[Tommy Williamsen]

I have played about 100 courses in England and love most of them. In a small area it just might have the greatest concentration of courses in the world.


      Royal St George
Sunningdale New/Old (My favorite 36 hole day in the world)
St. Enodoc (Most fun course in England)
Ganton
Walton Heath Old
Westward Ho! (Love the course adore the vibe)
Berkshire Red
Saunton East
Cavendish (Understated beauty)
Woodhall Spa
Delamere Forest (Fast, firm, and fun)
Formby
Royal Birkdale
Rye (Best set of par fours in the country)
Beau Desert
Prestbury (Harry Colt gem)
Alwoodley
Little Aston
Saunton West
Burnham & Berrow
 
Not played: Royal Cinque Ports, Swinley Forest, Notts, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Hunstanton, West Sussex
 

[Sam Krume]

Here in no particular order:Deal, Perranporth, Swinley,Walton Heath Old, Rye, Ganto, West Sussex, Hoylake, Brancaster, Knole Park, RSG, Mullion, New Zealand, Isle of Purbeck, RND, Sunny (Old & New), Worpy, St Georges Hill. 

[Ally Mcintosh]

I can never take part in this thread because I haven’t seen nearly enough of the English links courses.


I have seen almost all the top two flights of heathlands though....


So taking all links courses out of the equation, my 5 would be:


Ganton
West Sussex
Walton Heath Old
Alwoodley
Woking


The last two beating out St George’s Hill and Sunningdale because they just feel more individual.

[Sean_A]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village
Appleby 
Cavendish 
Church Stretton 
Cleeve Hill
Dunstanburgh Castle 
Kington 
Leckford Old 
Minch Old 
Painswick 
Perranporth 
Pulborough 
Reddish Vale 
Reigate Heath 
RAC Old Course 
Sacred 9 
St Enodoc 
Seaton Carew 
Silloth on Solway 
Tadmarton Heath  r

Minch Old, Painswick & Church Stretton have always hovered around the top 20.  It was only a matter of time before some big boys hiked their prices. Seaton Carew has been a bit of a mind drop. I am going back again in May...maybe I can see the Old Course.  I have no idea about Tadmarton Heath. The course never seems to overly impress me, but it niggles at me here and there.

Bold=new entry

OUT...every course due to price hikes 

Goswick
Hunstanton 
Princes
Oxford 
Woking

Updated 21.12.21

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Over two years later...an update.
Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r
Minch Old, Painswick & Church Stretton have always hovered around the top 20.  It was only a matter of time before some big boys hiked their prices. Seaton Carew has been a bit of a mind drop. I am going back again in May...maybe I can see the Old Course.  I have no idea about Tadmarton Heath. The course never seems to overly impress me, but it niggles at me here and there.
Bold=new entry
OUT...every course due to price hikes 
Goswick R
Hunstanton  R
Princes 1*
Oxford  R
Woking 1*
Updated 21.12.21
Ciao

A fine selection Sean.
There’s a whole bunch of cracking courses out there that are well worth playing and playing relatively frequently. And your spot on about how the bigger boys have hiked their prices. Incidental prices as well like hiring elect trolleys. There’s ‘sneaky’ inflation out there.
Atb

[Tommy Williamsen]

The breadth and depth of English golf is amazing. I have played about 100 courses and would happily return to most of them. My favorite 20 was hard to come up with but here they are. Many of them of regular suspects. But Bull Bay, Beau Desert, Prestbury, and Delamere forest probably don’t make many lists but I just loved them.
Royal St Georges
St Enodoc (Church)
Royal North Devon
Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Rye
Woodhall Spa
Royal Birkdale
Saunton East
Prestbury
Alwoodley
Walton Heath Old
Ganton
Formby
Saunton East and West
Bull Bay
Beau Desert
Delamere Forest
Cavendish
Berkshire Red

[Ben Stephens]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r

Minch Old, Painswick & Church Stretton have always hovered around the top 20.  It was only a matter of time before some big boys hiked their prices. Seaton Carew has been a bit of a mind drop. I am going back again in May...maybe I can see the Old Course.  I have no idea about Tadmarton Heath. The course never seems to overly impress me, but it niggles at me here and there.

