The best golf courses in the UK as chosen by you
The UK is home to some of the best golf courses in the world – from fantastic links along the coast of Scotland to Ryder Cup venues in the south of England. Teeofftimes.co.uk golfers shared with us the courses on their bucket list, and here are some of the best golf courses in the UK they mentioned right on our doorstep…
The Belfry
The Belfry has become synonymous with golf and is a hub for both professional and amateur players. Located just outside of Birmingham, The Belfry courses are easy to access and attract players from across the UK and further afield. This championship venue is steeped in tournament history, and has played host to more Ryder Cup matches than any other venue in the world. The Belfry’s three spectacular courses, formed from acres of lush North Warwickshire countryside, have triggered some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the sport.
The Forest of Arden
Situated in the heart of the Midlands amongst the rural Warwickshire countryside, the Forest of Arden is renowned as one of the premier golf destinations in the UK, with two fantastic golf courses offering unparalleled opportunities for golfers of all abilities. The Forest of Arden features two of the West Midlands’ best courses, with 36 holes of championship golf suitable for every skill level. Aylesford Resort is an 18-hole, par-69 course, measuring in at 5,801 yards. Arden Championship Course is also 18 holes, playing at 7,213 yards with a par of 72. Both courses were designed by Donald Steel.
Trump International
Trump International Golf Course is ideally located just a short drive from Aberdeen International Airport and the vibrant city centre. Trump International Golf Links is one of the world’s finest golf courses. The large estate is flanked by two other esteemed golf courses, Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen. This is an ideal base to explore the exceptional links golf in the North of Scotland and is a short journey to Trump Turnberry, St Andrews and other iconic sites. The golf course follows a classic pattern of two out-and-back loops of nine holes each. All 18 holes flow engagingly through the dunes, rising to find views of the sea and coastline; they also plunge into secluded valleys, offering a sequence of exceptional topographies and landscapes, alternating between spaciousness and enclosure, then panoramic view. And the whole time, you’re treated to a rich texture of vegetation and wildlife habitats surrounding the holes.
Filton Golf Club
Filton Golf Club has been described as “The hidden gem on the north side of Bristol.” Filton Golf Club offers its members a beautiful, 18-hole, mature-parkland course, maintained to the highest standards all year ’round. Founded in 1909, the club is steeped in history and, whilst recognising the etiquette and traditions of the great game of golf and thus ensuring that this is maintained, the club adopts a modern approach to reflect the new generation of golfer. The club is renowned for their hospitality and the warm welcome offered to visitors, societies and corporate customers by both members and staff.
Gleneagles
A perfect combination of natural beauty and golfing adventure, the three championship golf courses at Gleneagles are regarded among the very best golf courses in the UK. Serving as an inspirational track for two of the greatest names in the game—five-time Open winner James Braid and the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus—The Queens course, The Kings course and the PGA centenary offer enticing challenges for all levels of player.
Sherdley Park Golf Club
Opened in 1974, Sherdley Park Golf Club is a mature parkland course. The undulating par-71 track, at 5,912 yards, demands that golfers plot their way around using skilled course management. After the round, relax in the friendly clubhouse, which overlooks the 18th hole. Take time to reflect or simply spectate as fellow golfers close out their tee time.
The Vale Resort
With first-class facilities, two well-established championship golf courses and a selection of top industry accolades, the Vale Resort has one of the best golf courses in Wales. The course is located amid 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside and has been host to a number of PGA golf tournaments over the years, providing a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience.The golf courses offer a mixture of mature wooded areas, wide and narrow fairways and vast areas of water features. The Wales National, at 7,433 yards off the championship tees, is one of the longest courses outside America, with hole 6 being voted as one of the top 10 par-4s in the UK. The Lake course, slightly shorter at 6,436 yards, is just as challenging, and aptly named with water coming into play on 12 of its holes.
Grims Dyke Golf Club
Golfers of all levels are welcome at Grim’s Dyke Golf Club. Come along and you’ll see why they have a reputation for being one of the most accessible and friendly golf clubs in Middlesex. The excellent par-69 course, designed by a former Open Champion, has tree-lined fairways and tricky greens, but the slopes are gentle and the walking is stress-free. All this combines to make Grim’s Dyke Golf Club a great experience for all ages and skill levels. Although the golf course is close to London, it has a calm, countryside feel with breathtaking views over Middlesex, Hertfordshire and North London from many of the higher tees. The standard of their facilities is only exceeded by the standard of their catering, which already has a great reputation in the area.
Fairmont St Andrews
Fairmont St Andrews is a five-star, 520-acre resort, which encapsulates luxury, sophistication and truly stunning surroundings in the “Home of Golf.” A truly unique and exclusive location that makes your visit one to remember, Fairmont St Andrews combines extravagant and spectacular surroundings, a serene setting and stunning cliff top views of St Andrews and the North Sea. The resort prides itself with an array of excellent facilities including two championship Golf Courses. Fairmont St Andrews was awarded with IAGTO European Golf Resort of the Year 2012 and Resort Hotel Of The Year at The Golf Tourism Scotland Awards – The fourth time in five years! Golfers can elevate their game just by stepping on the property at either of their two excellent courses; The Torrance and The Kittocks.
Bird Hills Golf Centre
Bird Hills is set in Berkshire’s picturesque countryside, with open fairways, plenty of water hazards and well-placed bunkers. The par-72 course is carefully designed to provide an enjoyable round of golf for every level of golfer. The main clubhouse has a well-stocked shop with a fantastic restaurant and bar, providing you with meals and refreshments at all times. With great facilities and some challenging holes—the 17th is particularly enjoyable—Bird Hills offers lovely views. The golf course also includes a driving range, American Golf on-site and food that is frequently reviewed as delicious!
