Best golf courses: England

Sir Henry Cotton

Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree & John Henry "J.H." Taylor.

Original design by John Frederick "Aber" Abercromby, assisted by Harry Colt. Renovation by Mike Clayton, Mike DeVries & Frank Pont (2021).

Original design by John Thompson & Willie Fernie (1884). Subsequent major changes by Willie Park Jr and J.H. Taylor (1907); Taylor mainly responsible for new bunkering. Modifications by Harry Colt and Hugh Alison (1921). Further improvements by Ken Moodie and Ken Brown (2005-10).

Current design by English course architect Harry Colt (1930).

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Current layout designed by Willie Fernie (1903), at the time the professional at (Royal) Troon GC.

After several relocations, the club settled into its current site in the early-1970s, and a course designed by C.K. "Ken" Cotton, Frank Pennink and Charles Lawrie (1974).

Original design by the firm Ferigna (Cecil K. Hutchison, Sir Guy Campbell & Col. Stafford V. Hotchkin). Later substantial alterations by Tom Simpson (1938).

Sandy Herd designed the original nine-hole course (now the back-nine). The current front-nine was added in 1974 and designed by Robert Sandown.

Kenneth "K.K." Downing Jr (owner and designer).

George Rochester

Original design by John Henry "J.H." Taylor; subsequently redesigned by James Braid.

J. Hamilton Stutt

Current course designed by English course architect Harry Colt (1914).

Martin Hawtree

Herbert Fowler

David McLay-Kidd in consultation with Tom Watson.

Cameron Sinclair

Peter Alliss & Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas

Original nine-hole course by Willie Park Jr. Expanded to 18 holes by Harry Colt, and significantly reworked by James Braid into the current layout.

Herbert Fowler

Herbert Fowler

Harry Colt

Course designed by J.H. Taylor and Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree.

Dr Alister MacKenzie was among those who contributed to the design of Bingley St Ives.

Harry Colt (the full 18-hole course was completed in 1924).

Current layout designed by Herbert Fowler & Tom Simpson (1923).

Original course at Lostock Park was designed by architect R. Hermon Crook (1912), modified by Harry Colt (1920s).

Dr Alister MacKenzie designed the current layout in 1924.

Original design by John Frederick 'Aber' Abercromby. Improvements made by Tom Mackenzie and Donald Steel based on the original layout (2003).

Dave Thomas

James Braid

Harry Colt

Original layout by Tom Dunn (at the time Dunn was the Professional at nearby Meyrick Park GC). Dunn's layout was redesigned by Harry Colt (1914). Colt's new holes (from 5 to 16) transformed the course from a predominantly parkland layout into an entirely heathland course.

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

Donald Steel

Harry Colt

J.H. Taylor & Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree (the first of the Hawtree family dynasty of golf course architects).

John Jacobs

Tom Dunn

Old Course designed by Willie Park Jr (1907).
New Course designed by Simon Gidman (2001).

Old Course designed by Willie Park Jr (1907).
New Course designed by Simon Gidman (2001).

Original design by Charles Gibson (1890); later modifications by Herbert Fowler (1890) and substantial changes by Harry Colt (1913).

English course architect Harry Colt

Original layout by James Braid with later revisions by John Morris, John Salvesen and Donald Steel

Harry Colt

Original 9-holes designed by Tom Dunn, and known as Dorchester Golf Club. Extension to 18-holes by J.H. Taylor, later modifications by Harry Colt (1927).

Current design by English course architect Harry Colt (1927).

Alan Higgins

Jack Nicklaus & son Steve Nicklaus

Original course laid out by Tom Simpson. Revamped after WW2 by Scottish course architect Philip Mackenzie Ross, who created the layout which is largely unchanged to this day.

J. Hamilton Stutt

Original design by Old Tom Morris, with later improvements by Philip Mackenzie Ross (1940s) and Donald Steel.

