract the time-poor. The 5th
is a hall-of-famer for its triangular green.
GW VERDICT: We love the subtleties, the
springy turf and the quick, undulating greens.
86 Trevose ( ▲ 2 )
Padstow, Cornwall. Par 72, 6,967 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
MB: played when it was a windy day yet had
one of the best days ever. The photographs do
not lie – there are some exhilarating holes.
SV: a challenging links and one that I never tire
of playing. Most attractive holes are the first
six, but thereafter you will not be disappointed.
GW VERDICT: Real wow factor on first nine.
84 Huntercombe (▼ 1)
Nuffield, Oxfordshire. Par 70, 6,301 yards.
Designer: Willie Park.
SV: a day here is always a lovely experience.
It is a delightfully old-fashioned course.
ND: distinguished parkland has a traditional air
harking back to the days of open top motoring
and plus fours, but is none the worse for it.
GW VERDICT: a beautiful mix of heathland
and parkland that is a real delight.
85
Goswick NEW ENTRY
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. Par 72, 6,803 yards. Designer: James Braid.
IM: Inexplicably usually overlooked, probably because
of the remote location – this is one of the last ‘hidden
gems’ in england. a strong links; when the breeze is up
it is as challenging as its more famous links cousins.
JC: excellent when I played there. Better, in my view,
than some links that are around the no.50 mark.
GW VERDICT: not much has changed here to get this
open Qualifier in the Top 100, except the afection for it
from our extremely well-travelled panel. It is now where,
we strongly believe, it belongs.
EXClUSIVE
North-east seaside courses are superb
2013 amateur champion garrick porteous on his region’s quality.
goswick is a proper links with
proper bunkers, turf and dunes.
a championship test, it doesn’t
have much in the way of views,
as it sits on much the same level,
but doesn’t need them. I’m a
member at Bamburgh Castle
and it is a diferent experience;
it’s all about the views. The first
four of five holes along the
beach are linksy but then you
climb into a more heathland feel.
The view from the 15th tee is
sensational – it’s a 360˚ of
stunning scenery. It has to be
one of the world’s most
picturesque courses. also,
Foxton is a nice parkland and
The northumberland is a good
heathland with linksy bunkers
set inside the race course.
12 golf World Top 100 england 2015
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Top 100 England 2015
83 Goodwood (Downs) (▼ 11)
Chichester, Sussex. Par 72, 7,104 yards.
Designer: James Braid.
BS: Very pleasant – and a top halfway hut!
IJ: downland golf at its best. a super layout on
the chalk downs. Well routed, it gives options.
SV: goodwood is a wonderful set up and the
views from parts of the course are fantastic.
GW VERDICT: didn’t find as much favour as in
previous years but a Tom Mackenzie upgrade
may help to regain some popularity.
82 Luffenham Heath (▼ 12)
Stamford, Lincolnshire. Par 72, 6,563 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
RL: Top holes are the tremendous 7th and 17th.
not long so not a slog and very enjoyable.
PB: Challenging heathland in superb
surroundings. Hosts open qualifiers ’til 2017.
GW VERDICT: Quite difcult to define, being
a mix of parkland and heathland but what is
certain is that it is classy and plays superbly.
doesn’t get the credit it deserves.
81 Tandridge (▼ 4)
Oxted, Surrey. Par 71, 6,395 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
BS: often overlooked among its illustrious
neighbours, but Tandridge is a Colt classic.
ND: after a fairly flat start, the back nine
covers heavily undulating ground with the
par-3 13th and long par-4 14th glorious.
GW VERDICT: Recent improvements so could
rise in future lists as the work matures and the
panel become more familiar with the tweaks.
80 Seascale (▼ 2)
Seascale, Cumbria. Par 71, 6,495 yards.
Designers: Willie Campbell/George Lowe.
GV: although somewhat blighted by the
nuclear power plant, it has so many standout
holes and the finish from 13 is hard to beat.
IM: exceptional value, superb views across the
Irish Sea and the holes at the far end are great.
GW VERDICT: Simple but brilliant. Sellafield in
your eyeline is a negative, otherwise this would
be top 60. as it is, it remains must play.
78 Ashridge (▼ 15)
Berkhamsted, Herts. Par 72, 6,634 yards.
Designers: Hutchison/Campbell/Hotchkin.
IJ: loved the par-5 2nd through a valley.
ND: a delightful routing through
rhododendron-clad valleys on the front nine
and on ancient parkland on the back nine.
PR: a real favourite of mine; I like the tranquil
setting and wooded background.
GW VERDICT: lovely location and is a fine
parkland without pyrotechnics of those above.
77 Fulford (▼ 12)
York, North Yorkshire. Par 72, 6,743 yards.
Designer: Charles Mackenzie.
VH: a great heathland with first-class greens
and some very good par 5s.
MB: Historic course and top 50 for me.
GW VERDICT: an enjoyable parklandheathland
that becomes extremely testing in
the wind. Much more than just the site of
Bernhard langer’s famous tree shot to the side
of the 17th green.
14 golf World Top 100 england 2015
79
Royal North Devon (▼ 8)
Bideford, Devon. Par 72, 6,653 yards. Designer: Old Tom Morris.
BS: originally laid out by old Tom Morris, Westward Ho! is
a hoot. Yes there are half a dozen ‘weaker holes’, but the
overriding feeling after playing Rnd is one of fun,
satisfaction and the desire to go back out and play it again!
SV: Quirky and fun with some really good holes. golf in its
purest form? possibly not everyone’s idea of great golf.
SE: True old-fashioned golf as it was meant to be.
MB: Historic and atmospheric course with some unique
features. a must play.
GW VERDICT: The ‘St andrews of the South’ is golf for the
traditionalist and the historian. You could wander through
the clubhouse for ages taking in all the memorabilia on
show but that only serves to keep you from the course –
which divides opinion. For some it is the epitome of how
golf used to be played... and still should be played. For
others it is in need of some loving care. a very flat links, it
boasts vast sleepered bunkers and a fearsome hazard on
the back nine of sea rushes which are a definite lost ball.
EXClUSIVE
“I prefer Royal North Devon to St Andrews...”
Jimmy Mullen, amateur star in the 2013 open, on his love for Rnd – plus lytham and Formby.
I get the chance to play the top
links on the amateur circuit, but
I wouldn’t want to be a member
anywhere else but Royal north
devon. The 4th’s huge bunker
will intimidate the club golfer –
even though it is actually quite
easy to clear. I always think
people knock it in there just so
they can have the challenge and
experience of trying to get it out!
The 4th starts a great linksy
stretch along the beach, where
you can see Saunton Sands . a
great experience. I honestly
prefer it to St andrews! The 7th
is my favourite, it has a great
view of the tee and you have
the option of going left or right.
lots of south-west links have
blind holes, but the only Rnd
holes like that are 10 and 11. even
then, it is just rushes and you
have an idea of where you are
going. There isn’t much rough,
due to the sheep, and fairways
are wide, so it’s good for visitors.
I’m a member at Saunton too
and love it there; the east is a
proper tough track, especially in
the dunes of the 3rd and 4th. It
is tough so ideal to warm up for
a tournament whereas the West
is ideal for the members. St
enodoc, with a brilliant start and
finish, and Trevose – probably
my favourite in Cornwall – are
other fine courses in the area.
elsewhere, I love Formby.
I like the linksy-heathland feel to
it; the view from the clubhouse
is sensational and you can’t wait
to get out there. The stretch
from the 8th to 10th is amazing.
I have never played well at
lytham but still love it. The
bunkering is amazing; even top
amateurs have to come out
sideways. I actually like the fact
it is in a housing estate! You can
just see the golf course, and I am
just into looking at the course.
• Jimmy Mullen plays England’s
finest courses on the elite
amateur circuit and was T73 in
the 2013 open.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 15
Top 100 England 2015
76 Sheringham (▼ 12)
Sheringham, Norfolk. Par 70, 6,456 yards.
Designer: Tom Dunn.
RL: Super views as you play along the coast.
PB: Undulating fairways and true fast greens –
the 5th to 8th is spectacular with steam trains
in abundance on the closing stretch.
GW VERDICT: laid out on a narrow strip, some
love Sheringham’s high-rise holes on the edge
of the clifs and others those along lined by
gorse or hemmed in by the railway line.
75 Woodbridge ( ▲ 16 )
Bromeswell Heath, Sufolk. Par 70, 6,299
yards. Designers: Davie Grant/James Braid.
PB: Top-class heathland layout with narrow
fairways and very quick greens.
PR: an excellent heathland with the only
downside the crossing holes on the back nine.
GW VERDICT: Uses the hilly terrain to create a
notable variety of holes, there was unanimous
agreement for this significant elevation up the
list. expect sandy turf, slick greens and gorse.
74 Blackmoor ( ▲ 1 )
Bordon, Hampshire. Par 69, 6,164 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
IJ: a beautiful course between heather and
pine which has some excellent holes.
PB: Colt parkland requiring excellent approach
shots – all your clubs are used into the greens.
GW VERDICT: Harry Colt designed the original
12 holes between the north and South downs,
with birch and fir trees lining many sandy
fairways. a very widely-touted rise.
