Top 100 Courses Part 2 (75 to 51)
Distance from my home – 88 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Established in 1910, Denham is another course that was designed by Harry Colt and opened for play the following year. Denham is a very good example of a solid, challenging Parkland course. Although it is perhaps not the most memorable of courses, it is one that challenges and gives enjoyment to members and visitors alike.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are permitted all year round, and there seems to be no stipulation on when you can or can not play. Round prices vary depending on the time of the year only with the cheapest round costing £45 between November and March, with the most expensive costing £70 between May and September.
74. Sandwell Park
Staffordshire
Distance from my home – 65 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Situated very close to the city of Birmingham in the West Bromwich area, Sandwell originally started life in 1898 as a nine hole course. In 1911, the course expanded to become the 18 hole course that remains the same layout as today. The wooded heath course has held a lot of regional events and in 2016 the club hosted the England Golf Men’s County Championship finals.
How much will it cost to play there?
Sandwell Park allows visiting golfers to its course during weekdays only. A round of 18 holes between April and October will cost £45 with this reducing slightly in the winter months. Guests of members are permitted to play at a reduced rate.
73. Sandy Lodge
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 84 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Founded in 1910, the course was designed by Harry Vardon and was described as one of Hertfordshire’s gem courses. The course is a wide open and windswept course that measures at just shy of 6,500 yards making it a shorter course, however remains a challenging, yet enjoyable course for members and visitors alike.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are welcome to play the course and there is no restriction to when visitors can play, as long as a tee is available. Another fairly unique aspect for visitors is that the cot of a round is the same whether it is during the week or at a weekend. At the time of writing a round cost £65 for visiting golfers.
72. Coventry
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 43 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Previously used as an Open regional qualifying venue, Coventry was always going to make this list. Founded in 1887, Coventry Golf Club moved to its current location in 1911. The course was redesigned in 1960 and subsequently held events, as previously stated, as well as a European Tour event which ran in the 1970’s. It also has hosted Ladies Amateur events.
How much will it cost to play there?
According to the website, Coventry accepts visitors every day apart from on a Tuesday morning and at weekends and Bank Holidays you can play, however this is only as a guest with a member. There was no pricing on the website, however after researching a Day rate is £70 and a guest rate fee is £27 so it is somewhere between the two prices.
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 48 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Home of recent European Tour winner Sam Horsfield, Bedford and County was established in 1912 in mature woodland across undulating terrain. It is a very well kept course, in all seasons. Each hole is named after reminders of the heritage of the club with the back nine being known as the most memorable and uses natural hazards to its advantage, in this case, a brook. Known by players in the Bedfordshire area as a connoisseurs' choice.
How much will it cost to play there?
Due to COVID, there is a lack of information about visiting members on the website. Members guests are permitted to play from £15 after 3pm on a weekday up to £40 at a weekend. As a visitor I would expect that this is more expensive, however at around £10 to £20 on top of these fees this would be a good price.
70. Kidderminister
Worcestershire
Distance from my home – 90 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Previously known as Comberton Golf Club up until 1909, when it moved to Aggborough Links and after progressing to an 18 hole course, it became Kidderminister in 1921. The course has been designed with trees running down the majority of the fairways and the majority of the greens are either protected by bunkers or water hazards and poses a challenge for golfers of all levels with a good blend of long and short holes.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play at any time, tee times permitted. A weekday round costs £35 and a weekend round is marginally more at £45. Members guest rates are slightly cheaper making it a very reasonably priced course to play.
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 58 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Down 23 places, was 36
Why has it made the list?
The first of the entries from last year and a bit of a drop for the course this time round purely because of the better research gone into the rankings this time round. Another course renowned for offering excellent stay and play facilities, the course itself is set in stunning surroundings and boasts immaculate greens and tight fairways where your accuracy is really tested. Stapleford Park was chosen in both 2010 and 2011 to host PGA European Seniors golf events.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors and guests of the hotel are very much permitted to play the course and they actively look for that on their website. Exactly prices depend on the time of day and the day itself, however a round at Stapleford Park starts at £30 which makes it a very reasonably priced option for a round of golf.