Bold=new entry

OUT...every course due to price hikes 

Goswick R
Hunstanton  R
Princes 1*
Oxford  R
Woking 1*

Updated 21.12.21

Ciao

Sean - I would have Flempton ahead of Reigate Heath as a golf course however the cost of playing it may put you off

[Sean_A]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r

Minch Old, Painswick & Church Stretton have always hovered around the top 20.  It was only a matter of time before some big boys hiked their prices. Seaton Carew has been a bit of a mind drop. I am going back again in May...maybe I can see the Old Course.  I have no idea about Tadmarton Heath. The course never seems to overly impress me, but it niggles at me here and there.

Bold=new entry

OUT...every course due to price hikes 

Goswick R
Hunstanton  R
Princes 1*
Oxford  R
Woking 1*

Updated 21.12.21

Ciao

Sean - I would have Flempton ahead of Reigate Heath as a golf course however the cost of playing it may put you off

Really? I prefer the more rugged nature and elevation change of Reigate. But both are good.

Ciao

[Ben Stephens]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r

Minch Old, Painswick & Church Stretton have always hovered around the top 20.  It was only a matter of time before some big boys hiked their prices. Seaton Carew has been a bit of a mind drop. I am going back again in May...maybe I can see the Old Course.  I have no idea about Tadmarton Heath. The course never seems to overly impress me, but it niggles at me here and there.

Bold=new entry

OUT...every course due to price hikes 

Goswick R
Hunstanton  R
Princes 1*
Oxford  R
Woking 1*

Updated 21.12.21

Ciao

Sean - I would have Flempton ahead of Reigate Heath as a golf course however the cost of playing it may put you off

Really? I prefer the more rugged nature and elevation change of Reigate. But both are good.

Ciao

Reigate maybe more rugged, hilly and is proper heathland however for me Flempton has better designed holes and more interesting greens plus 3 x 3 hole loops from the clubhouse which gives more flexibility a clever piece of work by JH Taylor who seems to be under the radar on GCA

[Sean_A]

My matchplay has RH a clear winner.

RH: 1-4, 8-9

F: 5-7

RH is a more dynamic course with a stronger variety of holes. I think Flempton's bunkering and greens need to be more bold to make up for so much flat land if I were to place it in my top 20...or if the green fee was cut in half. Flempton has a stiff price tag and I can't figure out why. I like the course and club though, they get a lot right. Let's see what the planned work throws up.

Ciao

[Ben Stephens]

My matchplay has RH a clear winner.

RH: 1-4, 8-9

F: 5-7

RH is a more dynamic course with a stronger variety of holes. I think Flempton's bunkering and greens need to be more bold to make up for so much flat land if I were to place it in my top 20...or if the green fee was cut in half. Flempton has a stiff price tag and I can't figure out why. I like the course and club though, they get a lot right. Let's see what the planned work throws up.

Ciao

I guess I only have played Reigate once and Flempton twice


Personally I prefer Flempton opening hole as it is visible all the way to the green - Reigate has a more daring tee shot and it can be blind not knowing where your drive has ended up. For me Flempton has a better 8th than Reigate and 9 would be all square. Flempton accommodates longer drives better than Reigate   


I can see why Reigate appeals to you more in regards to levels, more doglegs/heather and tree positions - however revisiting the aerials i have noticed it has a number of greens with one bunker each right and left - Flempton has a bit more variety in terms of bunkering IMO


The layout at Flempton is unique that you could play 3,6,9 or even 12 in different configurations with more interesting shaped greens one or two bamboozled you in the first loop. Reigate has a delightful/more grand clubhouse plus a windmill.


Have you played Charnwood Forest nr Loughborough? Its a delightful sporting 9 hole course by James Braid

[Brett Meyer]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r

Sean,

I haven't played most of these but agree with you on the ones that I have played. Save for one: West Sussex. That has to be 2*. It's the best test of driving in southeast England with more variety off the tee than just about any course that I've played. Blind, left-to-right sloping, right-to-left sloping. Some holes bunkered left, some right. It has a bunch of great holes, one of the best sets of long par 4s that I've seen, and is really pretty to boot. The 9-hole loop of 1-7, 17-18 would surely be a contender for best 9-hole course in the world.

The green surfaces are not very interesting, but that's typical for the heathland courses. Otherwise, the green complexes are excellent with variety in the bunkering schemes to match that off the tee. Really, it's probably the best-bunkered course that I've played all things considered.

