104 ISSUE 367 TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK
which unfurl across the wildly spectacular
1000-acre linksland of Braunton Burrow,
England’s largest sand dune system. The East
is the no.1 layout - Sir Nick Faldo once
declared it capable of staging an Open – and
doesn’t have a weak hole with the demanding
dog-leg par-4 16th arguably pick of the classy
crop. The deal: Dec-Feb – a round on either
course for £40. Contact: 01271 812436.ST ANNES OLD LINKS, LANCS
It’s just down the road/coast from mighty
Royal Lytham, but will only set you back a
fraction of the price, especially at this time of
the year. Top links, great value and the par-3
9th is so good Bobby Jones took its
measurements of it so he could recreate it in
America!The deal:Until Mar 27 £46 midweek,
£56 Sunday. Contact: 01253 723597.SEAHOUSES, NORTHUMBERLAND
Short but testing layout with an unusual mix of
coastal and parkland holes. Aces in the pack
are the two short holes on the back nine – the
10th, played from an elevated tee over an inlet,
and the dramatic 15th to a green perched
beyond a clifftop ravine. Great fun.
The deal:£30 midweek, £35 weekends.
Contact: 01665 720794.SILLOTH-ON-SOLWAY, CUMBRIA
Outstanding links with a superb variety of
holes from the Postage Stamp-esque 9th to
the long 5th, where you drive from a ridge to a
fairway set at an angle that runs parallel to the
beach. It winds its way between towering
dunesland and you’ll love the sensational
panoramic coastal views. The deal: Until
March 11 £30 midweek and £42 weekends.
Contact: 016973 31304.SUNDRIDGE PARK, KENT
Top 36-hole venue seven miles from central
London with the East an Open qualifying
course while the more undulating
neighbouring West provides panoramic views
of some of the capital’s best-known
landmarks. The deal:Winter fourball (Mon-Fri)
costs £140 (West) and £160 (East) and
includes coffee and bacon roll and 18 holes.
Contact: 020 8460 0278.THE LINDRICK, SOUTH YORKS
A heathland masterpiece which staged the
1957 Ryder Cup and is plotted onrelatively
flat terrain. An absolute delight to play
throughout the year and unusually signs off
with a par 3. The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 £50.
Contact: 01909 475820.THE SHIRE, HERTS
A sparkling tribute to its creator, the late great
Seve Ballesteros, with water featuring on 12
holes including the S-shaped (for Seve) pond
on the 18th. There are six par 3s, 4s and 5s
and you’ll relish putting out on the USGA-spec
greens. The deal: Mon-Thurs winter (Nov 1
-Mar 31) fourball, £160 includes pre-round hot
drinks & bacon rolls and post-round soup.
Contact: 020 8441 7649.THORPENESS HOTEL & GC, SUFFOLK
Glorious James Braid heathland course based
on sand so it rarely closes and is always in
great condition. A memorable round ends
with an uphill par 4 with the final green sitting
in front of the House in the Clouds towering
over the course. Splendid stay and play
venue. The deal:Winter rate £35 and after
midday from £20. Contact: 01728 454926.WALMER & KINGSDOWN, KENT
Another Braid creation though this one is just
down the coast from the legendary links of
Royal St George’s and perched atop the White
Cliffs of Dover, sitting on chalky downland turf
so is in great nick all-year round.
Green fees: Nov 1-Mar 31 £80 for a fourball.
Contact:01304 363017.WEST CORNWALL, CORNWALL
This short old links (it’s a par 69 under 6,000
yards) doesn’t get the credit and attention it
deserves even though it is the county’s oldest
course and that Peter Alliss is a honorarymember. Thanks to being sand-based, it
drains well and allows year-round play.
Green fees: £40 (£45 Wed & Sat). £20 for
county card holders. Contact:01736 753401.WEST LANCS, MERSEYSIDE
West Lancs is now finally and deservedly
getting the credit its first-class links deserves.
There is barely a weak hole – and you can’t
always say that at even the most highly-
regarded links – but plenty of very good ones
with a particularly strong final trio.
The deal:£60. Contact: 0151 924 1076.YELVERTON, DEVON
Fancy playing something different and being
surrounded by nature? Then this delightful
moorland layout, built around an old mine,
provides stunning Dartmoor views while you’ll
share the experience with free-roaming
ponies and cattle. The deal:£20 for
county card holders (midweek).
Contact:01822 852824.WOODHALL SPA, LINCS
Located in rural Lincolnshire the Hotchkin
course is well worth taking the time to visit.
It’s a classic heathland, and arguably home of
England’s finest – and most challenging –
inland layout. It’s a world class Top 100
courses with a green fee that’s arguably the
best value in England.The deal: Nov 1-Apr 30
£57. Contact: 01526 352511.CLYNE, SWANSEA
Designed by Harry Colt in the 1920s, this little
known moorland course sits at the entrance
to the Gower Peninsula and offers a stern all
round examination, year-round grass tees and
quality greens plus superb coastal and
mountain views. The deal:18 holes and one-
course meal, £24 Tues-Sun (until March).
Contact: 01792 402094.THE TG TOP 50...
Little Aston
Top 100 track in
the Midlands.Ly tha m
Not the Royal
one, but similar.