73 Coombe Hill ( ▲ 8 )
Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey. Par 71,
6,401 yards. Designer: JF Abercromby.
JC: Stunning par 3s and similar charm to
Swinley Forest.
ND: This one-time favourite of Bing Crosby
and Bob Hope, has a stunning collection of
par 3s and beautiful floral surroundings.
VH: one of Surrey’s great surprises.
GW VERDICT: Beauty and conditioning make
this exquisite parkland now a Top 100 fixture.
72 Wisley (Church & Mill) ( ▲ 7 )
Ripley, Sry. Par 72, 3,356/3,385/3,473
yards. Designer: Robert Trent Jones.
ND: This unashamedly extravagant US
parkland dropped incongruently into the heart
of Surrey succeeds because it is superbly
executed and expertly maintained.
SV: a special atmosphere and a wonderfully
conditioned course, with some brilliant holes.
GW VERDICT: garden loop also got a mention;
a quality parkland that’s very well designed.
71 Parkstone ( ▲ 18 )
Poole, Dorset. Par 72, 6,241 yards.
Designer: Willie Park.
BS: This heathland/woodland/links hybrid
draws you in as it charms you around its many
great holes, its stunning pine trees and
colourful rhododendrums, and occasional
glimpses of the sea and nearby poole Harbour.
GW VERDICT: a round here, especially in the
warm and colourful summer months, is as
good as golf gets. Terrific recent upgrade.
70 Hindhead ( ▲ 4 )
Hindhead, Surrey. Par 70, 6,356 yards.
Designer: Unknown.
BS: So much to get excited about Hindhead.
It has a handful of world-class holes, varied
topography and is in fantastic condition.
PB: Best front nine in Surrey if not the South.
VH: Very good heathland, superb greens.
SV: I love the eclectic mix of holes. Real fun.
GW VERDICT: Much-merited rise with the
front nine in bracken-sided valleys a big hit.
69 Blackwell ( ▲ 4 )
Bromsgrove, Worcs. Par 70, 6,260 yards.
Designer: Herbert Fowler/Tom Simpson.
DC: a real golfers’ golf course.
CB: Typical clever Fowler-Simpson design
work helps make this one of england’s finest
inland courses.
GW VERDICT: dominated by mature
woodland, it is often very underrated and we
are pleased to give this quintessential parkland
the status it deserves.
68 Crowborough Beacon ( )
Crowborough, Sussex. Par 71, 6,319 yards.
Designer: Alister MacKenzie.
IJ: a fairly hilly layout that is a good test with
plenty of heather, bunkers and woodland.
RL: Just down the road from Royal ashdown,
but no poor neighbour. Bouncy fairways, long
rough, and small greens that don’t ‘hold’
accuracy over distance is key here.
GW VERDICT: This pretty heathland ofers
lovely views 30 miles down to the coast.
16 golf World Top 100 england 2015
THE SEMInal HolE
THE 9TH AT
ROYAL WORLINGTON
By renowned architect Martin ebert.
The nine-hole course at Royal
Worlington & newmarket, the home of
the Cambridge University golf Club, has
often been hailed as the best nine-hole
course in the world.
Fitted onto an incredibly small
acreage, in many ways it typifies all that
is best about traditional golf and it takes
little more than an hour to play one
circuit.
Its final hole is a short par 4. It is
driveable by the very best players
(there are stories of Ted dexter, when
he was the Captain of Cambridge,
pitching it into the car park beyond the
green!) but, remarkably, the hole plays
across a public road – albeit a quiet
country lane.
The front of the green lies around 20
yards beyond the tarmac.
That adds to the danger, although
the out of bounds running diagonally
across the line of play to the right of the
hole and beyond the green is more
threatening.
For ordinary mortals, the bravery of
the drive will dictate the difculty level
of the second shot. The tighter to the
out of bounds on the right – which is
aligned along a small stream – the tee
shot ends up, the easier the pitch from
short of the road will be.
The nature of the green, with a steep
bank along its left hand side, means
that any drive pulled safely left but into
the rough will leave a devilishly
troublesome second with virtually no
hope of getting close to the flag when it
is on the left side of the green.
This wonderful short par-4 hole
provides a great definition of ‘risk and
reward’ for all standards of golfer.
■ Martin’s firm Mackenzie & Ebert are
the preferred architects of the R&A
and he is currently advising Royal
Troon ahead of next year’s Open, as
well as working on Turnberry’s Ailsa.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 17
Top 100 England 2015
67
The Centurion Club NEW ENTRY
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Par 72, 7,195 yards. Designer: Simon Gidman
PR: Should undoubtedly be in the list. It has some very good holes and even though its
proximity to the M1 might be a small drawback, as a course it should make the Top 100.
GW VERDICT: new courses bring with them serious hype these days, because there just
aren’t many being built. This is one that manages to live up to expectations. Serious
investment has patently been made, so the level of quality should be high. But for it to
look and play so beautifully already suggests it has been money well spent. every
panellist who has enjoyed it was impressed – as more visit and it matures further, it will
be interesting to see how high The Centurion rises.
EXClUSIVE
Why The Centurion has a stamp of Tour class
Raymond Russell and oliver Fisher on the instant quality of our highest new entry.
“I have been impressed with the
mature look and conditioning,
especially the greens which I
would rank year round among
the best in the UK,” says Tour
player Raymond Russell. “It
reminds me of the new at el prat
near Barcelona in Spain.
“I love the 6th, which is a very
good hole visually with the
elevated tee giving you a great
view of a very strong par 4.
There is a generous fairway but
the left half of it opens up the
large green for a difcult second
with bunkers short and left.
“The 17th is another I rate, a
lovely short par 3 with lots of
danger; water at the back and
bunkers short with a slopey
green so accuracy a premium.
“The Centurion is a second
shot course as there are lots of
subtle slopes on and around the
greens and also run-of areas
which make chipping it close
difcult – so accuracy is key.”
“It’s a club I’d been hearing
about for a while and for a new
course it has a maturity far
beyond its years,” adds Oliver
Fisher. “I always look forward to
spending my time at the club.
It’s clear the green staf take a
lot of pride in their course. It’s
immaculate. even when I’ve just
played some of the best courses
on Tour in Turkey or dubai,
Centurion matches up as good
a test as does the condition.”
• Raymond Russell and Oliver
Fisher play on the european
Tour and are ambassadors for
the Centurion Club.
18 golf World Top 100 england 2015
EXClUSIVE
My English
favourites
by peter alliss
It was Henry
longhurst who
first said golf
does take us
to so many
beautiful places;
bearing that in mind it’s hard to
pick out just a few but these
have particular memories for
me. Ferndown, north of
Bournemouth, was where my
father was a professional for
many years and I learnt my
trade. It has heather, pine,
silver birch, plenty of gorse, my
favourite terrain.
Royal Birkdale is one of my
favourite championship
courses; majestic sand dunes,
a fascinating course ever
changing direction, an inviting
clubhouse with friendly
members. In 1954 I had a
chance to win the open there...
My father was invited to be
the pro at Sunningdale after
World War II but was settled at
Ferndown. It’s delightful, elitist
and has excellent catering
facilities. It’s best to book a taxi
home after a splendid lunch.
Finally, old Thorns. Since I
was involved with the creation
of golf there, I have been
amazed at its development
from a private membership,
instigated by Ken Wood, the
electrical genius, to the
magical creation we see today,
one of the best overall facilities
in Britain. The course although
in a small area, is exciting,
interesting and a challenge for
all levels of golfers. I am very
proud to have been associated
with its growth. You should go
and see for yourself.
• Peter Alliss was a Ryder Cup
player, is regarded as the
‘Voice of golf’ and is also a
respected course designer.
Ferndown.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 19
Top 100 England 2015
66 Bearwood Lakes ( ▲ 10)
Reading, Berkshire. Par 72, 6,850 yards.
Designer: Martin Hawtree.
ND: designed with intelligence to make the
most of the attractive lakes and woodland.
SV: I must declare an interest as a member, but
I do think it is one of the most relaxed and
beautiful places. no two holes are the same.
GW VERDICT: Scenic, strategic and popular.
65 Isle of Purbeck ( ▲ 4 )
Swanage, Dorset. Par 70, 6,295 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
SE: Some lovely scenery on a course which I
look forward to playing over and over again.
IJ: Visually appealing, and the 5th wouldn’t be
out of place in a World Top 18 holes.
GW VERDICT: Some holes are simple, some
quirky – but you’ll walk of with a smile.
64 Hayling Island ( ▲ 2 )
Hayling Island, Hampshire. Par 71, 6,531
yards. Designer: Tom Simpson.
BS: Fantastic combination of challenging holes
and some typically quirky and fun links holes.
VH: Very good links, especially the back nine.
PB: generous fairways but exacting greens.
GW VERDICT: Magnificent links among sand
dunes, heather, gorse, and deep bunkers.
63
Perranporth (▼ 1)
Perranporth, Cornwall. Par 72, 6,296 yards. Designer: James Braid.
BS: The highest links in europe, as you might expect,
delivers breathtaking beach and ocean vistas. The
course moves up and down and around the hugely
undulating terrain. If you can accept you’ll get some
‘unlucky’ bounces and also be faced with some very
strange shots, then you’ll love perranporth.
