My Top 10 Courses: Sir Nick Faldo

When Britain’s most-decorated golfer selects his favourite UK courses, you had better sit up and take notice. Sir Nick Faldo’s illustrious career saw him win six Majors, while playing virtually all of the world’s leading courses. Since retiring he has moved into course architecture and has created outstanding layouts across the planet. He has no doubts whatsoever about his no.1, saying: “After winning consecutive Opens there, I have to plump for Muirfield. But it’s a great golf course anyway, there’s something special about it. It’s been pretty darn good to me, and it’s my style of golf course, a real challenge. Every shot has to be thought out.”

● Muirfield, East Lothian
It’s all about feeding the ball to the hole; where to land it, working out which way it will kick, how much it will bounce, how much run there will be. Oh, plus there’s the wind! Green fees: £110-£210.

● Royal County Down, Co Down
I’ve only played this course once and it fully lived up to expectations. It’s a very special golf course with lots of beautifully placed bunkers and side slopes, all majestically plotted within an amazing setting. Green fees: £50-£185.

● St Andrews (Old Course), Fife
The Old Course demands the art of leaving the right angle to work the ball close to the Championship hole locations otherwise you need to master the massive old greens. When you come down the stretch and see the silhouette of the ‘old grey toon’, there’s nothing better. Green fees: £77-£170.

● Royal Birkdale, Merseyside
I love playing links courses and this is one of England’s finest. The combination of flattish fairways and rolling greens make it difficult to land the ball on the greens – bold driving and long irons are required. Green fees: £205-£235.

● Turnberry (Ailsa), Ayrshire
Another superb links and this one boasts wonderful rolling fairways alongside a stunning coastline. Strong cross winds make this a tough but rewarding course to tame. Green fees: £85-£250.

● Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Co Antrim
Like RCD , I’ve only played this once and it was great. I enjoyed the look and tightness of the rolling fairways and interesting contours around the greens while experiencing four seasons in one day. Green fees: £60-£175.

● Sunningdale (New), Surrey
I remember playing this many moons ago following some heavy Autumn rainfall and I must say it played fabulously. It has great but subtle green locations within the classic of classic heathland settings. Green fees: £105-£180.

● Royal St George’s, Kent
Another top links which can be played in hugely contrasting conditions: it can be softish early in the season but by the time The Open comes around in mid-summer it can be burnt out. It has awkward sight lines off the tee, plenty of large bunkers and many small greens. Green fees: £170.

● Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancs
Not the most aesthetically pleasing of Open rota courses but make no mistake it is a serious test of golf and you had better be a good bunker player and be able to handle a left to right wind. Or else! Green fees: From £122.

● Sunningdale (Old), Surrey
Modern equipment has cut this classic heathland down to size, but the slopes, contours, tight pins and one bad bounce into the bushes combine to ensure it’s still a challenging, fun and fair proposition. Green fees: £205.

Sir Nick Faldo – Golfing CV

• Only picked up a club at 14 but was a successful amateur within three years.

• Turned pro in 1976 (+ 1hcp) and has 30 European Tour wins and nine PGA Tour victories.

• Celebrated a hat-trick of Open (1987, ’90 & ’92) and Masters (’89, ’90 & ’96) victories.

• Featured in 11 Ryder Cups and is the all-time leading points scorer.

• Knighted in 2009.

• Now a CBS and Golf Channel commentator, runs a successful course design company and is a major promoter of junior golf through his Faldo Junior Series.