Leven Links Golf Club
Leven Links is steeped in history and has been viewed as the quintessential links course. With its fine bents and fescues, its humps, bumps, hollows and “wispy” rough, it could be used as the very definition of a true links layout. As such it is to be savoured by all who play here. From the start of their round at Leven Link Golf Club, the golfer will be aware of the fairways running along the valleys between these old dunes; it makes for excellent definition and a true test of links golf. The strength of the course lies in its fine variety of quality “links” holes, with undulating fairways, revetted bunkers, wonderful approaches and large, true-running greens that offer a demanding test for even the most accomplished putter. To round out your tee time, this spectacular golf course finishes with one of the finest holes in golf, where two well-struck shots are required to reach a target of epic proportions.
Brocket Hall
Set within the lavish surroundings of the Estate, Brocket Hall has two championship standard golf courses tucked beautifully into the 18th century parkland. The two courses are suitably named after the Prime Ministers who once lived at Brocket Hall, Lord Palmerston and Lord Melbourne. Both are also quintessentially British in design, yet offer completely unique experiences for golfers of all abilities. They are immaculately persevered, permitting them to stay open all year ’round, with no wintergreens even on the coldest of days.Together, they are two of the finest golf courses in England and offer the perfect setting for tournaments and golf days. Both courses regularly play host to professional and members’ tournaments, as well as Pro-Am tournaments where members can meet and play with professionals from around the world.
Nefyn & District
Nefyn’s 27-hole championship layout offers golfers three great loops of nine holes, each with their own unique characteristics and challenges. The “Front” loop begins at the clubhouse and flows along the shoreline with small coves and bays rolling into the fairways before turning inland to two testing par 4s. There is also then a par-3 played uphill to a narrow, well-bunkered green. The “Old” loop is the world-famous “Point,” nine holes on a narrow promontory with the sea and sandy beaches bordering the fairways on either side. The “New” loop contains some exceptional par 4s, including a dog-leg around a small inlet and a genuine par-5 with its gently sloping, uphill fairway, all before reaching the ninth tee with its panoramic views of the entire course.
The Oxfordshire
Golfers will know they are somewhere special at this golf course, seeing as it has been a former European Tour venue and hosted the Benson & Hedges International for four years, as well as the Andersen Consulting World Championships and the Ladies English Open. Rees Jones designed the Oxfordshire, his first UK golf course. Golfers are guaranteed to have a demanding game of golf at the Oxfordshire. Well thought out, contoured holes that blend effortlessly into the surrounding countryside provide a true test of club selection and accuracy. Other natural features include Oxfordshire’s four lakes and 135 bunkers, making full use of the environment and natural elements to provide characteristics similar to those of a links course.
Lough Erne Resort
As one of the top golf resorts in Northern Ireland, the Lough Erne Resort provides an exceptional 36-hole golf experience. Featuring two championship courses some consider the best golf courses in the UK—including the renowned Faldo Course—golfers can also improve their skills at The Golf Academy or practice at the all-weather driving range. Based in the North West of Ireland, Lough Erne Resort is the perfect setting for a golfing break where you can combine a round on The Faldo Course and Castle Hume with some of Ireland’s best links and parkland courses nearby.
Essendon
Enjoy Essendon’s two very different golf courses, set in a scenic 400-acre estate, which provides a peaceful setting for one of the most welcoming and progressive golf clubs in England. The par-72 New course, which stretches over 6,700 yards, is unique and quirky, with two greens on 15 of its holes allowing golfers to play on quality greens all year around. Stretching over 6,800 yards, the par-72 Old course is a picturesque, undulating parkland course that provides a thrilling test for golfers of all levels. One of the most loved holes is the challenging, downhill par-3 2nd. Measuring at 200 yards from the white tees, the hole leads down to a demanding uphill, two-tier green, which can require some excellent putting to make it down in 3.
Trump Turnberry Ailsa Course
Widely accepted as one the finest golfing venue in the world, Turnberry offers visitors a unique golfing experience. With panoramic views of the surroundings and a difficult layout, the Ailsa and Kintyre golf courses are sure to offer you a memorable day of golf. Turnberry’s first Open Championship was held on the renowned Ailsa Course in 1977. The event witnessed an incredible climax in which Tom Watson overcame Jack Nicklaus on the concluding day to be crowned winner of what was regarded as one of the finest-ever Open events. This tough golf course is showered in picturesque features and surroundings, but don’t be lulled by its beauty – your short game will need to be on form, as shot placement is key to achieving a low score. The golf course is recognised as one of the greatest in the world, and it is unsurprising that it was chosen to host the 2009 Open Championship.
Rockliffe Hall
Designed by Hawtree, the world-renowned course architects, Rockliffe Hall’s 18-hole championship golf course is one of the most challenging in Europe. While its full 7,879 yards from the back tees will give even the best professional tour golfer a stern test, most will find the five individual tee boxes on each hole a welcome addition, offering players of all abilities the chance to experience the challenge. Alongside this exceptional North East golf course is a fully stocked pro shop, extensive practice facilities and driving range, a luxurious-yet-relaxed clubhouse and a top-quality golf services team including 3 PGA professionals. The combination of this beautifully conditioned 18-hole golf course and the five-star luxury resort within which it is located makes Rockliffe Golf the perfect location for golfing days, golf breaks and golf membership.
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