Your Top 20 Favourites (or Best) in ENGLAND

[Tony_Muldoon]

Seacroft is definitely worth the trip but it was struggling ot get inot my top 30.

 Knowle Park I hadn't considered but strong memories have come flooding back,  so time for another trip.

[Jason Topp]

I am going to mess up spellings but am too lazy to fix

Bernham and Barrow
Woking
Kington
Painswick


I think that is the entire list of couses I have played although I got very confused as to the location of the Welch border while driving pursuant to Mayhugh's navigation. I would happily return to any course on the list.

[Ben Stephens]

Here is the top 20 I have played in England – the top 10 more or less this order the next 10 may move up and down over time.

01 Royal Birkdale
02 Royal St Georges
03 Ganton
04 Woodhall Spa
05 Royal West Norfolk
06 Notts
07 Royal Lytham and St Annes
08 Hunstanton
09 Royal Liverpool
10 St Enodoc (Church)
11 Burnham and Berrow
11 Lindrick
12 Liphook
13 Swinley Forest
14 Seacroft
15 Hankley Common
16 Huntercombe
17 West Hill
18 Luffenham Heath
19 Northamptonshire County
20 Gog Magog (Old)

Others courses that missed out – Sherwood Forest, Brancepeth Castle, Charnwood Forest and Royal Worlington (on the basis that its only 9 holes) Cavendish (lack of distance) Beau Desert (I know!!! it has great greens still not too sure on rest of the course will need another look!)

Ben,

Sorry to choose you to pick on but I spotted two problems with your list...
a, you've 21 courses? 
b, didn't you play Alwoodley earlier this year? 

Cheers,

James

Boony

A. At this moment I can't bloody count as I was a bit too eager!
B. Thanks for mentioning Alwoodley - I have modified my list putting it at 12 edging out both Northamptonshire County and Gog Magog!

Lindrick ahead of Liphook, Swinley and West Hill? Interesting. Must be a seriously good track...

Brian,

Lindrick is a very good golf course probably hindered by its location and being intersected by the A57 main road. I believe it would have been ranked higher if it was located in the Surrey heathlands. There is a great mix of holes and it is more of a championship course than Liphook, Swinley and West Hill (who all have a serious lack of par fives which I set as a criteria for a better course as it is more evenly balanced) which is one of the reasons why I have ranked it higher. It was the venue on the last time that a GB + I team won the Ryder Cup.

Lindrick is not too far away from Hollinwell for you to nip over and play it

Cheers
Ben

[Ben Stephens]

Sean - in that case why poison our minds with a title at all. Your list also shows a distinct lack of respect to the Crown! 

In no order;

Royal Ashdown Forest
Royal Birkdale
Royal Cinque Ports
Royal Lytham
Royal St George's
Royal West Norfolk
Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Hankley Common
Swinley Forest
Woodhall Spa
Hunstanton
Rye
Littlestone
Worplesdon
Alwoodley
Formby
Burnham & Berrow
Staunton East
Ferndown
Rye
Knole Park
Little Aston
New Zealand
Notts

Chappers

How interesting that you have listed the "ROYAL" courses at the top in terms of importance! 
No sign of Liphook in your list??

Cheers
Ben

[Mark Chaplin]

Mark - good spot, I haven't played Ganton, St Enodoc, Moortown, Aldeburgh or Silloth. They are the five I'd imagine would change my list.

Ben - it's in no particular order! Liphook isn't within my top 25 or 30 English courses nor is Woking. No "W" in Knole Park!

[Ben Stephens]

Mark - good spot, I haven't played Ganton, St Enodoc, Moortown, Aldeburgh or Silloth. They are the five I'd imagine would change my list.

Ben - it's in no particular order! Liphook isn't within my top 25 or 30 English courses nor is Woking. No "W" in Knole Park!

Chappers - just testing your patronage towards royalty! everyone is entitled to an opinion and apolgies to a fellow Kentish for the typo! 

[Philip Gawith]

My 20 courses, with some cheating, would be:

Saunton East
Royal North Devon
St Enodoc
West Sussex
Swinley
Rye
Royal St George's
Hoylake
Huntercombe
Woking
St George's Hill
Queen wood
The Berkshire
Sunningdale
Alwoodley
The Addington
Ferndown
Yelverton
Royal West Norfolk
Woodhall Spa
Walton Heath
Beau Desert

[Sean_A]

My 20 courses, with some cheating, would be:

Saunton East
Royal North Devon
St Enodoc
West Sussex
Swinley
Rye
Royal St George's
Hoylake
Huntercombe
Woking
St George's Hill
Queen wood
The Berkshire
Sunningdale
Alwoodley
The Addington
Ferndown
Yelverton
Royal West Norfolk
Woodhall Spa
Walton Heath
Beau Desert

