Top 100 Courses Part 3 (50 to 26)
50. Wollaton Park
Distance from my home – 65 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Set in the 5,000 acres within Wollaton Park, the course is overlooked by the magnificent 16th Century Wollaton Hall. The course is known as a parkland course and contains a lot of woodland and trees which make up the majority of the on course hazards. A course that has hosted a lot of well renowned events, none more so than the Senior Open, it measures 6,445 yards and contains challenges for all abilities of golfer.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course offers different rates dependent on the time of year for visitors. On the website it showed costs for March until November where a round in the week would cost £55 or £28 after 4pm (which from September onwards is not really an option. At the weekend a round would be £60, however this is not available on a Saturday and before 2pm on a Sunday.
Cambridgeshire
Distance from my home – 78 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Links Golf Club was founded in 1903 and the course was built on the former grounds of the Newmarket steeplechase and polo club. It was resigned in the 1930’s by the same course designers as the Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa. The course measures at 6,564 yards and is a parkland course which is renowned for having good greens and although there is a lack of water hazards the course has a lot of other challenges to test golfers of all abilities.
How much will it cost to play there?
Links Golf Club offers a very simple pricing strategy for visiting golfers. A twilight round, no matter what day you play the course will cost £40 and a round outside of these hours is £60, again, this does not depend on the day you want to play the course. If you play as a members guest then you save significantly on a round with them costing £24 or £27.
48. Shifnal
Shropshire
Distance from my home – 86 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Measuring at 6,468 yards, Shifnal is considered to be one of the finest in Shropshire due its challenging layout. Like a lot of courses, it began life as a nine hole course, but expanded into an 18 hole course at Decker Hall in 1964. Known for having a lot of trees from the original estate, along with newly matured trees that cause a lot of the hazards on the course. The club has hosted English Golf Union competitions, along with the Amateur Mens open in 2008 and the Ladies Senior Championship in 2012.
How much will it cost to play there?
Shifnal is a course that does offer tee times to non members and visitors, however no specific prices are available on the website. What is stated is that a visitor can expect to pay between £20 to £45 for a round which is very reasonable in comparison to others courses ranked close by.
Derbyshire
Distance from my home – 71 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
One of the oldest clubs on the list, having been founded in 1894, like a lot of clubs its current home was not its first having moved thirteen years after it was founded. It is known as a challenging course with undulating fairways that are lined with trees and a lot of water can be found throughout the course ensuring that a challenge is offered to golfers of all abilities.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted and at a very reasonable price. A twilight round, weather permitting costs £20, however this is after 6pm so would be hard to get a full round in at that price, even in the summer. A visitors rate from October to March costs £30 and then this is increased to £40 from April to September, whenever you play it for the price and where it ranks it is very reasonably priced!
46. Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 46 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
The Leicestershire Golf Club was founded in 1890 and has had amendments made to the course over the years by renowned course designers James Braid, Charles Mackenzie and CK Cotton. It is founded just south of the city and the parkland course opens up to fantastic countryside, measuring at 6,456 yards it is another course that is renowned for having a lot of trees lining the fairways and superb greens to putt on.
How much will it cost to play there?
Another course that offers a very simple approach to visiting golfers. A round of golf will cost £50 for a visitor with the option of spending an additional £10 to buy a day pass to make a day of it. This price is the only option so it is the same all year round and also for weekends or weekday golf.
Distance from my home – 90 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Designed by the same man behind Augusta National, Dr Alister Mackenzie in 1927, the course is set in Boughton Park making it a very picturesque course with streams, lakes and views of the Malvern Hills all to take in on a round at Worcester. Measuring at 6,251 yards the course is a parkland course with maturing trees lining the fairways, which themselves are narrow, meaning accuracy is very much needed when playing at Worcester.
How much will it cost to play there?
Worcester has a pricing structure for visiting members with the cheapest costing £30 for a round from November to March in the week. At the weekend during these months the price increases to £35 depending on availability. In the more seasonal months a weekday round for a visitor costs £45 with a slight increase to £50 at the weekend.
44. Belton Park
Lincolnshire
Distance from my home – 76 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Founded in 1890, Belton Park lies within the spacious parkland of the historic National Trust estate at Belton House. The club has 27 holes in three nines, but it is the Brownlow course (Holes 1 to 18) that have made the cut. Measuring at 6,427 yards the course offers fast greens making putting a true test at Belton Park, expect to see a lot of wildlife on your round, with deer and geese prominent on the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
Although the website was vague in terms of pricing for visiting golfers, it did state that phoning the pro shop to arrange times would be the best option. On the website it listed twilight prices for summer green fees being £30 for the 18 hole option. Although this could be different depending on the time of year you are looking to play.