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Original design at this location by David Williams (2000); redesigned by Canadian architect Thomas "Tom" McBroom (2020).

The now closed Reading GC course at Emmer Green was originally designed by James Braid (1910), modified by Harry Colt (1913), and later revamped by Philip Mackenzie Ross (1930s).

Simon Gidman

Nick Faldo & Steve Smyers

Original 1888 design by Willie Dunn Jr; later modified by James Braid.

Original designer unknown; later modifications by James Braid and Harry Vardon.

Original design by Old Tom Morris; possibly modified by Dr Alister MacKenzie.

Original design by Old Tom Morris. Later revisions by Harry Colt (1946) and Donald Steel (2000).

James Braid

Colt course: Scott Macpherson (2011), in the style of Harry Colt.
Filly course: originally a 9-hole course, extended to 18 by Hawtree, Cram & Glendinning (1980s) and refurbished by Scott Macpherson (2011).

Johnny Miller

John Frederick "Aber" Abercromby

Original 18-hole course laid out by Harry Vardon (1907). Improvements made by Harry Colt (1912).

Tom Vardon designed the current layout (1911), with bunkers marked out by his brother Harry Vardon.

Tom Williamson created the basis for the current layout in 1934 along with the Coxmoor Professional, Leonard "Len' White.

Course designed by Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree and James Braid.

Original designer unknown. Dr Alister MacKenzie was commissioned to make substantial design improvements in the 1920s.

Harry Colt, in conjunction with John Morrison; construction by Colt's trusted contractor, Frank Harris Brothers.

Adrian Stiff

The Dale Hill course (also known as the "Old course") dates from 1976. The "Woosnam course" was designed by Ian Woosnam (1997).

Jeremy Pern

Herbert Fowler

Harry Colt

Martin Hawtree

Harry Colt

Original course at Embleton Bay dates from 1900; subsequently redesigned into today's layout by James Braid (1920s).

Peter Paxton

Original 1902 layout by Captain Robert Tosswill. Many others contributed to later improvements.

American course architect Robert E. "Bob" Cupp designed the East and West courses.

American course architect Robert E. "Bob" Cupp designed the East and West courses.

J.H. Taylor designed much of the current layout.

Harry Colt designed the present layout in 1935 at the age of 76.

Original design by Harry Colt; restored by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert (2018).

Original nine-hole course designed by Alf Padgham (1935); extended to 18-holes by Arthur Wrigglesworth (1938) and Horace Lewis (1940s). A third nine was added br Frank Pennink (1973) and a fourth by Ron Hinton (1983).

All 36 holes were subsequently re-organised into two 18-hole layouts, the Highgate and Lodge courses. Each course contains holes designed by Messrs Padgham, Wrigglesworth, Lewis, Pennink and Hinton.

Old course: designed by Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1976).
New course: designed by Landscape Design Co. (1992).

James Braid and James A. 'Jim' Steer laid out the original course at this location in 1922/23. Later improvements were made by Steer in 1931 and Dave Thomas in 1977.

Original 18-hole course designed by the reigning Open Champion and Sunningdale GC professional Jack White (1904). Significant revisions made by Mr R.T. Nicholson (a director of the Club) (1923).

The original course was laid out by Tom Dunn in 1880, and revised in 1920 by John Baird. Sir Henry Cotton & Sir Guy Campbell reconstructed the course in 1947 after WW2.

Harold Hilton

James Braid

Donald Steel

John Morgan

Original design by Willie Park Jr. Changes made to holes 15 thru' 18 by James Braid (1922). Further modifications made by Harry Colt (1920s), and by Donald Steel (1984).

Alex Higgins

Original nine-hole design by Formby GC club professional William McEwan. Extension to 18 holes by Douglas McEwan (1907), and later improvements made by Harry Colt (late-1920s).

Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree.

Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree.

Frilford Heath's most recent course, designed by Simon Gidman (1994).

