Top courses UK

[Foxholer]

So a group of 30 year old lads are starting up a trip to play best courses through the next ten years

We will do a trip a year

What would your order be…

Start in the Southport region. Stunning courses (no need to play the very top ones) and, apparently, good nightlife.
East Lothian would be another excellent, compact, choice.

 

[sunshine]

All the Open venues would be a great place to start.

Agree they are all awesome. The major drawback is that a large percentage of my links trips have been spoiled by poor weather ?

 

[AliMc]

Start in the Southport region. Stunning courses (no need to play the very top ones) and, apparently, good nightlife.
East Lothian would be another excellent, compact, choice.

Good article in this month's GM about playing all of East Lothians courses

 

[KenL]

Good article in this month's GM about playing all of East Lothians courses

Does Dunny get a good write up Ali?

 

[IanM]

Another vote for Southport.

Even if you missed the Open Venues, a few days of West Lancs, Formby, S&A and Hillside will leave you very happy indeed.

Add Birkdale, Lytham and Hoylake to that and you'd be even happier.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If looking down south

Swinley Forest, Sunningdale Old & New
Plus
Berkshire Red & Blue or a combination

North Norfolk:
Royal Cromer, Hunstanton & Sherringham

Bournemouth has some great options
Parkstone, Ferndown & Broadstone amongst others

Inland a bit, Liphook, Hindhead & Blackmoor

Options nationwide ?

 

[BrianM]

If up in the Highlands, my top 3 would be Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn.
Plenty of other superb courses as well depending how long your trip is.
Plenty flights to Inverness from all the London airports as well ???

 

[sunshine]

If looking down south

Swinley Forest, Sunningdale Old & New
Plus
Berkshire Red & Blue or a combination

Need a second mortgage for that trip ??

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Need a second mortgage for that trip ??

Quite possibly, but the op wanted top courses, so that’s what he got ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Way too contentious and difficult quantify. Old course and Carnoustie are two I would have to do and then after that it's hard to say. I would suggest the OP puts it to a vote as everyone will have their own opinion

 

[Deleted member 30853]

I'd probably start with the belfry and Celtic manor.

 

[AliMc]

Does Dunny get a good write up Ali?

He tends to write a bit more about the courses that he hasn't played before but says 'challenging links, very tight in places but also memorable and distinct, enormous fun all the way'

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Turnberry is now quite superb after the changes Trump made.
Probably now rivaling HCEG as the best British course.

 

[Crow]

Turnberry is now quite superb after the changes Trump made.
Probably now rivaling HCEG as the best British course.

HCEG??...
Hertfordshire County East Green?

 

[Foxholer]

HCEG??...
Hertfordshire County East Green?

Ex Leith Links/Musselburgh mob - who finally admitted that 18 holes was the proper size for a golf course, though no Ladies changing rooms were required (until recently). But I'm sure you knew that anyway.
Plenty of competition for Best British course imo, though I'm not surprised DFT chose that one because of his eyesight problem (inability to see anything from Carlisle south!)

 

[KenL]

Turnberry is now quite superb after the changes Trump made.
Probably now rivaling HCEG as the best British course.

No, Muirfield. The acronym is the horribly embarrassing Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
Since we are talking courses, let's stick to Muirfield.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Ex Leith Links/Musselburgh mob - who finally admitted that 18 holes was the proper size for a golf course, though no Ladies changing rooms were required (until recently). But I'm sure you knew that anyway.
Plenty of competition for Best British course imo, though I'm not surprised DFT chose that one because of his eyesight problem (inability to see anything from Carlisle south!)

I can see it but nothing really to see in terms of top courses.
Sunningdale Old is the probable exception but that is now far too easy.

 

[Ethan]

I'd probably start with the belfry and Celtic manor.

Er, I think he wants to play top courses.

 

[evemccc]

I can see it but nothing really to see in terms of top courses.
Sunningdale Old is the probable exception but that is now far too easy.

Lytham, Ganton, Birkdale, West Lancs, RSG, Hillside, RCP and a host of others all beg to differ..

Anyway, in case this passed you by, it’s generally accepted that England is the ‘best’ nation in terms of golf courses. All manner of golf architects and writers have said that there is a big jump between Scotland’s top 10-12 courses and its next tier, whereas England has far, far better strength in depth, as well as greater breadth of diversity of top courses in its heathland and links

And even better is that they’re not clogged with Yankee Fourballs all day?

 

[IanM]

Tin hat ready...