Top 100 Course Part 4 ( 25 to 1)
Distance from my home – 76 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New Entry
Why has it made the list?
Founded in 1913, Coxmoor is a popular Heathland course that has previously hosted Regional Open qualifiers and England Golf Senior open championships. Although it measures at 6,700 yards it has five par five holes on the course making it a challenge for short hitting golfers. Around the course it is known as a picturesque course that has a lot of highlights in the round with the 7th, 9th and 13th often referred to as being nice holes to play.
How much will it cost to play there?
Another course that allows visiting golfers to play the course through prior arrangement. It is also a course that caters well for societies and is popular amongst societies. A round of golf for a visitor is £75 and this is for a weekday round. There are no pricing structures for playing at the weekend.
24. The Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Distance from my home – 74 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Down 2 places, was 22nd
Why has it made the list?
Not your traditional golf course, The Oxfordshire was opened for play in 1993 and was created by the same designer who helped reshape Torrey Pines and the course has hosted the 2002 US Open. Although the land the course was built on is generally uninspiring, what has been created on it has attracted a lot of events in its relatively short history. With the English Ladies Open being held there as well and the B and H International Open for four consecutive years. The course itself consists of over 100 bunkers and four man made lakes making it a tricky course to navigate.
How much will it cost to play there?
A course that offers stay and play, has a lot of visiting tee times and at a very reasonable price. Having tried to book a round online in the week during the winter a round can cost £40 for a midweek round and at a weekend it would cost £50 to play it. Expect to pay more in the summer months, however a very reasonable price for a round of golf.
23. Longcliffe
Distance from my home – 50 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Up 7 places, was 30th
Why has it made the list?
Founded in 1905 and completed as an 18 hole course just two years later. Longcliffe is known as one of the best courses in Leicestershire. It is a heathland course set in the lowlands of Charnwood Forest and this makes up a lot of the hazards on the course. The course is known as a tight one and each hole has its own challenge to face. Although it has not hosted a lot of events of much magnitude in its history it is certainly placed in the right area on this list.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are permitted to play the course and at a very reasonable price. Although there were no fees listed on the website for the winter months, a round in the summer would cost £45 in the week and this rises to £55 on a Sunday (no visitors permitted on a Saturday). This is likely to be cheaper during the winter months, but even if not, a very competitive price for a course at this end of the rankings.
22. Sutton Coldfield
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 68 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Up 7 places, was 29th
Why has it made the list?
The club was founded in 1889 and two years later it moved to its current location within Sutton Park, a location that has Recognised Historic Park and National Nature Reserve status. The course hosted the English Amatuer Championships in 2010 and is probably in the minority for having three consecutive par five holes in the 5th, 6th and 7th. In the back nine the stretch from 11 to 16 are ones that stand out.
How much will it cost to play there?
Being a guest of a member gives an incredible incentive with rounds costing £20, being a visitor is by no means expensive either. A flat rate of £60 in the week and then £65 at the weekend is good value whatever time of year you play the course.
Middlesex
Distance from my home – 88 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New Entry
Why has it made the list?
Recently voted as the best course in Middlesex, Northwood is a parkland course, set in rolling wooded land. The course was founded in 1891 and is not overly long measuring at 6,473 yards however do not let that fool you as it is a course that tests golfers of all abilities. The course has a good blend of holes, however between the first and second par three holes there is a long wait as the first of them is the 3rd and the second and third are 13 and 15.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course offers good availability for its non members and the price is very reasonable as well. It is a flat rate of £45 all year round no matter the day which is really good especially for a round at a good course during the weekend.
20. John O’Gaunt (JOG)
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 68 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 6 places, was 26th
Why has it made the list?