AA

I am very surprised you have Yelverton on the list, but maybe thats the cheating part.  I like the course a lot and would like to see it again.  It looks like you and I stand alone on Beau - I didn't realize you liked the course so much.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

Here are my twenty, not in any strict order:

1.   Royal St Georges
2.   Ganton
3.   Notts
4.   Silloth on Solway
5.   Royal Cinque Ports
6.   Berkshire Red
7.   Berkshire Blue
8.   Swinley Forest
9.   Woodhall Spa Hotchkin
10.   Burnham & Berrow
11.   Royal Liverpool
12.   Saunton East
13.   Kington
14.   Alwoodley
15.   Liphook
16.   Rye
17.   Huntercombe
18.   Berwick upon Tweed (Goswick)
19.   West Hill
20.   Beau Desert

The following courses were very seriously considered but didn’t make the list:

1.   Woking (I’ve only played Woking once, on a frozen day, I expect it might make the twenty, either at the expense of West Hill, Goswick or Beau Desert if I played it again)
2.   Royal West Norfolk
3.   Berkhamsted
4.   Worplesdon
5.   Royal North Devon
6.   Moortown
7.   Littlestone
8.   Hunstanton
9.   Royal Worlington
10.   Seaton Carew
11.   Cavendish

I haven’t played these courses, which I suspect would all be strong candidates:
1.   Royal Birkdale
2.   Sunningdale Old
3.   Sunningdale New
4.   Walton Heath Old
5.   Walton Heath New
6.   Royal Lytham and St Annes
7.   St Georges Hill

[James Boon]

Here is my list, not in a strict order, rather a top group, then the next group down and so on...


Notts (Hollinwell)
Royal Cinque Ports
Walton Heath (Old)
Woodhall Spa
Burnham & Berrow

Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster)
St. Enodoc
Swinley Forest
Beau Desert
Liphook

Berkshire(Red)
Moortown
Hunstanton
Huntercombe
Cavendish

New Zealand
Royal Worlington
Hankley Common
Saunton East
Painswick

A few big hitters don't make the list as on the one play they didnt really do it for me. I think next year might be a good time to make a real effort to see Alwoodley, Ganton, Royal St Georges, Rye and Sunningdale!

Cheers,

James

[Sean_A]

Why is it that a great many of those living in England think so highly of Burnham, yet the overseas folks don't seem to?  I can't quite get my head around this seeming divide.  Other than a real drivable par 4, I am struggling to think what the course is lacking.  Any ideas?

Ciao

[Ben Stephens]

Why is it that a great many of those living in England think so highly of Burnham, yet the overseas folks don't seem to?  I can't quite get my head around this seeming divide.  Other than a real drivable par 4, I am struggling to think what the course is lacking.  Any ideas?

Ciao

Sean,

Better keep B+B a secret we dont want an invasion! - I suspect overseas players look for pairings or groupings so that they are able to play them all without having to move hotels or travel by car too far. Burnham is an isolated golf course in terms of groupings - where is the nearest well known GCA course in that area? Painswick or Saunton?? they are almost 2 hrs drive away from Burnham either way for most.

Cheers
Ben

[Philip Gawith]

Brian, no my list is not in order.

Sean, I put Yelverton in because I found it very distinctive and that was decisive. I did not btw put B&B in as only played once and don't have strong enough view. Cheating is because I have put in 22 courses (struggle to edit on iPad!) including two 36 hole complexes.

I did not put in courses I have not played eg Putnam and ganton.

Sean - isn't the lack of love for Pulborough as notable as for B&B. Surely one of the best inland courses?

[Sean_A]

Brian, no my list is not in order.

Sean, I put Yelverton in because I found it very distinctive and that was decisive. I did not btw put B&B in as only played once and don't have strong enough view. Cheating is because I have put in 22 courses (struggle to edit on iPad!) including two 36 hole complexes.

I did not put in courses I have not played eg Putnam and ganton.

Sean - isn't the lack of love for Pulborough as notable as for B&B. Surely one of the best inland courses?

Philip

I never include Pulborough in these things because I don't have a good memory for the course - only a memory for a very positive vibe. 

Ciao

[Ran Morrissett]

Sean’s keen eye makes him a strident judge, parsimoniously handing out anything higher than a 6. Nonetheless, I think he is too tough on his home country and that England is chock full of 7s or higher. At the risk of appearing to be an indiscriminate buffoon by comparison  , my rough order and corresponding grade would be:

Royal St. George’s (9+)
Rye (8+)
Westward Ho! (
Notts (
Deal (
Swinley Forest (
Lytham (
Sunningdale New (
Worlington (
Sunningdale Old (
Hoylake  (
St. Enodoc (
Walton Heath (
Brancaster (
Woodhall (
West Sussex (8- )
The Addington (8- )
Silloth on Solway (7)
St. George’s Hill (7)
Alwoodley (7)
Ganton (7)
Woking (7)
Birkdale (7)
Saunton (East) (7)
Huntercombe (7)
Little Aston (7)
Royal Ashdown Forest (7)
Liphook (7)
Hillside (7 – )

In fact, I would put the top ~ 10 of those in the world top 50 and the next dozen or so also belong on any world top 100 list IMO.

