Your Top 20 Favourites (or Best) in ENGLAND

[Sean_A]

Sean,

While all of you're favorites are intriguing, from the subset of the two lists it seems the must-sees are:

Addington
Beau Desert
Burnham
Kington
Rye
St. Enodoc
Woking

Jud

That would be a list of courses I could recommend to most any golfer.  There is something for everyone, though logistically its rather impractical.     

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Jim Nelson,

Can you provide us with thoughts on the courses you played on your recent trips - all wonderful places and great clubs. Could you also rank them in order of preference?

Cheers,
B.

Hang on - where is Sheehy's list of England?  Come on birthday boy - whip it out.

Ciao

[David_Tepper]

"I can say I was thoroughly impressed with English golf and don't really understand why American golfers, in general, barely give it a look.  Wonder why that is.  Lack of promotion?  More difficult access to the courses?  Don't know but golfers are missing out on some great tracks if they don't give England golf a chance."

Jim Nelson -

My guess is a trip to England is not considered "exotic" enough by Americans (both in golf & cultural terms) thinking of a golf trip to GB&I.
There is also likely a certain lack of promotion of England as a golf destination by the powers that be.

DT 

[John Mayhugh]

I'm surprised with the difficulty I've had listing my 20 favorites, and wouldn't even attempt to rank them.  In the order that I visited:

West Sussex
Rye
Swinley Forest
Royal Cinque Ports
Royal St. Georges
Walton Heath Old
Kington
Burnham & Berrow
Woking
Beau Desert
Notts
Ganton
Alwoodley
St. Enodoc
Westward Ho!
Saunton East
Silloth
Formby
Royal Worlington & Newmarket
Brancaster

I left off Woodhall Spa and Hunstanton, though I didn't want to.  Woodhall Spa is "better" than several of the courses I have ahead of it, but just wasn't a favorite of mine. Haven't seen Hoylake, Birkdale, or Lytham, and any of the London-area courses I've seen are already included.  Quality and variety in England is astounding.

[RichMacafee]

I'm heading to the UK in July for a golf trip. I've played quite a few courses in Scotland and Ireland that I will be playing again. However the English part of the trip is especially exciting as I'll be playing the following courses that I haven't seen before:

Swinley Forest
Sunningdale (Old and New)
Berkshire (Red and Blue)
Walton Heath (both courses)
St.George's Hill
Royal St.George's
Royal Cinque Ports
Rye
West Sussex
Woking

and probably New Zealand.

can't wait!!

[Kevin Pallier]

Kevin ...  I've got your top 10 scheduled in late Sept/Oct. plus Rye, Walton Heath, and Deal...   very excited.

Wayne

Glad to hear it - look forward to seeing what you think of them

Sean

There hasn't been much love for Wentworth in the lists ?

[Sean_A]

delete


Ciao

[Martin Toal]

Kevin ...  I've got your top 10 scheduled in late Sept/Oct. plus Rye, Walton Heath, and Deal...   very excited.

Wayne

Glad to hear it - look forward to seeing what you think of them

Sean

There hasn't been much love for Wentworth in the lists ?

That is a pity. Wentworth West is a fine course. It suffers from being near Sunningdale, The Berkshire, Swinley etc, as well as the rather mercenary nature of their business. It doesn't belong in the upper echelons of the ranking but deserves a place in the top 50 or so.

Put it next to The Belfry and it looks a lot better.

I haven't played the East, but Edinburgh is a fun course to play.

[Duncan Cheslett]

Sean,

Have you played Sandiway? I've just got home after my first visit and can't tell you how impressed I was. Sandiway is often spoken of in the same breath as its near neighbour Delamere Forest, but for my money it's better.

Unfortunately I was playing in a match so couldn't take any photos. I will however, return and rectify this omission.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Are there anymore best ofs out there?  My updated list:

Addington 1*  7
Beau Desert  1* No Doak
Burnham  1*  5
Camberley Heath  1*  5
Cavendish  1*  5
Cleeve Cloud  r  No Doak
Church Stretton  r  No Doak
Hockley R  No Doak
Huntercombe  R  No Doak  
Kington  2* No Doak
Northamptonshire Co  1*  5
Notts  1*  7
Oxford R  No Doak
Reddish Vale 1*  No Doak
Rye  2*  9
St Enodoc  3*  7
Sherwood Forest  R  3
Silloth on Solway  R  5
Woking  1*  7
Worlington 1*  9
Yelverton r  No Doak


My rating and Doak's follow each name

Ciao

Changes since May 13; Worlington straight in and Addington out.

