Collingtree Park Golf Club sits just outside Northampton and has a neat claim to fame: it was the first course in the UK designed by Johnny Miller, the straight-talking American commentator and former Open and US Open champion. Opened in 1990, this 18-hole, par-72 parkland layout has hosted European Tour action and it still feels like a proper test when the pressure's on.
What makes it stand out is how often you're asked to pick a sensible line and stick to it. Water features on 10 holes, including the closing par 4, where the approach has to carry the hazard to a green that hugs the edge. It's a cracking finish, but you can't bluff it. Miss in the wrong place and you're reaching for another ball.
You'll also notice the strategy in the shaping, with bunkers placed to catch the lazy miss rather than the truly wild one, plus enough movement in the ground to keep you thinking on uneven lies. It's not a course that demands constant hero shots, but it does reward a bit of course management over pure "grip it and rip it".
If you're planning a UK golf break around Northampton, Collingtree is well worth adding to the list, especially if your group enjoys a memorable finishing hole and a layout that asks questions.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want a smart, water-in-play parkland test near Northampton with European Tour credentials and a strong finishing hole.
Who is this best for
Confident mid-handicappers and above who enjoy plotting their way round, plus societies after a recognisable venue that won't overwhelm sensible higher handicappers.
