Our panel have played the best English courses ahead of compiling the NCG Top 100s: England list – but what is their favourite par 5?
From links holes with plenty of bunkers and gorse, to heathland par 5s, running through heather and tree-lined fairways – there really is something for everyone when it comes to golf in England.
There are iconic par 5s around the country. From those you will have seen on TV at the Open Championship and the DP World Tour, to those that surprise you when you first play them…
But what do our panellists think? There are many incredible par 5s around the country, but will our panellists have gone for the same? Or will there be several different par 5s in their mentions?
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What do our panellists rate as the best par 5 in England?
Steve Watton: Sunningdale (New) 6th hole. The scenic beauty with everything laid out in front of you when stood on the back tee is simply awe inspiring.
David Walker: Woking’s 14th – the risk-reward, the history and the fact the clubhouse is in bounds.
Mike Robertson: I love the 8th at Alwoodley. A dog-leg left and a testing drive with OOB up the left, but once round the corner the hole is beautifully set.
Michael Verity: 16 at Royal Liverpool (which plays as the 18th at the Open). So many options, so much jeopardy depending on wind/conditions and the route/risk you decide on.
Neil White: First hole on The Berkshire (Red). Spellbinding opener
Ed Battye: 2nd at Perranporth – ‘Whim Wham’
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Dan Murphy: The 14th at Royal St George’s. With a course boundary, a stream crossing the fairway and some awkward bunkering, this is a strategic masterclass.
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Craig Redston: The most memorable to me is the 9th at Thorndon Park. [There are] not many par 5’s where you can see the green from the tee. It’s a great hole.
Chris Griffiths: St Enodoc – Hole 16. Great challenge, stunning, and makes you think about placement. Culminating with an exceptional green complex.
Andi White: Silloth 5th hole, picturesque and alongside the sea
Philip Bedford: Enville (Lodge)’s 10th hole
Craig Morrison: The 8th at Royal West Norfolk – always good but at very high tides it might just be the high water mark of English golf.
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There were a couple of par 5s around the country that had more than one of our panellists smiling…
Jim Banting: 16th at Royal Cinque Ports – offer choice and requires accuracy and distance control
Neil White: 16th Royal Cinque Ports – brutal, yet beautiful
Dan Gould: Wentworth West, Hole 18. Putting yourself in the shoes of icons and landing your approach on the green over the water – immense.
Jason Ling: Wentworth West’s 18th – a stunning finishing hole
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However, one par 5 in particular is held in very high regard…
Steve Carroll: 11th, Hillside – What a view from the tee! Downhill, you think it’s reachable but it’s a beast into the wind. The bunkers seem to be right in my hitting zones and the angled green complicates matters.
Joss Powick: The 11th at Hillside, every view is picture perfect. It is both tough and rewarding.
Neil Gray: The 11th hole at Hillside is a very well bunkered strategic par 5, that demands accuracy for every shot.
Pat O’Connor: Hillside’s 11th – Only 510 yards but into the prevailing wind!
David Elliott: Hillside, 11th. Ticks all the boxes of a fantastic hole. Visually stunning, tough and a pleasure to play!
Dove Jones: Hillside 11th – great view – distracting from a hole that demands full concentration to score
Chris Myatt: Hillside – 11th Hole. A sweeping fairway framed by towering dunes, played to from an elevated tee and to an undulating green guarded by a tall pine woodland
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Now have your say
Would you agree with our panellists? What do you think is the best par 5 in England? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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