Best golf trips to England
Golf trips to England are a classic in golf travel: England alone has an impressive 2,500 golf courses , covering around 1,500 km2. It's not easy at all to choose which ones to play on a golf break of 5-7 rounds. And then there are 2.493 courses left. That's just huge. Planning your golf holiday over a cup of coffee is probably necessary? So just read on.
The vast majority of golf courses in the UK are meticulously maintained, have an impressive golfing history and are sure to give you an excellent golfing experience any day of the season. People are polite and helpful, and many will happily share a pint of Lager with you after your round.
With 2500 golf courses, there's probably one you like.
There are just so many beautiful golf courses throughout England, we'll cover some of the most famous to start with. Golfers and tourists can choose from a wide range of golf courses and plan their golfing holiday accordingly.
So let's get started and suggest a select number of the best golf breaks in England, and we'll add hotels and inns so you can stay nearby, places that are excellent value for money.
The golf courses offer high-class golf experiences that add extra value to your golf holiday. All you have to do is book a golf course and hotel using the links below and you will be staying in very comfortable conditions, and more often than not right next to a magnificent golf course.
England's 100 best courses? Choose here for Golf trips to Spain
You can find more of the courses below in the list of England's 100 best courses. Here are the top 10 as ranked by Golf World. We cover most of them here. Read on and see just how impressive English golf courses are.
- Royal Birkdale
- Sunningdale (old)
- Royal Lytham & St Annes
- Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)
- Royal St George's
- Walton Heath (old)
- royal liverpool
- Sunningdale (new)
- Ganton
- Saunton (East)
Sunningdale Golf Club
Sunningdale Golf Club is a popular golf course located in Sunningdale, Berkshire, about 30 minutes drive from central London. The club has two courses: the Old Course and the New Course. Quite logical. The golf club itself was founded in 1900 on an area of Chobham Common that originally belonged to St. John's College, Cambridge. The course is self-described as one of the best “Golf breaks in England”.
The old course at Sunningdale is probably the closest thing to golfing perfection you can get in England, and that's saying a lot. The staff at this traditional club are really friendly and the caddies are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The scenery is beautiful with green spaces and wonderful views with a rich variety of trees lining the holes.
Sunningdale Old Course a must play
The Old Course is one of the best parkland courses in the UK. With plenty of birdie opportunities, the course is a wonderful place for a round of golf and has a special atmosphere about it. It could be classed as a bit short in these days of long-hitting drivers, but that doesn't take away from the visual appeal that characterises the best courses, and it's not that easy either!
The new Sunningdale course is a par 70 course and is a bit more difficult than the old one, with more bunkers and denser trees around the course. However, many say it is a tougher test of golf than the old course.
Sunningdale is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and venerable golf courses in England.
Where to stay near Sunningdale Golf Club
Royal Berkshire tops the list Golf trips to England
Royal Berkshire in Ascot:
Set in 15 acres of beautiful parkland in the heart of the Berkshire countryside, this elegant country hotel is full of character and was originally built in 1705 for the Churchill family. Yes, the family of Winston Churchill.
Royal Berkshire has 63 rooms and a beautiful mix of traditional and modern styles. The manor house includes traditional rooms in a simple style, while the new wing is completely modern.
Overlooking the garden is an exciting new restaurant serving superbly executed food in elegant surroundings. The Polo Bar and Lounge has a cosy fireplace to have a brandy by, or an outdoor terrace to enjoy a little English tradition with afternoon tea.
Stoke Park
The luxurious Stoke Park has 300 acres of beautiful parkland with boutique rooms, an award-winning restaurant and a lavish spa. Set in the Buckinghamshire countryside, the hotel is 2 miles from Slough. The luxurious spa also has a swimming pool, Italian marble bath and a beauty centre. Elegantly decorated with antiques, artwork and handmade furniture, the rooms at Stoke Park Hotel There are also large flat-screen TVs so you can follow the international golf scene.
Rooms also have marble bathrooms and fluffy bathrobes. There is also a gym, multi-surface tennis courts and the impressive 27-hole Stoke Poges Golf Course. With 3 AA Rosettes, the Stoke Park restaurant, Humphry's, serves modern British cuisine and fine wines. There is also an authentic Italian restaurant and a juice bar, and the informal Orangery offers breakfast and afternoon tea. Stoke Park is surrounded by historic gardens and lakes, just a 15-minute drive from Windsor with its famous castle and racecourse. London Heathrow Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Highclere Hotel
This family-run hotel is in rural Sunninghill, 1.6 mile from Ascot, a 2-minute walk from shops, restaurants and pubs. Heathrow Airport is just a 20-minute drive from Highclere Hotel. Each room has a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom with a shower and tea and coffee making facilities.
Many golf courses are within a 10-minute drive of the Highclere Hotel, including the 18-hole Sunningdale Golf Course just 2 miles from the property.
Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa
Donnington Valley Hotel overlooks a picturesque golf course and has a luxurious gym and spa, along with an award-winning restaurant. Its elegant rooms are set in beautiful countryside, yet just 2 miles from the centre of Newbury. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV, free tea and coffee, a laptop safe and Egyptian cotton bed linen. Each marble bathroom has a hairdryer, while some also have bathrobes and slippers.
