Focus on the Midlands

IF you were in any doubts as the quality of golf on offer in the Midlands of England, this picture should dispel them forever. Of course, not every club has a course quite as brilliant as the Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa, which you see before you.

But, as well as terrific quality, there is a tremendous variety to the courses on offer in an area which stretches from Lincolnshire in the east to the central counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire through to Warwickshire et al in the west.

During the course of this focus we hope to highlight the best courses to play and the best places to stay.

We start with our favourite 18 courses in the area, follow that with the leading play-and-stay venues and conclude with some of the best layouts you might never have heard of.

TRAVEL: Middle England

Will Spence discovers that there's much more to the Midlands than the Belfry and Woodhall Spa...

TRAVEL: Play and stay

With a Ryder Cup venue among its number, the Midlands is a haven for top-notch golf...

TRAVEL: Water Notts

Dan Murphy explores what he claims to be one of England's finest inland courses...

TRAVEL: Midland bankers

The writers at NCG gather to select their top 10 courses in the Midlands. ...