IM: a series of delightfully quirky holes make for a
memorable day. The view from atop the massive sand
dune on which the course is built is simply magnificent.
PB: Quirky links with lots of blind drives and hilly terrain.
GW VERDICT: We love it here – don’t come to the
south west and miss it.
EXClUSIVE
I play the Cornish Festival every
april at St enodoc, Trevose and
newquay. They are great
courses… weather permitting!
apart from the two holes up
the hill at St enodoc, it is
My links for a lifetime
By Ryder Cup player paul Broadhurst.
sensational. newquay is a fun
holiday course where the views
are amazing. But if I had to
choose one course for the rest
of my life, I’d go for perranporth.
You either hate or love. I love it.
There are a lot of blind shots,
it’s very natural and unspoilt. I
play it a lot and it never plays the
same on two days. I would never
get fed up there. Some pros
don’t, but I love quirky tracks.
My coach is based at
northants County, a lovely mix
of parkland and woodland holes.
• Tour stalwart Paul Broadhurst
was a Ryder Cup player in 1991.
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20 golf World Top 100 england 2015
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Top 100 England 2015
62
Delamere Forest (▼ 2)
Northwich, Cheshire. Par 72, 6,348 yards. Designer: Herbert Fowler.
GV: I play this course a lot and it is one of my favourites.
It’s got four very short par 5s but you nearly always
come of having enjoyed your game rather than having
been beaten up. I am interested to see how the changes
that have been made recently to the par-5 11th and in
particular par-5 18th settle in.
RL: a great-looking course; look out of the clubhouse
window and you think ‘wow’. The 9th is especially
stunning; hit a rescue to a plateau fairway then a short
iron to an uphill green with the clubhouse to the right.
GW VERDICT: laid out by heathland expert Herbert
Fowler and revised by Tom Mackenzie in the last 18
months, our decision to elevate delamere just outside
the top 50 in 2011 now looks well judged.
EXClUSIVE
It’s a heathland with extensive
views over open terrain with a
lovely scale to it. It’s not long by
modern standards but it doesn’t
need to be. We feel it is now
well-bunkered.
I’d heard of it as it is an
original Herbert Fowler and
once I got there it was an
enlightening experience. It is
one of those places you arrive at
and immediately like. anyone
who loves traditional courses
The architect’s view
Tom Mackenzie on his work at delamere.
and clubs will love it. If I lived up
there, I’d join if they’d have me.
We first went in January 2013
and the work is complete.
Initially the brief was to add a
bit of length but agreed with the
club there was a bit more we
could do. So there has been
work on bunkering – both
reshuffling as well as restyling –
because they had been edged
out of shape down the years.
We looked at the old
photographs we had and
returned them to the style
Fowler intended, with softer
edges, as well as re-sited some.
The aesthetics have changed
but so has the challenge; six new
back tees have gone in and
moving bunkers such as on the
7th has stifened it. They had
started to take some trees out
and we continued that process
to encourage the heather, so the
onus is on heather, pines, sandy
turf and open space.
delamere is on a par with
most inland courses in england.
• Tom Mackenzie is one of the
UK’s most respected architects
and vice-president of the eIgCa.
22 golf World Top 100 england 2015
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Top 100 England 2015
61
Ipswich (Purdis Heath) ( ▲ 6 )
Purdis Heath, Sufolk. Par 71, 6,439 yards.Designer: James Braid.
IJ: If moved to the Surrey/Hampshire heathlands it
would be more widely known.
RL: I have played this course over 20 times; the 1st is
relatively weak but after that the fun begins. It is a gB&I
Top 100 course in my view – a better course than
Wentworth West.
ND: as good as many of the more vaunted Surrey
heathlands.
PR: a fine course. The bunkers have been upgraded
and will mean purdis should go higher.
GW VERDICT: a joy to play, aesthetically pleasing, with
heather and pine in abundance. It benefits from some
delightfully unusual holes with greens where you would
not expect to find them. Bunker work and tree removal
in line with the original design have categorically
improved it – hence this significant rise.
60 St Annes Old Links (▼ 1)
Lytham St Annes, Lancs. Par 72, 6,941 yards.
Designers: George Lowe/Sandy Herd.
IM: a delight. The par-3 9th is a stunning 174-
yard hole in front of the red brick clubhouse.
RL: I enjoyed it more than Royal lytham! With
the Blackpool tower in the skyline it has a
magic to it. not one bad hole.
GW VERDICT: More than just a famous 9th
green (of which Bobby Jones made measure).
Traditional links that is consistently good.
59 Prince’s (Shore & Dunes) (▼ 4)
Sandwich, Kent. Par 72, 3,638/3,637 yards.
Designer: Charles Hutchings.
BS: Impressed with how this course and its
facilities have developed in recent years.
IJ: Superb course that is a brute at times, with
narrow fairways bordered by fearsome rough.
ND: True links in a breeze and hard fairways.
GW VERDICT: Changes by european golf
design and a new greenkeeper have improved
the course to keep it on the brink of the top 50.
58 Littlestone ( ▲ 2 )
Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent. Par 71, 6,676
yards. Designer: William Purves.
BS: possess plenty of really good holes.
IJ: a cracking course with a stunning par-3
17th. The greens have year-round quality.
VH: a very good links albeit fairly flat.
RL: The best ‘hidden gem’ I have ever found.
probably the best greens I’ve ever putted on.
GW VERDICT: Terrific start and finish and
plenty of good fare in between. Wonderful.
24 golf World Top 100 england 2015
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Top 100 England 2015
57 Beau Desert ( ▲ 1 )
Hazel Slade, Stafs. Par 71, 6,300 yards.
Designer: Herbert Fowler.
DC: Isolated but superb to play.
JC: good course with huge fast greens.
PB: Quality heathland with lots of memorable
holes.
GW VERDICT: Your heart rises as you drive
into the ‘Beautiful Wilderness’, knowing you
are in for a genuinely-good heathland treat.
a gB&I Top 100 contender.
56 Seacroft ( ▲ 1)
Skegness, Lincolnshire. Par 72, 6,492 yards.
Designer: Willie Fernie.
DC: an absolute gem with many hugely
entertaining holes.
RL: nine out, nine back classic links. always
windy so you will get nine holes of tough golf.
GW VERDICT: The long journey is rewarded
by a links with no towering dunes but just well
routed holes through subtle rolling dunes and
gorse and scrubland. Well worth the fuel.
55 Seaton Carew ( ▲ 1)
Hartlepool, Durham. Par 71, 6,603 yards.
Designer: Alister MacKenzie.
IJ: great links with an industrial background.
out and back nature means you have an easy
and brutal nine, but an always enjoyable 18.
IM: a fine links with 22 holes that can be set up
as the ‘old’ or the ‘Brabazon’. The former is
more out and in, and the more enjoyable.
GW VERDICT: not especially scenic links but
miss it of your wish list at your folly.
54 Lindrick ( ▲ 1)
Worksop, Notts. Par 71, 6,606 yards.
Designer: Tom Dunn.
IM: an enjoyable course always kept in good
condition. a top notch course.
VH: over 100 years old and the first-class turf
reflects this.
GW VERDICT: Recent changes have tightened
up the 1957 Ryder Cup venue and it is unlikely
to fall much lower. Yet still does not charm as
some other top-class heathlands do.
52 Wallasey (▼ 1)
Wallasey, Wirral. Par 72, 6,572 yards.
Designer: Old Tom Morris.
BS: Has some stunning views and a handful of
excellent holes.
RL: Stand on the 1st tee and you know you are
in for a lot of fun. For me, more enjoyable than
nearby Hoylake.
GW VERDICT: an enjoyable and historic links
with some serious dunes and great views out
into the Irish Sea.
51 Liphook ( ▲ 1)
Liphook, Hampshire. Par 70, 6,295 yards.
Designer: Arthur Croome.
BS: a delight to play. great variety of holes
and plenty of architectural interest.
SV: always a great experience and pleasure.
a really pretty location and an eclectic mix of
holes that keep you constantly interested.
GW VERDICT: Tom Simpson reputedly rated
this undulating heathland of heather, pine and
gorse as the best inland course in the UK.
26 golf World Top 100 england 2015
53
St Mellion (Nicklaus) ( )
Saltash, Cornwall. Par 72, 7,019 yards. Designer: Jack Nicklaus.
ND: Spectacular routing through plunging valleys where the
slightest miscue can lead to complete disaster.
SV: If you like challenging golf courses this is one to play.
Haven’t played it for years but can still remember some of
the holes vividly and loving the experience.
VH: an american-style feel and Jack nicklaus has designed
a really good course which can be a real test.
SE: a great test, with many long and challenging holes.
Straight shots of the tee are essential. The resort is good.
GW VERDICT: one of the toughest tracks, one of the best
inland courses and one of the finest all-round venues in the
country. a star of the British inland golf scene.
EXClUSIVE
Why it’s special to me
By Jack nicklaus.
St Mellion was my first course in
england and will always be very
special to me. It holds a special
place in my heart. I am proud of
the exceptional experience we
created and hope golfers will
continue to enjoy it for
generations to come.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful
course that belongs with the
best. I don’t think there is
another course like it in the UK.