68. Mill Hill
Middlesex
Distance from my home – 84 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Mill Hill is a parkland course that was completed in 1923 and is set in 145 acres of land that borders Hertfordshire and North London. The course uses a lot of natural hazards to challenge players on the course with ancient oak trees just off fairways and lakes used as water hazards throughout the course and at 6,247 yards is not necessarily one of the longest courses but will test golfers of all abilities and handicaps.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play from as little as £25 for a twilight round in the week. A standard round in the week will cost £40 with this rising slightly to £45 at a weekend or a bank holiday. Looking at the website, they have different pricing at less busier times and a weekend round could be played for as little as £35.
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 64 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Established in 1908 and set in Warwickshire, Ladbrook Park is set in 144 acres of parkland with a brook meandering through and being at the forefront of 11 of the 18 holes on the course. Measuring at 6,503 yards it does not only have the brook to cause issues for golfers, it has additional hazards such as ponds as well as trees lining the course meaning that this is a real thinkers golf course and shot selection is key as well as course management.
How much will it cost to play there?
Ladbrook Park, like many clubs, offer cheaper visiting fees if you are a friend of a member and in this instance a round will cost from £20 depending on the day and time of year. As a visiting golfer the best rate is between November and March at a cost of £40, this does not stipulate whether this is during the week or weekends so assume it is all the time. During April to October this rises to £60 for a round.
66. Lilleshall Hall
Shropshire
Distance from my home – 88 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Opened in 1937, Lilleshall Hall is set in a quiet and picturesque part of Shropshire and is adjacent to the more famously known Lilleshall Sports Centre. The course is lined with trees on the fairways and has generally small and undulating greens to test accuracy on approach. Although set in the countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty the course is relatively flat and has previously hosted professional golfers such as Sam Torrence and Sandy Lyle to its course.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course encourages visiting golfers to play and keeps the price of this very simple. In the summer during the week a round would be £20 for off peak and £40 at busier times. During weekends, where the members rightly get priority the cost is £25 for an off peak round and £50 during the busier times (tee time availability permitting) making it a well priced course.
Oxfordshire
Distance from my home – 83 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Formerly known as Southfield up until as recently as 2011, Oxford Golf Club was redesigned in 1922 and kept some of the original holes and added his twist to make it the course it is today. The course has a lot of memorable holes on it and challenges ones too, with a great blend of par 3, 4 and 5 holes. As recently as July 2012 the 18th was extended and a water hazard was included to ensure the finale is as good as the rest of the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
Although there was no information about visiting member prices as part of the website it is clear that visiting members are permitted to play. I went through to the booking and found that in the summer a round during the week was £30 and at the weekend this went up slightly to £40.
64. Willesley Park
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 64 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Found in the North West of Leicestershire and opened for play in April 1921, Willesley Park is set in picturesque countryside and is a parkland course with some heathland thrown in for good measure. The course itself, which was expanded in 1926 to its current set up, opens with a tee shot through trees and ends with back to back par three’s on 16 and 17 and concludes with a shot onto the final green requiring a level of accuracy.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play the course and they have two pricing bands. From Sunday to Friday a round will cost £45, with this increasing to £55 on a Saturday and on Bank Holidays. Visiting golfers have some restrictions in terms of time which is fairly standard of golf clubs.
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 89 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
The course is situated in the beautiful surroundings of Matlock Moor and at parts on the course rises to 850 meters above sea level. Designed and laid out in 1907, the course is one renowned for being slightly shorter than others in the area, making it a real test of accuracy rather than long striking. Bentley Brook becomes a feature of a lot of the holes in terms of hazards and if it is not the brook then it is moorland or heather than causes problems to golfers.
How much will it cost to play there?
Matlock allows visiting golfers to play the course with the summer rate being £40 a round in the week and £50 for a round at the weekend. Although there were no fees listed in the winter this is more than likely to be cheaper than the summer tariff.