Just outside would be Delamere Forest, Wallasey, Aldeburgh and Sean’s beloved Burnham & Berrow.

Tandridge will join the list with ease once Frank’s work is complete.

I haven’t played Formby, Kington or Beau Desert.

Cheers,

[Sean_A]

Ran

Among all that the two which stand out the most are Hillside and Little Aston - each for different reasons.  Do you really think Hillside is a 7?  I think 5 because the back nine bores me to tears - especially when I consider the land.  Little Aston a 7!  I want to read the review.  I think highly of the course, but its quite subtle.

Ciao 

[Scott Warren]

West Sussex is definitely one of the top handful of heaths, and the greenfee is fairly cheap, too. No good reason not to visit for those in day trip range.

In geographical order SE to NW (because I am typing on my phone and moving them around to 1-20 will be too hard):

Royal St George's
Royal Cinque Ports
Rye
West Sussex
Crowborough Beacon or Royal Wimbledon (both great clubs)
Addington
Walton Heath (Old)
Hankley Common
Worplesdon
Woking
New Zealand
The Berkshire (Red)
The Berkshire (Blue)
Swinley Forest
Huntercombe
Burnham & Berrow
St Enodoc
Trevose
Alwoodley
Silloth-on-Solway

[Mark Chaplin]

West Sussex is a comete gem but very much under the radar, it's under 40 miles as the crow flies to Maison Chappers yet it's a 90 minute drive.

Sean we agree on Hillside the back nine is motorways through the dunes, very disappointing.

[Richard Pennell]

I continue to be very intrigued by Knole Park.  Do you have photos?  

[/lquote]

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,29274.0.htm

[Mark Pearce]

Ran's post really drives home how strong English golf is.  He has 20 courses ahead of Ganton.  Of those he lists ahead of Ganton I would put 10 below it and there are seven I haven't played.  However, in each case I can see the arguments that might be made.  Any course that might, arguably, be better than Ganton is a great course and one that any golfer should be happy playing for the rest of their life.

[Paul_Turner]

Mark

I'd have put money on Ran being more a "Ganton" man than a "Woodhall Spa".  And definitely West Sussex above either.  But there you go, what do I know.  

[Kevin Pallier]

Sean

My preferences

Royal St. George's
Sunningdale (Old)
Swinley Forest
Royal Birkdale
Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)
Sunningdale (New)
Ganton
St. George's Hill
Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Royal Liverpool
Notts (Hollinwell)
Walton Heath (Old)
Royal West Norfolk
Rye (Old)
Saunton (East)
The Berkshire (Red)
Woburn (Dukes)
West Sussex
Royal Cinque Ports (Deal)
Alwoodley

I think all of the above could sit in a World Top100 and maybe a few more

[Sean_A]

Kevin

What is it you find appealing about Lytham?  For full disclosure, I find Lytham one of the most over-rated courses on the planet, but I am willing to listen.

Ciao

[Kevin Pallier]

Sean

I always toss a coin between it and Royal Liverpool as my least favourite modern Open venue. I think there is a distinct gap between them and the others. That said - I like it's nuances though.

No spectacular seaside views to divert ones attention. A P3 to start. B2B P5's at 6 & 7. Six P4's to finish. Grassy hollows and dells throughout.

I find it more of a plotters course and whilst it could do with some filling in of some bunkers I dont mind the specific focus on hitting the ball into tight areas for the best approach to the greens. It really is a test of patience and whilst it doesn't have the great highs of many other current Open venues the course has a marked degree of consistency.

[James Boon]

Brian, no my list is not in order.

Sean, I put Yelverton in because I found it very distinctive and that was decisive. I did not btw put B&B in as only played once and don't have strong enough view. Cheating is because I have put in 22 courses (struggle to edit on iPad!) including two 36 hole complexes.

I did not put in courses I have not played eg Putnam and ganton.

Sean - isn't the lack of love for Pulborough as notable as for B&B. Surely one of the best inland courses?

Philip

I never include Pulborough in these things because I don't have a good memory for the course - only a memory for a very positive vibe. 

Ciao

Philip,

I've not yet had the pleasure of Pulborough, but I suspect its location means any great love is from a small number of plays? Most of the heathland courses are bunched together and easily accessed, Liphook and Hankley are on the A3 heading to Portsmouth, and Huntercombe (not a heath, but in a roughly similar part of the world) is on the way to Oxford. Pulborough however, is a little remote. I tried to get there a few weeks ago when on holiday on the south coast, but the roads were great and it would work out at an hour and a halfs drive minimum, so I played closer to where I was staying.

I certainly hope to head that way one day!

Cheers,

James