TOP 100

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.


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


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. 


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


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 


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. 



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. 


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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 

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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. 


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. 


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. 


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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. 


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. 


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. 


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. 



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. 


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. 


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. 


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. 



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. 


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. 



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. 


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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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. 


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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. 


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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. 


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. 



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. 


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


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 

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 


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 


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 


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) 


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 



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. 


7 HOYLAKE 


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 



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 



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. 




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 



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 



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 


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 


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. 




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) 



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 



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 



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. 


Drama, beauty 

and challenge: 

The 18th at 

Royal Lytham.


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.


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. 


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. 



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


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. 



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 


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


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

TOP 100

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