2025 was a year that saw our panellists travelling around Scotland, but what are their favourite non-Scottish golf courses?
Like Scotland, there are some stunning links courses across England, Wales and Ireland, some of which our panellists have mentioned.
There were plenty of mentions for courses and resorts further afield as well, with venues in Europe and even around the world also getting their nominations!
What have our panellists gone for, then? And do you agree? Check out their favourite non-Scottish golfing venues below…
RELATED: Check out the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list
RELATED: Meet the panellists that toured Scotland!
RELATED: What is the methodology behind the new NCG Top 100s: Scotland list?

What are our panellists’ favourite non-Scottish courses?
Unsurprisingly, there were many choices within the United Kingdom. A certain Open Championship venue came up, along with plenty of venues in and around the English capital…
Ed Battye: Royal St. George’s. The ultimate in championship challenge and endlessly intriguing quirk.
Steve Watton: Royal St. George’s
Jim Banting: Sunningdale Old
Andi White: New Zealand
David Fox: Hankley Common
RELATED: Which courses do our panellists think are underrated?
RELATED: Which region of Scotland is the best?

There were also others in England, from Cornwall all the way to Cumberland.
Craig Redston: Parkstone is the closest thing to a religious experience for me.
Chris Myatt: Rye Golf Club – It makes the most of its dunes with holes routed along, over, between, to and from them.
Hugh Masson: St. Enodoc. Rugged, yet pristine. A strong test in beautiful surroundings.
Charles Abraham: Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) – A heathland course of great variety and a fabulous test of strategic golf all year round.
Phil Bedford: Perranporth
Paul Watson: Saunton (East) – a links that never fails to excite. The par 4 first epitomises the tough test ahead all the way to the 18th.
Neil White: Silloth – I adore links courses and this was love at first sight. Played it once before applying to be a member.
Advertisement
Stu Bennett: Formby – challenging off the tee, fair with a variety of stunning holes that test every part of your game on fantastic turf.
RELATED: What is the best par 3 in Scotland?
RELATED: What is the best par 4 in Scotland? – COMING SOON
RELATED: What is the best par 5 in Scotland?

There were also plenty of choices in both Wales and Ireland, with new and old courses receiving mentions!
Jim Marshall: I love Royal St. David’s for its stunning views, historic charm, and challenging yet fair links layout
David Elliott: Royal St. Davids
Craig Morrison: County Sligo. Why? Yeats. Colt. Ruddy. To be on the Rosses is to be in great company
Chris Griffiths: Portmarnock
Ian Woods: Royal Portrush’s Dunluce. Never tire of playing it, and thrilled to have watched two Opens there
Greg Webber: Royal Porthcawl
Peter Rudd: Waterville, stunning setting with one of the best finishes in golf
Lewis Marr: Waterville, Ireland
RELATED: Which Scottish courses are in our panellists top three’s?
RELATED: Which Scottish venue has the best greens?

RELATED: What is the best opening hole in Scotland?
RELATED: What is the best finishing hole in Scotland?
What about further afield? Some of our panellists also have favourites in North America and Australia.
Dove Jones: Banff Springs
Oliver Baker: Valley Club of Montecito
Michael Verity: Royal Adelaide
David Walker: California Golf Club of San Francisco – a quality golf course with welcoming members
Michael Atkinson: Alister MacKenzie’s Cypress Point in Monterey, California. The most magnificent Pacific Ocean setting. Simply stunning
RELATED: What is the best hole in Scotland? – COMING SOON
RELATED: What is the best golfing view in Scotland?

Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast

NOW READ: Where do our panellists want to visit next in Scotland? – COMING SOON
NOW READ: What are our panellists’ highlights from their travels around Scotland?
Have you played at any of the venues our panellists have mentioned? What would you say is your favourite non-Scottish course? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
Advertisement