Leicestershire
Distance from my home – 47 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Ranked third in the county by Top100 golf courses, it was founded in 1911 and opened as a full 18 hole course, unlike a lot of other courses. A number of improvements have been made over the years and this has raised its profile and the course has even held the English Senior Amatuer Champioship in 2016. It is a meandering and beautiful parkland course that more often than not takes you into peaceful tranquility, ideal for a round of golf!
How much will it cost to play there?
Rothley Park offers great rates for visiting golfers who sign in with members as a round would be either £20 or £25 depending on whether it is a round in summer or winter. However a visiting member would expect to pay between £45 for a weekday round in winter up to £75 for a weekend round in the summer.
42. Gog Magog (Wandlebury)
Cambridgeshire
Distance from my home – 75 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
In 1999 Gog Magog opened its second 18 hole course at its facility and it has quickly established itself as one of the best in Cambridgeshire. It boasts a USGA specific greens and has a more modern layout when compared to its older sibling. It has even been used as a regional Open venue. Consisting of eleven brand new holes and blending them with seven older holes from the nine that was already there the Wandlebury is quickly growing in popularity and newer members of the club especially have expressed that they prefer it to the old course.
How much will it cost to play there?
Gog Magog has a few different offers and packages available to the visiting golfer, taking full advantage of two brilliant courses. A round to play either course would be £70, however for £120 you can take in breakfast on arrival, play one course, have some lunch and play the second of the courses which looks a great deal! Again, visitors signed in by members have all of this at reduced rates.
Distance from my home – 16 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Situated on the outskirts of the town centre in the Althorp estate (home of Princess Diana and the Spencer family), Northampton golf club is laid out over two nine hole courses and uses the natural hazard of the Harleston Lake to situate three holes encompassing it. It opened as a complete 18 hole course in 1990 and has quickly established itself as one of the best in Northamptonshire and a test for golfers of all ability.
How much will it cost to play there?
Unless you are a guest of a member then you are unable to play the course at weekends, however a round in the week for visiting golfers is £35 between November and March and then this rises to £40 from April until October which is very good value when compared to courses ranked around it.
40. Millbrook
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 53 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Situated in the desirable town of Millbrook in Bedford this mature woodland course is one of the finest in the county. In 2002 the club became members owned which has created a real improvement to the course and helped it to thrive and see all revenue go into improving the course and facilities. The course itself opens in unusual fashion with two par five holes and sets the tone for a challenging, but enjoyable round in the tranquil setting.
How much will it cost to play there?
The website offers a comprehensive guide for visiting golfers and breaks down specific days, times and prices for visiting golfers. A round in the week will cost between £22 and £35 depending on the time of day you are looking to play. Fridays to Sunday this increases to £22 to £40 with limited time offered on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure that members are rightly catered for first.
Distance from my home – 81 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
One of a few venues that can offer three 18 hole courses. Unfortunately, the youngest of the courses (Blue) does not make the list this time, however the Green is the first of the two others that does. Opened initially as a 9 hole course, it was extended in the late 1960s to become the 18 hole course it is now. Measuring at just over 6,000 yards it is considered a short course in modern standards but offers a lot of challenges and has been used, in parts, in events like the English Amatuer championship and the Ladies British Amatuer Open.
How much will it cost to play there?
It looks like any of the courses cost the same amount for a visitor which is slightly surprising with the differences between them. A weekday round from November to March will cost £50 with no option to play at the weekend during these months. At any other time of the year a weekday round will cost £70 with this rising to £75 at weekends.
38. Saffron Walden
Cambridgeshire
Distance from my home – 82 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Although the postcode of the Saffron Walden course is in Essex, it is affiliated to Cambridgeshire Area Golf Union. Founded in 1919, like a lot of courses, life started as a 9 hole course, however in 1975 it grew to its 18 hole set up that exists today. It is described as a picturesque, mature parkland course which eases the golfer in and saves its more challenging holes for the final third of it. It is a traditional members club and is well renowned as a pleasant place to play a round of golf.
How much will it cost to play there?
