Fun golf article and GB&I Top-100 Fun Courses listing

[Sean_A]

I've played 44 of this list and 77 courses in GB&I.

The methodology isn't really explained, but the article posted makes for interesting reading. In a short synopsis for each course, they list the number of times nominated overall and for the top ten, so I assume that's a hint at how the list was compiled. But just a hint. For example, Brancaster was nominated 14 times and in the top ten 11 times, but ranks ahead of Prestwick which had 13 nominations and 12 top tens. Someone more interested in math than me could possibly create a formula to explain this by looking at more nominees.

I did like how they mentioned other courses nearby the one on the list. Overall a decent planning resource to refer back to.

For me, some oversights are Eden, Dunbar,  & Baltray. Maybe even Braid Hills. I also have a problem with leaving off "big" courses like Muirfield. A day there is incredibly fun.

Too low on the list would be Huntercombe (35), Church Stretton (93), Cleeve Hill (32), Bamburgh Castle (66), Mulranny (64), Rye (68)

Too high on the list are Windermere (33), Formby Ladies (16) and one I've not played but seems too high is Dumbarnie (24). It was nominated 8 times to Cleeve Hill's 7, but two people had Cleeve in their top 10 and only one had Dumbarnie. Reports of Dumbarnie here have emphasized fun, but it's also a place that seems to be getting a big publicity push. I'm skeptical.

I like how they list other courses near the one that's on the list. There are definite omissions even in the
https://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/courses/best/fun-golf-courses-in-great-britain-and-ireland/

Huntercombe is one I have doubts about. The place is so narrow that much of the fun has been sapped out of the design.

For me, the difficulty level of places like Dornoch, Rye and Addington is a bit out of balance with the fun factor to be on a list like this, but to each is own.

Ciao

[Ally Mcintosh]

Yes Sean, things like that are why the list seems completely arbitrary.


But Strandhill is there for the first recognition at GB&I level so it’s a-ok with me!

[David Jones]

The most egregious omission has to be KINGHORN!
F.

I had a similar thought!


Here's a few pics from a visit earlier this year.


The starter was worried I would get lost out there on my own due to the slightly less than intuitive routing early on so I took a picture of her laminated map to kick things off!





A nice view from the perched second green - 16m long and 12 m wide.




The third is a 205 yard par 3 downhill over a wall with trouble long






The 6th is a 167 yard par 3 or 255 yard par 4 depending on your tee. From the back it's a blind dogleg lift with a burn at the front!



The ninth plays from top to top over the 6th fairway again - 281 yards driveable par 4
.

10 and 11 are both sub 280 par 4s and then things calm down again. The 18th is quite something though. It's a blind 195 yard par 3 up what feels like the side of a cliff.

[Jeff Schley]

Thank you David for taking the time to post some under the radar gems.  Much appreciated.


They certainly aren't shy about allowing lines over other holes or hills blindly. Any bells or warning devices needed?

[David Jones]

Thank you David for taking the time to post some under the radar gems.  Much appreciated.


They certainly aren't shy about allowing lines over other holes or hills blindly. Any bells or warning devices needed?

Cheers. There were some bells out there but covid meant the clangers were taken off! I think that they are reappearing all over Scotland now though as restrictions ease.

[Thomas Dai]

Just recalled this course from a thread from a while back … Cockermouth - https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60053.msg1421009.html#msg1421009
and
https://cockermouthgolf.co.uk/the-course/
Rural and rustics. Wonderful.
Atb