Original nine holes designed by club professional J.H. Turner (1928). Remodelled and extended to 18-holes by C.K. "Ken" Cotton & Frank Pennink (1964).

The Red course is the original Frilford Heath layout, designed by J.H. Taylor (1908).

Major Charles Atkinson MacKenzie (younger brother of Dr Alister MacKenzie).

James Braid

Original design by John Henry "J.H." Taylor, with later modifications in 1921 by Dr Alister MacKenzie.

Unknown

Neil Coles

Original layout by Tom Chisholm (1891). Subsequent changes made by Tom Dunn (1890s), prior to a major redesign by Harry Vardon in conjunction with Ted Ray, J.H. Taylor and James Braid (1905). Later improvements also made by Harry Colt (1907, 1911 & 1931); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1912 & 1920) and C.K. Cotton (1948 & 1952).

Fred Hawtree

James Braid

Donald Steel

Old Tom Morris

Original nine-hole design by Tom Dunn (1890), extended to 18 by R. Collins (1894), and further modified by Willie Fernie (1898) and Willie Park Jr (1903). Significantly modified and lengthened by James Braid (1930); further modifications by Frank Pennink (1963).

Original course redesigned and lengthened to 18 holes by Tom Dunn.

Kyle Phillips

Laid out as a six-hole course (1886), which was gradually expanded to 18 holes by 1901. Course subsequently redesigned by J.H. Taylor, assisted by Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree (1925).

Dr Alister MacKenzie

James Braid designed the current layout at Ogden in 1920, building on the earlier design work of George Lowe (1906), Herbert Fowler (1908) and Dr Alister MacKenzie (1912).

Current design by English course architect Harry Colt (of Colt, Alison & Morrison) (1937).

Original design here dates from 1895. Later reworked by Willie Park Jr.

Jack Nicklaus II

Harry Colt

James Braid, with later revisions by Harry Colt.

Current course designed by English course architect Harry Colt (1924).

Original layout designed by Sandy Herd. Many others, including Dr Alister MacKenzie, designed later course improvements.

Willie Park Jr and James Braid

Brian Huggett

James Braid

Original holes laid out by Tom Dunn, with subsequent changes by Harry Colt (1919) and J.H. Taylor (1927). Significant modifications made by Tom Simpson (1932, 1946).

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

Nicklaus Design (project led by Jack Nicklaus II)

J.F. Morris

Unknown

Peter Nicholson

C.K. "Ken" Cotton designed the current layout in 1951, revamping some earlier design work by Harry Vardon (1907).

Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree & J.H.Taylor

Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree designed the current layout which dates from the 1960s.

J.H. Taylor

James Braid designed the current layout (1920).

Original design by Tom Dunn, with later modifications by Alex Herd, Herbert Fowler, Dr Alister MacKenzie, Fred Hawtree and Donald Steel.

Original design by George Fernie, with later extension and improvements by James Braid. More recent changes by Martin Hawtree (2010s).

Willie Park Jr.

Harry Colt with significant modifications by Dr Alister MacKenzie.

Tom Mackenzie & Martin Ebert, with original routing conceived by Seve Ballesteros.

James Braid

Harry Colt

Robin Hiseman (of European Golf Design).

John O'Gaunt course: designed by Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1948).
Carthegena course: nine holes designed by Fred W. Hawtree (1960s), and nine by his son Martin Hawtree (1970s).

Unknown

Adrian Stiff. Peter McEvoy designed the third nine (Badminton), which opened in 2002.

Peter Alliss & Dave Thomas

Original layout designed by James Braid. Revamped by Howard Swan (2008).

Major Cecil K. Hutchison.

John Frederick "Aber" Abercromby.

J. Hamilton Stutt

Leckford's nine-hole Old course laid out by Harry Colt (1929). The nine-hole New course was designed by Donald Steel (1989).

