Hugh

One of a number of James Braid courses in the top end of the Suffolk rankings and it’s an enjoyable affair and quite unique with great golfers’ accommodation which we love. We stay here every year and enjoy the experience and the value for money. It’s not quite in the league of Purdis, Woodbridge or Worlington,but it’s not far off.

I genuinely don’t understand why Worlington polarises opinion as it does. For me this is the real deal and still relevant in the 21st century. We play here annually as part of our Suffolk trip and we play 36 and embrace the full RW&N experience. I love it and despite having played it dozens of times, the greens still confound me. It’s the variety of green complexes that are the stars of the show here and for that reason alone it belongs in a class of its own. Once maybe RW&N was overrated now it’s definitely underrated.

I played Woodbridge again on our annual Suffolk trip in October and I love it. For me it’s more interesting than Aldebugh. Woodbridge has variety and style with a couple of great P3’s at #9 and #15, it’s also go a bit more elevation and quirk which I love. That said, Suffolk does have some good courses and Woodbridge is underrated.

I played Aldeburgh again on our annual Suffolk trip in October and I become less impressed each time I visit. The thing I like most is that it plays firm and fast. It’s got plenty of length and a lowly par 68, so scoring is tough, but it lacks variation with 9 longish par fours in the first 11 holes. Ideally the course needs a couple of par fives to break up the monotony.

I played Purdis again on our annual visit in October and I’m most impressed by the bunker renovations which have improved the course significantly. For me Ipswich is now underrated and should site alongside the likes of the Addington and West Hill. I liked it before the renovations and now I love it. It’s not quite in the top league but it’s not far off.

The 5th hole is undoubtedly the star of the show at Alnmouth and the rest of the course play second fiddle. To be fair the front nine is enjoyable but the backside is distinctly average. There’s little here to suggest to me that this is a Harry Colt course and I’m sure much has changed since it was originally laid out. There’s nothing seamless about the layout with two starkly different nines on either side of the road. The conditioning however was excellent when I played here last month but it’s a miss architecturally.

It’s interesting to see the Desert course ranked higher than the Mountain as the Mountain was awarded the best renovation in 2015 by Golf Digest. Having played here recently, I can understand why you have them the other way round. I found the Mountain to be a little too contrived in places and too picture perfect, whereas the Desert seemed to be more natural and a more manageable test for this mid-handicapper, who particularly liked the Desert’s unusual bunkering.

Played the Codrington course earlier this month on a sunny day with a two-club wind and enjoyed it very much. Challenging course with numerous memorable holes of great variety but also very playable for our group of mixed handicappers. Some bunkers seemed to be undergoing renovation and others were compacted with hardly any sand, which made escaping a bit of a lottery. The rest of the course (especially the greens) was in pretty good condition for mid autumn. I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly impressed. We played Ross-on-Wye and Weston-super-Mare before finishing off the trip with the sublime Burnham & Berrow. The Codrington course stood up pretty well in such esteemed company and some of our group preferred it to Ross, which a few felt was too claustrophobic and rather samey. Hugh

Our group played Ross-on-Wye as part of a trip that included the Players Club, Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham & Berrow earlier this month. We expected quite a lot from Ross, which is ranked very highly and was once in the English 100 I think. I liked the course, but agree with many of the reviewers below that reckon it could be so much better. The trees make the course feel very confined and frankly most of our group struggled to score anywhere near handicap. It’s a tough course where length and accuracy is key to playing to handicap. On the back nine I resorted to hitting a mid iron off most of the tees and scored better. You need to be on top of your game here to enjoy it, especially for the higher handicappers who lost umpteen balls in the leaves. Hugh

Torino is THE club to be a member of in Turin and I’ve been lucky enough to play here on couple of occasions. There is something spot on about this club, both from the service provided to the peaceful location right through to condition of the course. The Alpine views are also pretty special. It’s a mature wooded parkland track that’s seriously testing from the regular tees which stgretch back some 6,600 yards. I’ve yet to play anywhere near handicap here for some reason unbeknown to me but I’ll be back when I’m next visiting Turin and once again I’ll dig deep and pay the green fee. It really is worth the expense if you can afford it.

These two latest six balls reviews are surely the work of Luffenham members or club staff? Luffenham does have positives in that it is set in a lovely place and 17 is one of the best par threes in the Midlands and 18 a great closer. But there are too many average holes at Luffenham which makes the experience rather forgettable. I’m always sceptical when reviewers say that the members are welcoming and the staff friendly – these aspects are of secondary importance to the golf course and suggest the reviewer is somewhat biased. Unfortunately the soil at Luffenham is too heavy for it to play like a heathland course and compared to <A href="/golf-course/notts" target=_self>Notts</A>, Luffenham is in a much lower league which may suit higher handicappers as the Luffenham test is not exacting. When I last played here in Sept 2011 I managed to play to handicap and I was playing poor golf that day. If I was on similar form at Notts, I’d have finished eight or nine shots off handicap. In summary, an OK course, worth playing if in the area, but it will never stand up to scrutiny compared to Notts. They will need to grow the rough and narrow the fairways when Open Qualifying comes here in 2013 or it will be ripped apart.

The <A href="/golf-course/mannings-heath-waterfall" target=_self>Waterfall course</A> may get the plaudits but the Kingfisher is a decent understudy. I like the understated nature of David Williams’ designs but I think if he’d done a better job of the par threes here then the Kingfisher would be much more highly regarded. The greens are usually the Kingfisher’s strongest points along with the very reasonable test of golf that the course throws up. This is certainly not as good as the Waterfall but I’m always happy to play here and always enjoy the experience.

We stopped off to play Birr on the way from Dublin to Lahinch. None of us were expecting much but we all came away having enjoyed Birr very much. It’s no championship course but it’s a little cracker and for €25 a round it’s an Irish bargain.