Kevin - Wentworth rarely gets love on this site.  I don't think it even made the top 200 of the Unofficial GCA rankings!

Ciao

I know a DG is all abouit slaughtering sacred cows...

There are 12 on your list that I've yet to play.  I'll be delighted and amazed if they are all better than the Addington.

[Sean_A]

Are there anymore best ofs out there?  My updated list:

Addington 1*  7
Beau Desert  1* No Doak
Burnham  1*  5
Camberley Heath  1*  5
Cavendish  1*  5
Cleeve Cloud  r  No Doak
Church Stretton  r  No Doak
Hockley R  No Doak
Huntercombe  R  No Doak  
Kington  2* No Doak
Northamptonshire Co  1*  5
Notts  1*  7
Oxford R  No Doak
Reddish Vale 1*  No Doak
Rye  2*  9
St Enodoc  3*  7
Sherwood Forest  R  3
Silloth on Solway  R  5
Woking  1*  7
Worlington 1*  9
Yelverton r  No Doak


My rating and Doak's follow each name

Ciao

Changes since May 13; Worlington straight in and Addington out.

Kevin - Wentworth rarely gets love on this site.  I don't think it even made the top 200 of the Unofficial GCA rankings!

Ciao

I know a DG is all abouit slaughtering sacred cows...

There are 12 on your list that I've yet to play.  I'll be delighted and amazed if they are all better than the Addington.

Spangles

Its not a question of better.  Its about preference.  Whether or not a course is better than another pulls little weight with me.  Since you have played Cleeve Cloud this should be apparent. 

My issues with Addington are that it plays very difficult - too difficult, the very annoying cut lines and the trees.  For over 20 years I have been hoping the cub will sort the trees and cut the course properly. At some point one must accept that these things are part of the fabric and will not change. 

Ciao     

[Greg Taylor]

^ The Addington is a study in architecture in as much that it's a great course too.

And yes, at the repeating Sean's comments... it is difficult. By both standards however it's a must play or at least see.

[Sean_A]

^ The Addington is a study in architecture in as much that it's a great course too.

And yes, at the repeating Sean's comments... it is difficult. By both standards however it's a must play or at least see.

I think you are right Greg.  If the tourist has some time in the heathlands it is nice to break up the Usual Suspects as there is an element of sameness about many of these.  Addington is quite different to the rest.  Same for Huntercombe. 

Ciao

[Ally Mcintosh]

^ The Addington is a study in architecture in as much that it's a great course too.

And yes, at the repeating Sean's comments... it is difficult. By both standards however it's a must play or at least see.

I think you are right Greg.  If the tourist has some time in the heathlands it is nice to break up the Usual Suspects as there is an element of sameness about many of these.  Addington is quite different to the rest.  Same for Huntercombe. 

Ciao

I agree that it offers something different.

I'd be interested to hear Greg expand on why he thinks it a study in architecture. Certainly I think it is a study in routing on a small and severe site.

[Mike Hendren]

Okay, looking for a little advice since this thread involves the usual suspects.   Considering a trip to London next year with the Mrs. (aka Birdie  Hendren).  Should I work the golf in every other day or so or send her home after a week and stay over for a few intense days southwest of London?   Seems like the latter works better as 36 hole days appear de rigueur at the likes of Sunningdale, Berkshire and a jaunt down to RSG/Deal.  

Hopefully, not a thread-jack.

Bogey

[Joe_Tucholski]

Okay, looking for a little advice since this thread involves the usual suspects.   Considering a trip to London next year with the Mrs. (aka Birdie  Hendren).  Should I work the golf in every other day or so or send her home after a week and stay over for a few intense days southwest of London?   Seems like the latter works better as 36 hole days appear de rigueur at the likes of Sunningdale, Berkshire and a jaunt down to RSG/Deal.  