Jonathan Gaunt

Original nine holes laid out by Tom Dunn. Second nine added by Willie Park Jr & Herbert Fowler. Revisions made by Fred Hawtree (1930s).

Arthur Croome & Tom Simpson

Laid out by Harry Vardon (1908), with subsequent bunkering improvements by Harry Colt shortly afterwards.

Original design by Dr Laidlaw Purves (1888); later revisions by James Braid and Dr Alister MacKenzie (1924).

Jack Nicklaus

Ron Kirby

Tom Williamson

Original layout by Charles "Hugh" Alison (1910). Later revisions made between WWI and WW2 by James Braid. Updated and lengthened from its original 6,000 yds by Martin Hawtree (2003).

Original design by Dr Alister MacKenzie and laid out by Sandy Herd. Significant changes made by James A. (Jim) Steer (1940s).

Harry Colt

David Williams

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

J. Hamilton Stutt

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

John Abercromby & Harry Colt

Donald Steel

Old course: originally laid out in 1889 by Robert Black "Buff" Wilson of St Andrews, Minchinhampton's first professional. Since then the course routing has changed considerably.
Avening course: largely designed by Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1975), with some replacement holes added by his son Martin Hawtree (1995).
Cherington course: largely designed by Martin Hawtree (1995), with some holes absorbed from his father's Avening layout.

Current layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr (1970).

Harry Colt

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Current course designed by English architect Harry Colt (1920s).

Dave Thomas

William Sich, the inspiration behind the golf club is also credited with the course design.

John H. Turner

Original course redesigned by Harry Colt.

Samuel Mure Fergusson (with later changes by Tom Simpson in 1929).

Paul Way

Original design by English architect Harry Colt (1909), with later alterations by Scotsman James Braid (1947). Cameron Sinclair designed three aditional holes (2005).

Herbert Fowler & Tom Simpson (1913).

Original design by James Braid (1904). Later revisions by Harry Colt (1913), Tom Simpson (1930) and Donald Steel (2001).

Original course redesigned by Harry Colt (1913); modifications by James Braid (1919).

Original nine-hole course at this location, laid out by Tom Dunn, dates from the club's founding in 1891. Extended to 18 holes in 1920.

Willie Park Jr.

Harry Colt

Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas

Brian Huggett

Rees Jones

David "Deacon" Brown (Scottish professional golfer, club professional, greenkeeper and course designer).

Sandy Herd

Original design by Willie Park Jr (1910); substantially redesigned by James Braid (1937).

Original 12-holes laid out by Alexander "Sandy" Herd. Subsequent modifications by James Braid.

James Braid

Original design by Royal Ashdown GC professional Jack Rowe (1904). Later revisions by J.H. Taylor, Frank Pennink and club member Philip Russell-Vick.

Designed by original owner, Clive Smith.

J.H. Taylor & Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree.

Locally-based golf course architect Adrian Stiff designed the Codrington course (2002) and subsequently the Stranahan course (2010).

George Lowe designed the original 9-holes; extended by Sandy Herd in 1909.

Donald Steel

Tim Rouse

Cuthbert Butchart, with significant later re-styling by J.H. Taylor.

Harry Colt

Original course designed by Charles Hutchings & Percy Montagu Lucas (1906). Current 27-hole layout resulted from a significant post-war redesign by Sir Guy Campbell & John Morrison (1950).

Original nine holes date from 1894. Significant redesign by Donald Steel (1980s).

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

David McLay-Kidd

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Tom Dunn is thought to be the original designer.

John Jacobs

Original design by Tom Dunn (1891); recent revamp by Tim Lobb of Thompson, Perrett & Lobb (2011).

Original design by Charles "Hugh" Alison of Colt, MacKenzie & Alison (1920s). Significant redesign and incorporation of seven new holes by Donald Steel (1997).

Marc Westenborg (of Hawtree Design)

Original design by Ken Cotton (1962); later modifications by Donald Steel.