Situated directly next to the pay and play Wergs Golf Club in the northern suburbs of Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire is one of a number of really good parkland courses in an area that is virtually unknown to travelling golfers. I have family in Walsall and have been lucky enough to play most of them over the last few decades. Naturally Little Aston, located five miles or so to the east is the cream of the crop, but I’d rate South Staffs not a million miles behind in terms of quality and challenge, although South Staff has a slightly weaker finish than Little Aston. The 3rd is a great hole with a tough sloping green, I’ve three putted here on more than one occasion. 4 is a drivable par 4 and 5 a short par five and both holes offer up birdie chances. 6 is a tiddly but tight par 3 that is well bunkered and the green is a small target to hit. 9 is a brutal par four and the toughest hole by some distance. The odd blind drive remind you that this is a course that was laid out some time ago and the whole experience is thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a much underrated track. 

Best course in Essex perhaps, <A href="/golf-course/orsett" target=_self>Orsett</A> is&nbsp;my favourite but Thorndon Park is not far behind.

Orsett I think is my favourite Essex course, just ahead of <A href="/golf-course/thorndon-park" target=_self>Thorndon Park</A>. Both are good tracks but neither is great compared to many others to the west of the M25.

I went to Abridge to watch Regional Qualifying in June 2011 and was lucky enough to play the course later that week with a friend who is a non-Jewish club member. Presented in its championship livery, Abridge is a great course and I have played it many times over the years and yes, it can get soggy in the winter (as can Chigwell and the vast majority of other courses in this area) but Abridge is always in better condition than the others. Overall I think Abridge is a solid golf course that tests the very best. Only three players broke 70 during Regional Qualifying this year and that is why it’s used. I suspect had the same pros played at Chigwell most players would have scored in the 60s. Don’t get me wrong, I like Chigwell, but it’s not in the same league as Abridge re the golfing test.

Shanklin and Sandown is a worth making the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight. There are some decent golf courses on the island which combine to make a different golf trip. Shanklin heads the list but Freshwater Bay is a good track too and the 9 hole Osbourne is a little gem in grounds of Osbourne House. Back to S&S, great variety to the holes with two intriguing uphill P3’s. Greens were top drawer when we played here last year. For around £30 a round this is good value golf and I said earlier the IOW is a different place to visit for a value golf trip.

Stayed and played recently at Bowood Park on one of their 3-day golf breaks that included 2 nights dinner B&B and 3 rounds of golf for £150. I must say I was very impressed with their facilities and enjoyed the course too. This was basically a bit of a gamble that paid off not least because we had some great weather and the course was in good shape. It was set up for holiday golf with little in the way of rough and that was a good for our group as we might have spent hours looking for lost balls! Loved the 5th hole which is a tough par four and the approach to the long P5 7th is excellent too. The signature 12th is well known in the area but we all found the going tougher on the boomerang shaped P5 13th with its split fairway. All in all a decent course and an excellent value facility.

Played the Outer course back in the summer of April. I know, summer is really June but this June is like April here in the South East. It was a hot sunny day with little or no breeze and I escaped work early to play here. The 3-ball review posted lowered my expectations, but I enjoyed the course and hit driver about six times and can't really understand the comments about the course being that short. I'm not the biggest hitter, but the Outer is a nice test despite and I thought the greens were excellent. Shame about Heathrow... perhaps they will close the airport down at some point and we can all go by train and boat again, who knows?

Played here last week in glorious warm April sunshire and it was fabulous for a new course. Pern has done a clever job with a difficult site and has made dramatic use of the rise and falling ground. The most notable thing about Dartmouth's Championship course is the variety of each hole and the overall challenge. There is absolutely no room for error...you must keep the ball in play at all costs. The undulating site is exciting and at times frightening, if you are not on your game you will struggle to play anywhere near your handicap...talking from experience! I'd like to get to know this course better and although I've only played it once, I can remember at least half a dozen holes, which is a credit to the course. The less exacting 9-hole Dartmouth course is also interesting and makes for an ideal Texas scramble warm-up for a society day. Well worth going out of your way to play. Could be as good as <a href="/golf-course/st-mellion-nicklaus" target="_self">St Mellion</a> with a little more investment.

Undeniably Newbury and Crookham is an underrated course but 6-ball reviews have to be reserved for the very best courses and this is simply not in the same league as some of the Berkshire greats, including <A href="/golf-course/berkshire-red" target=_self>Red</A>, <A href="/golf-course/berkshire-blue" target=_self>Blue</A> and <A href="/golf-course/swinley-forest" target=_self>Swinley Forest</A> all of which are significantly better. Don’t get me wrong, N&C is a good and strategic course, it’s just not one of the greats.

Played Royal Guernsey for the second time last summer and this time I enjoyed the course more. Previously I found it too hard, both in terms of challenge, but especially the fairways that were like concrete. Last summer I played it after heavy overnight rain and it was a much more pleasurable experience. As usual during the summer, the course was really busy and with a stiff wind blowing it was the real deal. I’ve played dozens of links courses up and down Britain and Ireland and I’ve never played anything quite like Royal Guernsey, it’s an enthralling engaging and recommended experience if visiting the island.

Played Hilversum last month for the first time in 15 years and was very impressed. It’s very similar to a flattened <A href="/golf-course/worplesdon" target=_self>Worplesdon</A>, <A href="/golf-course/woking" target=_self>Woking</A> or <A href="/golf-course/west-hill" target=_self>West Hill</A>, indeed you could be forgiven for thinking you’re playing golf in Surrey. There are also shades of <A href="/golf-course/royal-zoute" target=_self>Royal Zoute</A> here too. In terms of quality, Hilversum is nearly as good as any of the aforementioned courses but in terms of challenge I think it’s a fraction harder test than its English and Belgian look-alikes, mainly because it’s tighter (although less so than it was due to the Kyle Phillips tree clearing programme) and a little longer too from the new tees. My favourite holes are those near to the clubhouse and although Hilversum has only gentle changes in elevation it never appears particularly flat. Accuracy is key to getting round in a half decent score but you also need to have some length as there are numerous tight and long par fours on the card. Surprised to be the first to post a course review of this very good Dutch course.