62. Newark
Nottinghamshire
Distance from my home – 79 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Newark was founded in 1901 and was opened as a nine hole course, however in 1934 the club moved and became an 18 hole course. In the 1970’s alterations were made to the course with six greens and seven tees changed under famous course designer Donald Steel. Trees were planted in the 1990’s making it a more challenging course and also has ponds and bunkers predominantly as hazards to the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course offers three different costs for visiting players. Although it does not have restrictions in terms of days in the winter, a round after 12pm costs £15, between 10.30am and 12pm it costs £25 and before this it is £30 a round. During late summer into Autumn a weekday round varies from £22 to £35 and at the weekend this is between £25 to £30, however there are some restrictions to this. In the summer this is £25 to £40 in the week and between £30 and £40 at the weekend, again with some restrictions in place.
Northamptonshire
Distance from my home – 24 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Down 23 places was 38th
Why has it made the list?
A course that had suffered a level of decline but is now in the hands of members so expect a resurgence next year in the rankings. Opened in 1990 the course had had a very eventful short history with the course hosting two British Masters tournaments and European Senior Tour events but has recently not held such prolific events. The course itself is renowned for the 18th hole which is a par five onto an island but offers more than that. Hopefully in time the members will get it back to the course it once was.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course offers visiting golfers a lot of choice to play it with the cheapest round being a twilight round in the week at £20, if you play on a Monday to Thursday a round will cost £30, £32.50 on a Friday and £35 at the weekend, making it very reasonably priced whenever you choose to play it.
60. Warwickshire (Earls)
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 46 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Home of two 18 hole courses, it is the Earls course that makes this year's list. Founded in 1904, it was only in 2005 that we had two distinct courses at the Warwickshire. At over 7000 yards the course is a very tough course and needs a lot of thought to be successful around it and score well, this is not only due to the length of the course but the water hazards and the trees lining the fairways. The opening nine holes are mostly through woodland and although most holes are drivable a lot of precision is needed.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are permitted to play both of the courses. The website does not have a specific area for visitors however when trying to book a tee a round in the week during the summer would cost between £50 to £72 and at the weekend a round would cost £50 to £100 depending on the time of day.
Derbyshire
Distance from my home – 72 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Located in Derbyshire, the parkland course plays home to water on the majority of the 18 holes that surround the 180 acre undulating land. The greens have been designed to USGA standard and are renowned for being fast greens. As recently as this year the course has extended the 17th hole, making it a signature hole and extending it to become a par 5 penultimate hole. It is the final few holes that really stand out at Horsley Lodge, and one that makes it well worth a visit for all golfers.
How much will it cost to play there?
Horsley Lodge is another course that likes to attract the stay and play golfer. When trying to book a tee time at the weekends in the summer the course prices varied from £25 through to £39 and during the week a round varied from £22 through to £34 making it a very reasonably priced course to play.
Cambridgeshire
Distance from my home – 56 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Designed and constructed in the mid 1930’s and opened for play in 1938, Peterborough Milton sits in parkland surroundings in the Fitzwilliam Estate. It is a course that has attracted a lot of interest in recent times in terms of hosting events, with the England Golf, England Women Senior Amateur Championships. The greens are on the whole small and with tight fairways accuracy is very much needed when playing the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
The website very much encourages visiting golfers to play the course and has information and prices for rounds from June. During the week a round would be £45 and at the weekends and Bank Holidays a round would cost £60. It is another course that offers significant reduction for members' guests.
57. Charnwood Forest
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 49 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Situated in beautiful surroundings, Charnwood Forest is the oldest golf club in Leicestershire having been found in 1890. The course is a nine hole one and this does not detract from the course at all, and the back nine is played off differently position tees. Throughout the round excellent views are found throughout, adding to the experience, with hills and slopes prominent throughout, as well as heather gorse, rocks and dry stone walls adding to the experience when playing shots.
How much will it cost to play there?
Charnwood offers visiting golfers excellent opportunities to play the course. The website lists prices from March to October with a round in the week costing £30 after 11am, this time allows members a priority to play the course. At weekends this rises slightly to £35, with the same time constraints. During October to March, this is expected to be offered at a cheaper rate, making it a very reasonably priced course.
