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70. PANMURE
Angus, Scotland
Designer(s): Allan Robertson/Alexander Pirie/James Braid
Weekday green fee: £85Â
+ Position: 48
Overall Score = 133
DM: Has a slightly inland feel but the way the course plays is links for the most part. Exudes class.
Commentary: Next door to Carnoustie is another gem on the Angus coast. Always immaculately presented.
69. PARKSTONE
Dorset, England
Designer(s): Willie Park Jr/James Braid
Weekday green fee: £90
+ Position: 43
Overall Score = 133
JB: Always a treat to play here ” it’s very good.
DM: A very classy place that has a bit of flair to it.
Commentary: There are shades of parkland and even links but in the main this is an old-school heathland. Delightful.
68. WEST LANCASHIRE
Merseyside, England
Designer(s): Ken Cotton/Fred Hawtree
Weekday green fee: £95
+ Position: 37
Overall Score = 132
DM: It’s just a really good golf course. I suppose it’s a little unremarkable near the clubhouse.
Commentary: The opulent dunes unfolded along the coast from Liverpool to Southport are a sight not to be missed.
67. ISLE OF PURBECK
Dorset, England
Designer(s): Harry Colt
Weekday green fee: £48
+ Position: 83
Overall Score = 131
JB: There are some really lovely holes here. Pretty.
Commentary: Isle of Purbeck has been through some tough times but, under new management, it’s happily moving back in the right direction.
66. REDDISH VALE
Cheshire, England
Designer(s): Alister MacKenzie
Weekday green fee: £30
+ Position: 100
Overall Score = 130
DM: One of those courses you always get lost on your way to. It’s an oasis of green on the outskirts of Stockport.
Commentary: Don’t be fooled by its modest surroundings ” this is a typically classy MacKenzie design.
65. CONWY
North Wales, Wales
Designer(s): Jack Harris/Frank Pennink
Weekday green fee: £56
+ Position: 73
Overall Score = 129
SA: The closing holes through the gorse are a bit of a let down compared to what has come before.
DM: Worthy and a genuine test.
Commentary: Arguably the best test of golf in North Wales.
64. LUFFNESS
East Lothian, Scotland
Designer(s): Old Tom Morris
Weekday green fee: £85
+ Position: 44
Overall Score = 129
JB: A very stylish and lovely course. You’ve got to play here if you’re in the area but many pass it by.
DM: I personally think it is the equal of Gullane.
Commentary: Sophisticated, simple and refined.
63. DUNBAR
East Lothian, Scotland
Designer(s): Old Tom Morris/Ben Sayers/James Braid
Weekday green fee: £70
+ Position: 57
Overall Score = 127
DM: My kind of club and course ” this is what Scottish seaside golf is all about.
Commentary: The start and finish are not quite up to the standard of the quite wonderful holes in between.
62. PRINCE’S*
Kent, England
Designer(s): Charles Hutchings (since modified)
Weekday green fee: £90
+ Position: 36
Overall Score = 126
DM: Massive recent improvements to the conditioning.
Commentary: Can now be spoken of in the same breath as neighbouring Sandwich and Deal once more.
* Shore/Dunes combination
61. ROYAL ASHDOWN FOREST (OLD)
Sussex, England
Designer(s): Archdeacon Scott
Weekday green fee: £70
+ Position: 55
Overall Score = 125
EB: Takes four or five holes to get going, but good after that.
JB: Great changes of elevation, really pretty. I think it’s a lovely course.
Commentary: Fondly and highly regarded by all our panel.
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