The guys applied a couple of rules – a maximum of one hole per course and the holes must be in the order in which they are played at their respective venues (i.e. if it’s the 4th hole on our card, it would also have to be the 4th hole on their course). Whether you agree or disagree with the choices, what’s for certain is it’s one heck of a golf course…
1st Royal Birkdale – Par 4, 450 yards
A tough opening hole on the golf course that many of the Tour pros believe to be the fairest test of their skills on the Open rota and arguably England’s finest course, the 1st hole at Royal Birkdale is a perfect start. The hole snakes left around dunes at the corner of the fairway and then subtly in towards the green. The right side is protected by Out of Bounds and, in the wind especially; it can be a long and intimidating start.
Kevin Murray
2nd Formby - Par 4, 403 yards
Just a few miles along the coast from Royal Birkdale, Formby’s second hole is the perfect tonic to the challenging start. A straight mid-length par four, its three brilliantly situated fairway bunkers narrow the fairway whatever club you’re hitting from the tee. It’s no push over, but it’s still a scoring opportunity and a comparatively gentle hole to settle you in to your round.
3rd Royal Cinque Ports - Par 5, 510 yards
A beautiful early par five played adjacent to the coastline, this is pure, quirky, old-fashioned links golf at its inimitable best. Playing your approach to the 3rd hole at Royal Cinque Ports GC you have to negotiate formidable dunes crossing the fairway that hide the green from view and leave you wondering how on earth you’re supposed to navigate your way in. Welcome to links golf!
4th Rye – Par 4, 411 yards
As intimidating a par four as they come, driving off the 4th tee at Rye must rank as one of the hardest shots in the country. The raised fairway is like a narrow spine, flanked by punishing rough and devilish slopes. Factor in the wind, along with a tough approach to a narrow green, and you have one of the finest and most challenging par four holes in the country.
5th Walton Heath Old – Par 4, 485 yards
The opening six holes of Walton Heath’s Old Course are notoriously difficult and the downhill sweeping fifth is as good as any. The hole doglegs gently left, before playing back up to a green that feels as if its titling towards you. Missing the fairway bunkers is a must, but even managing that won’t guarantee you success, as the severely sloping green will test even the surest putting stroke.
Charles Briscoe-Knight
6th St Enodoc – Par 4, 378 yards
The famous bunker on the par four 6th hole at St. Enodoc is called ‘Himalaya’, which tells you all you need to know. Rumoured to be the largest bunker in Europe, getting out of it is nigh impossible, but you’ll have to go over it with your blind approach to the green. Totally unique, and a wonderful golf hole.
7th Hankley Common – Par 3, 183 yards
Picture perfect, the par three 7th is Hankley’s signature hole played from an elevated tee across a large bowl blanketed in heather to a raised two-tier green. Open to the elements which can play havoc with your clubbing, your tee shot is played to a green that is protected by bunkers on either side and steep run offs, particularly at the front and right. There is no margin for error, making the hole play much harder than its relatively modest yardage would suggest.
8th Royal West Norfolk – Par 5, 494 yards
It’s no secret that golf has its ‘old school’ quirks and charms, and the golf course at Royal West Norfolk is arguably one of the best examples. High tides have an enormous impact on the course at Brancaster, as it’s also known, with the unique possibility of being stranded overnight keeping you vigilant! The 8th hole is a short par five that’s typical of the course. The hole is routed twice across the saltmarsh before reaching the green. Make sure you check the tides before playing!
Kevin Murray
9th Royal Lytham & St Anne’s – Par 3, 164 yards
Nine pot bunkers protect the elevated green at the classic short par three 9th hole at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s and avoiding all of them is paramount if you’re to make your par. Fail to do so and your skills from the sand will be truly tested if you’re to avoid running up a cricket score. The hole is a fine example of how a good par three doesn’t need to be long.
10th The Belfry – Par 4, 311 yards
As far as iconic holes go, the short par four 10th at The Belfry is up there with some of the greatest in the game, largely influenced by its role during those golden years of The Ryder Cup. A plaque on the tee reminds you of Seve’s heroics and it’s something of an unwritten rule that every golfer must attempt to drive the green and emulate the great Spaniard’s wonder-shot. The green is protected by a stream and overhanging trees, so even your Sunday best isn’t guaranteed joy.
11th Sunningdale Old – Par 4, 322 yards
It would’ve been very easy to opt for the picturesque 10th at Sunningdale in this list, as it’s the pick of many seasoned golfer, but the par four 11th hole is also a great hole. A classic short par four, measuring 322 yards, the blind tee shot is played over a severe bunker and must avoid further sand traps down the right hand side.
12th Royal Liverpool – Par 4, 454 yards
A brilliant links golf hole, and arguably the very best at Royal Liverpool. The 12th is a fairly straightforward looking dogleg left that’s laid out clearly in front of you but at 454 yards is a strong test. Bunkers protect the elbow of the fairway on both sides, and errant approaches will run off from the green that is also protected by a sizeable bank on the left.
13th Wentworth – Par 4, 437 yards
One of the toughest holes on the West Course at Wentworth, the dogleg left 13th hole has been the turning point for many would-be champion in the BMW Championships – for better and for worse. The drive must be long and pinpoint-accurate to avoid several fairway bunkers, made all the more difficult by the camber of the fairway away to the right. The approach is played blind to a large raised green protected by further sand traps.
14th Royal St George’s – Par 5, 545 yards
There are too many great holes to choose from at Royal St. George’s, but the petrifying par five 14th is one of the best. The first priority is to stop your knees shaking. The second is to avoid the Out of Bounds that lines the entire right side of the hole. Naturally, the temptation is to overcompensate and play too cautiously down the left and into trouble. Of course, the best line in to the green is from the right, but over do it, as Dustin Johnson did in the 2011 Open Championship, and you’ll be reloading on the tee. It cost DJ The Claret Jug and presented the chance to Darren Clarke to write his name in the history books.
15th Notts (Hollinwell) – Par 4, 439 yards
Another lovely course in the heart of the country, we’ve chosen the long 15th hole at Notts (Hollinwell) Golf Club to start our run for home. Not a hole for the wayward, the target for the second shot is tiny, framed by banks of gorse and heather. It’s a glorious hole, and yet another that will test even the very best of players.
16th Ganton – Par 4, 446 yards
Ganton in East Yorkshire is widely held to be one of the best inland courses in the country. The 16th hole is long and straight, and peppered with strategically placed pot bunkers dotted that make precision the most important aspect of your game. When bunkers have steps, you know you’re best avoiding them! If you manage to play the hole without flirting with sand you can give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
17th Littlestone - Par 3, 182 yards
We like a short hole towards the end of your round. As the match reaches its climax or your score promises tales of majestic ball-striking and giant putts holed, there’s nothing like a great par three to separate the wheat from the chaff. The mid-length 17th at Littlestone, in a gorgeous setting on the Kent coast, is one of the best short holes you could wish to play. From a raised tee, the hole plays across tall fescue grasses to an undulating green, whilst several greenside bunkers frame the hole superbly.
18th Burnham & Berrow – Par 4, 447 yards
All great courses have great finishing holes where drama, disaster, and brilliance are all a possibility as you step on to the tee. The final hole at Burnham & Berrow provides a fitting climax, sweeping round to the left and pinching to create the narrowest targets. This is another knee-trembler (there have been a few during our round) but get a good drive away and there’s a chance for glory as the approach is a little more forgiving. Make your par four here to seal the most memorable round of golf you could wish to enjoy on these shores.
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