NCG Top 100s: The courses in England that just missed out
These are the courses our panel think were most unlucky to miss out on a place in our list of the best golf courses in England – but could they get in for 2022?
Centurion
I’m very disappointed that Centurion is not listed. Simon Gidman’s course is a splendid and varied test and of those I visited this summer and had not played before, it would be the one I would most want to play again. George Oldham
Thurlestone
There are plans to strengthen the current design that does need tweaking but this course has some of the most outstanding views in UK golf and usually plays in a stiff breeze. It’s always fun to play.
Fairhaven, Seascale and Royal Cromer are three more courses that I like that have missed out. Dove Jones
Close House
The list is heavily weighted in favour of old courses and I wonder whether it has gone a little too far in that regard. I would definitely have included Close House and Centurion – and probably The Buckinghamshire as well. Colin Callander
Enville (Lodge)
I’m obviously biased, being a member, but Enville is starting to get some national recognition with competitions, including the British Girls last summer. We do have two great golf courses there, the Highgate and the Lodge, and I do feel looking at the lower end of the list that both courses should be featured. Steve Watton
Formby Ladies
It’s situated inside Formby, which has come out extremely high, whereas Formby Ladies gets overlooked. As a golf course it’s fantastic. The conditions are always great too so I believe that was one that was omitted. John McLoughlin
Appleby
There was one course I would have nominated but I hadn’t played it in time and that was Appleby, in Cumbria. It’s just a natural golf course with some really interesting green sites. Ed Battye
Cleveland
There’s a links course in Yorkshire which is called Cleveland that I went to for the first time this year to play in the Yorkshire Amateur and I thought it was top quality. Tom Irwin
Crowborough Beacon
Hands up – both Formby Ladies and Cleveland should have been on our shortlist. They would both have had a genuine chance to make the top 100 and I can only apologise. I played and loved both of these courses last year.
Someone always has to finish 101st in these lists and unfortunately for Crowborough Beacon, it was them. With nearby (and similar in style) Royal Ashdown Forest finishing in the top half, they can count themselves genuinely unfortunate not to have made the list themselves. Dan Murphy
Forest Pines
An absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. Craig Higgs
Frilford Heath
I thought one of the Frilford golf courses might have got in because I’ve played them for a long time, certainly the red and the green I thought would have stood a chance. There’s a lot of courses on the list that they are on a par with. Dave Cannon
Thetford
If golf is about enjoyment, this lovely woodland layout provides it in spades. There are many richly rewarding drives that sweep through mature trees before finding elegantly placed putting surfaces. Jim Banting
Royal Cromer
I am amazed if there are 100 courses in England better than this one. Great views and conditioning. Jimmy Scade
Reigate Heath
Part of a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which covers some 120 acres. While the site makes for a stunning golf landscape, the post mill which evokes thoughts of times gone by. Sean Arble
Chart Hills
It fell into disrepair with the previous owners – possibly why the panel did not rate it. Not convinced by some of the bunkering but overall I consider Faldo’s design as interesting and challenging. Peter Rudd
NCG Top 100s: The best golf courses in England
- METHODOLOGY: How the NCG Top 100s lists are decided
Visit the NCG Top 100s homepage for all this and much, much more.
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Dan Murphy
Dan loves links golf, which doesn't mean he is very good at it. He is a four-handicapper at Alwoodley. A qualified journalist and senior editor with 25 years’ experience, he was the long-time editor of NCG. His passion is golf courses and he is the founding editor of NCG Top 100s course rankings. He loves nothing more than discovering and highlighting courses that are worthy of greater recognition.
