Best UK Municipal Golf Courses

[grumpyjock]

Have to throw my two home courses in Camperdown and Caird Park in Dundee both good and different from each other.
My home course now is Bradley Park in Huddersfield (72000 paying customers last year) and still looked good at the end of the year.
Normanby Hall as played with Wherediditgo and associates a couple of year ago, watch out for the deer running across the course and listen to the wind blowing through the wind turbines.
TOC and Barry Buddon are welcome courses as well.
Do you think GM could have a spread about the muni courses around the country?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I posted this thread as there did not seem to be a 'best' list anywhere.
The link of the thread is that there seems to be a lot of decent Muni's in good condition out there so perhaps some posters could stop being so snobby about them.

The American list is topped by Pebble Beach

 

[DCB]

10 years ago I'd have said Bellisle in Ayr without hesitation, however, it seems to have been resting on its laurels and is not in as good cobndition asit once was. Troon Darley is my favourite through there now. A hard test of golf that s playable all the year through. It's usually in good nick other that the things IanG has mentioned, but they could be said of any Muni in the country.

Braids in Edinburgh would be a close second. It's the busiest Muni in Edinburgh. Not long, but an interesting range of holes and shots selection required to put together a good score. It's been in good nick this year once the weather settled down in April.
.

 

[Foxholer]

This thread actually demonstrates, or at least highlights, one of the major differences between Golf in Scotland and vs rest of UK (or at least England).

The sheer number of Muni courses in Scotland is quite astonishing! And, of course, the 2 Trusts for St Andrews and Carnoustie.

Much more a 'game of/for the people' up there.

The American Public Links certainly has a few stars - Bethpage is another.

 

[Junior]

Once of the best ive played is Walton Hall in Warrington. it went down hill a bit a few years ago but it has had some investment recently and looks and plays superb. The greens are slow but thats just to cope with the volume of traffic it gets.

Thorpe Wood and Orton meadows in Peterborough are nice as is Heaton Park in Manchester. All these would be thriving members clubs if they were private.

 

[Allanxyz]

Another one for Broome Manor.... Cracking greens

 

[Iaing]

Tell me more, young Sir?

Sorry, just saw this.
Nairn Dunbar's a traditional private members club. And well worth a visit.

http://www.nairndunbar.com/

 

[FairwayDodger]

Braid hills is good, as has been stated... Too many whins for my liking though!

Silverknowes is also decent, if somewhat uninspiring.

I used to live in East Kilbride and played all my golf at Langlands or Torrance House. The latter being by far the better track and much better than I expected a muni to be.

 

[Foxholer]

Silverknowes is also decent, if somewhat uninspiring.

May be different now, but...
There were times when you had to run to claim your ball before it got pocketed by 'the locals'. And the 17th green tended to be used for all sorts of other activities.

Definitely 2nd tier - compared to Braids. Better than Craigentinnie though. Never played Carricknowe.

 

[FairwayDodger]

May be different now, but...
There were times when you had to run to claim your ball before it got pocketed by 'the locals'. And the 17th green tended to be used for all sorts of other activities.

Definitely 2nd tier - compared to Braids. Better than Craigentinnie though. Never played Carricknowe.

Never experienced that.... Not there anyway but dalmuir was pretty rough. Oh yeah SK not at the same level as the braids.

 

[I am Spartacus]

The one we head to more often than not is Routenburn in Largs. Friendly and always happy to take our money.

Lovely views if your not having a good round. Tough but fair and also usually good condition. We played Clydebank and District last week which I enjoyed but didn't appreciate the lecture from the starter before we went out. There are ways of giving advice in a friendly manner.

So in other words I'll throw in these two but prefer Routenburn!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

A Scottish Spartacus then, kilt instead of Loin cloth.

I hate that when a pompous so and so treats you like you have crawled out from under a stone.
I once let rip at a guy, who was so disrespectful to my young daughter when we played a practice game.
Seemingly a 12 year old single figure handicap girl was beyond his comprehension.

 

[NWJocko]

Not played too many but Braid Hills and Heaton Park in Manchester stick in my head. Really enjoy Heaton Park whenever I play it.

There is a huge difference between the volume and quality of Muni's in Scotland and England from my limited experience.

Duxbury Park in Chorley is meant to be very good but not played there yet.

 

[thehunter]

lot's of good courses mentioned on this thread, I played what can only be described as a hidden gem a few weeks back and believe it or not it is a municipal course it has some great views and a wonderful layout. Lochview sited in the heart of Coatbridge if you have not yet played it I would urge you to add it to your list.

 

[mashleyR7]

What is a municipal course?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

What is a municipal course?

One that is owned and managed by a local council......generally the place where beginners start to play.
Also home to many attached golf clubs.
Great for golfers who cannot afford private club subscriptions.

 

[CMAC]

Royal Knightswood!



Grew up and learned my golf there, also learned to run to your ball if you hit it out of view as it would probably get nicked


Dalmuir had decent similar memories as well as learning how to defend yourself and gear with a 4 iron

 

[CMAC]

We played Clydebank and District last week which I enjoyed but didn't appreciate the lecture from the starter before we went out. There are ways of giving advice in a friendly manner.

That's a pity, haven't played there for years but was always a friendly place, was it the pro or someone else in the pro shop? Or do they have a proper starter now?

 

[GreiginFife]

Round my way it's hard to look past Kinghorn. Ok so it used to be a private club that the cooncil took over but it's effectively the same green staff and ethos.
Looks like a links, plays like a links, gets battered by the sea winds like a links... but it isn't one oddly. Too far inland apparently, and atop a hill.
Rolling fairways, greens like billiard tables and a couple of tricky 210+ yard par 3's thrown in make it quite tricky. Great views accross the Forth to Edinburger up to the bridges.

At £17 a pop and a good, modern clubhouse and a friendly (if aged) staff it's a great days golf at a knock down price.

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

Another vote for Belfairs near Southend. It costs just £20-ish at weekends and the greens, although slow, are in very good condition.
Thought provoking back 9 amongst the trees as well!