I twice – maybe three times –
turned down the Bond brothers,
Herman and Martin, when they
asked me to design the course
because of the challenge of the
property – on the sides of a hill.
eventually, I said, ‘ok, but we will
have to design the course into
the side of the mountain’. In the
end each individual hole is
pretty darn good. They might
be in a unique location, but it
turned out to be really good
from a playability standpoint.
I have always been very
proud of taking the site given to
us and turning it into something
that has hosted professional
events. I think the golf course,
hole for hole, turned out to be
very good.
I believe St Mellion, as a test
of golf, as a design, and looking
at each individual hole and its
beauty would rank very high in
the courses I have done.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 27
Top 100 England 2015
44 West Hill ( ▲ 5 )
Brockwood, Surrey. Cuthbart Butchart/Willie Park.
GW VERDICT: a testing heathland course that is not over
manicured. It retains its rough edges that make it more
testing and appealing to the eye.
50 The Belfry (Brabazon) (▼ 3)
Wishaw, Warwickshire. Alliss/Thomas.
GW VERDICT: once little more than a seeded
field with sapling trees, it has now matured
into a lush parkland, with famous holes like the
10th and 18th augmenting its status as an
iconic four-time Ryder Cup venue.
49 Woburn (Duchess) ( ▲ 31 )
Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire. Charles
Lawrie.
GW VERDICT: The prettiest of Woburn’s trio is
back in our gB&I Top 100, a situation reflected
in this high rise up the england list. a
delightfully subtle course among towering fir
trees; skill and finesse are essential and overt
brute force is a hindrance. Fully worthy of this
top-50 position.
48 The Grove (▼ 2)
Chandler’s Cross, Herts. Kyle Phillips.
GW VERDICT: More strategic and less penal
than most modern parklands, with wide
fairways and ‘trouble’ centred on and around
the cleverly-designed greens. an
unremarkable site was worked beautifully by
Kyle phillips.
47 Sherwood Forest (▼ 3)
Mansfield, Notts. Harry Colt/James Braid.
GW VERDICT: a tough heathland with a string
of 400+ yard par 4s on the back nine.
Underrated by many – but not us.
46 Broadstone (▼ 3)
Broadstone, Dorset. Dunn/Colt/Pont.
GW VERDICT: Frank pont’s revision has
ensured this remains one of england’s top
heathlands and an essential in any dorset trip.
45 West Lancs (▼ 6)
Blundellsands, Lancs.
Ken Cotton/Fred Hawtree.
GW VERDICT: Ferocious rough, deep bunkers,
strong cross winds and tees that can extend
this exposed links to over 7,000 yards.
43 New Zealand ( ▲ 1 )
West Byfleet, Surrey. Samuel Fergusson/
Tom Simpson.
GW VERDICT: less than 6,000 yards it might
be, yet finding the pins requires forensic
placement from the tee and becomes
impossible from the thick heather.
42 Royal Ashdown Forest ( )
Forest Row, E Sussex. Unknown.
GW VERDICT: It may not have any bunkers,
but bracken, streams and dog-legs provide
hazards aplenty to catch the golfer already
distracted by the glorious views.
41 Little Aston (▼ 6)
Sutton Coldfield, Stafs. Harry Vardon.
GW VERDICT: like a well-mannered guest,
this perfectly-manicured parkland does
everything to impress. arguably the finest
parkland course in the UK.
40 Burnham & Berrow (▼ 4)
Burnham on Sea, Som. Taylor, Gibson.
GW VERDICT: Brilliant links may be of the
beaten track, but should be on everyone’s
‘must-play’ list, for its unusual and exciting
holes, such as the long par-3 17th.
39 Woburn (Duke’s) (▼ 5)
Woburn, Beds. Charles Lawrie.
GW VERDICT: Towering pines and deep
valleys are superbly used to create a variety
of challenges, especially early on.
30 golf World Top 100 england 2015
10 PLAY & STAY IDEAS
Use one of these Top 100 venues dotted around england as your base for a terrific trip.
1 THE BElFRY
Where: South-east outskirts of
Birmingham.
Play: The iconic host of four
Ryder Cups, backed up by the
exacting pga national and the
charming derby.
Stay: The on-site hotel has been
upgraded to the tune of £20m+.
The trip: Heathlands Beau
desert and Whittington Heath
to the north and parklands
Blackwell and Forest of arden.
2 ST MEllIon
Where: Saltash in Cornwall.
Play: either the Jack nicklaus
championship course or the
revamped Kernow.
Stay: a swish hotel with an array
of leisure and dining options.
The trip: St enodoc and Trevose
on the north Cornish coast – or
south to cliftop hero Mullion.
3 SToKE paRK
Where: near Slough, and the
M25, M40 and M4.
Play: an open parkland with a
classic par-3 hole, the 7th.
Stay: The hotel, the set for films
such as goldfinger, is one of the
finest in england of any nature.
The trip: Head south to the
Surrey and Berkshire heathland
glitterrati or north to The grove.
4 CloSE HoUSE
Where: near newcastle in
northumberland.
Play: The new entry to our Top
100, by lee Westwood, as well
as its sister course the Filly.
Stay: Brand-new opulent but
cosy courtyard rooms.
The trip: Terrific options on the
coast at goswick (north) and
Seaton Carew (south).
5 THoRpEnESS
Where: aldeburgh, Sufolk.
Play: a James Braid coastal
heathland among heather,
gorse, pine and silver birch; very
close to the main Top 100 list.
Stay: a smart 36-bedroom
hotel overlooking the course.
The trip: aldeburgh and inland
to Woodbridge and Ipswich.
6 pRInCE’S
Where: Sandwich, Kent.
Play: The three loops of nine
that make up this polished links
course, host of the open.
Stay: Splendid apartments right
on the edge of the course, with
views of prince’s as well as
neighbouring Royal St george’s.
The trip: easy and delightful –
play all three loops here then
head of to Sandwich and Royal
Cinque ports.
7 old THoRnS
Where: of the a3 north of
petersfield.
Play: a terrific parklandheathland
in mature woodland
whose elevation changes give it
some super views.
Stay: a super hotel or twobedroom
apartments next door,
it is one of the most appealing
golf complexes in england.
The trip: Superbly positioned to
play nearby liphook as well as
the rest of the Hampshire
classics – right down to Hayling
on the coast.
8 doRSET g&CC
Where: Wareham, nr poole
Play: one of the most improved
courses in england, with three
very even loops of nine that are
ideal for a golf trip.
Stay: Choose from the cottages,
the hotel or the log cabins –
again, ideal for a trip.
The trip: as the name suggests,
perfect for a break playing the
many superb courses of dorset
– arguably england’s most
underrated county.
9 HEYTHRop paRK
Where: Chipping norton,
oxfordshire
Play: a course of next 100
quality with greens noted for
their year-round quality.
Stay: a beautiful hotel and
sparkling spa.
The trip: enjoy the three at
Frilford Heath, plus Tadmarton
Heath and The oxfordshire.
10 THE gRoVE
Where: Rickmansworth near
Watford.
Play: a Kyle phillips-design in
mature countryside.
Stay: Chic hotel that is a base
for england’s football team:
The trip: Move round the M25
to ashridge, Brocket Hall,
Berhamsted, and Centurion.
The course attraction at The grove
is another triumph for Kyle phillips.
STONEHAM
GOLF CLUB
Southampton’s Hidden Gem
Established in 1908 and designed
by Willie Park Junior, two time
Open Champion and designer of
Sunningdale Old.
A wonderful course in the undulating
heath and parkland.
Significant investment over the last year
and ongoing is seeing the course
return to its former glory making it
an exciting time to visit.
www.stonehamgolfclub.org.uk
023 8076 9272
Come and join us in celebraƟng 125 years of golf at
Berkhamsted Golf Club by playing in our
125th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF GOLF
between 7th & 11th September 2015.
The FesƟval features:
Seniors’, Ladies’, Men’s, & Mid-Am CompeƟƟons,
as well as a Pro-Am.
To get your brochure and entry form just contact
steve@berkhamstedgc.co.uk or call us at 01442 865832
and “Experience Berkhamsted” with us.
Burnham and Berrow Golf Club
Celebrating
125 Years
Host to 2015
England v Spain Match 9-10 May
&
2015 PGA Professional
Championship 2-5 June
Burnham and Berrow Golf Club
warmly welcomes golfers to
come and enjoy this fantastic
Championship Links Course
www.burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk
Tel. 01278 785760
Top 100 England 2015
38 Walton Heath (New) (▼ 5)
Tadworth, Surrey. Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT: a heather-framed heathland
with bags of class.
37 Aldeburgh (▼ 5)
Aldeburgh, Sufolk. Fernie & Thompson.
GW VERDICT: a quality heathland with a
number of excellent holes defined by dense
gorse neighbouring the fairways.
36 Wentworth (East) (▼ 5)
Virginia Water, Surrey. Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Very good heathland course
that’s more fun than the West. Unusual and
attractive mix of par 4s.
35 Southport & Ainsdale ( ▲ 13 )
Southport, Merseyside. James Braid.