Having recently played Sandiway (June 2010) after reading all these glowing reviews, I have to say I was disappointed. This course seems to have received too many 6-ball reviews and is perhaps too high in the rankings IMO. The greens were not running true when I played and they were too slow. It may be a welcoming club which has a nice pedigree but Sandiway is a good course not an excellent one. <A href="/golf-course/delamere-forest" target=_self>Delamere</A> is a league or two ahead of Sandiway. Don’t get me wrong, Sandiway is worth playing but it falls short in my book of being a classic.

Played the Gogs Old course again after the recent Lagonda Trophy and it was a joy on sunny day to be on that high chalk escarpment. Apparently Andy Sullivan from Nuneaton won the Lagonda with a 64 in the first round and a 69 in the second – amazing golf. Anyway, the Old course is relatively straight forward and tighter than the Wandlebury which really should be a gem as it has been an Open Regional Qualifying Course until 2011 and has some fantastic holes. Anyway, the Old has a simply fantastic collection of par threes and some solid par fours. Perhaps its main weakness are the par fives – back to back par five 7 and 8, with 8 playing more like a par four especially given the approach falls away towards the sunken green. That said, the Gogs is always an enjoyable experience and I never tire of playing there. The clubhouse has received a makeover too which is much improved.

We visited the resort, if you can call it that, in 2008 and it was at the point of collapse. We stayed for a couple of days and then moved on as the whole place was crumbling… great beach and surely once a great facility but unless something massive has happened recently, I’d avoid going here to play golf as the course had virtually returned to nature less than two years ago. Apparently staff were not getting paid and therefore the whole complex was falling down like a pack of cards. I may be wrong in that things may have improved recently but it was a disaster from a golf course perspective.

Played Golf Santander on a recent trip to Madrid to find out if this really is worthy of appearing in Golf Digest’s 2009 non-US Top 100… in fact GD rated this course the second best in Spain behind <A href="/golf-course/real-valderrama" target=_self>Valderrama</A> and somehow overlooked <A href="/golf-course/pga-catalunya-stadium" target=_self>PGA Catalunya</A> and another excellent Madrid course, <A href="/golf-course/real-sociedad-hipica-espanola-club-de-campo-north" target=_self>RSHE Club de Campo</A>, which I’ve played a few times with a friend who is a member All three courses aforementioned are better than Santander IMO but that said Santander is not a bad course, it’s just a bit young and dare I say a tad under whelming. That said, the condition was excellent and it’s plenty tough enough. Would like to play it again sometime but will wait a few more years for it to mature first.

I’ve played Hirsel quite a few times and it’s not the best course in wet weather, as it does tend to get soggy underfoot. However, I think the review below is a bit harsh and Hirsel is not only a pretty course but also fairly challenging despite its quirky 90-yard par three 10th called ‘Spa Well’ which would benefit from a few yards extra length. At only 6000 yards it’s certainly not long but after 18 holes you’ll feel the effect, as there are plenty of ups and downs. I doubt the commentator who called it the Augusta of the Borders had ever been to Georgia. It’s a shame that Hirsel is marketed on a comparison to one of the world’s most highly conditioned courses because it sets an unrealistic visitor expectation. I’ve never played Augusta but I’ve watched enough of the Masters to know that Hirsel is not in the same league but Hirsel is a decent and friendly members club.

Definitely the Burnside is the understudy to the <a href="/golf-course/carnoustie-championship" target="_self">Championship</a> course at Carnoustie but just like the <a href="/golf-course/royal-troon-portland" target="_self">Portland at Royal Troon</a> and the <a href="/golf-course/trump-turnberry-king-robert-the-bruce">Kintyre at Turnberry</a> the Burnside is totally overshadowed by the outstanding Open Championship course which sits next door. I think the Kintyre is the second best “relief” course in Scotland. The <a href="/golf-course/st-andrews-new" target="_self">New course at St Andrews</a> is the premier second course in my view but the Burnside is certainly worth playing as a warm up to the Championship and I think the course is slightly better than some of the reviews below suggest. The famous Barry Burn comes into play, and the 17th “sinkies” is a great hole, the par threes, especially the 5th which is as good a one-shot as you’ll find anywhere are worth the cost of the modest green fee. It will never be as good as the Championship course but the Burnside could be so much better if only its fairway bunkering was half as good as the Championship course.

The&nbsp;high-rating reviewer cannot have played many golf courses, or perhaps they are members at Langland Bay and each has a pair of rose-coloured glasses. Langland Bay is a nice holiday course but little more than that. Good views alone do not make a great golf course and crossing fairways are not my idea of good course design. By all means go and enjoy a seaside, holiday course with lovely views but don’t expect to find an architectural classic. 

If it’s charm you‘re looking for then Huntercombe will tick the box. For those interested in architecture there’s much to learn from the tricky and treacherous greens, which have always been fast when I’ve played here. This is one of England’s olde worlde classics and won’t suit all golfers, as museums do not thrill everyone. Take your fastest golf shoes to Huntercombe as the members fly round and seemingly can’t wait on the course for too long as they are afraid their red wine might go off. Sub three hour rounds for a two-ball are commonplace. I’m personally a fan of the course but a number of people I know think it is a bit mundane with few standout holes. I think the par threes are excellent but the greens are simply sublime.

Porters Park is one of many courses parkland courses located to the north of the capital and it’s one of the better ones for my money. This regional qualifying course for the Open Championship is certainly testing with many tough and long par fours on the card. The card suggests it’s short but from the back tees it is a genuine test for all golfers, especially when they have the greens cut short and fast. With two Walker Cup players in the club membership, it’s certainly a course that grows great golfers and it’s a club that I would be very happy to be a member of if I lived in the area.

I played Wychwood Park on the back of some very positive reviews on this website and was expecting something quite special as a consequence. I have to say that I was disappointed to find that this is just another modern course that is long, plenty of water, multiple tees and big greens. The condition was good and I quite enjoyed the course, but don’t come here expecting to find a future <A href="/golf-course/kingsbarns" target=_self>Kingsbarns</A> like classic as you will be disappointed as I was. It’s a decent, testing long, modern track but nothing more.

