What are everyones picks, for the top three courses in the UK? Anybody got any hidden gems tucked away?

Mine are based on where I have played and are the following:

1) Wentworth West.

2) Nefyn & District.

3) Lullingstone.

These could change as I'm in the process of organising a 3 day trip to scotland to play the following Old Course, Kingsbarn & Carnoustie!!!!!!!!!

Far too many to narrow it down to three.

That sounds like its going to be a pretty good trip wayne, just be careful of all the bunkers at carnoustie!!! Just had another look at the Nefyn & District, website, I forgotten how amazing the "point" looks!!

It certainly sorts the men out from the boys luke and not for the faint hearted. Lived in north Wales for 4 yrs and have played every course there and have to say there are many many good courses there, if anyone wants to try Links golf at it's best get yourself to North Wales, you won't be disappointed.

Not fortunate enough to have played the courses that should probably top this league however if you had asked what are the best 3 courses you have played and what are the 3 courses that you most want to play i think you would get more response.

Good shout Colin! I will do this now!

LULLINGSTONE!!! are you sure?

1.Princes in Sandwich. 1st and only true links I've ever played.

2.London Club. Heritage Course. Sheer luxury, and quality. Its holding a PGA European tour event this year. Might try and get some tickets for that. 

3. Pedham Place. Always playable, Always a Challenge, and always cheap. 

Secret Valley (Cyprus)

Barnham Broom Valley course

Belfairs Municiple, My local and still my favourite

1. Old Course, St Andrews 2. Forest Pines, Brigg 3. New Forest, Old Course.

No 1  ROYAL BIRKDALE......

2ND  OLD COURSE. ST ANDREWS

3RD ALDEBURGH GOLF CLUB. SUFFOLK, GREEN ARE  11 ON THE STINT METER

BUT IT DOE'S DEPEND ON WHO ,WHEN AND HOW MUCH YOU ARE PLAYING FOR

My Top courses are the only Top Courses I've played and the first two were freebies from work:

Tough one... I reckon it depends on the weather, your partner, your frame of mind and how you played the course... Having said all that my 3 would be;

1. The Brabazon. 2, Forest of Arden and 3, Stapleford Park (Luke, this could be the hidden gem your looking for?!)

1, Saunton east

2, Foxhills

3, Princes

Danny totallly agree with pedham place but sssshh keep it quiet 

Wayne. You said it must be littlestone, that looks a lovely course.

1 Royal Birkdale

2 Ganton

3= Carnoustie/Royal St George's

A hidden gem? - New Zealand, near Woking.

I've heard about that course. Voted 82nd best in the country.

1 - Wentworth - West

2 - The Grove

3 - St Mellion

1. St.Georges Hill

2. Saunton

3. Princes

I have agree that Lullingstone should never be in the top 3, I hate that course with a passion.

My top 3 (that I've played) in the UK would be (in no particular order):

1.  St Mellion          2.  Celtic Manor            3.  The Addington

Wanna plays in UK would be:

1.  Old Course St Andrews        2.  The Belfry        3.  Wentworth

Danny, the ony time I played New Zealand it took me back 30 years - if you want to try golf as it used to be try to get a round there.

Keith, I haven't played your number two pick, the Belfry, for a few years, but would be interested in any recent views. I would like to try the PGA National at the Belfry - does anyone know it?

The Brabazon was designed for TV and my recollections from the late 70's and 1990, the last time I played, was that it had several very interesting feature holes (9, 10, 17,18) and the rest was out and back in a potato field. Also, they would tempt you along for 36 holes and make you play 18 on the Derby course - just about the weakest 18 holes I have ever played.

Terry, I too have played New Zealand as it was a local club to me when I lived in Weybridge and was a member of St.Georges Hill, which, IMO is even superior. We used to play matches against them in the sixties.

You are right about the Brabazon being in a potato field as I played there when it very first opened and I though it was awful. It does seem to have matured nicely now though but it is not a course that will ever attract me. If I am in the area there are far better courses to play than that, Copt Heath or Little Aston for example.

Personally I dont think that any of those built in the last thirty years are a patch on the old established clubs we have at our disposal. The priority is on length only and finesse has been pushed aside. The emphasis is placed on brute force these days and with these new USGA greens everything stops.

You have to play Pedham John. A new course, about 10 years old, where very little stops on the greens, very linksesk.

I am up for it, Danny, just set a non rainy day and I will be there.

Turnberry, St George's Hill and Dundonald.

Want to play:

Carnoustie, Royal County Down and Royal Dornoch.

Actually any course that I have to think about every shot.

I like your selection Philip, the sign of a player who knows what he is talking about and is reflected in your handicap, well done.

Thanks John, I appreciate that from a gentleman that knows.

I just enjoy courses that you have to 'miss' the correct side or get penalised with a high difficulty shot.

As you mention most modern courses are set up as target golf, whilst can sometimes be enjoyable, I get much more satisfaction from playing a course with character and have to play a good variety of shots to score well. Nothing better than using all the clubs in the bag and in a variety of ways.

These courses you get around better with old style blades and drivers then the modern irons - you can shape the flight better.

I could go on forever about this but hope to catch up with you and some of the golfshake members in April or June.

Nice to hear from someone on the same wavelength, Philip and a great player to boot.

I have had to stop using my blades as I just was not striking it well enough, but I still have them and am looking for a good home for them. They are Maruman Conductor Pro pure blade, beautiful looking irons.

I was pleased youi mentioned St.Georges Hill as I was a member there in the early sixties and found it a wonderful place to play real golf, with the long carries over the heather to reach the fairway, the tall pine trees both sides of the hole to make the target narrow, the view of the masses of rhododendrons coming up the ninth wiith the mock castle clubhouse behind, majestic.

Look forward to meeting you at one or another of the golfshake events. The site is really moving forward now, with the enthusiastic team we are fortunate enough to have in the background.

Clandeboye Dufferin course

La Cala North

La Cala Europe

Heading back to La Cala in a few days time,  playing all three courses, When I was there last year I had only just taken up golf and had little to no experience or consistency, I am hoping my experience this year will be much more enhanced due to me gaining some consistency at ball striking, and more to the point my putting has come on 10 fold, I really can't wait

I've not played many of the fancier course listed above.  My list is quite humble:

1/   Gatton Manor

2/   West Malling (Spitfire Course)

3/   Poult Wood

If I were allowed a forth choice it would be Birchwood Park ... but not when any societies are playing!! 

Danny, are you on commision from pedham? ive just done a search and youve mentioned it in nine threads, im gonna have to see what all the fuss is about

Have i ever mentioned my local Belfairs?

in the uk.

kingsbarns ----- loch lomond ----- turnberry

in europe.

la cala (any course) ----- almenara ------ cornelia

the list for both is endless

You've played loch lomond? wow.

thats a hard one but here we go

1) The Oxfordshire

2) The Vale of Glamorgan

3) The Celtic Manor

Not yet played the new celtic course but im going with todaysgolfer in April cant wait!

I like Belfairs, Colin, a few years since I played, but it was always a nice pleasant course to play and not too taxing. Does it still start with that par 3.

danny

got an invite from a member.  we were the last game allowed on the course before they prepped it for the scottish open.

 it was in magnificent condition. the whole experience from driving up to the clubhouse to the in-house service was magnificent.

live in hope for another invite