GW VERDICT: Boasts a fine collection of links
holes further enhanced by surroundings of tall
whispering pines, abundant gorse and the
occasional passing train.
34 Remedy Oak (▼ 6)
Ringwood, Dorset. John Jacobs.
GW VERDICT: Has a maturity beyond its
young age. a pretty course with four or five
fantastic holes such as the 2nd, 9th and 18th.
33 Moortown ( ▲ 12 )
Leeds, Yorks. Alister MacKenzie.
GW VERDICT: Ken Moodie’s changes have
ensured this is now a fixture in the gB&I 100;
more light, more heather and more expansive
heathland views make it a terrific experience.
32 Worplesdon (▼ 6)
Woking, Surrey. Abercromby & Colt.
GW VERDICT: Quality heathland where you
cross a busy a-road mid-round to find the
reward of four holes on the far side that are
probably the most rugged and attractive.
30 The Addington (▼ 1)
Croydon, Surrey. JF Abercromby.
GW VERDICT: a real pleasure to play for all
handicaps. Some magical holes including an
all-star collection of par 5s. Boasts some of
the most unusual holes around – which we
absolutely mean as a compliment.
29 Ferndown (Old) (▼ 1)
Ferndown, Dorset. Harold Hilton.
GW VERDICT: Inland golf at its aesthetic best.
achingly beautiful heathland.
28 Woking ( ▲ 9 )
Woking, Surrey. Tom Dunn.
GW VERDICT: The highest ranked of the
‘Three Ws’, with recent tweaks to enhance
what was an already outstanding heathland.
Impossible not to enjoy it here.
27 Hunstanton (▼ 1)
Hunstanton, Norfolk. Willie Fernie.
GW VERDICT: an excellent and challenging
links that has been improved by Martin
Hawtree by rebunkering while greens have
gone from good to excellent. a proper
championship test in breezy conditions.
31 Woburn (Marquess) (▼ 1)
Woburn, Beds. Alliss, Clark, McMurray, Hay.
GW VERDICT: The longest and most open of
Woburn’s courses, with a bold design. liberal
use of bunkers and water hazards.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 33
TOP 100 ENGLAND 2015
JACKLIN’S DREAM
Tony Jacklin, who lifted the Claret Jug in 1969, helps select a composite course
1 ROYAL ST GEORGE’S
Par 4, 442 yards
Extremely undulating fairway
that sets the tone for a round at
Sandwich. This hole, more than
any other on the Open rota,
really takes you out away from
the clubhouse and other
distractions, into your journey.
Honourable mentions: Hoylake
(Open routing), Birkdale
2 ROYAL BIRKDALE
Par 4, 418 yards
Another strong par 4 which
narrows to an amphitheatre of
a green nestled in the dunes.
Honourable mentions: St
George’s, Birkdale, Lytham
3 ROYAL LYTHAM
Par 4, 477 yards
A classic Lytham hole. Incredible
bunkering, strategy all the way
up. And a fantastic green
complex.
Honourable mentions: Hoylake,
Royal Cinque Ports
4 ROYAL CINQUE PORTS
Par 3, 151 yards
Sumptuous, short par 3, played
from an elevated tee. Steep runofs
on both sides and an angled
green make for a fun hole.
Honourable mentions: Lytham,
St George’s
5 PRINCE’S (SHORE)
Par 4, 418 yards
A heavily-tilted green on the
boundary with Royal St George’s
which needs to be hit in
regulation to avoid a tricky chip.
Played as 18th in the Open so we
have cheated a bit...
Honourable mention: Hoylake
6 ROYAL ST GEORGE’S
Par 3, 176 yards
Deep bunkers stand sentinel at
each side of this rectangular
green which lies in the shadow
of the imposing Maiden dune.
Stunning visually, excellently
bunkered with an interesting,
well-contoured green.
Honourable mention: Hoylake
7 HOYLAKE
Par 4, 480 yards
One of the hardest holes at last
year’s Open requiring both
length and accuracy. Tough par
4 that played as the 7th at the
Open (so we’ve sneaked it in
here). Demanding drive and a
semi-blind approach.
Honourable mention: Cinque
Ports
8 ROYAL ST GEORGE’S
Par 4, 457 yards
A deceptively tricky dog-leg
right with a two-tier green
tucked in a dell. It’s a tough drive
as fairway slightly unsighted
from tee. The semi-blind
approach is to a green tucked
back in a mini horseshoe dune.
Well-placed pot bunkers cut into
the ridge surrounding the green.
Honourable mention: Lytham
9 ROYAL LYTHAM
Par 3, 165 yards
Incredible bunkering protects
the tricky raised green. The
teeing ground is raised up high
and overlooks the nearby train
station and surrounding houses,
creating some extra drama and
majesty about the hole.
Precision is needed on this wellbunkered
hole.
Honourable mention: Hoylake
10 ROYAL BIRKDALE
Par 4, 408 yards
A tight left-hand dog-leg with a
green surrounded by thick rough
mean this hole often causes
more trouble than its length
suggests it should. That dog-leg
OPEN COURSE
from holes used in Open Championships staged in England.
is almost 90˚ and uphill. There is
excellent fairway bunkering and
a well-sited green.
Honourable mention: St
George’s
11 ROYAL LYTHAM
Par 5, 598 yards
A par 5 with a tight drive and
well protected green which
caused much grief to Graeme
McDowell at the last Open. The
rippling fairway is protected by
good fairway bunkering.
Honourable mention: St
George’s
12 ROYAL BIRKDALE
Par 3, 181 yards
Arguably the finest par 3 in the
UK, with its green lying between
two sandhills and four bunkers
sited asymmetrically to make
lining up a tee shot difcult. A
fantastic test of golf.
Honourable mention: Lytham
13 HOYLAKE
Par 3, 194 yards
The 11th in normal routing is
played as the 13th at the Open,
a medium-length par 3 to an
angled green making judging
the length of an approach
difcult. From the left-hand tee
has a Redan feel to it. The green
is angled 30˚ to the left –
pointing out to the nearby
estuary. A tough hole, that also
happens to be arguably the
most picturesque of any of the
holes on the English Open rota.
Honourable mention: Birkdale
14 ROYAL ST GEORGEÕS
Par 5, 545 yards
Usually a pivotal hole on Sunday
with out of bounds all along the
right, as Dustin Johnson found
to his cost in 2011. A burn and
out of bounds are the stress
factors from the tee. If you can
get close enough to the burn
without going in, you get to go
for the tricky raised green whose
right edge literally touches the
out of bounds.
Honourable mention: Birkdale
15 ROYAL ST GEORGEÕS
Par 4, 493 yards
A narrow fairway and small
green make this a brute of a par
4, which boasts exacting and
well placed fairway bunkers. The
approach is protected by cross
bunkers 50 yards short of the
green. The green itself is raised
and angled slightly, with wicked
contours to boot... as well as
deep rough left and behind.
Honourable mentions: Birkdale,
Prince’s (Shore)
16 ROYAL ST GEORGEÕS
Par 3, 165 yards
The scene of Thomas Bjorn’s
downfall in The Open and my
hole in one – the first on
television in the UK – in the 1967
Dunlop Masters.
Honourable mentions: Cinque
Ports, Lytham
17 ROYAL LYTHAM
Par 4, 467 yards
As tough as the Road Hole at St
Andrews, it was the scene of one
of the greatest shots in Open
history, Bobby Jones’ mashie
from a sandy area into the
middle of the green.
Honourable mentions: Hoylake,
St George’s, Birkdale
18 ROYAL LYTHAM
Par 4, 410 yards
As good a finishing hole as there
is in golf. Exacting, demanding
and theatrical. Cleverly bunkered
hole, both around the green and
the fairway. A grand finish, even
without the Championship
grandstands in place.
Honourable mention: Birkdale
Drama, beauty
and challenge:
The 18th at
Royal Lytham.
Top 100 England 2015
26 Notts/Hollinwell (▼ 1)
Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts. Willie Park.
GW VERDICT: Some on the panel feel notts,
along with Swinley Forest, are the most
underrated courses on this list. Better than
much higher-ranked ganton for some.
25 Berkshire Blue (▼ 2)
Ascot, Berkshire. Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT: Beautiful layout and a more
conventional mix of holes than the six-of-each
Red. Solid heathland fare.
24 Rye (▼ 2)
Rye, Sussex. Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Few courses have more
strategic interest than this stunning fastrunning
links. Some fabulous green complexes
and terrific links topography.
23 Royal West Norfolk (▼ 1)
Brancaster, Norfolk. Holcombe Ingleby.
GW VERDICT: a tremendous experience, from
the tides to the clubhouse and the labradors to
the views. a golfing relic that you need to play
a few times to fully appreciate.
21 Swinley Forest ( )
Ascot, Berkshire. Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Swinley Forest is one of the
most enchanting settings you will ever find.
The most tranquil and exclusive of heathlands.
20 Royal Cinque Ports (▼ 2)
Deal, Kent. James Braid.
GW VERDICT: old-fashioned out and back
layout remains a strong and enjoyable links
with standouts such as the topsy-turvy 3rd
with its comical concertina fairway.
19 Hillside (▼ 3)
Southport, Lancashire. Fred Hawtree.
