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60. IPSWICH (PURDIS HEATH)
Suffolk, England
Designer(s): James Braid
Weekday green fee: £55Â
+ Position: 68
Overall Score = 123
JB: Absolutely fantastic condition.
DM: Another of those courses unheralded nationally.
Commentary: Always an outstanding layout and location ” now the presentation is much improved to go with it.
59. BLACKMOOR
Hampshire, England
Designer(s): Harry Colt
Weekday green fee: £60
+ Position: 63
Overall Score = 123
EB: I was amazed at how good it was. Really impressed.
JB: The early holes are tight among the tall pine, birch and fir trees with the back nine opening out impressively in scale and grandeur.
It is a quiet place, moving at its own serene pace, seemingly unaffected by the rest of the world. The course is over 100 years old and continues to stand the test of time for golfers of all levels.
It is just little over 6,000 yards but any drive even slightly astray, will invariable result in being blocked out for the approach. Knowing when to attack and when to take your punishment are lessons that need to be learned quickly.
Commentary: This gem of a Harry Colt design combines the best of woodland and heathland terrain that Hampshire can offer.
58. THETFORD
Norfolk, England
Designer(s): James Braid
Weekday green fee: £40
+ Position: 82
Overall Score = 122
DM: I played here for the first time in the spring ” it was a revelation. Great turf, great setting and a typically thoughtful Braid design.
EB: Surprisingly impressive. Traversing superbly, dry and fast-running terrain, this course is a real hidden gem.
Commentary: It is a sad fact of life that those who shout the loudest are heard the most. For us golfers, though, it means you can stumble across some well-kept secrets that are all the more enjoyable because your expectations are relatively modest.
So it is with Thetford, a homely Norfolk club set on the edge of Thetford Forest Park.
The facts of the matter are that this is a century-old James Braid-designed heathland that stretches to over 6,800 yards from the tips. What’s not to like?Â
57. FERNDOWN (OLD)
Dorset, England
Designer(s): Harold Hilton
Weekday green fee: £85
+ Position: 35
Overall Score = 120
JB: The stunning heathland setting never disappoints.
DM: One of those classic English courses where you feel like you are stepping back in time.
Commentary: This heathland is impossibly pretty in places.
56. CLEEVE HILL
Gloucestershire, England
Designer(s): Unknown
Weekday green fee: £18
+ Position: 101
Overall Score = 119
SA: Cleeve Hill may be scoffed at because it’s a muni, but, like Castle Stuart, this is a great example of why width is so important if strategic design is to mean anything.
Commentary: Natural green sites in a Cotswolds setting.
55. MONTROSE (MEDAL)
Angus, Scotland
Designer(s): Old Tom Morris/Willie Park Jr
Weekday green fee: £60
+ Position: 59
Overall Score = 119
DM: We can only hope that those parts of Montrose at great threat from continuing coastal erosion are safeguarded successfully because it is rare even on a links that you get this close to the beach. I love playing here ” it’s the game stripped back to its roots.
EB: This is a nice course, and one that embodies everything that is good about links golf. What a great finishing stretch.
Commentary: One of the oldest courses and clubs in the world, and therefore to be treasured. You start and finish in the town, just like you are supposed to, and in between venture out to the coast.
There is a spectacular run of holes in the front nine with sea views before a relatively sedate middle section. Then comes the run for home, which is thrilling and testing in places, with a couple of chances to make a late birdie as well.
54. WEST HILL
Surrey, England
Designer(s): Cuthbert Butchart
Weekday green fee: £85
+ Position: 34
Overall Score = 119
DM: Very consistent, very pretty and just a lovely place.
JB: The short holes are the most memorable and often the key to a good score.
Commentary: One of the institutions of Surrey golf.
53. LITTLE ASTON
West Midlands, England
Designer(s): Harry Vardon/Harry Colt
Weekday green fee: £90
+ Position: 29
Overall Score = 119
SA: The turf is as good as on any heathland.
EB: The best parkland course I’ve ever played.
Commentary: A blend of subtle greens, obvious bunkering. old-fashioned earthworks and modern shaping.
52. DUNDONALD
Ayrshire, Scotland
Designer(s): Kyle Phillips
Weekday green fee: £95
+ Position: 24
Overall Score = 119
DM: A very fine course ” in design terms arguably superior to Kingsbarns.
JB: Since opening it has become a top links venue with tight, links turf and large, fast greens.
Commentary: Unanimous respect from our panel for this modern links.
51. THE ADDINGTON
Surrey, England
Designer(s): JF Abercromby
Weekday green fee: £80
+ Position: 38
Overall Score = 118
DM: I love the quirkiness and distinctiveness.
SA: Has what I would call four highly controversial holes; two of which (13 & 16) are among the very best in GB&I.
Commentary: So much character and variety.
