Between them, the senior panel for Golf Monthly’s Top UK&I 100 course rankings in association with Peter Millar – Rob Smith, Jeremy Ellwood and editor Neil Tappin – have a vast experience of golf courses both inside and outside the rankings process.
Let us know in the comments section at the bottom whether you agree or disagree with what we have to say in the accompanying video…
1. A golf course shouldn’t start with a par 3
While the vast majority of courses don’t start with a one-shotter, there are a great many that do, with even a few in our UK&I Top 100 courses rankings opening with a par 3, such as Royal Lytham and St Annes and The Blue course at the Berkshire.
The Open Championship links at Royal Lytham famously starts with a par 3
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
Some golfers don’t like the notion, but we’re generally perfectly happy with it, while noting that if the hole is particularly long or difficult, such that few average golfers are likely to hit the green, it may not be the ideal start from a pace-of-play perspective
2. You shouldn’t have blind shots
While few modern courses present you with blind shots unless you’ve strayed out of position, plenty of older courses, particularly links like Prestwick or Lahinch, do.
We’re happy with this as long as it’s not overdone – it even adds an element of anticipation as you come over the crest for the big reveal to see if your shot really was as good or bad as you thought it was.
The blind par-3 5th at Lahinch Golf Club is christened ‘The Dell’
(Image credit: Steve Carr)
Our No.1 course in the rankings – Royal County Down – is famed for its blind shots and that hasn’t stopped it reaching the very pinnacle of our list.
Safety is obviously a concern, and a bell or other means of advising those behind when it is safe to play is essential.
3. A good golf course needs to be of a certain length
The older the three of us get, the less bothered we are about what figure the course yardage starts with. Between us, we have played many thoroughly enjoyable courses under 6,000 yards, including…
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