Kington is without doubt the finest hilltop course that I have played, but aren’t hilltops meant for sheep and fell walkers? Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed the round and thought the condition was good if a little au naturale on occasions and the design is very thoughtful. Definitely a gem and a course that you need to get to know to love. I played it on a calm sunny day and it was running hard and fast and therefore a little short but not that easy to score on. Enjoyed it but it is not in the premier league of British golf courses, more first division.

Garnant Park is an interesting course and worth playing but not comparable with the likes of <A href="/golf-course/southerndown" target=_self>Southerndown</A>.

I would agree with John's comments below, this is not a 6-ball course. It's not a bad track but it's not a course you'd go out of your way to play. Nice enough but nothing special.

Played the Castle in May after reading about it on this website and also noting its rave reviews in the Pocket Guide. I was very impressed and it exceeded my expectations. I am not generally a lover of inland courses but this is one of the best, if not the best inland course I've played in Ireland. Thoroughly recommended.

A contrived and manufactured course that tries to be an American in Ireland. Basically you can spot them both a mile off, lakes, waterfalls, huge bunkers, moundings, multitude teeing grounds, huge greens and expensive. Apart from that it's a good course but it's nowhere near good enough to get me wanting to go back and play it again. However, in my view the Smurfit is better than the <A href="/golf-course/k-club-palmer" target=_self>Palmer</A> course which is nothing more than an average resort course.

The O'Meara course falls into a similar category as the <A href="/golf-course/k-club-smurfit" target=_self>Smurfit course</A> at the K Club. It's a modern, entertaining, challenging and manicured course that ticks all the right boxes but somehow fails to get the pulse racing. I'm a traditional course enthusiast but I do like plenty of modern courses, including <A href="/golf-course/european-club" target=_self>The European</A> and <A href="/golf-course/old-head" target=_self>Old Head</A> but I think both courses at Carton House fall someway short of the best that Ireland has to offer.

Challenging course and in good condition on the two occasions I've played here but this is not a 6-ball course in my opinion. The design is a classic Dave Thomas affair which is long and heavily bunkered and frankly less than inspriational. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad track and I suspect it should be considered a good course but in my book it's boring and monotonous.

Played here in May and have to say that I was not as overwhelmed by the course as the other reviewers below. It’s a decent members club and some of the holes are good and the extra set of holes does provide some useful playing options. If the greens sloped less fiercely then Northampton County would be a much better course and they could look forward to another prosperous 100 years (the club centenary is this year).

Without doubt one of the best courses in the Madrid area and one of Arana’s better designs. Beware it DOES get busy and have never yet managed to get a slot to play here at the weekend. Incredible views from the clubhouse that sits on a hilltop we’ll worth savouring both before and after a round. The greens, although rather small are multi-tiered and represent a tricky proposition so it will be interesting to see how low the scores go on this relatively short course (less than 7,000 yards for the Pros) this coming weekend.

Certainly Knole Park is one of the best courses in the South East and is notorious for fine greens, great views, interesting elevation change and an all round nice place to play golf. Similar in many ways to <A href="/golf-course/ashridge" target=_self>Ashridge</A> (but not quite so good) and <A href="/golf-course/berkhamsted" target=_self>Berkhamsted</A> (probably just as good). Well worth playing and one of those true hidden gems.

I stayed and played at Fota Island in May 2008 and played the original layout for the second time. Was impressed with the course again from a technical perspective but somehow it didn’t quite get my personal pulse racing. The whole new Sheraton resort is sumptuous and it proved a hit with my non-golfing other half! I didn’t get chance to play the new nine.

I've played hundreds of courses and there is no doubt that Wrotham Heath will never make a Top 100 list but it’s a cracking course in its own right. Wrotham is a course with an incredible front nine and a back nine which is more traditional. It’s a little quirky in places with fairways that crisscross but it’s a Kentish gem for sure and a course I’d personally be happy to play every weekend. Wrotham is a lovely little track. 

I’ve played most of Portugal’s top ranked Algarve courses and those around Lisbon and they are excellent tracks but Furnas is simply sensational. Only the Old course at Vilamoura pushes Furnas in terms of sheer quality and design. In short it’s an absolute gem with rolling fairways and devilishly tricky greens that are inherently fair but they are quite small and tough to hit, especially those raised on slight plateaux. The par3 2nd is one of the best one shotters you will find anywhere in the world. It plays over water and is quite forgiving in that the lie of the land kicks the ball onto the green, but only the most accurate tee shot which finds the green has any chance of getting close to the stick. The medium length par4 4th is also a brilliant hole. I’d come back here to play Furnas again as it alone is worth the trip to the Azores.

Great course on a very average tract of land. Built for championships and appears wide open and spacious when the stands and crowds are not there. Worth playing for the experience... a bit like the <A href="/golf-course/belfry-brabazon" target=_self>Belfry</A>.

First let’s get the negatives of Stoneham out of the way. The course is close to the M3 and M27 so the motorway noise can be a bit of a problem when the wind is in the wrong direction… but let’s face it, that’s no fault of the club as it was here long before the roads were built! The course itself is a bit of a hybrid mix of parkland and heathland which plays across some fantastic ground with wonderful flowing elevation changes. You can get some tricky sloping lies here which make approach shots tough. Having said that, it’s not the most challenging course in the world but it will appeal to golfers of all levels. The collection of par 3s are really strong and can wreck your card but all the holes are varied and entertaining. The home run up the hill to the clubhouse makes for a thirsty palate on a hot day… mmm, can taste the beer now!

Short and fairly sweet is how I would sum up Ratho Park. It’s nicely maintained, flatters your golf as long as you avoid the trees and represents reasonable value for a pretty decent course located in the heart of the capital. Best holes for me come at the beginning which is always a challenge when it comes to creating a lasting impression, they are tight and surrounded by the mature trees that circle the course. The rest of the course has some nice holes but none are real standouts for me and if you can hit your irons reasonably well and straight then you can card a pretty respectable and rather flattering score. With the exception of the 5th and the 14th, both are tough, tight and long par fours, each of the other two and three-shot holes represent genuine birdie opportunities. The par threes are much better played from the back tees but from the regular men’s tees they all measure within a yard or two of 150 yards and therefore feel a bit samey. Get to play here once or twice a year and I always enjoy it but come off somehow wanting a bit more.