Original 9-hole course laid out by Sandy Herd (1906), increased to 18-holes (1906) and subsequently modified by James Braid.

Current course designed by Jonathan Tucker.

Original design by brothers and founding members William R. and Francis A. Lee; some input from the two other founding members: Robert Birch and Rev A.T. "Archdeacon" Scott. Later modifications made by Harry Hunter and longstanding Ashdown professional Jack Rowe (1897); final significant changes made by Jack Rowe (1922).

Old Course originally designed by W. Herbert Fowler (1913). Coronation course designed by F.R. Smith (1953).

Original design by George Lowe (1889). Major revisions by Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree & J.H. Taylor (1931). Subsequent modifications by Hawtree's son, Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1960s), and by his son Martin G. Hawtree (1993).

Current layout designed by James Braid (1928).

Original 9-holes laid out by Henry Hunter (1892), and extended to 18 (1896). Layout redesigned by James Braid (1919). Sir Guy Campbell restored the course after WWII, substantially retaining the earlier Hunter/Braid routing.

Original design by Old Tom Morris (1888). Substantial redesign in 1913 by J.H. Taylor, broadly following a layout drawn-up by Harry Colt.

Original nine-hole course designed by Horace G. Hutchinson and Charles Mayhewe (1887). Later extended and modified by unknown others.

Samuel Mure Fergusson

Original design by Robert Chambers & George Morris; recent modifications by Donald Steel.

Original layout by George Lowe (1897). Modifications made by Harry Colt (1919).

J.H. Taylor designed both the Outer (J.H. Taylor) and Inner (Pam Barton) courses, probably at some time after he took up the post as the Club's professional in 1899.

Original design by Old Tom Morris (1864); modified to the current layout by Herbert Fowler (1908).

18-hole layout at former Hellesdon location designed by James Braid. New layout at Weston Longville (2019) designed by Ross McMurray of European Golf Design.

Original design by Dr Laidlaw Purves (1887); later revisions by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1924).

Holcombe Ingleby

Harry Colt made significant modifications to the course, which had previously been developed by Willie Park Jr (1907).

John Henry "J.H." Taylor.

Original layout by Tom Dunn (1893); later revisions by Harry Colt (1906).

Original design by English course architect Harry Colt and Scottish professional Douglas Rolland. Later revisions by Tom Simpson (1932), Sir Guy Campbell (1938), Major H.C. "Charles" Tippet (1947).

Originally designed by Ted Ray (1920). Later improvements made by Harry Colt (1925). The existing 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes were designed by Frederick W. "Fred" Hawtree (1955) when the original 2nd and 3rd were lost to a road widening project.

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Harry Colt

Harry Vardon

Herbert Fowler

Frank Pennink

Major Charles A. Mackenzie (brother of Alister MacKenzie).

Willie Fernie

Course designed by J.H. Taylor in 1907, when the club moved to its current Blatchington location.

Willie Campbell & George Lowe

First 14 holes laid out by Dr Duncan McCuaig (1874) and extended to 18 holes (1891). Improved and lengthened by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1925). Four additional holes (taking the total available holes up to 22) designed by Frank Pennink (1970s).

J.H. Taylor

James Braid

Tom Dunn

From an original Harry Colt layout (c.1912) the course was redesigned in 1925 by James Braid.

Original design by Seve Ballesteros, with later improvements by Matt McGarey (2018).

Original layout by David Grant (1892). Redesigned soon afterwards by Willie Park Jr. Later improvements by Dr Alister MacKenzie.

Dave Thomas

Neil Coles

James Braid and James A. (Jim) Steer.

Dave Thomas, Peter Alliss & Clive Clarke

Ross McMurray

George Lowe designed the front-nine; course was completed by Sandy Herd.

Donald Steel

James Braid

Harry Colt

The original Old course designed by J. Hamilton Stutt was significantly revamped by Alan Leather in 2008. With nine new holes blended into nine from the Old course, the course was re-named as the Kernow course.

