Even more lists to argue over-England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

[James Boon]

Mark,

Thanks for defending Burnham and Notts before I got the chance!    I was quite impressed to see how much both of these had climbed in the rankings. this year and next they will both be hosting the Boys Championship one after the other and so maybe some of the "polishing around the edges" work done for this has impressed some people? But I can see Sean's point about overfamiliarization... Perhaps getting to know a course means some of the mystique can dissappear???

Sean,

I too was suprised to see that Royal Worlington was so low down. These ranking take account of website members comments dont they? Perhaps its middle of nowhere'esque location doesn't help more people to play it, or maybe they dont get so many visiting socities that can help spread the word? You certainly should make the effort!

Also, though I'm trying to cut back on green fees this year   I have plans to get to both Allwoodley and Ganton this year, so I'll let you know when I get anything sorted.

Melvyn,

I can see where you are coming from, but sit back and relax with your single malt on this one! Whenever like minded people get together they are going to discuss which "whatever" they "f@#K*!g" enjoyed which will naturally lead to which they enjoyed more: Best or Giggs, Fangio or Senna, Beefy or Freddie, The Old Course or Royal Dornoch? Sure when these lists are published I'm synical enough to realise that there are some outside influences and motives, but most of the time when we discuss them here its just like minded people do over a single malt or a beer. Isn't it?    

So while we are discussing it, there is no way there are 34 courses better than Brora in Scotland!  

David,

As the Scotland list is a Top 100 rather than a limited 50 say, as Sean suggests, then I would say Golspie certainly deserves to be on there ahead of some of the courses listed!

Cheers,

James

[Melvyn Morrow]

James

The Castle  19th - and where is Mansell or Button - lists are just that but sometimes not worth cracking open a bottle, only do that for the Castle when it is closes, give me something to celebrate and make me happy.

Melvyn

[Niall C]

Niall Carlton (and everyone else) -

I see Inverness made the Top 100 in Scotland. Have you (or anyone else) played it?
With all the time I have spent in the Highlands, I have never heard anyone mention it.

DT

David

I haven't played it but an old college mate of mine was a member there in his youth and I don't recall him raving about it. From memory the Golf World guide has it as 3 star (out of 5) which is above average but a good bit behind a host of other courses. How about you and I do a reckie the next time your over ?

Niall

David, Niall,

I have clients based in Inverness and all those that play golf are members at Inverness. However, there golf day has always been at Nairn and last year was at Castle Stuart. Not exactly a scientific way of judging a course, but I think most people would want to take people to their home club, even if only occasionally?

Cheers,

James

James

Sometimes you have to promise the big course to get people up to a place like Inverness. Now you or I might travel to the Highlands for a day to play Inverness at the invitation of a client/supplier, however by and large the less committed aren't going to bother unless its something special or they have some very good reason to suck up to the client/supplier.

For all I know, Inverness might actually be as good as Nairn, probably not judging by the ratings but you never know. With regards to CS, its new and it offers the whole package of a very good course/practice facilties/setting/beautiful clubhouse that you don't get with your average members club so you can certainly see the attraction.

Sean,

I note and agree with your comments on great or nearly great courses as I too prefer the nearly great which are almost always more manageable somehow for someone of my mediocre calibre. Thats not to say that I don't very much enjoy beating my brains out on somewhere like Carnoustie, but there are a much greater number of very good courses with some great golf that don't require an A plus game for all 18 holes or have a few quirky or minging holes thrown in. Or perhaps aren't as up themselves as some of those at the top of the list.

Of the ten to twelve courses I listed I'm not sure any of them would get into your great list but I would hope that more than a few of them would get into the "nearly great but engaging" list or indeed the simply "engaging" list.

BTW, while you're up at Silloth I would urge you to play Carlisle. If you're there in June hopefully the fairways will have plenty of run in them in which case try and play off the back tees. I say that as an average hitter. One of the few courses I prefer playing off the back. The course has loads of variety and one of the best short par 3's I've played. Not in the same league as Silloth of course but well worth a play if you're up that way. I also note its 163 in this list which suggests that England has a wealth of very good golf courses.

Niall

[Duncan Cheslett]

Well, I'm just delighted to see my own club Reddish Vale in the top 200 rankings ahead of every other course in the south Manchester area!

 

[Adrian_Stiff]

The method of these rankings are pretty hopeless as they are, the top100 are by far the worst of any rankings I have seen, that aside the principle to collate mass opinion into a ranking makes sense. It is just so hard to collect the info when my someones 6/10 represents a mighty fine course and anothers 7/10 is just an average one. The punters on this site 6ball a golf course because they are a member......its going to happen.... Getting a good opinion that is the same and consistent throughout a readership is probably impossible, plenty on here have already baulked at say a Turnberry over TOC, but in fairness that would be the popular opinion, the other mags say so and plenty rate TOC not even the best Fife. I think I would prefer Kingsbarns to Carnoustie but that might be a minority opinion.

[Mark Chaplin]

As I said earlier i'm not going to arge with the placements but 200 is just too broad for England.

Letting the man in the street rank can be quite amusing as can be seen here from the Deal entry;

http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=74

Not sure about white van man, probably turned away as we were full, I turn up on a push bike and stripey jacket and have yet to be barred!

[Mark Pearce]

Mark,

Don't you think that comment was tongue in cheek?  Everything in it shouted wind-up to me.

[Adrian_Stiff]

We have a few members that would put the Belfry in their top 5s and a few that would not include TOC in their top 100. I did not like Westward Ho! much, but after my third visit I started to find affection for it...... it emphasises my point a bit about colecting opinon, Renaiisance got 4 reviews and drops a lot in this list, 2 6balls and 2 3balls, if you explore the 3ballers comments they are tripe and you need some method to out this poo.
Brian - I am suprised they are one mans opinion because there seems much reflection in the downing of some golf courses and the reviews, but if you say so then I will take your word. However one mans opinion is exactly that.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I've just noticed the biggest jump in the England list is the Colt & MacKenzie course at Ilkley which is up 67 places to number 69.

I'm booked in to play there in June on a mini-MacKenzie tour with Alwoodley, Moortown and Sand Moor.

Can anyone shed any light on the course?