“Everyone believes they have the prettiest wife at home.” So said Arsene Wenger, who was talking about football teams rather than golf courses. But the principle remains.
There is so much choice when it comes to English golf, with links courses dotted around the coast and world-renowned heathland layouts further infield.
Course rankings lists are not an exact science. And when you have over 30 experts piling in with their opinions, for every one of them when the list comes out, they see courses they think are underrated, as well as others they are overrated courses. That’s democracy for you.
That is why course ranking lists are always such a lively topic of discussion up and down the lans, espeiclaly when you are trying to compare and contrast the likes of Royal St George’s, Ganton, Swinley Forest and the JCB Club.
Are any of these underrated? Which courses should be higher? Let’s see what our panellists had to say after the list they had all contributed to was revealed…
RELATED: Check out the NCG Top 100s: England list
Which England courses do our panellists believe should be higher?
Joss Powick: Coxmoor – It ticks all the boxes, excellent condition, varied with strong bunkering and good greens. A fair challenge with good risk / reward opportunities.
Chirs Myatt: Hayling – It may seem odd to list a club that will sit in many personal top 50 lists but I feel it makes a strong claim to be in anyone’s top 20 list
Mike Robertson: I always enjoy going to Hillside. It could/should be higher in the rankings.
David Walker: Hankley Common – are there really 20 better courses in England?
Ed Battye: Halifax – Undoubtedly a course for the purist but I’m yet to play a better moorland track.
Dan Murphy: Each to their own but I struggle to see who wouldn’t enjoy Formby Ladies if they only gave it a chance. Bags of character, the odd chance of glory and full of holes that tempt you into indiscretion.
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Andi White: Sutton Coldfield – the variety of holes, beautiful surroundings, excellent fairways and consistent bunker sand but tricky greens.
Jim Banting: St Enodoc – If it was located somewhere more accessible I believe it would be rated much higher by more golfers.
Craig Redston: Woodbridge – how a heathland that’s dry all year round is that low is crackers
Chris Griffiths: East Berkshire – Not many people know about it. it is happy to be a hidden gem, but in truth that does it an injustice. The course deserves to be better known, and the plaudits will naturally come.
Neil White: Hallamshire – Brutal, eccentric and great fun.
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Steve Carroll: Huntercombe – I must confess it wasn’t on my early shortlist to visit. But the playing conditions were among the best I saw all year and the green complexes were outrageous. It’s tremendous fun.
Steve Watton: Halifax and Appleby are two relatively unknown moorland courses which offer inspiring and great value golf played over links like springy turf in the most wonderful locations.
Greg Webber: From towards the top of the list Hankley Common, from the middle West Hill and lower down Thorpeness
Dove Jones: Bamburgh Castle – true links, wind howls & one of the most scenic courses in the UK
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Listen to the NCG Golf Podcast
NOW READ: The methodology behind the NCG Top 100s: England list
NOW READ: Our panellists highlights from their English adventures
NOW READ: Where do our panellists want to visit next?
Now have your say
Visit the NCG Top 100s: England page, click on a course you think is underrated and leave a review!
Which courses on our NCG Top 100s: England list would you say are underrated? Which courses would you push higher up the list? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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