Must play courses

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MKDave

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After my dad going to Woburn yesterday, then me getting an invite to play in a comp at Ashridge Friday all paid for which I can't go to as work won't give me the time off, I've started compiling a list of golf courses I need to play. I'm going to be 26 in a couple of months so want to build a list and set myself the target of playing quality courses by the time I reach 30.

Where must I play???

Brocket Hall and Celtic Manor are the best I've played so far. Palmerstone my favourite course. Love playing a tree lined course.

Thanks in advance
 
Real shame you cant do friday Dave, Ashridge is lovely and certainly one for your list.

How far afield are you prepared to go as obviously the list will change greatly if its all UK or say within an hours drive.

Locally (within an hour-ish) Id say the 3 Woburn courses, Ashridge, Northampton County, Forest of Arden (Arden Course), The Oxfordshire (albeit Im not a fan), Mentmore (both courses), Frilford Heath (Red), John O Gaunt (JOG course), Dunstable Downs, Gog Magog (both courses) would be a decent start point, let me know if you need a playing partner at any :p
 
fundy said:
Real shame you cant do friday Dave, Ashridge is lovely and certainly one for your list.

How far afield are you prepared to go as obviously the list will change greatly if its all UK or say within an hours drive.

Locally (within an hour-ish) Id say the 3 Woburn courses, Ashridge, Northampton County, Forest of Arden (Arden Course), The Oxfordshire (albeit Im not a fan), Mentmore (both courses), Frilford Heath (Red), John O Gaunt (JOG course), Dunstable Downs, Gog Magog (both courses) would be a decent start point, let me know if you need a playing partner at any :p
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Nice one!! And yes I will be pestering you to play with me too.

Happy to travel a bit and make weekend of it. If they really are worth it then I'll travel all over UK.

Nice start so far, thanks mate
 
Much is said about it and it is in my mind today as Ethan has an invite open in the find a game section. I just LOVED Bearwood Lakes when I played it, there is just something about the place, the turf the holes... Love it, put it on your list! I think I shall be pushing for a birthday round there from my wife...
 
Wentworth is the best I've played so far even though I was only allowed on the East and Edinburgh tracks and not the West course as my handicap is too high. Woburn is next on my list of quality courses to play.

Have played Slaley Hall, Ramside Hall and Wynyard in the North East but, while they are exceptional by club standards, I don't think they match Wentworth or what I expect of Woburn.

If and when my handicap is reduced I intend to try Ganton, it's only 8 miles from our house as the golf ball flies (if hit by Quiros) so would be remiss not to try it.
 
Alex1975 said:
Much is said about it and it is in my mind today as Ethan has an invite open in the find a game section. I just LOVED Bearwood Lakes when I played it, there is just something about the place, the turf the holes... Love it, put it on your list! I think I shall be pushing for a birthday round there from my wife...
Click to expand...

Can't wait to play there next weekend (usually means I end up playing like a total knob!)
 
Alex1975 said:
Much is said about it and it is in my mind today as Ethan has an invite open in the find a game section. I just LOVED Bearwood Lakes when I played it, there is just something about the place, the turf the holes... Love it, put it on your list! I think I shall be pushing for a birthday round there from my wife...
Click to expand...

I too enjoyed Bearwood, but the turf? Are you mad? It's all too new, and a bit thin. To me, if you want decent turf, The Grove is like playing off carpet. Also new, but the grass just seems denser, and the ball just sits on it, gagging to be hit.
 
MKDave said:
I'm going to be 26 in a couple of months so want to build a list and set myself the target of playing quality courses by the time I reach 30.

Where must I play???

Brocket Hall and Celtic Manor are the best I've played so far. Palmerstone my favourite course. Love playing a tree lined course.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

If you love tree lined fairways, then you need to play Blairgowrie Lansdowne.

http://www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk/lansdownecourse.php

;)
 
Last edited:
Stu M said:
Royal County Down
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Meh, a few folk I know reckon that the new course at Ballyliffin or Portstewart are better courses but can't compete with that "elite" feeling. After hearing a first hand story of how a team were treated in an Ulster cup match I wouldn't rush to give them 180 of my squids either.
 
chris661 said:
Meh, a few folk I know reckon that the new course at Ballyliffin or Portstewart are better courses but can't compete with that "elite" feeling. After hearing a first hand story of how a team were treated in an Ulster cup match I wouldn't rush to give them 180 of my squids either.
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Never played Portrush and RCD but loved the Strand course at Portstewart and the Glashedy at Ballyliffin.

Luckily for me, 2 of my must play are Formby and Hillside and they will both be checked off this year !!!!
 
chris661 said:
Meh, a few folk I know reckon that the new course at Ballyliffin or Portstewart are better courses but can't compete with that "elite" feeling. After hearing a first hand story of how a team were treated in an Ulster cup match I wouldn't rush to give them 180 of my squids either.
Click to expand...

I would suggest that you get those folk off to see a doctor. RCD is out there in a league of it's own. Ballyliffen is not bad but it's not even close to RCD. Enniscrone, Carne and Rosapenna Sandy Hills are all better than Ballyliffen.
 
Would agree that Carne is awesome, Lahinch excellent (especially front 9) but if you want tree lined Druid's Glen just nudges Adare Manor and Mount Juliet for me over here and if you want something the like of which you will probably not play anywhere else then .... the Old Head at Kinsale is amazing and has now joined the real world in pricing (used to be 1200 euros a tee box now i think you can negotiate around 100 euro a pop)
 
drive4show said:
I would suggest that you get those folk off to see a doctor. RCD is out there in a league of it's own. Ballyliffen is not bad but it's not even close to RCD. Enniscrone, Carne and Rosapenna Sandy Hills are all better than Ballyliffen.
Click to expand...

It's all about opinions but havin been a member of enniscrone I would say my current club is better than the three you mention of being better than ballyliffin.
 
Its all a question of where to start !
This very magazine produces a list of top 100 golf courses in the uk and ireland.
There is a website of the same for the world/different countries.
I sure I'm not the only one working my way through the lists, (I still have the 2000 GM top100 mag)

IMO its all a case of golf holiday destinations with access to the best range of quality courses.
Time and Money no object of course

Base yourself in Southport and access Birkdale, Hoylake, Lytham, Hillside, West Lancs, S&A (all top100)
Base yourself around Gullane and access Gullane 1&2, Muirfield, Luffness New, Longniddry, North Berwick
Base yourself around Inverness and access Nairn, Dornoch, Moray Old, Castle Stuart, Tain, Brora
Treat yourself to Turnberry - Prestwick, Troon and Western Gailles nearby.
 
Must play courses? Here are my top 3 links and top 3 inland courses. All are brilliant.

Links:

1. Royal County Down
2. Muirfield
3. Turnberry (Ailsa)

Other really good ones that stick in the mind: Saunton, Macrihanish, Hillside and Troon.

Inland:

1. Sunningdale Old & New
2. Hankley Common
3. Swinley Forest
4. St Georges Hill


Other notable favourites of mine: West Sussex, West Hill, Worplesdon, Crowborough Beacon, The Berkshire, Notts, Broadstone, Woburn, Bearwood Lakes and Hindhead.



Of the above, Royal County Down is head and shoulders above the rest.
 
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