Portpatrick was one of the pleasant surprises of last years golfing trip which included the brilliant <A href="/golf-course/silloth-on-solway" target=_self>Silloth</A> across the border and <A href="/golf-course/southerness" target=_self>Southerness</A>. First, it’s a really nice place to be and the cliff top layout itself is very pleasing on the eye, especially the 13th which is simply a great hole from its elevated tee, making the green look much further away than it really is. Secondly it represents the most incredible value for money, I think we paid less than £30 for a day ticket. Thirdly it was in fabulous condition with fantastic slick greens. Fourthly the welcome was second to none. I have to say that I’d love to return here one day soon and would be more than willing to take a serious detour to play this course which I think is (and I hesitiate to use the word as people can take it the wrong way) fun with a capital F. Martin sums it up… golf with a smile. Isn’t that what it should all be about?

Tidworth is an interesting course hidden away in a charming corner of Wiltshire. It’s unusual to find a wooded course&nbsp;on the&nbsp;area of chalk plateau that is Salisbury Plain. A rather boring opener takes you uphill to a series of holes that are tight and with tricky small greens it’s no pushover. Don’t get me wrong, I like Tidworth, but in relation to the majority of courses on this website – many for which I’ve posted reviews – Tidworth is not in the same league. The course is short with only two par fives and the design is OK but few holes will remain in the memory, except perhaps for the 7th which is a great short par 4 and 13 a lovely one shot hole. <A href="/golf-course/manor-house">Manor House</A> and <A href="/golf-course/bowood" target=_self>Bowood</A> are both significantly better courses than Tidworth.

Played Haggs a couple of times now and have to say that the first time I played back in 2004 I was under whelmed by the steep price and the poor condition of the greens (woolly and slow) and the tees and fairways which were left too long and appeared unkempt. But when I was invited to play here again last summer by a member I was pleasantly surprised. The condition had improved and, perhaps because I didn’t have to pay the steep visitors green fee, was not wincing over every expensive shot! The winter visitors green fee is very reasonable at £20 a round so grab a bargain round out of season.

Bold statement but I think this is the best course in Edinburgh and it represents great value for money at around £20 a round out of season. The layout is well defined with mature trees and a wandering burn dissects the course and never fails to catch me out. Par 5s are shortish and reachable in normal wind conditions and the land is interesting and not too hilly. Thing I like most about the course is that there is a good and varied mix of holes that keep you on our toes all the way round. All in all a course that comes highly recommended with a good 19th hole too.

Cradoc is a genuinely lovely course which has the most divine views. Naturally this review is not about the scenery but when you play golf in such a gorgeous location then that does has some bearing surely?! The course is pretty challenging with small greens that are devilish to read and when we played here they were not that quick so they could be even trickier. It’s a rather tough walk as the layout is quite hilly but the holes are varied and interesting and keep you entertained all the way round. Expect lots of hanging lies on side slopes, up slopes and down slopes... for me this makes a course supremely challenging and very tough on which to score well. Excellent food and welcome in the 19th and good value. Recommended.

Playing at Newport Golf Club is always a pleasure as the course is usually perfectly maintained, especially the greens that are fast and undulating. Have a feeling that the par here is 74 so it’s a longish challenge that will favour the lower handicapper and whoever has a hot putter. A friendly club that caters well for the visiting golfer Newport will always come highly recommended by me.

The Cut is absolutley unmissable and the club's website actually has it about right. I've played both <A href="/golf-course/pebble-beach" target=_self>Pebble</A> and <A href="/golf-course/ballybunion-old" target=_self>Ballybunion Old</A> and <A href="/golf-course/ballybunion-cashen" target=_self>New</A> and I'd say the Cut is better than those. "The Cut Golf Course most faithfully evokes the spirit of two of the world's finest courses - Pebble Beach in the US and Ireland's Ballybunion. Walking the course is uncannily like being there. More than half of the holes overlook, from their commanding height, some part of the Indian Ocean or the Dawesville Cut."

Ah, good old Huddersfield, a club of tradition and values which scoffs at modernity. Make sure you check their rules before play as the members may tell you off! That said and the fact that finding the course is like looking for a needle in a haystack even though it’s set just north of the town centre, it’s an excellent mature parkland course with quality greens. The ground here is quite hilly and if you plan to play 36 holes then a buggy is recommended for all but the fittest golfers. Some tough 4s and a couple of devilish 3s make Fixby a challenge on which to play to handicap. Not as well known as it should be but a very nice old-fashioned members club with an outstanding 19th hole where the food is great.

If ever a course deserved the moniker “hidden gem” then Bull Bay is the one. It is routed across firm and fast running linksland and IMO has no weak holes. It’s a tough course to play and I found my score was seven shots better the next time round as I knew where I was going – local knowledge is key here. Great condition, great value, friendly staff and all in all a worthy gem, or even a ranked course on this website. Oh, and by the way, did I mention those views? They are stunning too!

A nice course that is parkland rather than links even though it’s set quite close to the sea. I remember the rough being just that when I played here last and our group left plenty of balls behind for the members to find. Condition was excellent and value for money superb. My only criticism would be that this is very much holiday country and the standard of golfers, or should I say hackers leaves something to be desired. Would actually rate this course 3.5 balls if I could!

Clyne is an interesting, varied and challenging course laid out on common land where sheep and cattle graze. I’ve not played here in recent years but it’s a worthy course to be featured on this site. The old adage, keep it in play, is essential here as the rough can be brutal not to mention the gorse bushes which seem more magnetic here than anywhere else I’ve played. The views are also special, especially from the 16th where you can see Swansea Bay and Mumbles.

