NCG Top 100s: England - What is the best finishing hole? - National Club Golfer

Our panel have played the best English courses ahead of compiling the NCG Top 100s: England list – but which finishing hole made them want more?

You always want to finish a round of golf on a high, and making birdie on an incredible hole is just about the best way to do so, right?

What makes a great finishing hole, though? Is it the risk-reward nature of a short par 4, or the possibility of going for it in two on a par 5? Or is it the notoriety of the hole thanks to its history?

What do our panellists think? A number of venues received several nominations, but which finishing hole in England do our panellists believe is the best?

Southport & Ainsdale NCG Top 100s England best opening hole

What is the best finishing hole in England according to our panel?

For its iconic status, and as a hole you see every year, the finale on the West Course at Wentworth was the most popular selection!

Daniel Meredith: Wentworth West (With grandstands up!)

Neil Gray: Best and worst is Wentworth West, best when the grandstands are up – worst when they aren’t!

Dan Gould: Wentworth West 18th.

Jason Ling: Wentworth’s 18th

The last at Royal Lytham was also a firm favourite…

Craig Redston: 18th at Royal Lytham for the view of the clubhouse and all those bunkers

Greg Webber: 18th at Royal Lytham – a fabulously bunkered hole where the iconic clubhouse provides the backdrop to the narrow green

Craig Morrison: The 18th at Lytham. The clubhouse, the bunkering, the long green, the long history too.

Royal Lytham & St Annes: An iconic Open venue — *The last at Royal Lytham is a stunning par 4, with the clubhouse and Dormy House as the glorious backdrop*

Two more venues received multiple nominations for their closing holes – Alwoodley and Wallasey.

Steve Carroll: Alwoodley – It’s a stunning view from the back tees, a frequent photograph for a reason. I have to thread the bunkers before hitting hybrid. A par off the blues remains the best I’ve ever had.

Chris Healey: Alwoodley – iconic tough par 4 framed perfectly

Joss Powick: Wallasey. It’s a tough rollercoaster finish but I love every part of it.

Dove Jones: Wallasey – Love how it finishes right under the terrace for a spectator welcome

Best golf holes in Yorkshire — *Undoubtedly one of the best views from an 18th tee in England – Alwoodley’s last is a fine hole*

Plenty of other finishing holes were given a mention, for a number of different reasons as well…

Neil White: Camberley Heath – that mountain of heather is crazy

David Walker: Hankley Common a good drive and a medium iron reaches – poor drive and you have a decision to make

Dan Murphy: The 18th at Hillside is the real deal. I love the way this hole unfurls from the tee. The bunkering is sublime and the challenge is very much there in front of you.

Neil White: Kington 279-yard Par 4 – Anything is possible on this reachable home hole.

David Elliott: The Belfry, Brabazon. Possibly the perfect finishing hole. A test of nerve. Bailing-out on the drive only delays the terror.

Michael Verity: Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell). Exciting downhill tee shot. Hazards at varying distances/angles to navigate. Small green perched under the house. One final, thorough exam of one’s golfing faculties

Georgie Gould: RAC Club – down the hill with the clubhouse in view

Andi White: Royal Cinque Ports – classic finale over huge bunker on the right, towards the great club house

royal birkdale NCG Top 100s England my top three — *The closing hole at Royal Birkdale is one of the toughest on the Open rota*

Mike Robertson: 18th at Royal Birkdale is very fun. A good opportunity for birdie if you thread your second shot.

Steve Watton: The 18th at St Enodoc deserves special mention. Played from a high tee to a tumultuous humpy bumpy fairway below. Links Heaven.

Jim Banting: Sunningdale Old – need a steady nerve to avoid the bunkers from the tee and great spin control into the green

Chris Myatt: West Hill Golf Club – A long uphill par 4 with trouble everywhere requires 2 strong shots to find a green set feet in front of the clubhouse patio

Ed Battye: 18th at Saunton East. Nothing less than 2 fine shots.

*The East Course at Saunton has a glorious finish, winding its way back to the clubhouse*

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Now have your say

Would you agree with our panellists? What do you think is the best finishing hole in England? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!