GW VERDICT: The best back nine in UK golf
for some, including greg norman. But if you
don’t like those dramatic dune holes, you’ll
love the more sedate opening half.
18 Silloth-on-Solway (▼ 2)
Silloth, Cumbria. David Grant/Willie Park.
GW VERDICT: Tightly-mown undulating
fairways fully exposed to the Irish Sea winds
are typical of this old-fashioned, demanding
links. an underrated, classic course.
17 Hankley Common ( ▲ 2 )
Farnham, Surrey. James Braid, Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Very good course laid out over
more expansive, open heathland than many
of its Surrey neighbours, the heather seems
particularly purple and the greens especially
emerald. We absolutely adore it here.
16 Wentworth (West) (▼ 4)
Virginia Water, Surrey. Harry Colt, Ernie Els.
GW VERDICT: now very difcult for those who
play it 51 weeks of the year (outside the pga)
and thus lacks the seductive quality of
Sunningdale or Swinley Forest.
15 St Enodoc ( ▲ 1 )
Wadebridge, Cornwall. James Braid.
GW VERDICT: What golf is all about – St
enodoc is memorable, scenic, challenging and
fun. Twelve truly outstanding holes.
14 Formby ( ▲ 3 )
Southport, Lancs. Willie Park.
GW VERDICT: a hybrid links/heathland/
parkland but consistently firm, sandy, links
fairways – and a classic layout.
13 West Sussex ( ▲ 2 )
Pulborough, Sussex. Campbell/
Hutchenson.
GW VERDICT: delightful heathland with
perfect turf, glistening white sand, and some
of the most picturesque holes imaginable.
12 The Berkshire (Red) ( ▲ 1 )
Ascot, Berkshire. Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT: With each hole in splendid
isolation and six cracking par 3s of diferent
lengths, this is a woodland delight.
11 Alwoodley ( )
Leeds, West Yorks. Alister MacKenzie.
GW VERDICT: Retains a feeling of isolated
heathland, with highlights including the
sweeping par 5s, stellar two-shotters and
classy par 3s.
10 Royal Liverpool (▼ 3)
Hoylake, Merseyside. Chambers & Morris/
Colt.
GW VERDICT: a traditional and fair challenge
with much character which reflects the club’s
heritage. Very strong open host last year.
9 Saunton (East) ( ▲ 1 )
Braunton, Devon. Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT: With its springy turf, fast and
true greens and the smell of the sea, it is
impossible not to be intoxicated by the east.
8 Ganton ( ▲ 1 )
Scarborough, Yorkshire. Tom Chisholm.
GW VERDICT: Few finer places to play and get
away from it all . a challenging and beautiful
inland links/a windswept heathland
masterpiece, depending on your view of it.
7 Walton Heath (Old) (▼ 1)
Tadworth, Surrey. Herbert Fowler.
GW VERDICT: Heather-clad, fast-running
traditional heathland that is a very challenging
but fair test, laid out in a natural open setting.
6 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) (▼ 2)
Woodhall Spa, Lincs. Vardon, Colt, Colonel
Hotchkin.
GW VERDICT: great heathland with amazingly
deep bunkers superbly positioned on what is
otherwise completely flat ground. a course
which needs to be played at least once.
5 Sunningdale (New) ( ▲ 4 )
Sunningdale, Surrey. Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Modest opening and closing
holes – otherwise world class. More difcult
and complete than the old, even if not quite
as much fun or as beautiful.
We rate Sunningdale
new close to the old.
22 St George’s Hill ( ▲ 5 )
Weybridge,Surrey. Harry Colt.
GW VERDICT: Set among the mansions of pop stars, this magnificent
heathland rolls up hill and down dale in a figure of eight, always with a
refined elegance of which Harry Colt was a master. Magnificent.
Top 100 England 2015
4 Royal Lytham (▼ 1)
Lytham, Lancashire. Lowe, Colt.
IM: Famously removed from the sea, and also
with very little elevation change, yet a classic
test on sandy soil punctuated by a couple
hundred well-placed bunkers.
RL: a stringent test on the open rota due to
the bunkering and closing stretch.
GW VERDICT: There really is nothing to
choose between these superstars of the top
four. For some, it could easily be no.1.
1
Royal Birkdale
Southport, Merseyside. Par 72, 6,817 yards. Designers:
George Lowe/JH Taylor/Fred Hawtree/Martin Hawtree
ND: like Muirfield, its challenges are clear and visible, but
no easier as a result.
SE: a great test of golf, with some exceptionally difcult
par 3s on which a par feels like a birdie.
GW VERDICT: Strong start, strong finish, yet the most
memorable holes are arguably in the middle section; the
9th, 10th and 12th, make full use of the huge dunes.
Birkdale is the complete package.
3 Royal St George’s ( ▲ 2 )
Sandwich, Kent. William Purves.
SE: lots of humps and bumps with crazy but
interesting greens. I can’t wait to play it again.
MS: england’s best course in my view; ofers
‘pleasurable excitement’ with variety, solitude
and challenge. If you don’t like RSg, you’re
taking yourself too seriously.
GW VERDICT: Terrific fun, possibly the most
enjoyment on a championship course in
england. We love Mike’s comment above.
2 Sunningdale (Old) ( ▲ 1 )
Sunningdale, Surrey. Willie Park, Harry Colt.
ND: Continually charms, with something to
excite and encourage on every tee. also
always enough to punish. The run of par 4s
from 5th to 7th and again between 10th and
12th are as good as inland golf has to ofer.
SE: Very little to choose between the old and
the new for me. always in spotless condition.
GW VERDICT: The quintessential english
inland experience; the hype is justified.
38 golf World Top 100 england 2015
EXClUSIVE
I regard Royal Birkdale as the
finest course in Britain. I prefer
links to inland courses and I
don’t think there is a better links
in the country.
It is a supreme test without in
any way being unfair; what you
see is what you get, so the
professionals love it.
The routing is beautifully
varied, the dunes create natural
ampitheatres and each and
every one of the par 3s are
outstanding.
Why the supreme test of Birkdale is my No.1
By Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondent on his admiration for Southport’s star attraction.
The closing hole is as
demanding as they come
regardless of the wind direction
because even if it is helping you
it makes it difcult to control
your approach shot.
even the one perceived
negative – the redesign of the
17th green – has been
addressed. If that is the weakest
aspect of the course, it shows its
strength as it provided the
defining moment of the 2008
open Chamionship when
padraig Harrington used the
contours so memorably after
hitting a sweet 5-wood in there.
I am also fond of ganton, a
superb inland course with links
characteristics. I loved it when I
was there for the Walker Cup in
2003 but fully got to appreciate
its charms when I was writing a
piece on it for a book.
I walked it rather than played
it and found I absorbed more of
its intricacies that way. The
bunkers are obviously its big
defence, and some may feel
they are unfair – especially with
the big lip at the back of them
which afects your backswing.
They are very strategically
placed and very penal.
There are numerous splendid
holes with a fantastic finish
which provide a great climax to
either a strokeplay or matchplay
round. The 17th is a driveable par
4 yet you are sometimes glad to
come of with a 4 such is the
difculty of the sloping green.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 39
TOP 100 ENGLAND 2015
85
89
55
8
18
1
19
35 14
45
60
80
100
4
10
52
11
33
40
57
69
62
96
34
84
91
77
12
21
41
26
47
67
50
78 92
48
66
54
82
95
94
31
39
49
6
87
99
88
75
61
56
27
23
76
37
3
20
59
90
9
79
25
17
58
86
15
63
53
46
29
97
64
51 74
2
5
7
38
22
28
32
44
16
36
43
70
72
73
81
42 24
68
13
83
30
93 98
40 Golf World TOP 100 ENGLAND 2015
ENGLAND’S TOP 100 –
WHERE TO FIND THEM
Use this map of all the courses to help plan your Top 100 trip.
1 Royal Birkdale Lancashire
2 Sunningdale (Old) Surrey
3 Royal St George’s Kent
4 Royal Lytham & St Annes Lancashire
5 Sunningdale (New) Surrey
6 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) Lincs
7 Walton Heath (Old) Surrey
8 Ganton Yorkshire
9 Saunton (East) Devon
10 Royal Liverpool Cheshire
11 Alwoodley Yorkshire
12 The Berkshire (Red) Berkshire
13 West Sussex Sussex
14 Formby Lancashire
15 St Enodoc Cornwall
16 Wentworth (West) Surrey
17 Hankley Common Surrey
18 Silloth-on-Solway Cumbria
19 Hillside Lancashire
20 Royal Cinque Ports Kent
21 Swinley Forest Berkshire
22 St George’s Hill Surrey
23 Royal West Norfolk Norfolk
24 Rye Sussex
25 The Berkshire (Blue) Berkshire
26 Notts (Hollinwell) Nottinghamshire
27 Hunstanton Norfolk
28 Woking Surrey
29 Ferndown Dorset
30 The Addington Surrey
31 Woburn (Marquess’) Bedfordshire
32 Worplesdon Surrey
33 Moortown Yorkshire
34 Remedy Oak Dorset
35 Southport & Ainsdale Merseyside
36 Wentworth (East) Surrey
37 AldeburghS u f o l k
38 Walton Heath (New) Surrey
39 Woburn (Duke’s) Bedfordshire
40 Burnham & Berrow Somerset
41 Little Aston Stafordshire
42 Royal Ashdown Forest Sussex
43 New Zealand Surrey
44 West Hill, Surrey
45 West Lancs Lancashire
46 Broadstone Dorset
47 Sherwood Forest Nottinghamshire
48 The Grove Hertfordshire
49 Woburn (Duchess’) Bedfordshire
50 The Belfry (Brabazon) Warwicks
51 Liphook Hampshire
52 Wallasey Cheshire
53 St Mellion (Nicklaus) Cornwall
54 Lindrick Nottinghamshire
55 Seaton Carew Durham
56 Seacroft Lincolnshire
57 Beau Desert Stafordshire
58 Littlestone Kent
59 Prince’s (Shore & Dunes) Kent
60 St Annes Old Links Lancashire
61 Ipswich (Purdis Heath)S u f o l k
62 Delamere Forest Cheshire
Hindhead deserves to be classed
alongside Surrey’s classics.
