Most Surprising New Play Course: Charnwood Forest. It’s rare that a course surprises me these days because I’ve generally heard and read about them in advance. Charnwood Forest was an exception. 9 holes just of the M1 in Leicestershire, I stopped off for a quick game to break up a long drive and was very glad that I did. Consistently interesting and fun holes on lovely heathland turf around a rocky outcrop, I’d lay reasonable money on Sean’s tour being titled “Charming Charnwood” if and when he gets there. Honourable mention for the Ashludie at Monifieth.
Most Disappointing New Play Course: Woodsome Hall. A local course I’d be meaning to play for a long time. My expectations weren’t hugely high but it just didn’t do it for me.
Most Surprising Repeat Play Course: Goswick. It’s a long time since I played there and I’d forgotten just how good it is. Or perhaps I just let the non-stop rain get to me the first time.
Favourite New Play Links: Muirfield. Everything I expected it to be - and in this case my expectations were very high. I just wish I’d paid the extra for the opportunity to play 36 holes.
Favourite New Play Inland Course: Hindhead. Surprisingly, as much for the back nine as the front. I’d seen so many photos of the holes through the valleys that I was expecting the back nine to be a bit of a let down but not at all. Honourable mentions for Woodbridge and East Devon.
Favourite New Play 9-hole Course: Reigate Heath. I played 8 new-for-me 9-holers this year, including Alnmouth Village and the Channel at B&B. Reigate pips those two for me. I can imagine it must be a great place be a member. Living nearby and being able to play a quick nine first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening whenever you felt like it would be fantastic.
Best Affordable (no deals, under £40) Course Played This Year: Halifax. With a pedigree that includes Fowler, Mackenzie and Braid, it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that Ogden is as good as it is. (As an aside, are there any other courses that have been touched by all of those three?) Played with Clyde Johnson who, on the 1st green, said “it’s not all like this is it!?”. Well, no it’s not - the rest of the greens don’t quite live up to the promise of the 1st - but the opening stretch of five holes takes some beating and there are a number of other great holes.
Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60) Played This Year: Cavendish. But if winter rates are allowed then Elie at £47 takes some beating.
Best Course Played This Year: The Old Course. One of the very few benefits of Covid has been that it’s been easier to get a game on the Old and much quieter. Second tee time as a two-ball with Adam Uttley one lovely August morning (when it felt like we had the course to ourselves for the first nine) and round in 3 hours as the last group out a week later were definite highlights of the year for me.
Favourite Course Played This Year: Elie. The more I play there, the more I love it.