500+ GB&I courses, part 3 (England I thru Q)

[David_Tepper]

Continuing our odyssey, we are still in ENGLAND, courses I thru Q.

Ifield  C+
Ilkley  B+
Isle of Purbeck B

John O'Gaunt  C+

Keighley  B
Kettering  B
Kibworth  C+
Kingswood  ?
Kirby Muxloe  B
Knebworth  B
Knole Park  B

Langley Park  B+
Launceston  C+
Leamington County  B
Leatherhead  B
Leeds Castle  C+
Leek  B
Leicester  B+
Letchworth  B+
Lilley Brook  B
Lincoln (Torksey)  B
Lindrick  A
Liphook  B+
Little Aston  A  (I would rate A- at best)
Little Hampton  C+
Little Hay  B-
Littlestone  B+
Long Ashton  B
Longcliffe  B
Luffenham Heath  B+

Mannnings Heath  B+
Manor House Hotel  B
Maylands  C+
Mere  B+
Minchampton  B
Mid-Herts  B
Mill Hill  B
Moor Park - West  B+
Moor Park - High  B+
Moortown  B+
Mowsbury  B-
Muswell Hill  B  (Anybody remember the Kinks' album "Muswell Hillbillies?)

Nevill  B
Newcastle Under Lyme  B+
Newcastle Under Lyme - muni  B
New Zealand  B+ (I have played here. Very nice course not far from St. George's Hill.)
Northhamptonshire - County  B+
North Foreland  B+
North Middlesex  C+
North Hants  A-
Northumberland  B+
Northwood  B+
North Wilts  B+
Notts (Hollinwell)  A
Nuneaton  B

Oadby  B
Oakdale  B
Old Ford Manor  B
Ormskirk  B+
Orsett  B
Otley  B
Oundle  B

Pannal  B+
Panshanger  B
Parkstone  A-
Penrath  B
Peterboro-Milton  B
Piltdown  B
Pinner Hill  C+
Porter Park  C+
P.L. London  B
Prestbury  B+
Princes  B+
Princes New B

Queen's Park  C+

   

[THuckaby2]

I have played North Hants and I pleased to see the A- grade, as I really enjoyed the course - home club of Justin Rose - heathland, kinda rolling, very enjoyable.

This whole thing is fascinating... keep 'em coming!

TH

[Mark_Rowlinson]

It's interesting to see.  I'll wait to the end before chipping in what little I might have to add, but much may depend on when the courses were played, not only for architectural amendments but also for the equipment in use at the time.  I note your comment about Little Aston.  Back in the 50s and 60s it was plenty long enough to host professional events and its sub-400-yard par 4s were not torn apart by the top Europeans.  Patric Dickinson saw fit to include it in his top 18 UK courses.  Now it is a very different proposition.

[David_Tepper]

Mark-

As I mentioned in the opening post, most of these courses were played in the 1950's-60's-70's.  The gentleman who played and rated these courses over the years was, at best, a high single-digit handicap.

DT  

[Mark_Rowlinson]

David,

That makes sense.  Hawkestone Park stood out to me in the previous list as a bit of a surprise, but not if you're judging by different criteria than 90% architecture.  In those days it had a wonderful country atmosphere, was never busy, cost very little and you were at one with nature in charming countryside.  Unfortunately it is now something of a resort, going after the corporate market.  I'm sure your correspondent would now rate it C- at best.

Mark.