[Sean_A]

My matchplay has RH a clear winner.

RH: 1-4, 8-9

F: 5-7

RH is a more dynamic course with a stronger variety of holes. I think Flempton's bunkering and greens need to be more bold to make up for so much flat land if I were to place it in my top 20...or if the green fee was cut in half. Flempton has a stiff price tag and I can't figure out why. I like the course and club though, they get a lot right. Let's see what the planned work throws up.

Ciao

I guess I only have played Reigate once and Flempton twice


Personally I prefer Flempton opening hole as it is visible all the way to the green - Reigate has a more daring tee shot and it can be blind not knowing where your drive has ended up. For me Flempton has a better 8th than Reigate and 9 would be all square. Flempton accommodates longer drives better than Reigate   


I can see why Reigate appeals to you more in regards to levels, more doglegs/heather and tree positions - however revisiting the aerials i have noticed it has a number of greens with one bunker each right and left - Flempton has a bit more variety in terms of bunkering IMO


The layout at Flempton is unique that you could play 3,6,9 or even 12 in different configurations with more interesting shaped greens one or two bamboozled you in the first loop. Reigate has a delightful/more grand clubhouse plus a windmill.


Have you played Charnwood Forest nr Loughborough? Its a delightful sporting 9 hole course by James Braid

I prefer RH's opener because of two totally different tees and the raised green.

I understand why you would prefer Flempton's 8th, although I really dislike the trees down the right. RH's 8th tee shot is dangerously narrow. But the approach is cool.

Flempton's 9th is better than it looks. But I prefer the deception and beauty of RH's 9th.

Both are attractive clubs with a lovely low key vibe. I could see myself being a member of either club. Though given its location, RH strikes me as a very good deal to visit or join.

Ciao

[Ben Stephens]

My matchplay has RH a clear winner.

RH: 1-4, 8-9

F: 5-7

RH is a more dynamic course with a stronger variety of holes. I think Flempton's bunkering and greens need to be more bold to make up for so much flat land if I were to place it in my top 20...or if the green fee was cut in half. Flempton has a stiff price tag and I can't figure out why. I like the course and club though, they get a lot right. Let's see what the planned work throws up.

Ciao

I guess I only have played Reigate once and Flempton twice


Personally I prefer Flempton opening hole as it is visible all the way to the green - Reigate has a more daring tee shot and it can be blind not knowing where your drive has ended up. For me Flempton has a better 8th than Reigate and 9 would be all square. Flempton accommodates longer drives better than Reigate   


I can see why Reigate appeals to you more in regards to levels, more doglegs/heather and tree positions - however revisiting the aerials i have noticed it has a number of greens with one bunker each right and left - Flempton has a bit more variety in terms of bunkering IMO


The layout at Flempton is unique that you could play 3,6,9 or even 12 in different configurations with more interesting shaped greens one or two bamboozled you in the first loop. Reigate has a delightful/more grand clubhouse plus a windmill.


Have you played Charnwood Forest nr Loughborough? Its a delightful sporting 9 hole course by James Braid

I prefer RH's opener because of two totally different tees and the raised green.

I understand why you would prefer Flempton's 8th, although I really dislike the trees down the right. RH's 8th tee shot is dangerously narrow. But the approach is cool.

Flempton's 9th is better than it looks. But I prefer the deception and beauty of RH's 9th.

Both are attractive clubs with a lovely low key vibe. I could see myself being a member of either club. Though given its location, RH strikes me as a very good deal to visit or join.

Ciao

RH first is a strong hole however I personally prefer a more gentle starter which is why I voted for Flempton. RH first I would have preferred later on in the round.


I agree with you re trees on Flempton 8th - if they got rid of it it would look more like a sandbelt hole. Every hole at Flempton is different whereas Reigate there are similarities with some holes 7 and 8 felt the same.


I am in similar minds with you on the 9th on both courses - Reigate is more beautiful especially with clubhouse in background. Flempton looks a bit plain until you realise how good the large green is sloping from left to right and then you can go straight off the first tee again by the side of the green.


Reigate clubhouse nudges ahead of Flempton which is more like a tea room style mini clubhouse. I would be happy to be member of either if they were nearer to me.

[Sean_A]

Over two years later...an update.

