Value golf courses in GB&I: Central England
We've reviewed some excellent value golf courses in an effort to prove that the recession needn't mean you have to cut down on your golf. From Canterbury in the south east to Kirkistown Castle in Northern Ireland, take at look at these 50 value tracks.
Brampton Heath
GF: £20 STATS: par 72, sss 71, 6,566 yards T: 01604 843939 W: bramptonheathgolfcentre.co.uk
Opened in 1995, the main course at Brampton Heath is set on rolling heathland just to the north of Northampton. The layout has been constructed on free-draining soil and this means the course remains playable in good condition throughout the year.
Thorpe Wood
GF: £14.60 STATS: par 73, 7,086 yards T: 01733 267701 W: thorpewoodgolfcourse.co.uk
Just a mile from Peterborough city centre, Thorpe Wood golf course was designed by the respected duo of Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas. One of the key leisure projects connected to the expansion of Peterborough, it’s a pay-and-play facility offering high-quality golf at an extremely low price. The track can stretch to 7,086 yards off the backs. Rutland Water
GF: £18 STATS: par 72, sss 72, 6,816 yards T: 01572 737525 W: rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The Normanton Course at Rutland Water has quickly earned a reputation as a fine pay-and- play layout. Stretching to over 6,800 yards, it provides a suitable challenge for the low handicapper though the level of difficulty certainly doesn’t preclude enjoyment for more novice golfers.
Jeremy Ellwood (Jezz) has worked in golf since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all the Top 100 plus 94 of the Next 100, making him well-qualified to compare our premier tracks. He has played over 1,100 courses in 35 countries, from remote nine-holers in the Scottish Highlands to grand international resorts, hitting the 1,000 mark on his 60th birthday in October 2023 on Vale do Lobo's Ocean course. Put him on a links course anywhere and he'll be blissfully content.
Contact Jezz on X - @JezzEllwoodGolf
Jeremy is playing...
Driver: Ping G425 LST
3 wood: Srixon ZX
Hybrid: Ping G425
Irons 4- to 11-iron: Honma TWorld TW747Vx
Wedge: Ping Glide 54˚
Putter: Ping Fetch