Top 100 nine-hole courses: East Midlands
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Top 100 nine-hole courses in Britain: Homepage
Royal Worlington and Newmarket – The Sacred Nine
Bakewell
Set in the thriving market town of Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District, this undulating parkland was built in 1899 by feted designer George Lowe. Featuring nine holes and 18 tees, the compact layout runs along the hillside to the east of the town and features small, fast greens with deceptive contours.
Cambridge Lakes
This young course was established in the late 1990s but already feels mature beyond its years. It features tree-lined fairways, two lakes and raised greens. The club is located close to the championship course at Gog Magog and club strikes the perfect balance between a relaxed approach whilst maintaining a ‘proper club’ feel.
Charnwood Forest
The oldest club in Leicestershire and a terrific James Braid heathland which boasts rocks, heather, gorse and stone walls. There are no bunkers, with Braid instead using the natural contours of the land to create hazards. Although the course has undergone many changes since its inception in 1890, the basic Braid principles have been maintained throughout.
Links Country Park
Designed by five-time Open champion JH Taylor, who declared “this is one of the most sporting golf courses in Great Britain”. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and one of the most picturesque venues in the area, offering views over the North Norfolk coast.
Pastures
This is a tight, challenging layout with densely tree-lined fairways. There are four par 3s, three of which measure over 200 yards and have greens which are guarded by small pot bunkers. The greens are fast and firm and the course measures just under 6,000 yards when played as a full 18 holes.
Pottergate
Situated five miles from Lincoln, this charming course boasts rolling fairways, many water hazards and large greens. The course contains a mix of par-3s and par-4s of varying length, with one par-5 which plays at over 500 yards from the back tees.
The club is located close to the championship course at Gog Magog and strikes the perfect balance between a relaxed approach whilst maintaining a ‘proper club’ feel
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
