Top 10 Municipal golf courses?

[THJahar]

Well, I've played a couple of municipal golf courses, and was interested to find out which is the best muni courses in the UK.
Now unless my Google fu is failing me, I couldn't find a definitive list.
Since muni's are often the starting point for a lot of golfers like myself (and usually dirt cheap which is a plus)
I was wondering if we could work up a list of the top 10 in the UK.
You never know if we collaborate GM might get an article out of it.

 

[nulassilb]

What is the definition of a municipal? Does St Andrews count? I started playing at a couple of pay and play courses in Peterborough - Orton Meadows and Thorpe Wood. Both serve the community well - not sure if they are municipal courses or not.....

 

[THJahar]

I'm putting down the definition of Municipal as council run golf courses.

 

[CrapHacker]

Why exclude other, cheap, pay and play courses ?

 

[drawboy]

Although I don't play there myself I have knocked round in the past and enjoyed it so I'm nominating Temple Newsam GC Leeds.

 

[Largsgolf1974]

I would have to put the Troon municipal golf courses up for nomination, Absolutely great for being council ran. Darley is my personal fav but most would pick lochgreen. Well worth a play if your ever in the Ayrshire area.

Fast, true greens. Gorse everywhere....take plenty of balls if your not straight!!!!!

 

[DMC]

Belleisle in Ayr is a great track and always in good nick.

 

[THJahar]

I suppose I oughta put out mine.
I have to say I enjoyed Altrincham, as it has a few very quirky and interesting holes.
As well as been good value it's also well kept.

 

[kevinmarkham]

I can't make any suggestions for the UK, but there are two beauties in Ireland.
Corballis is a links course north of Dublin
www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/72157621893813660/

Mahon is in Cork and overlooks (and plays over) the Cork estuary
www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmarkham/sets/72157621933068319/

 

[viscount17]

What is the definition of a municipal? Does St Andrews count? I started playing at a couple of pay and play courses in Peterborough - Orton Meadows and Thorpe Wood. Both serve the community well - not sure if they are municipal courses or not.....

Played them both, and yes both are muni's.
Really well maintained

 

[RGDave]

A muni and a P&P are not the same. (i.m.o.)
However, in the past, golf mag's have done definitive polls of the best making no distinction.

It's been a while but i.i.r.c.

Thorpewood
http://www.thorpewoodgolfcourse.co.uk/ seemed to be up there.

Batchwood http://www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/coursedir/hertfordshire/batchwoodhall.html was always in the top 10

and somewhat needless to say (if you read my other post)
Pype Hayes
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateCon...p;MENU_ID=12412
has been voted no.1 Muni on more than 1 occasion.

This has appeared a few times on lists.

http://www.sencio.org.uk/lullingstone.asp

and this

http://www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/coursedir/yorkshiresouth/crookhill.html

Add the one at Troon and the Lickey Hills in Birmingham. Add this baby

http://www.painswickgolf.com/course.php

and you'd not be far off.

Oh...and don't forget the famous 9 hole at Musselborough.

 

[birdieman]

There are good few municipals around Aberdeen, I reckon Balnagask a.k.a. Nigg Bay as a pretty decent knock and has terrific views over the harbour and city. It's linksy so can be tough when the wind is up.

Kings Links isn't far away but although not bad it seems overplayed and doesn't have the variation in holes that Balnagask does imo.

 

[MarkS]

When i first played this game 15 years ago i used to play Beacon Park in West Lancashire and in all honesty it was bloody awful - as was I!!
Built on the side of a hill all your shots ran down the hill, the greens were more like a rugby pitch.
Imagine my surprise to see it listed in the Indepenants top 10 english courses last year. I cant recall the top twenty what, may have been PAYP courses.

I intend to try it again next summer.

 

[forefortheday]

When i first played this game 15 years ago i used to play Beacon Park in West Lancashire and in all honesty it was bloody awful - as was I!!
Built on the side of a hill all your shots ran down the hill, the greens were more like a rugby pitch.
Imagine my surprise to see it listed in the Indepenants top 10 english courses last year. I cant recall the top twenty what, may have been PAYP courses.

I intend to try it again next summer.

Give us a shout I'm a member there

It's in private hands now and is in good nick although it's still on the side of a hill!

 

[Herbie]

Normanby Hall.
When its at its best as a course it is a very very good muni and very reasonably priced.

 

[Warren]

Duxbury Park used to be a muni but is now run privately by Glendale golf as a pay & play, if it counts i would nominate this. Very good track & well worth a visit.

http://www.glendale-golf.com/course-5-duxbury-park.aspx

 

[Yerman]

Tapton, in Chesterfield, really varied and interesting course with very friendly staff.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Downshire in Wokingham was voted in the top 10 public golf courses a few years back (think it was by on e of the mags -maybe even GM)

 

[teetime72]

I have a 5 day ticket for Duxbury.Tends to be very wet,especialy this year,but a good course when dry.

 

[mattdeeks]

Downshire is very good and so is Meyrick Park.