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EAST
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Wentworth (West) Southport Whenever visitors from afar find themselves in the vicinity of Virginia Water, their clubs in the boot of their car, the one course they all want to play is the West at Wentworth, otherwise known as the Burma Road. It is a course with which they are already in a sense familiar or even though they may never have set foot on it, they will have seen it scores of times on television. The West course, winds like a vast coiling snake through the heavily wooded estate. Once embarked, there is no short cut back but the tightly bordered fairways somehow heighten the drama, particularly over the closing holes. |
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Sunningdale Southport Conveniently located less than thirty miles west of London, Sunningdale Golf Club is blessed with two magnificent golf courses, laid out on the most glorious piece of heathland imaginable. The Old Course at Sunningdale, originally designed by former Open Champion, Willie Park, is the more famous of the two but only gained the name "Old" when the New Course, designed by Harry Colt, was opened in 1923. Both courses wind their way through a sea of heather, gorse and pine, while each hole genuinely boasts its own unique character and charm. |
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Walton Heath Chester Truly one of the best tests of inland golf anywhere, Walton heath also has the unique distinction of being the only club in England to have had a reigning monarch as captain, when the then Prince of Wales became King Edward V111 during his captaincy in 1935/36. Situated only 20 miles south of London, within 10 minutes of the M25, and close to both Heathrow and Gatwick International Airports, it is ideally situated, yet the club nestles in the heart of open peaceful countryside. |
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Rye Berkshire Rye reminds the authors of a seaside version of Swinley Forest. Neither course possesses a true three shotter; both have five one shot holes, which as a set take some beating; both have amazingly appealing long two shotters; both are strict examinations against par; both Clubs promote an uncrowded atmosphere from which their member's may enjoy a game. |
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Littlestone Founded in 1888, Littlestone is a classic remote links course, located on the fringe of the Romney Marshes, with the English Channel as the backdrop. Littlestone is a hidden gem, overshadowed by the other famous links courses in the area: Rye, Royal St George's and Royal Cinque Ports. The course plays across fairly flat links land, although it does have its own range of mountainous sand dunes. Although much of the course is below sea level, there are some spectacular views from the high spots, and being a Site of Special Scientific Interest there is much flora and fauna to be seen. |
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Royal Cinque Ports More commonly known as "Deal" in golfing circles, this famous championship seaside links is often the subject of "breezy" conditions but with easy walking. The outward 9 is generally considered the easier, the inward 9 is longer and includes the renowned 16th, perhaps the most difficult hole. On fine days there are wonderful views across the channel. Royal Cinque Ports is a 6785 yards par 72 course. |
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Royal St. George's For well over a century, anyone familiar with the course has remarked about the great solitude at St. George's. The setting is superb. The course occupies a huge tract of land and enjoys the great sense of spaciousness that is all but lost on so many modern courses. As you progress around the course, more than not you are in your own valley, blissfully unaware and secluded from other games around you. Other than the 9th and 10th, no two holes are parallel and the wind comes at you from every direction. The sandhills in the front nine are the largest of any Open course and are used to great effect. |
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Princes Prince's Golf Club, situated in the beautiful medieval cinque port town of Sandwich, Kent, UK, offering great links golf in unique and exquisite surroundings. Prince's, with its 27 holes of championship Links has hosted the Open Championship and is currently an Open Qualifying Course. Prince's offers all that is best in modern links golf: a centrally located clubhouse offering magnificent views over the course and Pegwell Bay and helpful, attentive staff who understand your needs. |
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NORTHEAST
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GANTON There are few better places to play golf than Ganton. As one arrives along the lane to the Clubhouse there is a feeling of peace which is only broken by glimpses of the bunkers, real bunkers. The course is laid out on quiet undulating heathland which with a sandy subsoil is very freedraining. The fairways are predominantly bents and fescues, which provide a firm base for all well executed shots. It provides a relentless test for those aspiring to the greatest achievements in the game; the fast running fairways and the firm true greens require the highest quality of shot making and control. |
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CENTRAL