Hopefully, not a thread-jack.

Bogey

Man I'm feeling fortunate.  My wife is allowing the 36/54 hole days every day while she's there.  Then gave me permission for a week without her.

[Mike Hendren]

Joe, I'm even more fortunate - I GET to spend time with the Mrs. 

Bogey

[David_Tepper]

Bogey -

I would go with Plan B, get your golf in once your wife is on her way home. Getting to (and then finding) the golf clubs in the suburbs of London is not easy and can take some time. If you have all day to avail yourself of the various 36-hole clubs (Berkshire, Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Wenworth, etc.), your time spent traveling about will be much more productive. In fact, once you have finished sight-seeing in London, you might want to find a nice B&B/hotel somewhere in Surrey and base yourself there for the 2-3 days you will be playing golf in that area.

DT

[Mike Hendren]

Thanks David.  Spot on advice that I was looking for.

Bogey

[David Davis]

It's threads like this that make me realize I need to cross the stream, take the 45 minute flight a little more often. Having played all the top courses in Ireland and Scotland the ugly red headed step child in this case is England.

This list states every course I've ever played in England:

Royal St. Georges
Deal - did not finish my round.
West Sussex
Wood Hall Spa
Royal West Norfolk
Royal Worlington
Royal Skegness  ;-)

Guess I have some work to do...or I'll just have to wait for Tony to keep arranging events

[Bart Bradley]

Mike:

I have twice stayed at Stirrups Country House.  15 minutes to Sunningdale and very reasonably priced.  Clean rooms.  Very good food.

http://www.stirrupshotel.co.uk/

Bart

[Sean_A]

Tom

The thing about the best 20 in England is that there would be a ton of similarity if quality is the only criteria.  I spose if I had to try for the best 20 my list would be

St Enodoc
Sunny Old
Sandwich
Rye
Deal
St Georges Hill
Formby
Swinley Forest
Birkdale
Sunny New
Woking
Hoylake
Saunton East
Burnham
Brancaster
Addington
Princes
Alwoodley
Beau Desert
Kington

For me, this list isn't anywhere near as interesting as my favourite 20.

Ciao

Interesting list Sean.  The only course that I am confident you would include on both your favorites and best of lists is Ganton.  Day rate under 100 quid (twilight only 45), very welcoming membership, and true one-off interesting course.  It is a bit raw too which adds to the intriuge.  Playing in the Saturday Captain's game is among my top couple experiences in golf.

Well Pete, as much as I think Ganton could be better, yes, it would make my favourites and best of England lists.  

Jud

I am learning things all the time.  

Does anybody else have updates or a fresh list?

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 HotchkinRoyal West Norfolk
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

After Tony's late winter swing back in March, RWN comes in for Woodhall Spa.

[Paul Gray]

Sean et al,

I'm always slightly surprised by your love for Hockley. That isn't to say it's poor, far from it, but with Hayling, Stoneham and Liphook all sitting within Hampshire, Hockley wouldn't be the course I'd immediately recommend.

One course I completely agree with you about is Camberley Heath. Why this Colt gem doesn't get more recognition is beyond me.  

[Brent Hutto]

To the best of my recollection I've only played 18 golf courses in England (plus 5 in Scotland). So here's a fair representation of at least how I'd place them into tertiles. The top six and middle six I would definitely consider a cut above the bottom six but the line between, say, Walton Heath and Alwoodley is rather arbitrarily placed.

Among the first group of six, I think Royal St. George's is the standout and there are only two courses I've played anywhere that are in that same echelon (Cypress Point and the Ocean Course at Kiawah). Ganton and Notts are almost too close to call and the remaining three could be placed in any order equally well.

Royal St. Georges
Ganton
Notts Hollinwell
Royal Cinque Ports
Walton Heath New
Walton Heath Old

Alwoodley
Formby
Royal Birkdale
Seaton Carew
Princes
Huntercombe

Littlestone
Wilmslow
Reddish Vale
Crowborough Beacon
Walmer & Kingsdown
Moortown