A key factor in course rankings is the standard of the putting surfaces. If a course has good greens, then it can elevate itself to another level in a rankings list.
Greens come in all shapes and sizes, at different paces and with undulations that can test even the best putters, but every player wants a firm and fair test with the flat stick in their hands.
Does the ball run true? Are there any bobbles on the surface? Are all the greens the same pace, and do they have the same look to them? These are all the things we look for when it comes to a good green surface.
Our panel have spent the year playing an abundance of golf courses across Scotland, so do they agree on which venue has the best greens? Do you agree with any of our panel on this topic?
RELATED: Check out the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list
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Where are the best greens in Scotland, according to our panel?
As you would expect, many a championship venue got the nod in this category…
Andi White: Trump International – very true
Peter Rudd: Carnoustie – fescue is the dominant grass, making for firm and fast greens
Michael Verity: Western Gailes
David Fox: Castle Stuart – sublime condition
Jim Marshall: Loch Lomond – manicured to perfection
Neil White: Turnberry – King Robert The Bruce
Michael Atkinson: Gullane No. 1 – consistently has the most immaculate greens. Fast and true
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But it wasn’t just championship venues that took praise from our panellists…
Ed Battye: The greens at Auchterarder were pure.
Phil Bedford: Luffness New
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David Walker: Irvine – great grass coverage, perfectly true and great pace
Dove Jones: Dumbarnie
Craig Redston: Dunbar were like snooker tables
Craig Morrison: The slick, stylish, old school greens at Spey Bay were wonderful
Hugh Masson: Archerfield, Dirleton. Every green was not only in perfect condition, but had subtlety in the breaks and some slick run-offs
Greg Webber: Glenbervie
Stu Bennett: The Machrie, so true with just the right amount of undulations
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And then, there were venues that received praise from multiple members of our panel…
Oliver Baker: Royal Dornoch
David Elliott: Royal Dornoch or Royal Aberdeen. Aberdeen may have been better, but rain made it hard to fully assess
Jim Banting: North Berwick
Chris Griffiths: North Berwick. Absolutely pristine.
Ian Woods: North Berwick. I don’t know what they were like in peak season, but they were awesome in March.
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Charles Abraham: The Old Course
Lewis Marr: The Old Course
Chris Myatt: The conditioning at Muirfield was completely flawless from tee to green
Steve Watton: Muirfield
Paul Watson: Muirfield. I played in early April, and yet they were in pristine condition and fast
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Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
Now have your say
Would you agree with our panellists? Which course in Scotland is home to the best greens? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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