TOP 100

Top 100 England 2015
76 Sheringham (▼ 12)
Sheringham, Norfolk. Par 70, 6,456 yards.
Designer: Tom Dunn.
RL: Super views as you play along the coast.
PB: Undulating fairways and true fast greens –
the 5th to 8th is spectacular with steam trains
in abundance on the closing stretch.
GW VERDICT: laid out on a narrow strip, some
love Sheringham’s high-rise holes on the edge
of the clifs and others those along lined by
gorse or hemmed in by the railway line.
75 Woodbridge ( ▲ 16 )
Bromeswell Heath, Sufolk. Par 70, 6,299
yards. Designers: Davie Grant/James Braid.
PB: Top-class heathland layout with narrow
fairways and very quick greens.
PR: an excellent heathland with the only
downside the crossing holes on the back nine.
GW VERDICT: Uses the hilly terrain to create a
notable variety of holes, there was unanimous
agreement for this significant elevation up the
list. expect sandy turf, slick greens and gorse.
74 Blackmoor ( ▲ 1 )
Bordon, Hampshire. Par 69, 6,164 yards.
Designer: Harry Colt.
IJ: a beautiful course between heather and
pine which has some excellent holes.
PB: Colt parkland requiring excellent approach
shots – all your clubs are used into the greens.
GW VERDICT: Harry Colt designed the original
12 holes between the north and South downs,
with birch and fir trees lining many sandy
fairways. a very widely-touted rise.
73 Coombe Hill ( ▲ 8 )
Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey. Par 71,
6,401 yards. Designer: JF Abercromby.
JC: Stunning par 3s and similar charm to
Swinley Forest.
ND: This one-time favourite of Bing Crosby
and Bob Hope, has a stunning collection of
par 3s and beautiful floral surroundings.
VH: one of Surrey’s great surprises.
GW VERDICT: Beauty and conditioning make
this exquisite parkland now a Top 100 fixture.
72 Wisley (Church & Mill) ( ▲ 7 )
Ripley, Sry. Par 72, 3,356/3,385/3,473
yards. Designer: Robert Trent Jones.
ND: This unashamedly extravagant US
parkland dropped incongruently into the heart
of Surrey succeeds because it is superbly
executed and expertly maintained.
SV: a special atmosphere and a wonderfully
conditioned course, with some brilliant holes.
GW VERDICT: garden loop also got a mention;
a quality parkland that’s very well designed.
71 Parkstone ( ▲ 18 )
Poole, Dorset. Par 72, 6,241 yards.
Designer: Willie Park.
BS: This heathland/woodland/links hybrid
draws you in as it charms you around its many
great holes, its stunning pine trees and
colourful rhododendrums, and occasional
glimpses of the sea and nearby poole Harbour.
GW VERDICT: a round here, especially in the
warm and colourful summer months, is as
good as golf gets. Terrific recent upgrade.
70 Hindhead ( ▲ 4 )
Hindhead, Surrey. Par 70, 6,356 yards.
Designer: Unknown.
BS: So much to get excited about Hindhead.
It has a handful of world-class holes, varied
topography and is in fantastic condition.
PB: Best front nine in Surrey if not the South.
VH: Very good heathland, superb greens.
SV: I love the eclectic mix of holes. Real fun.
GW VERDICT: Much-merited rise with the
front nine in bracken-sided valleys a big hit.
69 Blackwell ( ▲ 4 )
Bromsgrove, Worcs. Par 70, 6,260 yards.
Designer: Herbert Fowler/Tom Simpson.
DC: a real golfers’ golf course.
CB: Typical clever Fowler-Simpson design
work helps make this one of england’s finest
inland courses.
GW VERDICT: dominated by mature
woodland, it is often very underrated and we
are pleased to give this quintessential parkland
the status it deserves.
68 Crowborough Beacon ( )
Crowborough, Sussex. Par 71, 6,319 yards.
Designer: Alister MacKenzie.
IJ: a fairly hilly layout that is a good test with
plenty of heather, bunkers and woodland.
RL: Just down the road from Royal ashdown,
but no poor neighbour. Bouncy fairways, long
rough, and small greens that don’t ‘hold’
accuracy over distance is key here.
GW VERDICT: This pretty heathland ofers
lovely views 30 miles down to the coast.
16 golf World Top 100 england 2015