“A beautiful and emotional course” is how the website of Golf Club Le Betulle describes the course. Experts proclaim "Il Mondo del Golf". Well I reckon it’s the finest course on mainland Italy, although Sardinia, in my view, with Is Molas and Pevero might perhaps pip Biella to the top spot. The site is perfect for golf and is so varied in terms of topography. The pre-alpine mountain backdrop is spectacular and it’s hard not to fall in love with this course. It was here that Rory McIlroy won the 2007 European Amateur Championship… bet he likes the course more than I do!

Surprised to be the first reviewer of Roganstown, a course that I have played on numerous occasions. First a mention of the fabulous tee to green conditioning in fact the greens are as good as any I’ve putted on in Ireland. Secondly the greenfee is great value for money which is more than can be said for the clubhouse/hotel prices not to mention the lack of après golf atmosphere. Anyway, considering the course is relatively new it feels a mature layout and it’s routed intelligently with good bunkering. Bring your driver as this is a long course that can play its length across this former farmland. There are plently of long second shots to contend with. Well worth a look if you can drag yourself away from the seaside courses in the Dublin area.

Our group had great fun playing here and it’s also a brilliant value venue when scheduling a trip to play the mighty <a href="/golf-course/royal-county-down-championship" target="_self">Royal County Down</a> and the underrated <a href="/golf-course/ardglass" target="_self">Ardglass</a>. The holes at Kirkistown are varied and entertaining. Two large mounds dissect the course and presumably these are the old castle fortifications which make the layout quite unusual and unique. The 2nd is a par four of complete uniqueness where it’s flat for the tee shot and then the ground rises alarmingly for the approach to a virtually blind green with the castle nonchalantly to the right of the putting surface. The 10th is in a similar vein but doglegged and nigh on impossible to make par if playing into any kind of wind. The course plays on sandy ground and to a certain extent has a links like feel. Well worth a visit.

Woodenbridge is a nice if a little flat – in terms of topography – parkland course, which makes for welcome peaceful respite from the nearby windy links courses. Set in stunning scenery with majestic specimen trees flanking most fairways. Two standout holes for me, the wickedly tempting short p4 14th and the closing hole which is a great par five. The layout itself is compact and feels a little cramped in places but all in all a very nice inland track.

Ah Beaufort… a lovely course with challenging blind holes, great multi-tiered greens, deep and tricky bunkers and stunning mountain views. Taken together with nearby <a href="/golf-course/dooks" target="_self">Dooks</a> you cannot fail to be disappointed with this course. The estate in which the course is located is full of history even the historic ruins of an old castle stand by the 13th green. It’s not a long layout about 6500yds from the back tees but a pleasing test. Well worth playing.

A fine test of seaside links golf and one of my favourite layouts in the Aberdeen area alongside Cruden Bay and the fabulous Balgownie. Set in some great dunes which provide a natural amphitheatre through the valleys on a number of holes. The course was in great nick on the three occasions that I’ve played here and there are some great short par 4s and Plateau and Hillocks spring immediately to mind. The variety of holes hold your interest all the way round and they seemingly play in all directions so the wind is a real issue especially when it blows across the holes. great value and very welcoming… a must-play if in the area.

If they could improve the holes in the middle section of the course, Strandhill would be up there with some of the very best. A cracking little course nevertheless which starts strongly with some memorable holes along the seashore. A mediocre middle section followed by a strong finish. If you like golf in the dunes then Standhill will not disappoint – they are BIG. Well worth playing alongside some of the bigger named courses in Count Sligo… enjoy!

We added Bearna to our itinerary on the back of it being featured on this website and we were not really sure what to expect. Without exception the whole group really enjoyed the course and the totally bizarre landscape that the course is routed over. Wonderful bay views, peat bogs, ditches, humps and bumps and twists and turns make for a thrilling round that is entertaining and so much fun. It by no means a links course, in fact I’d be hard pressed to categorise Bearna, but play it and have some serious entertainment. It’s one of those courses you simply want to play again and again. Brilliant and fantastic value too!

Well, I’m surprised to be the first person to post a review for the incredible little Narin & Portnoo. First off, the views – they are simply breathtaking. But the it’s not just about the scenery, this is the real deal and having played more that 20 different links courses in Ireland I’d put Narin close to the top of my “would like to play again” list. The par3 8th is a classic which plays into the prevailing wind (or it did on both occasions we last played here) and you can’t be intimidated by the carry across a chasm to the double tiered green. After a slow start, the course just gets better and better and it’s also great value. This genuinely is a must play course and one that simply shouldn’t be overlooked.

Played Nirwana Bali in September 2006 along with the amazing Bali Handara Kosaido course that sits some 1,000 metres above sea level. There surely couldn’t be two more enjoyable but totally contrasting courses on one small island. Nirwana Bali is an aesthetically pleasing courses that makes great use of the coast and the temple views and as a challenge it punched well above its weight when I played here as the wind was blowing hard. Thourougly enjoyed my time on the lovely Bali and found the golf super too. If you get the chance to visit here, bring your clubs and be prepared for the lovely caddies.

Exceeds <A href="/golf-course/new-south-wales" target=_self>New South Wales</A> in variety, beauty, quality of greens and fairways, graduations and shot making. Substantailly more difficult than <A href="/golf-course/royal-st-georges" target=_self>Royal St George's</A> or Canada's <A href="/golf-course/st-georges-golf-country-club-ontario" target=_self>St George's</A>.

Some of the best greens ever at Cairndhu very fast and fiendishly difficult to read. The 2nd is the incredible photogenic P3 signature hole that you see on most photos which plays across toward Ballygally Head a three was a rare score when our group last played here. Strightforward and enjoyable course as long as the wind doesn’t blow too hard!

Managed to play here in 2001with afriend who is a member and I can recommed it very highly. An intersting course with some great views from the cliff holes with the most memorable holes playing through some huges pines. No weak holes and at lest half of them being good makes this a course to seek out and I understand they now accept visitors during the week.