The course is named after the fourth son of King Edward III and because of the nearby manor that was held during the 14th century and because of this the golf club was founded in honour of John O Gaunt in 1948. Situated between Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, it is the latter of the two counties that the course falls under and often tops the rankings of best courses in the county. Home of a pair of 18 hole courses it is the longer JOG layout that is deemed the better and tougher of the two tracks. The course is made up of three par three holes and a couple of par fives that are very challenging for golfers of all abilities.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are welcome to play both courses, with the best option to play through a day card. However a round in the week is £60 with individual rounds at the weekend not available for non members. Like a lot of courses, guests of members are welcome, however no costings for these were listed, however prices are available through contacting the club.
19. Gog Magog (Old)
Distance from my home – 75 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 9 places, was 28th
Why has it made the list?
Known as the best course in Cambridgeshire, it was an obvious choice to make the list. In 1910, a book entitled The Golf Courses of the British Isles stated that a course in the county was ‘the worst course I had ever seen’. Thankfully Gog Magog came along to rectify this! Although known for being a flat county, the course is anything but flat and tests golfers with its undulation and challenging holes, none more so than the Par 3 13th which measures at over 200 yards and gives stunning views from the tee box
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are welcome, however for the best chance of playing the course a weekday round is the best and most accessible option to visiting golfers. The cheapest round is a midweek round from 12.30pm onward on a Monday to Friday between October and March ranging through to a round from April to September, at any available time, costing £70.
18. Frilford Heath (Red)
Oxfordshire
Distance from my home – 81 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 15 places, was 33rd
Why has it made the list?
Very highly thought of in the best courses in Oxfordshire, Frilford Heath (Red) is the original of the three 18 holes courses at the club having been opened for play in 1908. It is known as a course of two halves wih the opening nine holes seen to be very challenging when compared to the back nine holes. The par 4 holes on the opening nine are all measured at over 400 yards if played off the competition tees making them difficult to score on. A venue that has hosted the European Tour qualification rounds andthe English Amateur Championship event in recent years it is deserving of a place on the list.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are welcome on a roll up basis, so approximate tee times are given with a lot of pricing and time options permitted. The cheapest round is during the week after 1pm between November and March and costs £35, ranging through to the mst expensive with is at £100 and this is for a weekend round between June and August.
17. Moor Park (High)
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 85 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – No change
Why has it made the list?
Located relatively close to London, Moor Park’s High course is the fifth Hertfordshire course to make the list. Known for its 17th century clubhouse that is probably the most photographed clubhouse in the UK, St Andrews aside. It apparently had the most members of any golf courses in England with 1,600. In the 1980’s the course held some prestigious events. According to reviews the course eases you in with a nice opening par four followed by a good driving hole and then becomes a challenge to any golfer.
How much will it cost to play there?
The High course is available for members to play and the club offer limited pricing for visitors. From November to March you can access the course in the week only at a price of £75. During the summer months visitors can play in twilight hours (after 4pm) in the week for £65, otherwise it is £95 and at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday this increases to £125.
16. Luffenham Heath
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 45 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 1 place, was 15th
Why has it made the list?
Despite the Lincolnshire postcode, Luffenham Heath is attributed to Leicestershire as a golf course and is situated around the picturesque Rutland Water. Founded in 1911, it had a revamp in 2004 and this has given the club a new lease of life. Measuring at just over 6,500 yards it is not a long course but an intriguing one. Hole 17 is renowned as a challenging Par 3 hole measuring at just over 200 yards. It has, in recent years, held Open qualifying, most recently in 2013.
How much will it cost to play there?
Looking at the website, the course offers a lot of different times and prices for visiting golfers. A midweek round between November and March or a Twilight round in April and October (after 4pm) are the cheapest options at £40, with the most expensive round on the website recorded at £95 which is for a weekend round (Friday to Sunday) between May and September.
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 73 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 4 places was 11th
Why has it made the list?
Although it is an exclusive, members and guests only golf club, there is no escaping how good the course at Centurion is. Based in rural Hertfordshire it has hosted the inaugural Golf Sixes event and this event showcases how good the course was. It is a very short review on this course because he information on it is challenging to get hold of!
How much will it cost to play there?
As mentioned it is an exclusive club for just members and guests and finding out any more information on this was harder to find than a needle in a haystack. However I noted on one blog a fee of around £135.
