The English West Midlands is not immediately thought of as being one of the great hot spots of golf and yet it has plenty of wonderful courses.<\/p>\n
Here are out top five from Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands conurbation itself.<\/p>\n
Beau Desert<\/p>\n
It might sound French but this absolutely wonderful course is smack in the middle of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.<\/p>\n
That gives a clue as to its vibe: Cannock Chase is one of the greatest forests in Britain never mind the Midlands.<\/p>\n
The course is secluded, beautiful, fast running and high quality \u2013 and home for DP Wold Tour winner Richard Mansell.<\/p>\n
Designed by Herbert Fowler, it is a heathland classic, among England\u2019s finest and it is the Midlands finest too.<\/p>\n
Little Aston<\/p>\n
The great Harry Vardon advised on the plotting and the great Harry Colt oversaw alterations \u2013 that\u2019s not a bad start and Little Aston has lived up to its beginnings.<\/p>\n
Walter Hagen and Open champion Denny Shute visited in 1933 to played Percy Alliss (Peter\u2019s dad) and Abe Mitchell (whose image sits on top of the Ryder Cup).<\/p>\n
More recently Tommy Fleetwood won the English Amateur at the Warwickshire track shortly before turning pro.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s set within woods, with sensational bunkering and is a wonderful old-style test.<\/p>\n
The Belfry \u2013 Brabazon<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s be honest: the Brabazon is a much better course than it was when it was first unveiled to the world in the 1970s, but it is also not a great course.<\/p>\n
But it is nothing less than remarkable for anyone who loves the modern history of the game.<\/p>\n
Because, of course, it was here that Europe first won the Ryder Cup in 1985 and sensational regained it in 2002.<\/p>\n
Almost every hole has a story: where Monty led the charge, where Seve took aim at the 10th green, where Philip Price beat Phil Mickelson, where Christy O\u2019Connor struck his 2-iron, where Sam Torrance holed the winning putt.<\/p>\n
Enville<\/p>\n
A little way outside Wolverhampton is a course that might easily be in Surrey.<\/p>\n
The turf is fast drying and fast running. The fairways are tree and heather lined. The courses are traditional and well plotted.<\/p>\n
Its quality is rubber stamped by the fact that it is an Open Regional Qualifying course.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fun and beauty also calls to mind Woodhall Spa \u2013 it just happens to be easier to access from right around the world.<\/p>\n
Church Stretton<\/p>\n
Church Stretton in Shropshire will never host a tour event. It is not long. It is not, in so many ways, a great golf course \u2013 but it is a magnificent experience.<\/p>\n
It starts with location: perched on top of the imposing Long Mynd on the fringes of the beautiful town of Church Stretton.<\/p>\n
The drive to the course is up a winding, steep road that gives you a hint of the golf to come. That\u2019s steep and winding too.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll play alongside sheep, you\u2019ll gasp at the scenery, you\u2019ll love some holes, scowl at others, and end the day with a wide smile on your face. It\u2019s beautiful and, in its own way, brutal.<\/p>\n