Alnmouth Village 1*
Appleby  R
Cavendish  1*
Church Stretton  1*
Cleeve Hill 1*
Dunstanburgh Castle  R
Kington  2*
Leckford Old  R
Minch Old  R
Painswick  R
Perranporth  1*
Pulborough  1*
Reddish Vale  R
Reigate Heath  1*
RAC Old Course  R
Sacred 9  1*
St Enodoc  2*
Seaton Carew  1*
Silloth on Solway  R
Tadmarton Heath  r

Sean,

I haven't played most of these but agree with you on the ones that I have played. Save for one: West Sussex. That has to be 2*. It's the best test of driving in southeast England with more variety off the tee than just about any course that I've played. Blind, left-to-right sloping, right-to-left sloping. Some holes bunkered left, some right. It has a bunch of great holes, one of the best sets of long par 4s that I've seen, and is really pretty to boot. The 9-hole loop of 1-7, 17-18 would surely be a contender for best 9-hole course in the world.

The green surfaces are not very interesting, but that's typical for the heathland courses. Otherwise, the green complexes are excellent with variety in the bunkering schemes to match that off the tee. Really, it's probably the best-bunkered course that I've played all things considered.

I like Pulborough a lot as well, but the green fee is creeping up there and that is an important part of my favourites. For me its in the same class for bunkering as WHO, Woking and New Zealand....among the best bunkered courses in the country.


Ciao

[Michael Whitaker]

Royal Cinque Ports
Royal St Georges
St Enodoc
Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Rye
Royal Birkdale
Saunton East
Alwoodley
Walton Heath Old
Formby
Silloth
Hollingwell
Pennard
Burnham & Berrow
Cleeve Hill
Huntercombe
Swinley Forest
Liphook
Woking

[Garland Bayley]

Is Pennard allowed in an England list?

[David_Tepper]

Despite 35+ golf trips to Scotland, I think I have played more courses in my two trips to England than I have played north of the border.

Played in 1985:

Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Berkshire Red
Berkshire Blue
Wentworth West
Wentworth East
New Zealand
Little Aston
Birkdale
Hillside
Hesketh
Lytham St. Annes
Hoylake

Played in 2002:

St. Enodoc
Trevose

[Sean_A]

Is Pennard allowed in an England list?

Whitty is provocative. South Wales is very anglicised, but remains Wales.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

Two courses I'm very familiar with strike me here.  You rate Seaton Carew ahead of Silloth?  I can't get my head around that.  And I like both a lot.  But of the Northern English trio of excellent links, SC is, for me, clearly third.  The more I play both, the harder I find it to separate Goswick and Silloth.

[Sean_A]

Two courses I'm very familiar with strike me here.  You rate Seaton Carew ahead of Silloth?  I can't get my head around that.  And I like both a lot.  But of the Northern English trio of excellent links, SC is, for me, clearly third.  The more I play both, the harder I find it to separate Goswick and Silloth.

The list is alphabetical.


Goswick used to feature, but their green fee has dramatically increased the past few years. I agree though, very much in the same class as Silloth.


Merry Christmas

[Jeff Schley]

I’ll put 10 as while others could be included, the top 10-12 are in another tier for my view.

• [size=78%]Sunningdale Old[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Royal St. George’s[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s [/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Sacred Nine[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Royal Birkdale[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Royal Cinque Ports[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Sunningdale New[/size]
• [/size]Swinley Forest[size=78%]
• [/size]Royal Liverpool[size=78%]
• [/size]Walton Heath Old[size=78%]

[/size]Could include and be perfectly happy somewhere 6-10: Ganton, Woodhall Spa[size=78%]

[Mark Pearce]

The list is alphabetical.

But Silloth's an R, and Seaton Carew a 1*?  That's what I was referring to.  I understood your ranking to have a 1* ahead of an R?

[Michael Whitaker]

Is Pennard allowed in an England list?

Whitty is provacative. South Wales is very anglicised, but remains Wales.

Ciao

Oops! 🥴

[Sean_A]

The list is alphabetical.

But Silloth's an R, and Seaton Carew a 1*?  That's what I was referring to.  I understood your ranking to have a 1* ahead of an R?

It has been sometime since I last saw Silloth. I don't go up the M6 to Scotland anymore. I really should give it another go. It's location and the quality of the town are not helpful even if using the M6.

Ciao

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