Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
Thanks, I was being honest, but I still thought someone would raise an argument.
Crackin people, though.
Which County has the Least Well Respected Golf Courses
- Thread starter GB72
- Start date
Thanks, I was being honest, but I still thought someone would raise an argument.
Crackin people, though.
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
I know the question is "where" rather than "why" but but I think this is a really interesting subject in the context of the history of the game.
There would seem to be both geographical and historical socio-economic reasons why certain areas have more top courses than others. Obviously the natural links land in various places is one. Another is the right land with plenty of people with leisure and money to build courses. This would apply to the Surrey/Berks sand belt and I think this is also true of some of the healthland areas in Yorkshire and Nottingham, so not just a southern thing.
Most of the top 100 courses are from a golden age of course construction and design around 100-80 years ago and areas like Wiltshire, although the down land is not bad for golf courses, would I think have been affected by the fact it was also good farm land and there were no large population centres, so not that much demand or opportunity for local golfers to get Mr Colt, Mr Vardon or Mr Braid along to build them a course. Local gentry, who would have had the land and money to build courses, would poossibly have had other interests such as hunting or shooting with less interest in golf. Maybe also true of places like Cambridgeshire and Shropshire. There might be one or two courses in the area but that would be it.
There would seem to be both geographical and historical socio-economic reasons why certain areas have more top courses than others. Obviously the natural links land in various places is one. Another is the right land with plenty of people with leisure and money to build courses. This would apply to the Surrey/Berks sand belt and I think this is also true of some of the healthland areas in Yorkshire and Nottingham, so not just a southern thing.
Most of the top 100 courses are from a golden age of course construction and design around 100-80 years ago and areas like Wiltshire, although the down land is not bad for golf courses, would I think have been affected by the fact it was also good farm land and there were no large population centres, so not that much demand or opportunity for local golfers to get Mr Colt, Mr Vardon or Mr Braid along to build them a course. Local gentry, who would have had the land and money to build courses, would poossibly have had other interests such as hunting or shooting with less interest in golf. Maybe also true of places like Cambridgeshire and Shropshire. There might be one or two courses in the area but that would be it.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
The number of courses in Wiltshire doubled between 1988 and 1998.
I think that there were only 14 in 1988.
I think that there were only 14 in 1988.
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
MegaSteve
Tour Winner
Middlesex... Plenty of good courses but none in the top 100 I believe...
mikee247
Challenge Tour Pro
Yorkshire?? Happily be put right.... but I've played all over the UK (fortunately) and can never recall a decent named track in what is now voted the 3rd best region in the world!! 
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Id happily be based back on the edge of Middlesex as I used to be than at the bottom of the barren Midlands
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Yorkshire?? Happily be put right.... but I've played all over the UK (fortunately) and can never recall a decent named track in what is now voted the 3rd best region in the world!!
Mike, there are loads of good courses in Yorkshire, have you played Ganton? It's amongst the top half dozen inland courses in the UK and one of my favourites. Fulford is also decent. There are Moor Allerton, Moortown and Pannal which are all highly rated although I haven't played any of them but they are on my hit list.
Where did this '3rd best region' ranking come from?
mikee247
Challenge Tour Pro
No I havnt played them and Im sure they are lovely but I cant say Y is inundated for well known golf courses, baring in mind its a popular sporting county and has very scenic country side etc.....They are def grumpy enough to play golf up there!!
Yes yesterday Yorkshire was voted the 3rd in the best regions in the world. It was on the news. Not golf connected mind you
D
Deleted Member 1156
Guest
Yes yesterday Yorkshire was voted the 3rd in the best regions in the world. It was on the news. Not golf connected mind you
Oh for goodness sake...... :clap:
MegaSteve
Tour Winner
I don't disagree Middlesex has much to offer the golfer... Just no courses you'll find being mentioned in the "With unlimited funds...." thread... Its well placed for some great courses just need to cross the county line....
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GB72
Money List Winner
I would love to see the review section in the magazine have a look at this. GM send someone out to a county which is not renowned for its golf course and report back on the hidden gems that it finds that should be on the 'must play list'. After all, who needs a magazine to tell you that if you head to the Northwest etc then you may find the odd decent golf course.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Another wind up?
Royal Dornoch, Golspie, Brora, Skibo
Poor geography on my behalf D4S......I meant Caithness!
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Yes yesterday Yorkshire was voted the 3rd in the best regions in the world. It was on the news. Not golf connected mind you
And Scotland was voted 3rd best place in the world to visit in 2014.
After Brazil and Antarctica.[Lonely planet]
IanG
Tour Rookie
Still harsh - Reay is a lovely James Braid layout right on the north Caithness coast.
At first sight the Scottish county map appears to have been cunningly devised to have at least one decent course in every county.
jimbob.someroo
Journeyman Pro
Tend to agree with this. Plenty of courses, and lots of local leagues etc but there's very few that I'm desperate to play.
I would say that Middlesex is probably up there for most amazing courses within the proximity though (as well as the north west coast). I've got The Centurion, London Club, Stoke Park, The Grove, The Berkshire, Sunningdale, Wentworth, Queenwood, The Wisley and loads more all within an hour of my place in West London.
But, like you rightly say, no courses within the same league as those mentioned in the County. Can't help feel this difference of quality is reflected in the organisation of the county set-ups as well. Difference in organisation etc between Surrey and Middlesex is laughable. Our Tiger's league (handicap 3-9) website was last updated on August 27th.
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
Fife... No, wait... what was the question again... 
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
I'm sure one of the rival mags does this every month. Not sure which one it is or they still do it, but one used to visit a few courses in a county every month and talk to local golfers about the courses.
But I totally agree the principal as I've booked a golf break based around the info in one of these articles.
Essex_Stu
Tour Rookie
Essex-not a single course in the top 100
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
1st tee of Newmarket is in Suffolk and the green is in Cambridgeshire.
As it is a par 5 most forummmmers could hit it into the next County