63 Perranporth Cornwall
64 Hayling Island Hampshire
65 Isle of Purbeck Dorset
66 Bearwood Lakes Berkshire
67 The Centurion Club Hertfordshire
68 Crowborough Beacon Sussex
69 Blackwell Worcestershire
70 Hindhead Surrey
71 Parkstone Dorset
72 Wisley Surrey
73 Coombe Hill Surrey
74 Blackmoor Hampshire
75 WoodbridgeS u f o l k
76 Sheringham Norfolk
77 Fulford Yorkshire
78 Ashridge Hertfordshire
79 Royal North Devon Devon
80 Seascale Cumbria
81 Tandridge Surrey
82 Lufenham Heath Lincolnshire
83 Goodwood Sussex
84 Huntercombe Oxfordshire
85 Goswick Northumberland
86 Trevose Cornwall
87 Royal WorlingtonS u f o l k
88 Chart Hills Kent
89 Close House Northumberland
90 Saunton (West) Devon
91 Stoke Park Buckinghamshire
92 Berkhamsted Hertfordshire
93 Camberley Heath Surrey
94 King’s Lynn Norfolk
95 London Club (Heritage) Kent
96 Frilford Heath (Red) Oxfordshire
97 Stoneham Dorset
98 Foxhills (Longcross) Surrey
99 Brocket Hall (Palmerston) Herts
100 Fairhaven Lancashire
TOP 100 ENGLAND 2015 Golf World 41
Sherwood ForeSt
GolF Club
“One of the fnest heathland golf
courses in Great Britain.”
“A true hidden gem!”
Visitors are welcome Monday to Friday.
Green fees: April £45, May to September £65.
discounts are available for parties of 20 or more.
Please contact the Professional Shop to make a booking.
‘EAST ANGLIA’S FINEST’
Photo courtesy of Chris Onions
Sherwood Forest Golf Club,
eakring road, MANSFIeld,
Notts NG18 3ew
telephone: 01623 626689
Professional Shop: 01623 627403
website: www.sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk
27 holes of classic heathland golf in Suīolk
www.woodbridgegolfclub.co.uk
01394 382038
YOUR COURSE AWAITS…
Although Dorset-based Remedy Oak is an exclusive golf club for
members and their guests, we reserve a few tee times to welcome
a small number of visitors. Constructed in 2006, yet already rated
in the top 50 courses in GB and Ireland, Remedy Oak offers one
of the most personal golf experiences on the South Coast.
EXCLUSIVE CHALLENGING WELCOMING
Please call us on +44 (0) 1202 812070 to discuss availability.
Prstigeous, Unique & Exclusively Your
BECOME PART OF THE EXPERIENCE, VISIT REMEDYOAK.COM
Top 100 England 2015
THe NeXT 100
We’ve expanded this list by 100 per cent… yet there are still fine courses outside it.
Here are 100 super venues, with comments on those that were Top 100 contenders.
alnmouth, northumberland
Bamburgh Castle, northumberland
a quirky course built close by to the sea
but not a links course other than a few
early holes. With spectacular views of
Bamburgh Castle and Budle Bay, few golf
courses can rival it for location. The golf
course is short with six par 3s.
Bath (Sham Castle), Somerset
Bingley St Ives Yorkshire
Bovey Castle, devon
Bradford (Hawksworth), Yorkshire
Brampton, Cumbria
Brancepeth Castle, durham
This is a gem of a Harry Colt course. a well
thought out bunker replacement and
refurbishment scheme over the last few
years has re-instated the challenge. The
9th and 10th are stunning back to back
par 3s with the magnificent Brancepeth
Castle providing a stunning backdrop.
Brocket Hall (Melbourne), Hertfordshire
Brokenhurst Manor, Hampshire
designed by Harry Colt in the new Forest
it is short but delightful.
Bude & north Cornwall, Cornwall
Carlisle, Cumbria
Cavendish, derbyshire
Clevedon, Somerset
Cleveland, Yorkshire
Clitheroe, lancashire
Cooden Beach, Sussex
an absolute gem and one of the few
downland courses in Britain.
Copt Heath, Warwickshire
Coventry Finham, Warwickshire.
a top-class layout and the one-time home
to the piccadilly Medal matchplay
tournament in the 1970s.
Coxmoor, nottinghamshire
Crosland Heath, Yorkshire
dartmouth (Championship) , devon
It was an astonishing feat to build such a
fine course on this steeply sloped site. The
curving 4th, with out of bounds all the
way up the right and a stream along the
left, is one of the UK’s top par 5s.
diss, norfolk
dunham Forest, Cheshire
a very, very good tree-lined course with
wonderful greens.
East devon, devon
excellent views along the Jurassic coast
from the bracing clifs above Budleigh
Salterton.
East dorset, dorset
East Sussex national (East), Sussex
With a finish designed for tournament
play and some great par 5s, it has more
subtlety than appears on first playing.
East Sussex national (West), Sussex
Both courses are top 100 quality, but we
slightly prefer the West, which is high
calibre. a superb collection of par 5s with
the double-dog-leg 12th demanding a
stream to be crossed and a lake avoided.
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Enville (Highgate), Stafordshire
Combines a mixture of heathland and
parkland and was a very real contender
for the main Top 100 list.
Felixstowe Ferry, Sufolk
Underrated ‘linksy’ course which is
extremely difficult when the wind blows –
lovely surroundings and views.
Forest of arden, Warwickshire
Forest pines, lincolnshire
Formby ladies, lancashire
Royal Cromer ’s seaside
location offers stunning views.
Top 100 england 2015 golf World 43
Top 100 England 2015
old Thorns is a spectacular
course among mature trees.
Foxhills (Hunt), Surrey
There is a lot of discussion as to which of the
Foxhills courses is the best. Both have
improved enormously over recent years and
both have superb greens and many top holes.
Frilford Heath green, oxfordshire
Fulford Heath, Worcestershire
Gog Magog (Old), Cambridgeshire
Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire
Halifax, Yorkshire
Hallamshire, Yorkshire
Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire
Hawkstone park (Hawkstone), Shropshire
Ilkley, Yorkshire
John O’Gaunt, Bedfordshire
Kington, Herefordshire
Knole park, Kent
a surprisingly good course that thrills all the
way round. It opens with a tough par 3 and
then has some magnificent holes on the way
round. a glorious test played around Knole
House that was probably the most unfortunate
course to drop out of the main list .
ladbrook park, Warwickshire
Many suggest this is an undiscovered gem on
the south side of Birmingham. It’s a Harry Colt
design noted for its challenging par 3s and
reachable par 5s in two shots. over recent
years this parkland has been improved and
ofers a challenging round with the standard
scratch nearly always being higher than the
course rating.
littlehampton, Sussex
Manchester, lancashire
Manor House, Wiltshire
enjoyable to play with some terrific views and
delightful scenery. only drawback are the long
distances between holes which, combined
with the steep hills, means a buggy is
necessary and using one is not for everyone.
Mannings Heath (Waterfall), Sussex
a picturesque course with a handful of
fantastic holes. Some on the panel were very
keen on it being elevated to the main list by
virtue of its beautiful holes as well as its
greens, which are routinely in great condition.
Moor park (High), Hertfordshire
There are some great par 4s and the
clubhouse has to be seen to be believed. a
palladian mansion full of genuine old Masters.
PLUS 10 more we LIKe...
Astbury, Shropshire
Church Stretton, Shropshire
Great Yarmouth & Caistor, norfolk
Heythrop Park, oxfordshire
Knighton Heath, dorset
London Club (International), Kent
Newbiggin, northumberland
Stratford (Welcombe Hotel), Warks
West Cornwall, Cornwall
Yeovil (Old), dorset
The course is a typically-inspirational design
by Harry Colt through mature parkland and
includes the intimidating par-3 12th with its
significantly-tiered green.
Mullion, Cornwall
North Foreland, Kent
north Hants, Hampshire
Some excellent holes and a tough test.
northamptonshire County, northants
The Northumberland, northumberland
old Thorns, Hampshire
Really terrific inland course and were it not on
the Hants-Surrey border it would be much
better known. See picture above.
painswick, gloucestershire
piltdown, Sussex
penrith, Cumbria
penrith is a real undiscovered secret of a
course, with four really good opening holes
before crossing a quiet road to play a very
tough index 1 par 4. They are followed by a
number of lovely holes before returning over
the road to play a very tidy finishing stretch.
pleasington, lancashire
prestbury, Cheshire
great mix of long and short holes, all with
classic Colt bunkering; shot shaping is critical
here for a good score.