14. Royal Worlington and Newmarket
Suffolk
Distance from my home – 86 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – New Entry
Why has it made the list?
Exactly the reason I should have researched golf courses before now. I did not realise that from my house I could get to a golf course in Suffolk and a good one at that. A regular in the Top 100 courses in England list flirting at the bottom end of it, but noted nonetheless. It is the only nine hole course to ever make the Britain and Ireland Top 100 list, showing how incredible the course must be. Opened originally in 1890, famous course designer Harry Colt extended it in the 1920’s and it remains a challenging course layout for members and visitors alike.
How much will it cost to play there?
Although the course is a nine hole course it does not stop its popularity and visitors wants to play there. Visitors are permitted after 4pm at a price of £37.50. Other than that it will cost £80 to play 18 holes in the week and if you can get on at the weekend it will cost £90 for a round.
Northamptonshire
Distance from my home – 11 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – up 10 places, was 23rd
Why has it made the list?
Known as the best course in Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire County has flirted with the Top 100 courses in England in different publications over many years and has made Golf World’s list for 2020 as well. Ratherly harshly, it has been previously stated that if the course were closer to London it would be more highly thought of in the golfing world. The course itself has some tricky greens and pin positions and is seen to be a challenge for golfers of all ability. It has been a regional Open venue for sometime as well as hosting the British Girls Open and Senior events.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are permitted to play the course and two rates are available. A round on a Monday to Thursday will cost a visitor £65, with this increasing by £10 to £75 at the weekend. If you wish to play 27 or even 36 holes discounts can be seen on the website in terms of price.
12. Woburn (Duchess)
Buckinghamshire
Distance from my home – 52 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – No change
Why has it made the list?
The Duchess completes the list of Woburn courses, all of which find themselves comfortably inside the Top 15 courses on my list. Opened in 1979, three years after the Dukes, it is the shortest and considered the prettiest of the courses at Woburn. It is also considered the easiest of the courses, however it still remains a hugely challenging course. Although it has ranked third of the three courses at Woburn it is very subjective and causes a lot of debate, which I am looking forward to seeing when the rankings are released.
How much will it cost to play there?
As mentioned previously, according to the website the cost of playing any of the Woburn courses is the same price. Price varies between £135 through to £179, this is dependent on the time of the year and whether it is a weekday or weekend round. I am sure you could speak directly to the club to arrange a round in the morning with lunch then play another of the courses in the afternoon for a slightly discounted fee.
11. Blackwell
Distance from my home – 73 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 3 place was 8th
Why has it made the list?
Often considered the best that the county of Worcestershire has to offer, it is often in the lower echelons of the best courses in England according to rankings (ranked 88 by Golf World 2020). It is a historic course, founded originally in 1893 as a 9 hole course, it became a fully operational 18 hole course in 1923. It is alleged that the 13th hole of the Blackwell course was the inspiration for the 12th at Augusta National. Unlike the aforementioned Augusta, the West Midlands course has not managed to host prestigious events, however it has hosted the Regional Open Championship qualifying on six occasions
How much will it cost to play there?
The website for Blackwell is very up to date and lists only the current visitor fees which stand at £100 for a round. This applies to all visiting golfers, no restrictions apply for the time of year or which day of the week you wish to play it.
10. Ashridge
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 76 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 3 place was 13th
Why has it made the list?
Another of the regulars in the Top 100 courses in England, although it is on the decline in those lists it still absolutely merits a place on the list and is highly thought of in Hertfordshire. The Ashridge is home to some of the best and under-appreciated par three holes in England and is considered a challenging, flat course with some of the best greens in the county.
The course itself opened in 1932 and although it is not particularly known as a course to have hosted major events, it was due to host the British Women Senior event in 2020.
How much will it cost to play there?
According to the website they allow visitors during the week only with two fees offered. A winter fee is £65 and a Summer fee, which is classed as April to October is £85. Playing the course at the weekend is not permitted as a visitor according to the website.