What a friendly club and the course is a serious challenge, cut through miles of woodland. With tight tunnelled holes through the trees you have to keep out of them otherwise its chip out or goodbye ball but decent driving will pay dividens as this is not an overly long track. Beware, playing this course in autumn can result in plenty of lots balls as they tend to hide underneath the myriad of leaves. Green fee is quite expensive but you can ply for half price on a county card. Ross is certainly one of the best courses in this neck of the woods with top greens and I would give it a higher score, but when I played last autumn, the leaves were down and I lost six balls on the edge of the fairway.

Super little course that is worth taking in alongside some of the more familiar names. Not quite the best nine-hole course in the world but it is possibly set in more gorgeous scenery than any other nine hole course in the world. It's short and a bit quirky but some of the holes are pure magic. They look after you well in the clubhouse and recommend Cruit to anyone. Certainly a hidden gem but wonder whether it should be so highly ranked in Ireland?

We played Portsalon alongside <A href="/golf-course/ballyliffin-glashedy" target=_self>Ballyliffin</A> and <A href="/golf-course/rosapenna-sandy-hills" target=_self>Rosapenna</A>. Portsalon is not quite as good from a course angle but the views are perhaps more beautiful. This is a remote outpost but the journey was worthwhile. One of the sternest opening nines I’ve ever played and you have to be long and staraight to get anywhere near handicap here. The back nine is certainly less inspiring and I think it would help the Portsalon cause if they could swictch them around. Well worth playing if in Donegal.

Played the Nicklaus course for the first time during last autumn and liked it. The usual Nicklaus water hazards and dual fairways make for an entertaining round which I enjoyed but the topography is fairly flat and although it contains plenty of decent holes, but I only remember a couple and for me there should be more memories. Generally speaking our group preferred the Cheshire course, especially the back nine which is really good, 16th and 17th standout holes. Carden Park is an decent resort venue but the golf courses are not out of the very top drawer.

On a trip to Devon in the summer of 2006 we played the West Course in the morning and the <A href="/golf-course/saunton-east" target=_self>East</A> in the afternoon. Saunton has to be one of the friendliest clubs in the southwest and the guys in the pro shop looked after us really well. I have to say that quite a few of us enjoyed the West course more than the East, but perhaps tiredness kicked in after a great lunch which was included in the day ticket price. The West has fast greens, some blind shots, and is a great little links course in its own right. Pulpit the P3 16th is a cracking hole but honestly there are no weak holes on the course and despite the fact that it doesn’t have the length of its big brother the East, the West is definitely the real deal. You need to be on top of your course management and have your wits about you, especially off the tee. It’s a little cracker!

One of the unsung gems of English course featured on this website. Anyone who has not played here is missing a complete treat. Unfortunately it's a little of the beaten track at the very tip of the sand belt. For me it's last but definately not least. The gentle opener is the only easy birdie opportunity that comes far too soon for most but make the most if it as scoring on this dream course in not easy. I'd rather play West Sussex than any other of the heathland courses in the neck of the woods and perhaps only Swinley Forest and Sunningdale Old can give it a run for its money. Traditional maybe magnificent definately!

The previous review compelled me to write about the Devlin, which I played during the summer of 2006. It's not a true links course but the condition was great and the lack of yardage markers and benches irrelevant. I think it's a great course that has no weak holes and plenty that are set in my memory. Have not yet played the <A href="/golf-course/fairmont-st-andrews-torrance" target=_self>Torrance</A> course but it looks just as good if not better. Two balls is ridiculous and I found the value to be very reasonable compared to <A href="/golf-course/kingsbarns" target=_self>Kingsbarns</A> and some of the other St Andrews courses including the <A href="/golf-course/dukes-st-andrews" target=_self>Duke's</A>. Hugh.

I can’t understand some of the naysayer comments below. I think Mount Juliet is one of the most underrated courses in Ireland and perhaps this IS big Jack’s best European design. Each hole is well thought out and the topography impressive, pleasingly undulating and tree lined. With no weak holes is perhaps deserved of an even higher ranking. Juliet’s bunkering is strong and even bizarre with an unusual walled bunker at the rear of 16. Over water par threes are not only exciting but exacting and the greens are superb and slope every which way. I’d be hard pressed to find a negative point about this course, except perhaps that it’s a breakaway from Irish tradition. The facilities at the resort are a bit special too so put me down as a big all-round fan of Mount Juliet.

Ashridge is one of the most beautiful golf courses I’ve played and it blends nature and golf together in an agreeable manner. The course itself is not the sternest test, nor is it especially strategic but it’s fun and sheer enjoyment for the average golfer and low man alike. There’s a hint of the Surrey sandbelt courses here but with very little heather as the trees have taken over. Key to scoring well is accuracy off the tee as the trees are predominant and will quickly result in a dropped shot. A lovely selection of par threes are eclipsed by the short par four 9th which is peerless. I’ve played here on a number of occasions and each time deer have been roaming the fairways. They seem very brave, especially when I’m standing on the tee! Ashridge is as pretty as a picture and is best experienced in late spring when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. The setting is quite simply gorgeous.

Druids Glen is one of my all-time favourite golfing venues and the whole experience is memorable from the moment you arrive until the last pint of Guinness is downed. Each hole is memorable and the Amen stretch from 12 –15 is nothing short of magnificent and the long par 4 13th is my favourite hole in Ireland. Perhaps the only downside is the closing stretch from 16. These holes are perhaps the weakest on the course and it would be nice to finish as strongly as Druids Glen starts (the first three holes are magnificent). I’ve played here three times now and on each occasion I have loved it. It feels as though you are taking a walk in someone’s private manicured garden which is packed full of specimen trees (8th and 12th are perfect examples of this). I’ve played the course in May, July and September and I think the garden, or should I say course is best in spring. This is a world-class course without a shadow of doubt and I can’t wait to return.

A cracking course is Inverness and the exoerience is much improved since the new clubhouse was built. With lovely Loch Ness views and fairly generous fairways it's a course to enjoy while on holiday in the Highlands. There's no tricks here and what you see is what you get. It almost makes a five ball rating but not quite.