Because it is a traditional members club there is limited tee time available for visiting golfers. However a twilight round (five hours before sunset) will cost a visitor £27.50 and at any other time it will cost £55. Like a lot of courses I have researched being a guest of a member is very handy and saves significant money. There are no visitor tee times at weekends.
Distance from my home – 84 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Based just 15 miles from North London, Stanmore opened in 1894 and hosted, as its first event, at the time, a tournament that attracted the best 36 golfers from the UK to play the course. Since then it has had an additional 9 holes added to take it to a 27 hole venue. Another shorter course, measuring at just over 6,000 yards what is lacks in length it makes up for in the need for course management as the course is littered with trees lining the fairways. Stanmore has a good blend of hole variety and length.
How much will it cost to play there?
Stanmore is a course that has a lot of good pricing to attract visiting golfers. The cheapest round would cost £25 which would be any time on a Monday or after a specific time in the week. The most expensive round for a visiting golfer is £45 which would be between 8am to 2pm at a weekend. There are no times not permitted for non members to play which is encouraging.
36. Wellingborough
Northamptonshire
Distance from my home – 18 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
A private members course, established in 1893 and set within the picturesque Harrowden Hall, the course at Wellingborough has hosted PGA and county events over the years showing its prowess as one of the best courses in the local area. Set over 160 acres in the quiet countryside, the course design will challenge golfers of all abilities with shot selection and course management being something to consider strongly here.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play the course with a twilight round costing £35 and a round at any of time costing £50, there doesn’t appear to be any restrictions on days you can play or time of year you can use the offer, however it represents good value for money for sure.
Distance from my home – 87 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Another of the older clubs, founded in 1897 and like a lot of clubs on the list has relocated during the clubs history and expanded from a 9 hole to an 18 hole course. The opening seve holes sees a very woodland designed course, whereas the rest of the course contains a meandering brook which comes into play on every hole on the back nine. Even during autumnal months the course boasts good tee boxes, fairways and greens and is seen as one of the premier courses in Derbyshire.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers have restrictions on them, particularly during these challenging times. Visiting players can play after 1.30pm on a weekday and after 3pm at a weekend. The cost of a round is £35 and this does not take into account choice of day and time of year. Another course offering good value for money.
34. Dunstable Downs
Bedfordshire
Distance from my home – 66 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
A course that offers some fantastic views over the Chiltern Hills, Dunstable Downs is a course of two halves. Holes 1 to 10 are predominantly Parkland in nature, whereas the second half of the course has more of a links feel to it. In 1930 the course became an 18 hole layout measuring at just over 6,600 yards. Changes to the course layout have actually reduced this down to 6,251 yards but remains a challenge for golfers of all abilities.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play the course and the club offers a lot of opportunities for this. As with a lot of clubs, if you are signed in by a member then you can get reductions on your round of golf. Cost of a round varies from £40 to £50 depending on time and season with options for a day ticket available as well.
33. Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
Distance from my home – 81 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Berkhamsted is known as a heathland classic and is often ranked among the Top 100 golf courses in England. Established in 1890 the course is GEO certified meaning the course has nature at its heart with gorse, heather and mature woodlands constantly in vision. Unusually for a golf course there are no bunkers. Since 1960 it has hosted its own event which is known as one of the top golf events for elite amateurs and had been played by Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo and Luke Donald along the way.
How much will it cost to play there?
The course is very accommodating for visiting golfers and has little in the terms of restrictions and tee times are available every day. A weekday round will cost a visiting golfer £60 and if you want a round at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday after 11.30am a round will cost a fraction more at £70 which is comparable to other visiting golfers.
Distance from my home – 71 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 −New entry
Why has it made the list?
Known for its tree littered fairways that were part of the remodelling of the course in 1918, Moseley is now a classic Harry Colt designed parkland course. Measuring at 6,292 yards it is not one of the longer courses you can play but it more than makes up for that with its fast, true greens and because it is a great course all year round has hosted a lot of regional and local qualification competitions for larger events.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golfers are permitted to play the course with restrictions. The best time to play the course is in the week where a round any day but a Thursday will cost a very respectable £35. Visitors are unable to play on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday morning, but an afternoon round on a Sunday will cost £45 and this applies to Bank Holidays as well. As a members guest, these rates are cheaper still but a very reasonable price to pay.
