‘Welshpool may well be Braid’s f inest routing’

An ode to the distinctive, idiosyncratic courses that dominate this list

Clyde Johnson is a long-time associate of Tom Doak and the rising star of European course architecture. He has worked on superstars such as Rosapenna St Patrick’s and Tara Iti, as well as being entrusted with the new course at Castle Stuart. But memorable, lie-of-the-land courses are his true love – and he chooses five from our list. His enthusiasm for them is gloriously tangible...

SEACROFT

“An old-fashioned links, which shimmies alongside, over and across one long dune ridge on its way out towards Gibraltar Point. The 8th is one of a kind, driving over and as close to a road as possible to yield a glimpse of the flag, tucked beyond a protruding shoulder. Inwards is packed with variety, plus more fine green complexes. The long 13th angles down from the primary dune, before scrambling back up to a perch featuring views towards The Wash. A journey that is well rewarded.”

PAINSWICK

“Out-and-back, up-and-over a ridge top that is not much wider than one-hole in places, there is plenty of strategy to the madness. Clever use of side slopes, wild humps and hollows, sheer drops, dissecting roads, and the odd punchbowl green complement the cross-country views. The completely blind, uphill 5th into a Bronze Age fortress will linger longest, although the following, longer par 3 may be one of Britain’s best. Unforgettable!”

WELSHPOOL (ABOVE)

“Plenty familiar with adventurous terrain, this might have been James Braid’s most remarkable routing. The landscape feels precipitous, with golf high above, and sometimes way below. The hogs-backed, over-and-down 6th is unmissable, and the angling one-shot 8th almost un-hittable. Parachuting to a diagonal-ing fairway, the brawny 12th contrasts a trio of shorter fours to finish. The flattening scale of the surrounds is enough for most of Welshpool’s surprisingly elegant targets to confound. If Bernard Darwin was willing to stop off on his way to the course ‘his soul most loved’, then so should you!”

PITLOCHRY

“Tacking astutely up and across hill, Willie Fernie’s routing makes light of some serious elevation change. The most intriguing holes are where shoulders of hillside influence play: the uphill 2nd, rocky plateau-sited 5th, cross-slope 8th and the brawny 10th. The drop-shot 16th, and tumbling final drive more than compensate for any earlier strain. An old-school design with a surprising amount of diversity, and views to match.”

LECKFORD (OLD)

“Nine of Harry Colt’s most exquisite – and authentic – greens. Jumping from shoulder to shoulder, the par-3 3rd green is cut masterfully into its surrounds. There’s a sense of adventure as you track upwards, and then about-turn back home. The 7th is artfully held up against a backdrop of rolling countryside by a trio of rumples. Choked with half-par holes, inducing the drop-shot finisher, Leckford keeps luring you around for more.”