Perhaps the Eden is the most enjoyable and fun course of all the St Andrews tracks. It’s not the most exacting course but there’s something really engaging about it that makes you want to come back for more. This is one of those experiences that you really shouldn’t tell too many people about or they will put the green fee up. If you can keep it out of the rough and have a decent day with the putter on these super, true greens then you could have the time of your life.

Kingussie is nice course but it’s not great. The Cairngorm views are spectacular, especially from the higher parts of the course but expect a bit of a hike to get there! The short (less than 6000 yard) layout requires though rather than the driver, keep it straight and in play and you’ll do OK. Great value and a lovely old clubhouse with fine hearty grub.

First of all don’t come here expecting to play a links course, in many ways Thurlestone has similarities to <A href="/golf-course/southerndown" target=_self>Southerndown</A> in South Wales but it’s not quite as good. The front nine is fantastic with some of the most remarkable views and you can see for miles on a clear day. The 6th is a super little short par three that is ringed with bunkers and the 7th is also a solid mid-length par four but at the turn you head inland and the experience is less pleasing. In many ways you finish on a low after starting on a high – the routing should be the other way round really and you wouldn’t feel quite as disappointed at the end. I suppose this is good holiday golf where the rough is kept short and you’ll be hard pressed to lose a ball. Keeps the speed of play up but allows woeful shots to go unpunished. Worth playing if in the area. For me this is about a 3 1/2 balls so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt! Hugh

This is one of those courses that whispers what is best about Irish golf. OK it’s not one of the big names but for modest green fee, this is where the average golfer will have the most fun. The setting around the causeway is pure magic, from a scenery perspective it’s hard to beat. Not the most exacting test of golf but it will make you smile as you have a criac back in the welcoming clubhouse. I’d give it 4 balls for the course, 6 for the scenery and 5 for the clubhouse. Therefore it sneaks with a 5 ball rating for me. Play it if you get the chance. Hugh

Balbirnie Park is laid out superbly and you wouldn’t know its a relative youngster. With plenty of variation and a number of tight drives, especially at 12 and 13, and some fairly open holes it is full of interest. Approach shots into well protected greens call for careful course management and the single shot holes, most notably the 7th are good too. With a superb par 5 downhill finishing hole to a green that is guarded at the front by a burn, this course will tick most boxes except that it’s not a links course. But with a great clubhouse behind the closing green it almost seems irrelevant that the sea is nowhere to be seen!

One for the men only is Royal Burgess and if you’re a male and in the Edinburgh area it’s worth a look. It has so much history and a delightful clubhouse which really overshadow the course itself which is a nice but flat mature parkland affair. Keeping the ball straight and away from the trees will naturally pay dividends and the greens are true and keen during the summer months. Have played here on half a dozen or so occasions when on business in Edinburgh and find it an enjoyable but not necessariliy pulsating outing.

A tough walk is Strathpeffer Spa but it’s well worth it. If you are in the Highlands add it to your itinerary immediately and I guarantee that you’ll come off tingling with enjoyment. The course is both interesting and challenging although it’s not a long track… get your thinking cap on and play within yourself for a decent score this is one of those courses that rewards sensible course management. The scenery is worth the modest green fee alone and the club is one of the friendliest I’ve ever visited (and I’ve been to hundreds). One of my all time favourite gems.

Prestwick St Nicholas is totally overshadowed by its esteemed ancient neighbour but it many ways and certainly pound for pound, St Nicholas is every bit as good. The character of the course is distinctly different and the best holes for me appear at the start and the finish…… these undulate through wild links terrain while the mid section is flatter and less interesting. Nevertheless it’s a stunning little track and one that I play regularly when visiting Ayrshire and I recommend that you play it and I promise you will be pleasantly and pleasurably surprised.

Well, what can I say? In my view the Burnside IS a gem and I would absolutely recommend you play it. If it wasn’t positioned next to the <A href="/golf-course/carnoustie-championship" target=_self>Championship</A> course it would surely be more widely known and more highly regarded. The layout is interesting and holds attention even for the low single digit golfers and although its shorter than its neighbour is a great test of golf and maintained in the same immaculate condition. For about £30 per round the Burnside is a steal and worth every penny.

Played here last week in lovely weather. It's a nice new course but not yet a classic. It needs time to settle down and mature and I'm sure in a year or two it will be up there alongside some of Dublin's more famous named courses. Not bad though. Hugh.

Played Bowood last week and was very impressed. The last time I played here the condition was nothing to write home about but they seem to have improved things. Not sure who previously posted a 6 ball for Bowood... perhaps they've not played some of the real classic Top 100 courses. Bowood is good but not great... how can it be? But it's tough, the topography is rolling and interesting it's in good nick and it keeps you thinking an added bonus is that the staff are really friendly and it represents pretty good value too. Well worth playing.

Tough modern course which is suitable for all levels but will keep the lower handicapper interested. Up there with nearby <A href="/golf-course/bowood" target=_self>Bowood</A> but not quite as good in my view.

Played here last week as part of a golf trip to Wilts and thoroughly enjoyed. Wished I'd have checked here first and taken advantage of the free buggy offer. Ouch! Anyway, we walked and struggled in places. I didn't manage to keep the ball in play so didn't score very well. Preferred Manor House to <A href="/golf-course/bowood" target=_self>Bowood</A> which we also played on the same trip. Well worth playing.

Not a bad course that's perched on high ground (hence its name) in open country on the Salisbury Plain. It's right next door to a busy main road and the Boscombe airfield, which doesn't bode too well for a relaxing round in the country. Having said that, the course was really well presented when I played it, with great conditioned greens and fairways and its not a bad test of golf either. Some tees and greens are a bit too close together for my liking and routing seems a bit strange, but all in all it's not a bad course.

Musselburgh Old Links is my 2nd favourite 9 holer (behind <A href="/golf-course/royal-worlington-newmarket" target=_self>Royal Worlington</A>). It’s a bizarre layout but it’s presented in amazing condition for what is effectively a municipal council run pay and play. It’s not the most taxing course I’ve ever played but it really is enjoyable and a throw back in time to a bygone era. For £1 per hole this has to be the best value golf course on the planet. Great fun!