Top 5 courses played this year

[Bratty]

There's a FaceBook (remember that?) group doing this and I thought it might be fun here too. Until it ceases to be fun, of course!

No need for an order unless you want to.
No need for reasons unless you want to.

In order of when I played them:
New Course at St Andrews
Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Hankley Common
St. George's Hill

Over to you folk.

 

[Orikoru]

London Club International - have played there before but just love it there.
Hankley Common - incredible place.
Silvermere - a few forgettable holes on the back nine maybe, but overall pretty unique.
Meon Valley - did a golf trip there, bit of a underrated gem I thought.
Farnham - nice track with great greens, I played well there which helps.

 

[GreiginFife]

La Manga West - just love that course.
Kingsbarns - needs no explanation
Roda - again, just love it, great layout and hugely fun
Renaissance - enjoyed it, expected slightly more though
Carnoustie Championsip - beast of a course

 

[bungle_1981]

Had a very good year...

Old Course -
Played with mates after incredibly managing to secure a 4-ball. Glorious November weather. Shot a net level par. Loved every moment.

Ailsa, Turnberry -
Had a days holiday to take recently. Chased the winter sun and booked the night prior. Was paired with a lovely member. Played some fantastic golf at times, culminating on the 18th with a 6i approach to about 2ft followed by a birdie putt.

Queens, Gleneagles -
Actually played it twice courtesy of a work contact. First time out, it got rained off after 9 holes. Was invited back to enjoy a full round.

Prestwick -
Joined a friend who was celebrating his birthday. Struggled on the first 4 holes, before finally settling in. Was worried it was going to be a terrible day, but managed to rescue the round. Some incredible looking holes.

Balcomie, Crail -
Weekend away with the missus. Phoned up the day before, got a tee and was paired up with three americans who were baffled by the chat between me and their caddies.

 

[upsidedown]

Carnoustie Championship
Wallasey
Hillside
Vale de Lobo Ocean
Southport and Ainsdale

 

[TigerBear]

Had a very good year...

Old Course -
Played with mates after incredibly managing to secure a 4-ball. Glorious November weather. Shot a net level par. Loved every moment.

Ailsa, Turnberry -
Had a days holiday to take recently. Chased the winter sun and booked the night prior. Was paired with a lovely member. Played some fantastic golf at times, culminating on the 18th with a 6i approach to about 2ft followed by a birdie putt.

Queens, Gleneagles -
Actually played it twice courtesy of a work contact. First time out, it got rained off after 9 holes. Was invited back to enjoy a full round.

Prestwick -
Joined a friend who was celebrating his birthday. Struggled on the first 4 holes, before finally settling in. Was worried it was going to be a terrible day, but managed to rescue the round. Some incredible looking holes.

Balcomie, Crail -
Weekend away with the missus. Phoned up the day before, got a tee and was paired up with three americans who were baffled by the chat between me and their caddies.

Out of interest, how much were winter green fees for Old Course, Ailsa and Balcomie?

 

[TigerBear]

This year I've only managed 3 (courses that I'd consider top) due to a shoulder injury in the latter part of this year, but in no particular order:-

1) Dumbarnie
2) Royal Dornoch
3) North Berwick

 

[Mel Smooth]

La Manga West - just love that course.
Kingsbarns - needs no explanation
Roda - again, just love it, great layout and hugely fun
Renaissance - enjoyed it, expected slightly more though
Carnoustie Championsip - beast of a course

Roda is a great course, but that long par 3 2nd is a massive design flaw. Effectively plays like a par 4, but one of those where you have to wait for the green to clear just in case - if the tee times are busy off the first, you're guaranteed to be backed up straight away on the 2nd. Other than that, it's a lovely lace to play golf.

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Difficult to pin it down to 5, I’ve been lucky this year!

Hillside - absolutely loved the course
Formby - Brilliant track
West Lancs - Again great course
Castle Stuart - great layout, clubhouse and experience
Royal Dornoch - one of my favourite ever courses

Other notable mentions;
St Andrews Castle, New, Jubilee, Nairn

 

[bungle_1981]

Out of interest, how much were winter green fees for Old Course, Ailsa and Balcomie?

Old Course was £150pp.

Ailsa was £115 and included a breakfast roll.

Balcomie was in June. Was a SGU rate of £67 i think.

 

[Crazyface]

Abbeydale - Stunning
Pike Fold - Love it to bits
Ormskirk - Amazing
Lindrick - Lovely place to be able to play golf at, and a real test of golf
Crompton And Royton - Hidden gem.


No need to go paying bonkers prices. All of these are superb places to play golf.

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Abbeydale - Stunning
Pike Fold - Love it to bits
Ormskirk - Amazing
Lindrick - Lovely place to be able to play golf at, and a real test of golf
Crompton And Royton - Hidden gem.


No need to go paying bonkers prices. All of these are superb places to play golf.

I played Ormskirk a few times a number of years ago, always thought it was a lovely track

 

[Mel Smooth]

Think I’ve barely played 5 courses myself this year although I’ve visited a few with the youth - Hillside being the stand out of those.

The top rated course I’ve played would be Royal Liverpool - nothing else I’ve played would be on the ‘Top course’ radar, but Halifax stands out as a great course and great value.

 

[Old Colner]

Not played very many many this year and unfortunately some very not presented as well as they could be due to the weather we have had over the last couple of months, so in order of preference;

Newbiggin-By-The-Sea
Oakdale
Otley
Lytham Green Drive
Catterick

 

[srixon 1]

Only two “top courses” for me this year. Played lots of others but just not in the same league as:

Parkstone
Remedy Oak.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Non-UK Category:

Saadiyat Beach
Yas Links
Trump Dubai
Jumeirah Earth
Dubai Creek



UK Category:
Hankley Common
West Surrey
Sunningdale Old
Hollinwell
Sunningdale New

 

[GreiginFife]

Roda is a great course, but that long par 3 2nd is a massive design flaw. Effectively plays like a par 4, but one of those where you have to wait for the green to clear just in case - if the tee times are busy off the first, you're guaranteed to be backed up straight away on the 2nd. Other than that, it's a lovely lace to play golf.

I don’t mind it personally. More time to sit in the buggy, soak in the sun and drink more gin .
I’ve never failed to hit the green either so never really seen it as a really long ‘un.

When we were out in Nov, we were stuck behind a Swedish mixed 4ball and they were slow but very apologetic. They kept asking if we wanted through but we kept explaining we weren’t in any hurry and had plenty of “refreshments” to keep is going.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Alwoodley
Ganton
Hankley Common
Hollinwell
Woodhall Spa

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The question wasn't 'have you played 5 top courses', it was your top 5 courses. So.......

North Berwick
The Mere
West Lothian
Brancepeth Castle
Ganton

 

[Mel Smooth]

The question wasn't 'have you played 5 top courses', it was your top 5 courses. So.......

North Berwick
The Mere
West Lothian
Brancepeth Castle
Ganton

In that case…
Halifax
Willow Valley
Dewsbury
Royal Liverpool
Chorlton Cum Hardy

In that order as well I’d say.