9. Hadley Wood
Distance from my home – 83 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 11 place was 20th
Why has it made the list?
Following the first Hertfordshire course on the list, the second and many more follow on. Hadley Wood has been a regular feature in the Top 100 courses in England over recent years and deserves it spot on the list. It is also a high climber from last year.
This course was opened in 1922 and is considered one of the best parkland courses North of London. Golfers who play here often talk about the two distinctive loops in the course and of par 3 holes that need particular focus on club selection to succeed on. The venue played host to Regional Open Championship Qualifying from 2000 until 2005.
How much will it cost to play there?
There are a lot of different rates and packages on offer to visitors to Hadley Wood. Like most golf clubs the fees depend on the day of the week, the time of day and season. According to the clubs website the cheapest time to play as a visitor is in January to March at any time which is £45 through to £120 for a round during July and August at weekends.
8. The Grove
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 77 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 1 place was 9th
Why has it made the list?
Often considered the best course in Hertfordshire it also regularly features in the best courses in England and therefore easily makes this list. It is one of the newest and most enterprising courses in the UK. It is also very unique as a golf club, in that it isn’t really one, it is a pay and play course for all and has a 226 room hotel as its main feature.
Although relatively new, it has held prestigious events, no more so than the 2006 World Golf Championships, won by a certain Tiger Woods. Ernie Els, at the same event, called it the ‘best conditioned golf course in Europe’
How much will it cost to play there?
Due to the nature of the resort, golf prices vary in terms of demand and seasons. Having researched prices they range from £75, which is usually for an off season, midweek round, through to £199 for a peak round at the weekend.
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 53 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 3 place was 10th
Why has it made the list?
Absolutely certain this course does not need any introduction from myself. Played host to the Ryder Cup on four occasions, more than any other venue. Opened in 1977, after the course converted from a hotel to the home of the PGA in England, the Brabazon’s first taste of golf was when Seve Ballesteros and Johnny Miller played a match against Tony Jacklin and Brian Barnes and it has not looked back since. As a golfer looking to play here, the 10th and 18th are renowned holes and water is a heavy feature on the course also. A real must play for golfers.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are extremely welcome to play at the Belfry as it is renowned as one of the best stay and play venues in the UK. Booking is online and through booking tee times, the cheapest round I could find was a weekday round in February at £45, with the most expensive being a weekend in August at £165.
6. Beau Desert
Staffordshire
Distance from my home – 72 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 1 place was 5th
Why has it made the list?
Beau Desert, is another course that has always been thought of highly when considering the best courses in the Midlands area. However it is now being thought of more so in terms of national courses, having been named just inside the Top 100 courses for the UK and Ireland according to Golf World.
Founded in 1911, this Heathland course is renowned for its scenery and beauty. The course is certainly not a long one but is considered a huge test of ability because of its narrow fairways and testing greens. In terms of the course it has held a lot of Open Championship Qualifying rounds.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are encouraged to play the course and the course has times available seven days a week. In January and February in the week a round will cost as little as £55 ranging through to a weekend round between April and October costing £90, this is on a limited availability.
5. Little Aston
Distance from my home – 67 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 1 place was 4th
Why has it made the list?
Little Aston has always been thought of highly in the local area and one that has been on my radar to play for a while, however it is also regularly named in the Top 100 courses in the UK and has been recognised as such according to Golf World magazine.
Little Aston was founded in 1908 and has been amended and added to as the ground was purchased, with the last of these being in 1964. The course measures at just under 7,000 yards and boasts a good combination and balance of holes. Over the years the course has hosted events, both at professional and amateur level including the English Amateur championships, Ladies British Amateur Open and the Dunlop Masters professional tournament
How much will it cost to play there?
Little Aston have, what I believe to be a good balance, in that members are the only golders on the course on a Saturday, but visitors are permitted at any other time. A round of 18 holes for a visitor costs from £55 in November to February up to £105 in May through to October.
4. Woburn (Dukes)
Buckinghamshire
Distance from my home – 52 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Down 1 place was 3rd
Why has it made the list?
