Or maybe some British golfers go to Ireland on trips and so it seemed a good idea to include them
Golf Monthly Top 100
- Thread starter Arthur Wedge
- Start date
sunshine
Well-known member
sunshine
Well-known member
You are correct, although the Netherlands was just an illustration. Of the 70 million UK population I imagine more people live closer to Netherlands than Ireland.
Good point that the UK magazine is targeting Irish readers too. Although again it’s a small population compared with UK.
KenL
Tour Rookie
That's what I don’t get. The last few holes aren’t great in my opinion.
The 400 yard par 4 with the green stuck behind a wall, the hole after it with the green behind a sand hill, the one with the stupidest green in golf (the half pipe), the 17th where it seems impossible to hold the ball on the green.
I really like 18 though, apart from the regular damage caused to cars parked to the right of the fairway.
chico
Club Champion
Probably because the UK and Ireland have historically been linked golf wise. Original Ryder Cup and Walker Cup for example.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
They are linked through golf
tobybarker
Active member
Recently played hillside, Formby ladies (ok, that isn't on the list) and ganton ..... Hugely overrated in my opinion. Emporer's new clothes springs to mind
evemccc
Well-known member
Which? Or do you think that of all of them?
evemccc
Well-known member
That's what I don’t get. The last few holes aren’t great in my opinion.
The 400 yard par 4 with the green stuck behind a wall, the hole after it with the green behind a sand hill, the one with the stupidest green in golf (the half pipe), the 17th where it seems impossible to hold the ball on the green.
I really like 18 though, apart from the regular damage caused to cars parked to the right of the fairway.
I just got ‘that feeling’
I dunno…I’ve played the treat courses only the one time, mostly. So any favourites or impressions is impacted by circumstantial factors — like weather, how I felt, memorable things about the course
But the memory of the back 9 was first class…esp the last few. It was the first time I’d played so constantly close to the sea for a number of holes, it was in blazing late afternoon sun, with a strong flattering wind behind, with the charm of the town looming closer, on Links turf, with well-conditioned green complexes, and the history/quirk of several notable holes…and I played quite well
If I won the lottery I could happily do the Top 100 several times over, and therefore have more to go on…with a thorough, more analytical, scientifically rigorous review!
I like Hillside. Not sure why it is overrated
evemccc
Well-known member
Full List: Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland 2025/26
Golf Monthly's full list of the UK and Ireland's Top 100 courses in association with Peter Millarwww.golfmonthly.com
Don’t think there are too many surprises
Having read the full list the three surprises are Woodall Spa being too high, Liverpool is ahead of Lytham and Aberdeen (
) and Deal is far, far too low IMOsunshine
Well-known member
Having read the full list the three surprises are Woodall Spa being too high, Liverpool is ahead of Lytham and Aberdeen (
Yeah Hoylake is always way too high in these lists. I think people get dazzled by the history and seeing it on TV, there are loads of courses with much more interesting holes. It has the length to challenge the pros and the space to accommodate thousands of spectators, but is quite bland in my opinion.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Everytime I have played Hoylake it’s got better , it doesn’t have the dramatic dunes but the holes are very subtle and great imo
sunshine
Well-known member
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great course and it’s beautifully presented and maintained. It just doesn’t wow me. I don’t see it being better than Formby, Princes or Hunstanton for example.
Junior
Tour Winner
It’s a great test of golf. A lot of the course doesn’t “wow” players but you have to hit the right parts of the fairway to get shots onto the green. Especially in summer when it’s firm.
Isn't that sometimes the mark of a great course. It doesn't need bells and whistles and to actively promote yourself but you turn up, play and absolutely love the place and some of the holes remain in the memory long after you've finished. A question, not a criticism, but are some of those in the top 100 still there on reputation alone?
AliMc
Well-known member
You're right Ken but then us 'Sunny Dunny' members will always a gripe about NB's over inflated rating !
There was another mags rating of Scottish courses that had NB at 5 !
Personally I think there's a strong case that's it's not in the top 5 in East Lothian
In no particular order I would, given the chance, play Muirfield, Gullane 1&2, both Archerfield courses, Dunbar and Luffness before venturing to NB (can't comment on Renaissance as I haven't played it)
That's not to say NB isn't a good course, this from someone who's always enjoyed playing there with a couple of mates that are members, shot under par a couple of times and had 2 holes in one, but honestly it's nowhere near it's rating given the quality of other courses which are rated much lower
Anyway that's just my tuppence worth I've no doubt others will disagree which is perfectly fine
evemccc
Well-known member
You're right Ken but then us 'Sunny Dunny' members will always a gripe about NB's over inflated rating !
There was another mags rating of Scottish courses that had NB at 5 !
Personally I think there's a strong case that's it's not in the top 5 in East Lothian
In no particular order I would, given the chance, play Muirfield, Gullane 1&2, both Archerfield courses, Dunbar and Luffness before venturing to NB (can't comment on Renaissance as I haven't played it)
That's not to say NB isn't a good course, this from someone who's always enjoyed playing there with a couple of mates that are members, shot under par a couple of times and had 2 holes in one, but honestly it's nowhere near it's rating given the quality of other courses which are rated much lower
Anyway that's just my tuppence worth I've no doubt others will disagree which is perfectly fine
@KenL @AliMc Maybe I (and others who have only played it the one time) should have said it was a great day out and a fun experience ——- rather than make a judgement on how good of a course it is…..perhaps one needs to play the top courses a number of times to really have a definitive list
Perhaps in another couple of decades I’ll have that luxury having played the Top 20 a few times over!
3 jabber
Well-known member
To me NB isn't the greatest course in the world but it does have an amazing 'fun' factor. It's one of those courses where it doesn't matter how you play, you come off with a smile on your face. Isn't that what golf is all about?You're right Ken but then us 'Sunny Dunny' members will always a gripe about NB's over inflated rating !
There was another mags rating of Scottish courses that had NB at 5 !
Personally I think there's a strong case that's it's not in the top 5 in East Lothian
In no particular order I would, given the chance, play Muirfield, Gullane 1&2, both Archerfield courses, Dunbar and Luffness before venturing to NB (can't comment on Renaissance as I haven't played it)
That's not to say NB isn't a good course, this from someone who's always enjoyed playing there with a couple of mates that are members, shot under par a couple of times and had 2 holes in one, but honestly it's nowhere near it's rating given the quality of other courses which are rated much lower
Anyway that's just my tuppence worth I've no doubt others will disagree which is perfectly fine
Backache
Assistant Pro
To be fair I haven't played Muirfield, but the other East Lothian courses have that fun factor for me as well, I rarely come off a decent links course without a smile on my face however I've played. There is something about being close to the sea a decent breeze and bouncy turf that rarely fails to give satisfaction, though driving rain on a links course can make it a bit more about endurance.