Reddish Vale, lancashire
Rocklife Hall, durham
44 golf World Top 100 england 2015
Ross on Wye, gloucestershire
a proper undiscovered classic with tight holes
that is always in tip-top condition.
Royal ashdown Forest (West), east Sussex
Traditional club and like its sister a superb
moorland-heathland with no bunkers. Some
really excellent holes and for some on the
panel, should join its sister in the main list.
Royal Wimbledon, Surrey
less well known of the london courses but a
great test. This course prefers a low profile –
but is a ‘hidden gem’ steeped in history – and
is worthy of open qualifying status.
Royal Cromer, norfolk
Huge improvements at Royal Cromer over the
last four years. arguably better views than at
Sheringham – and Cromer is in consistently
good condition.
Spalding, lincolnshire
a fantastic layout and some of the best
starting and finishing holes you will find
anywhere in england.
Sandiway, Cheshire
Sandwell park, Stafordshire
Sandy Lodge, Hertfordshire
Selby, Yorkshire
Sherborne, dorset
Shipley, Yorkshire
Slaley Hall, northumberland
South Stafs, Stafordshire
Stockport, Cheshire
St Mellion (Kernow), Cornwall
Tadmarton Heath, oxfordshire
a really interesting, old-fashioned course.
always enjoyable and although relatively
short, there are many challenges at this fine
heathland. an imaginative short game is vital.
Teignmouth, devon
Telford, Shropshire
The Buckinghamshire, Buckinghamshire
For many on the panel, a more interesting and
challenging course than other ‘Shire’ courses
such – and it would be a worthy Top 100
course, as it has been in the past. a smoothly
flowing modern design with just the right
amount of risk and reward on ofer.
The oxfordshire, oxfordshire
Visually not inspiring but a fantastic, tough
challenge with some superbly-designed holes.
need to be on top of your game to score well
here – and on a cold windy day its exposed
nature means is a most exacting test. a great
course with a lot of water and a design more
often seen in the US mid-west. excellent holes
such as the par-4 8th and par-5 17th give it a
strong case to be included in the Top 100.
The players Club (Codrington), glos
Fine course that will rise up the list in the future.
Thetford, norfolk
Thorndon park, essex
Thorpeness, Sufolk
proper heathland set out close to the sea.
Thurlestone, devon
Ulverston, Cumbria
Walmer & Kingsdown, Kent
Wentworth (Edinburgh), Surrey
a super challenge with a variety of holes that
make you think. For some, a few too many
dog-legs but generally a little easier than the
West or east, with generous landing areas of
the tee. Wentworth is close to matching
Woburn in having all three in the 100.
West Herts, Hertfordshire
West Surrey, Surrey
Weston super Mare, Somerset
Whittington Heath, Stafordshire
Woodhall Spa (Bracken), lincolnshire
York (Strensall), Yorkshire
Formby Golf Club, one of the
World’s great links courses
Set on the shores of the Irish Sea, Formby is blessed with undulating sand dunes and towering
pines which combine to make this incredible golf course truly unique. The course, renowned
as one of the World’s great links courses, was voted 77 in the world by the association of
golf course architects, and is a challenging, idyllic and unforgettable experience with a club
history and golfing pedigree going back to 1884.
The iconic clubhouse, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1901, is one of the most recognisable
golf clubhouses in the world. Recently renovated, the clubhouse boasts dormy rooms sleeping
10 and a fine dining restaurant which enjoys stunning panoramic views over the course. Our
Golfers Bar is the perfect place to relax and refresh, either before or after your round, with
real ales, fine wines and a comprehensive selection of bar snacks.
Formby has also hosted the Amateur Championship on four occasions and boasts Jose-Maria
Olazabal and Matteo Manassero amongst its champions.
The Club also hosted the Curtis Cup in 2004.
Formby Golf Club Limited | Golf Road | Formby | Liverpool | L37 1LQ | United Kingdom
twitter: @formbygolfclub email: info@formbygolfclub.co.uk
web: www.formbygolfclub.co.uk Tel: 01704 872164
TOP 100 ENGLAND 2015
FANTASY GOLF
MY PERFECT DAY
By Sky Sports commentator Bruce Critchley.
Awaking in the Mermaid Inn in
Rye – rebuilt in 1483 – a day on
the links beckons. A ‘Full
English’ precedes the six-mile drive out
over the Marshes to Camber Sands, the
journey enlivened by conversation with
my old Halford Hewitt chum, Tim Koch
de Gooreynd, who’s currently ‘excused
driving’. ‘How fast this time Tim?’ ‘Oh,
probably 87 gusting to 92, I suppose’,
the laconic reply.
It’s early March, and the annual Rye
versus the Oxford and Cambridge
Golfing Society; 36 holes of foursomes,
30 players on either side, Gerald
Micklem selecting both teams and who
plays with whom. No argument or no
invite next year. As a handicapper he
knows no equal and rarely does any
match finish before the 16th green.
My morning partner is Peter
Richardson, the old England opener
and as competitive on the course as he
was at the crease; a 4 handicap and
pretty tasty of that.
Tee of at 9.50am and back in the
clubhouse shortly after midday, a tight
but comfortable victory chalked up.
Lunch has to be carefully paced as
I’m not of ’til 1.40pm, more than
enough time to do serious damage. The
Bloody Marys at Rye tend to be three
measures of Vodka and two small
bottles of tomato juice. A couple of
these, club claret with the rudimentary
but excellent Rye Lunch and just one
large Kummel on the rocks while you
change your shoes.
My partner in the afternoon is Quinny
Hoare – he of the banking family – who
is a much better player after lunch. The
secret with Quinny is to use his welllubricated
skills early on to get a few
holes up and then have enough in hand
to see you through as he ‘tires’ on the
back nine. This we just manage and
then it’s time for tea and cake before
the shower.
Emerging in black tie at the Savoy
Hotel to join John Bayman – husband of
Lindy who played in the Curtis Cup in
the 1980s – who is hosting a bridge
evening in one of the Gilbert & Sullivan
suites. A true oenophile, John greets
us with Gosset champagne, a mature
Montrachet with the fish and the good
news that he has just broached his
hogshead of ’61 Latour which had been
lying in bond in Bordeaux. Decent
cards, a few quid and a night at the
Savoy rounds of a perfect day.
■ A GB&I player in the 1969 Walker Cup,
Bruce was a commentator with the BBC
before moving to Sky Sports in the ’90s.
He is part of golf’s premier commentary
partnership alongside Ewen Murray.
46 Golf World TOP 100 ENGLAND
Notts. Golf Club
(Hollinwell)
Host to the 2015 Brabazon Trophy
A stunning Championship venue
Glorious all-year golf is played on free-draining heathland
defned by waving grasses, yellow gorse and birdsong.
Fairways undulate, greens run fast and true, making this
the favourite course of many.
Characterised by speedy 2-ball format and traditional
membership, Aldeburgh ofers a satisfyingly generous
welcome in the clubhouse.
Contact Te Secretary: 01728 452890,
info@aldeburghgolfclub.co.uk.
www.aldeburghgolfclub.co.uk
SOCIETIES WELCOME
Discount prices available for large groups
To discuss these please call the Ofce
Te Championship Course at 6,603 yards but with no par fves on the men’s
card is a substantial challenge for even the best golfer. Te SSS of the Blue tees
is 73 against a par of 68. Every hole presents an examination in shotmaking
and accuracy; a stroke given away to the course is difcult to recover. It is also
a beautiful place to play golf. Te views of the River Alde and glimpses of the
North Sea, grey one day blue another, are enough to raise the spirits even when
the score is not quite up to expectation.
Notts. Golf Club (Hollinwell)
Kirkby In Ashfeld | Nottingham | NG17 7QR
T :01623 753225 | E: ofce@nottsgolfclub.co.uk
W. www.nottsgolfclub.co.uk
Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club is
a true championship links course,
with first class facilities to match.
The course is set amongst the dunes
on the North West coastline and is
another of course designer,
James Braid’s great creations.
The course is challenging but fair and the profusion of heather, gorse and
year round top class greens combine for an immensely enjoyable experience.
The renowned 16th hole (Gumbleys) always provides excitement. Our recently
refurbished clubhouse ( March 2015) and exceptional dining opportunities
ensure that your day with us can be the highlight of your golfing year.
www.dorsetgolfresort.com
admin@dorsetgolfresort.com
Club House: 01704 578000
www.sandagolfclub.co.uk
Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, Merseyside. PR8 3LG
CAMBERLEY HEATH
GOLF CLUB
One of Surrey’s Finest Courses
• Memberships • Golf Days • Visitors Welcome
• Ranked in the Top 100 Courses in England
T: 01276 23258
W: www.camberleyheathgolfclub.co.uk
E: info@camberleyheathgolfclub.co.uk
Camberley Heath Golf Club, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 1JG