31. Copt Heath
Distance from my home – 53 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Another course that has the hallmark of Harry Colt in its design, Copt Heath was founded 1907 and one of the primary design features of this course was the bunkering, 101 in total to be exact. Again, it is a relatively short course, but it is challenging to all golfers and because of this it frequently hosts Open Championship Qualification events. Due to the sheer volume of trees, coupled with sand and water hazards it requires a great deal of course management and accuracy to be successful here. A thinker's golf course for sure.
How much will it cost to play there?
According to the website the golf course welcomes visiting golfers however it does not stipulate any difference in times and cost. What is mentioned is that a round will cost between £55 to £75 and also that county memberships and guests of members are allocated a cheaper rate. I would assume that visiting golfers would need to contact the club to organise the round of golf.
Distance from my home – 55 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Down 9 places, was 21st
Why has it made the list?
Previous host of The British Masters and European tour events, The Arden course is set in beautiful surroundings and home to one of the most iconic closing holes in British golf, the Par 3, 202 yard hole which is surrounded by water. Another of the courses that is more renowned now for stay and play golf and one of the better examples of that in the country for sure. A very long and challenging golf course that played at the right time is a real treat for golfers of all abilities.
How much will it cost to play there?
Due to the focus on the website being around staying and incorporating golf into the stay it is difficult to find that information out from the website. Having looked around finding a tee time is tricky but the cost of a round is around £50 which is reasonable. Having played the course I think incorporating a stay is a great deal with plenty of places offering good deals on this.
29. Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Distance from my home – 88 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Up 19 places, was 48th
Why has it made the list?
Opened in 1992, Buckinghamshire is set in majestic space and is home to a Grade II listed clubhouse. The elegant course is set in more than 200 acres of mature parkland and although close to the M40 you would not know this once out on the course. The layout of the course is designed to test golfers of all abilities and the greens a fast and run true. In 2017, a major bunker renovation was completed to reduce them by half, but in the process make them more prominent meaning you need to carefully manage your way around the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
Another course where finding specific green fees was tough, however by offering different packages it is clear that they are open to visiting golfers playing. Judging by the information I could find a round of golf would cost around £60 to £75 however the deal that was offered on the website was a very good one enticing visiting golfers to dine and play.
Distance from my home – 73 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New entry
Why has it made the list?
Kedleston Park is a members golf course that is situated in 155 acres of parkland within sits the incredible Kedleston Hall. The golf club has a lot of history but moved to its current home in 1947. It is another parkland course that uses the natural surroundings of its trees to help line the fairways and in keeping with moving with the times it had a major bunker renovation project carried out in 2013 over three years to improve the course.
How much will it cost to play there?
The golf course offers options for visiting golfers, however the pricing structure is not on the site. What it does stipulate is that visitors can play in the week only, apart from Bank Holidays, and that it is a club where booking stays will also allow golf to be played. Looking for prices, it looks like a round is in the region of £75 to play there.
27. Edgbaston
Warwickshire
Distance from my home – 64 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − Up 10 places, was 37th
Why has it made the list?
Having previously had two homes prior to this, Edgbaston took up its residency in 1936 and is another course in the area designed by Harry Colt. It is a natural parkland course surrounded by woodland and it is a very tight course meaning accuracy is needed to play well round it. It is also known for having tricky greens. Although perhaps not one of the most well renowned courses in the local area, the late Peter Alliss ranked it inside his Top 200 courses in the country in the early 2000s.
How much will it cost to play there?
Edgbaston offers a lot of variety in terms of visiting golfers. The cheapest round of golf would be in the week during October to March which would be £40 for the round, there are some times which visiting golfers are not allowed during the week but it has a lot of options to find a tee time. This rises to between £65 to £75 for a round in the peak golfing season very comparable to other courses in the rankings.
Distance from my home – 64 minutes
Change in Ranking from 2019 − New Entry
Why has it made the list?
Whittington Heath is a popular heathland course with views of Lichfield Cathedral in the distance. Being accurate is essential whilst on the course as the fairways are narrow and littered with gorse and heather. It is a test for golfers of all abilities. It has one of the oldest clubhouses in the country and like a lot of older courses started life as a nine hole course but was expanded by Harry Colt, due to the high speed railway more work has been done on the course and work was due to be completed in 2021.
How much will it cost to play there?
Visiting golders are permitted to play by prior arrangement. According to the website there is one charge for visitors and that is £65 for an adult. Like a lot of courses if you are a visiting golfer with a member (members guest) you get to play the course at a reduced price.
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