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The Belfry One of the legends of the golf world, The De Vere Belfry is unique in its offer of the ultimate golfing experience. Home to the famous Brabazon Course which has witnessed the action of four Ryder Cup Matches. One of Britain's top clubs, home to the PGA and close to the heart of golf's wonderful tradition in the British Isles, the Belfry has staged many national and international championships not least the Ryder Cup. It is amongst the finest clubs in the world. The courses are set out in the style of Augusta National in a 360 acre park. The club has an impressive clubhouse and other facilities |
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NORTHWEST
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Royal Lytham & St. Annes Nestling between two busy seaside resorts, the Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Course is one of the most unique courses in the rotation of the British Open. It is a links in every sense of the word, with sandy soil and the wind blowing in from the Irish Sea. Open to the elements, the trees on the course permanently lean sideways, with the wind often proving a formidable competitor in the homeward five holes of the course. |
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Royal Birkdale The stunning coastal resort of Southport is host to the finest links courses in England. This is the home of Royal Birkdale, for many golfers, quite simply, the best of all the great golf courses to have staged The Open Championship. Among the many great courses along the Northwest coast, Royal Birkdale stands out as a perfect example of links golf. It is currently the number one course in England and has been voted the number one in Britain, most recently in the survey published in 1998 after The Open. |
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Southport & Ainsdale Set amongst ranges of tall sandhills and smaller sand dunes, the Course is a true test of golf for all golfers. Accuracy is of ultimate importance and one needs to plan your drive rather than just hit it as far as possible. The coastal climate is kind and is a delightful atmosphere in which to play golf. The 18 Hole, 6640 yards, par 72 course, starts and finishes at the Clubhouse. The Yellow Course is 18 Holes, 6250 yards, par 70. |
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Hillside Golf Club Hillside lies almost side by side with the Royal Birkdale course, amid a stretch of sandhills near Southport. Indeed, the quality of the individual holes is such that golfers may find it difficult to separate the two. Typical of the links courses on the Northwest coastline, Hillside is open to the wind coming in from the Irish Sea and laid out in a truly stunning setting, the course is a true test for golfers of all handicaps. |
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Formby Golf Club Formby Golf Club is one of the classic courses of the Lancashire coastline. Although somewhat protected from the elements by pine trees that line several of the holes, the course is a tough one, particularly when the wind does break through. Such is the profusion of wildlife and plants at Formby that it has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest with the magnificent, fragile dunes a designated conservation area. |
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Royal Liverpool The Royal Liverpool course at Hoylake started life as the racecourse of the Liverpool Hunt Club, set on the shores of the Dee and with the Welsh hills in the distance. As a reminder of its previous life, the original saddling bell is displayed among the memorabilia in the clubhouse. The golf course was built in 1869 and, with the exception of Westward ho! in Devon, is the oldest seaside course in England. It is also one of the great links courses. |
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SOUTHWEST
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Burnham & Berrow The Championship links course at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club offers golfers, not only a fine round on either of its superb courses, but also marvellous, almost unrivalled panoramic views across the Somerset Hills and the Bristol Channel. The discerning golfer who likes a challenging course complemented by stunning scenery, will feel right at home here therefore. The High course is the slightly shorter of the two measuring 6308 yards when played as off eighteen tees on its nine holes, for which is offers a par of 72; the Championship course is slightly less forgiving at 6606 yards with a par of 71. |
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Saunton Sands The famous links courses at Saunton justify the claim to be among the finest in Britain. The Championship East Course on 6708 yards, par 73 now sits alongside the newer West Course 6356 yards par 71. Saunton boasts two traditional 18-hole links courses - the East Course, which is regarded as the principal championship venue; and the West Course, which many regard to be an equally fine test. Both courses run through the majestic dunes of Braunton Burrows, a nature lover's haven, where over 300 species of wild flowers have been identified. |
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Westward Ho! The Royal North Devon golf course is known as Wesward Ho! This is a great links experience and has the distinction of being the first English links course and the oldest in England where play still continues over the original layout. It can further boast of having the oldest Ladies Golf Club in the world established in 1868. A traditional out and back layout with some wonderful panoramic views it is one of Britain's most windswept courses with added protection sought from pot bunkers and lush sea grasses which can cause havoc to a good score. |