Jack Nicklaus

Original design by Alex "Sandy" Herd; later extensive renovation and improvements by Harry Colt (1918).

Harry Colt

Willie Park Jr.

Course designed by J.H. Taylor and Frederick G. "Fred" Hawtree (1924), coincident with Club's move to this location.

Harry Colt

Willie Park Jr designed the East and West courses, with later revisions by James Braid.

Harry Colt

Harry Colt, with later modifications made by Tom Simpson (1934) and later still by Ken Cotton.

Original layout by Willie Park Jr (1900), with later modifications by Harry Colt.

Peter Alliss & Clive Clarke

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Harry Colt

Cecil K. Hutchison

Harry Colt

Dr Alister MacKenzie

Willie Park Jr.

Original design by Charles Mayo; subsequent modifications by James Braid and later still by Philip Mackenzie Ross.

Harry Colt

James Braid

Harry Colt

Current design by English course architect Harry Colt.

Harry Colt

James Braid

Patrick Dawson & Dave Thomas

Original layout at this location by Sandy Herd (1910). Significant modifications by Harry Colt (1924).

Original layout designed by Old Tom Morris. Further improvements made by James Braid, J.H. Taylor and Frederick G. (Fred) Hawtree.

Original design by James Braid. Restored and re-opened in 1948 after WWII (when the course was covered in barbed wire and defensive positions). Extended and improved by John Lawrie (1960s).

Current course designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1928).

The Herbert Fowler designed New Course first opened as a 9-hole layout (1907). Fowler also designed the extension to 18-holes (1913).

Herbert Fowler

Karl Litten designed both the Earls and Kings courses at The Warwickshire.

Tom McAuley

Current course at Harrowden Hall laid out by Fred & Martin Hawtree of Hawtree Ltd (1972).

Harry Colt

Co-designed by John Jacobs, Gary Player & Bernard Gallacher.

Original design by Harry Colt, with later improvements by Ernie Els (2006).

Robin Stagg

Original layout (called Bleakdown GC) by Cuthbert Butchart (1906). Significant redesign by John Frederick "Aber" Abercromby (1922). Subsequent minor changes by Arthur Croome, James Braid and John Morrison. Recent renovation by Tom Mackenzie & Martin Ebert (2022).

Rev. F.F. Tyack

Original 18-hole layout designed by Kirkwood, Medrington & Hassell (1931); several layout changes made since then.

Original layout by Old Tom Morris (1890), with bunkering by J.H. Taylor, and later additions by Harry Colt. Course remodelled by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1922).

Original layout designed by Willie Park Jr & Jack White. Further improvements made by Cuthbert Butchart, the Club's first professional.

Original design by Willie Park Jr. Present day course designed by C.K. (Ken) Cotton (1960).

Tom Dunn, with later significant modifications by Dr Alister MacKenzie (1922).

Herbert Fowler

Original design by the firm Ferigna (Cecil K. Hutchison, Sir Guy Campbell & Col. Stafford V. Hotchkin).

Current design by English course architect Harry Colt (1927).

Original design by an unknown professional golfer (1890); significant modifications by James Braid (1929). With the exception of the par-4 16th and 17th holes (created in 1969), the routing has remained relatively unchanged since Braid's day.

Many have contributed to the current design of the course, including Sandy Herd, James Braid, Tom Simpson & George Duncan.

Original nine-hole course laid out by Army Volunteers (1865); extended to 18 holes by Tom Dunn (1871), who was the London Scottish GC professional from 1870 thru' 1880.

George Lowe laid out the first nine holes (1891). Eighteen months later the course was extended to 18-holes.

Robert Trent Jones Jr, and his lead designer Kyle Phillips.

Charles Lawrie

Charles Lawrie

Peter Alliss & Clive Clark

Tom Dunn