The second of the three Woburn courses in the list and another strong place for the Buckinghamshire course. The Dukes course is the oldest of the three and opened in 1976 after being designed by Charles Lawrie. Natural hazards and charm, in the form of pine, silver birch, heather, bracken and gorse, dominate the elder statesman of the Woburn courses. Although not used so much recently as a major venue in either of the Men or Women’s game it has previous been the home of the British Masters, hosted the Women’s Open and hosted the Travis Perkins Masters. With all rankings and positions it is very subjective and Golf World rank the Dukes above the Marquess, however I have looked at the courses and the recent history of them gave me my ranking, but impressive nonetheless.
How much will it cost to play there?
As mentioned previously, according to the website the cost of playing any of the Woburn courses is the same price. Price varies between £135 through to £179, this is dependent on the time of the year and whether it is a weekday or weekend round. I am sure you could speak directly to the club to arrange a round in the morning with lunch then play another of the courses in the afternoon for a slightly discounted fee.
3. JCB
Staffordshire
Distance from my home – 84 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – New Entry
Why has it made the list?
Considering this is a newly opened course, where you have to be an employee of JCB, a guest of a JCB or a customer to play the course, meaning it is not freely open to play, people may be surprised to find this in the list and so highly ranked but you can’t take away how incredible this place looks and the vision for the golf course the designers have. The brief was an ambitious one, design a course that will test elite golfers along the same lines as the TCP Deere Run course in Illunois, the course that hosts the John Deere Classic event on the PGA Tour, in the hope that JCB will be brought to a wider audience. Measuring at 7,308 yards at its longest, or 5,073 yards if you choose the smallest of the five tee positions it is a tough track with parkland and woodland areas, lakes, stream, brooks and a canal to navigate it certainly looks varied and meets the brief of being a challenge for sure.
How much will it cost to play there?
As mentioned above, unless you are an employee, guest of an employee or customer playing the course is not an option. Having researched this further if you are an employee or customer the round costs £60 and a guest is charged slightly higher at £70 certainly competitive at the price!
2. Woburn (Marquess)
Buckinghamshire
Distance from my home – 52 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 – Up 4 places was 6th
Why has it made the list?
One of the names synonymous with golfing culture in England, Woburn as a club is highly thought of in the golfing world and makes a lot of people’s bucket lists in places to play golf. Marquess is ranked 43rd in the Top 100golfcourses.com and although it is not in the upper echelons of rankings it still eases its way onto my list. Opened for play in 2000, the Marquess course was the last of the three to open at Woburn having been designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark.
The course is set in 200 acres of woodland and presents undulating terrain. Within a year of opening the course held the British Masters and since 2014 it has been one of four courses to host the final qualifying round of the Open Championship. In 2015, the course was chosen to host the British Masters and the following year played host to the Women’s British Open.
How much will it cost to play there?
According to the website the cost of playing any of the Woburn courses is the same price. Price varies between £135 through to £179, this is dependent on the time of the year and whether it is a weekday or weekend round.
re
Nottinghamshire
Distance from my home – 74 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Up 1 place was 2nd
Why has it made the list?
Ranked 18th on the Top100golfcourses.com website for golf courses in England, the course and club that make the Hollinwell the obvious choice for top of my rankings for 2020. Hollinwell is one of the finest inland courses in the UK. Open for play in 1887 the course has remained relatively untouched in terms of design other than the addition of bunkers in the 20th century.
Hollinswell has hosted a number of professional and amateur events and is a favourite of Matthew Fitzpatrick and Mel Reid who has previously publically spoken of their admiration of the course and club. Measuring at over 7,000 yards long, it looks a test for golfers of all ability.
How much will it cost to play there?
According to the website, a round in winter (classed as December to March) will cost £60 in the week and £75 on a Sunday afternoon only. In April and November the fees increase to £75 in the week and £100 on a Sunday afternoon. During the summer season, classes as May to October and the round fees are £110 in the week and £130 for a round on a Sunday afternoon.
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