56. Tadmarton Heath
Oxfordshire
Distance from my home – 69 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Tadmarton Heath, based in Banbury in Oxfordshire is a well drained heathland course, due to it being on a plateau 650 feet above sea level. Tadmarton offers only one par five hole and that contributes to it being a smaller course in comparison to others. Although formed in 1922, the course is always looking at moving the course forward and commissioned work in 2013 in order to remodel the 69 bunkers and all of the greens. This work was completed in 2018 and has made the course even better to play and the focus has now shifted to removing some trees on the course and managing gorse.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course welcomes visiting golfers and accommodates them as best as they can, ensuring that members take priority. A round in the week will cost £40, usually after 9.30am. At the weekend and Bank Holidays, visiting golfers can play the course at a cost of £50 usually after 11am. This did not stipulate whether this changed for different times of the year.
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 49 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Aspley Guise was established in 1914 and remains an undulating challenge for golfers of all abilities, however it started off life as a nine hole course and in the 1970s expanded to become the 18 hole course it is now. The course is a mature parkland design and has fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. Ranked regularly in the Top 5 courses in the county deserves its place on the list.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course welcomes visiting golfers and has a lot of prices to ensure that value is seen and difference in the seasons is noted in the price as well. During the week a round would cost anything from £43 to £47. During the weekend and on Bank Holidays the cost to play is between £55 to £60 and the course offer significantly reduced prices for twilight rounds of golf.
54. The Bedfordshire (Championship Course)
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 43 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Down 29 places was 25th
Why has it made the list?
Originally founded in 1891 as a 9 hole course in Brickhill, today the Bedfordshire course is found at a new location and is now an 18 hole course having moved twice in its history. The new location opened in 2000 by Dame Laura Davies. The course has a total of six holes containing water including two lake holes toward the end of the round and offers a great blend of par 3, 4 and 5 holes. The new site also offers and academy course and great facilities to practice.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are encouraged to play the course with a very straightforward pricing structure. A round in the week (Monday to Thursday) costs £35, with this rising to £39 on a Friday. At weekends where you would expect a higher pricing range, a round will set you back £44. On the website there is no differentiation between seasons, however the price is very reasonable whatever the weather!
53. Brocket Hall (Palmerston)
Distance from my home – 80 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Situated around 20 miles north of London, the Palmerston course at Brocket Hall is the newer of the two courses opened for play in 2000. Measuring at 7,080 yards off the Championship tees, it is a real test not only of distance but in terms of its unforgiving rough as the course is littered with different trees making up the majority of the hazards. A course to test a lot of your game but mainly course management and patience.
How much will it cost to play there?
Finding exact costs for the course proved tricky as they market themselves more as a play and stay venue or focus on Day Memberships. This consists of breakfast and lunch, use of the practice facilities and a round of golf for £250, with this in mind I would make an assumption that green fees would be upward of £100 which makes it more expensive than the norm at this level.
52. Fulford Heath
Worcestershire
Distance from my home – 64 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Designed by the famous James Braid, the course at Fulford opened in 1933, the eighteen hole course, which measures at just over 6,000 yards represents a challenge for golfers of all standards. Natural hazards in terms of trees, three lakes and the River Cole predominantly make up the challenges on the course. The back nine starts and ends with the only par five holes on the course and the second half of the course is known as the more memorable and challenging.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visitors are permitted to play the course with a very straightforward pricing structure. Weekday rounds cost between £30 to £40 and that is not seasonal but dependent on the time you tee off. Weekend rounds cost visiting players £50. Like a lot of course there is a significant deduction for visitors who come in with a member.
Cambridgeshire
Distance from my home – 80 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Ely City was founded in the 1960’s when five businessmen wanted to see golf in the city so brought an old prisoner of war camp and opened a nine hole course in April 1961. Twelve years later, the ground was extended to an 18 hole course and the course opening was an event between the then Open Champion Lee Treviso and South African golfer Hugh Baiocchi. It is a very compact course meaning accuracy and good course management are an essential to have a good round at Ely.
How much will it cost to play there?
Another course that offers a fairly straightforward plan for visiting golfers. A round in the week will cost £45 and this increases to £60 at the weekends and on Bank Holidays. Twilight golfing is available in the summer with a round in the week costing £22.50 and then at the weekend this increases to £30. Again, if you are a member's guest then you can get this for a cheaper rate.
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