While our NCG panellists toured Scotland in 2025 evaluating the country’s best courses, they also shared their personal top picks for golf courses outside of Scotland.
Beyond Scotland’s borders, the United Kingdom boasts stunning links courses in England, Wales, and Ireland that received numerous mentions from our panel. Additionally, many panellists nominated venues further afield, including acclaimed resorts in Europe and around the world.
Curious to see what courses made their list? Explore their favourite non-Scottish golfing destinations below and see if you agree!
What are our panellists’ favourite non-Scottish courses?
As expected, many choices were within the United Kingdom, featuring a notable Open Championship venue and several acclaimed courses in and around the English capital.
- Ed Battye: Royal St. George’s. The ultimate in championship challenge and endlessly intriguing quirk.
- Steve Watton: Royal St. George’s
- Jim Banting: Sunningdale Old
- Andi White: New Zealand
- David Fox: Hankley Common
Other English courses, stretching from Cornwall to Cumberland, also earned a place on the list.
- Craig Redston: Parkstone is the closest thing to a religious experience for me.
- Chris Myatt: Rye Golf Club – It makes the most of its dunes with holes routed along, over, between, to and from them.
- Hugh Masson: St. Enodoc. Rugged, yet pristine. A strong test in beautiful surroundings.
- Charles Abraham: Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) – A heathland course of great variety and a fabulous test of strategic golf all year round.
- Phil Bedford: Perranporth
- Paul Watson: Saunton (East) – a links that never fails to excite. The par 4 first epitomises the tough test ahead all the way to the 18th.
- Neil White: Silloth – I adore links courses and this was love at first sight. Played it once before applying to be a member.
- Stu Bennett: Formby – challenging off the tee, fair with a variety of stunning holes that test every part of your game on fantastic turf.
Wales and Ireland also featured prominently, with both historic and contemporary courses receiving recognition.
- Jim Marshall: I love Royal St. David’s for its stunning views, historic charm, and challenging yet fair links layout.
- David Elliott: Royal St. Davids
- Craig Morrison: County Sligo. Why? Yeats. Colt. Ruddy. To be on the Rosses is to be in great company.
- Chris Griffiths: Portmarnock
- Ian Woods: Royal Portrush’s Dunluce. Never tire of playing it, and thrilled to have watched two Opens there.
- Greg Webber: Royal Porthcawl
- Peter Rudd: Waterville, stunning setting with one of the best finishes in golf.
- Lewis Marr: Waterville, Ireland
Looking further afield, some panellists highlighted their top choices in North America and Australia.
- Dove Jones: Banff Springs
- Oliver Baker: Valley Club of Montecito
- Michael Verity: Royal Adelaide
- David Walker: California Golf Club of San Francisco – a quality golf course with welcoming members.
- Michael Atkinson: Alister MacKenzie’s Cypress Point in Monterey, California. The most magnificent Pacific Ocean setting. Simply stunning.
Have you had the chance to play at any of these remarkable venues? Which non-Scottish course stands out as your personal favourite? Share your thoughts with us on X (formerly Twitter)!