| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Moving East and, unbelievably, pushing up the |
| Something golfers often don’t realise when | | | | difficulty is the legendary Royal St. Georges. It has |
| they prepare to book their golf breaks is that the UK | | | | hosted the Open Championship 13 times and will |
| has some of the finest courses you’ll ever | | | | present a challenge to even the most seasoned |
| play. And I’m not just talking about the | | | | golfer. Opened all the way back in 1914, this is |
| classics such as Wentworth and Birkdale. Golf has | | | | traditional links at its very best with the wind playing |
| been played in England for centuries and there are | | | | a major part in the design (and your scorecard!). |
| several thousand courses – choose the right | | | | Keep the ball low, avoid the treacherous bunkers and |
| ones and you’ve got courses which rate | | | | keep out of the rough and you’ll put a |
| alongside the best in the world. For this article, | | | | decent score together. Get greedy and try to |
| I’ve divided the country into five regions and | | | | “fly the trouble” and the score |
| listed my favourite course in each to help you plan a | | | | we’ll beat you just as it has beaten the |
| golf break in England. So starting from the north and | | | | greatest players in the world…Over and over |
| moving downwards… | | | | again. And if you’ve torn up your card, just |
| Best of the North: The Hunting Course, Slayley Hall | | | | enjoy the Kentish coast views and the charming and |
| The North-East has several lovely courses but Slayley | | | | history-laden clubhouse. Royal St Georges is very |
| Hill is the one which stands out. Designed by Dave | | | | much an English rose! |
| Thomas and opened in 1989, the course nearly | | | | Best of the South: Sunningdale |
| obtained the 2006 Ryder Cup and has hosted several | | | | Sunningdale gets into the list easily – not just |
| European Tour events. Plenty of shrubs and trees | | | | for its quality, but for its quantity too. Both courses |
| help make it beautiful but Dave Thomas has worked | | | | at the club (‘Old’ and |
| his magic to provide a fine challenge in gorgeous | | | | ‘New’) offer a splendid round of golf |
| surroundings. Slayley Hall has been “The | | | | and two very different designs. The New Course |
| Gleneagles of England” and a golf break here | | | | encourages aggressive driving but needs accuracy, |
| is always a treat. | | | | while the Old Course’s heavily bunkered |
| Best of the Midlands: The Brabazon, The Belfry | | | | fairways means that a more strategic golfing mind will |
| Moving further south, we have the pride of the | | | | come to the fore. For a 36 hole day, with the great |
| West Midlands – The Belfry’s | | | | clubhouse roasted lunch in between, Sunningdale is |
| Brabazon course. This course has benefited a great | | | | very, very memorable and is very much part of the |
| deal from a couple of redesigns so it is no longer just | | | | package that attracts people to golf holidays in |
| “two great TV holes” but is now 18 | | | | England. |
| holes of tough and very-well maintained golf. Regular | | | | Best of the South West: |
| host to major tournaments (including the Ryder Cup | | | | Finally, heading down to the south west, we have |
| and European Tour), the course is definitely not for | | | | one of England’s finest inland courses: Bovey |
| beginners – to score well, you’ll need | | | | Castle’s Old Course. Recently redesigned |
| length, patience, great green reading and the ability | | | | (along with the completely renovated luxury hotel), |
| to get up and down more than | | | | it’s not easy by any means and much |
| once…It’s not by accident that the | | | | respect has been paid to the original Abercrombie |
| best players come to the fore here. The Brabazon at | | | | design, laid out over 80 years ago. Small greens, |
| The Belfry is a course that attracts tourists from all | | | | tree-lined fairways and meandering streams rivers |
| over the world to the UK for a golf break. | | | | (plus any of the fine wines in the hotel restaurant! |
| Best of the East: Royal St. Georges | | | | |