Donnington Valley's Spa features an 18-metre pool, a modern gym and a dance studio. Why not? Guests can also relax in the hot tub, sauna, steam room, aromatherapy room or in one of the 7 treatment suites. The Wine Press Restaurant is renowned for its wine list of over 300 wines as well as its varied seasonal menu. Donnington Valley Golf Club is adjacent to the hotel and offers a challenging 18-hole course. The parkland course is set against the Grade II listed clubhouse.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club – at the top of the best golf trips to England
Royal Birkdale is the next top course on the list of Golf breaks in England and is located in the beautiful town of Southport on the north west coast of England, and many see this impressive region of the country as the “golf capital of England”. The course was built in 1889 and moved to Southport 5 years later.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club was built on land reclaimed from the sea.
In addition to providing an impressive setting for the excellent game of golf, there is also plenty of space from one hole to the next in the magical surroundings, which always receive 5 out of five stars in golf course ratings.
Vegetation depends mostly on the season and weather conditions. Royal Birkdale Golf Club can often be experienced as lush, green and vibrant. The mix of very high dunes and woodland areas requires different strokes. Look in one direction and you will see nothing but grass and sandy beaches; turn to the other side and you will find yourself facing a wall of dense vegetation.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club has the most difficult opening hole as well as a particularly demanding finishing hole. In the first, the fairway passes to the left beyond a bunker cut into the side of the landing area and then to the landing area with bunkers on both sides.
A number of changes to the course were made by Hawtree's son Fred Jr in the 1960s. His father had a major influence on the course's architecture. The son's most significant work was the addition of the magnificent Par Three 12th hole, which was part of his father's original plan but not built at the time due to insufficient funds. He also added several hundred yards to the layout by placing a pair of greens and tees and advised on the removal of a supposedly long par three as the 17th hole.
Amazingly, the club felt that a short hole at the end of a tournament was inappropriate. A third generation Hawtree, Fred Jr's son Martin, later helped the club reshape and redesign all eighteen greens after the Open (1991). With fairway targets often cut into gullies against the dunes and sheltered from the wind, there are some very attractive greens here, which thanks to the upgrade are now in excellent condition all year round.
Where to stay near Royal Birkdale
The Stamford
The Stamford boutique guest house is located in the heart of Southport, just a few minutes' walk from the seafront, Southport's famous Lord Street Boulevard and the conference centre.
The rooms offer silent luxurious tranquility; Beautifully designed, spacious and with high-end beds and pillows. The bathroom comes as standard in all our rooms at The Stamford.
For golf guests, Stamford offers individual golf lockers and dryers in a secure basement area.
Stamford offers flexible self-check-in via smartphones, providing direct access to your room.
Shelbourne Hotel
Shelbourne Apartments is located in Southport. Little Theatre Southport and Southport Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Splash World and Southport Pier.
The Shelbourne Apartments offers 7 accommodations with washers/dryers and DVD players. These individually decorated accommodations have separate living rooms and include sofa beds. Accommodations at this 4-star apartment have kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers, stovetops, microwaves, and separate dining areas.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club is approximately 7 minutes by car.
Scarisbrick Hotel Southport
The Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport is ideally located in the heart of the town, on Lord Street, the main thoroughfare in the middle of Southport's vibrant nightlife.
This traditional character building enjoys a prime location, providing access to all that Southport has to offer, whilst combining elegant and stylish decor with modern luxury.
The elegant Knightsbridge restaurant serves a European menu and a world wine list. Knights' Cocktail Bar has a resident pianist, and Maloney's Kitchen offers fresh coffees and afternoon teas.
The spacious and bright rooms at Scarisbrick Hotel feature a work desk and wireless internet access. All rooms have a private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV with satellite channels.
The Prince of Wales Hotel
The Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport is a beautiful reminder of Britain's Victorian heritage, an elegant building with landscaped gardens. Throughout the reception, lounge and bedrooms, the decoration has remained intact in keeping with the elegant and stylish character of the building.
The Colonial restaurant serves excellent traditional fayre dishes and the clubhouse bar, inspired by true golfing style, has a comfortable atmosphere. WIFI is free for all guests and is available in all public areas of the hotel.
The Prince Of Wales Hotel is surrounded by a wealth of attractions to suit all tastes. It truly is a golfer's paradise with six different courses to choose from, including the world famous championship course at Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham St. Annes.
Royal St George's Golf Club
– host of the Open 2021
Royal St George's Golf Club is one of the finest golf clubs in the UK and one of the courses that rotates to host The Open Championship. St. George's is actually the host for The Open in 2021. The course has hosted 13 editions of The Open since 1894, when it became the first club outside Scotland to host the championship.
Royal St George's in Kent has played a significant role in golf history. In 1894 it became the first club outside Scotland to host the Open Championship. To date, the course has hosted 14 Open Championships, which is still more than any other club outside Scotland in the UK.
Royal St. George's has a classic links design that offers a true test of golf, and requires you to have your whole back in play. The four par 3s are decidedly excellent.
The club, due to its prestige and illustrious history, was granted royal status by King Edward VII, who has been instrumental in making it an important golf course for golfers all over the world.
At 495 yards, the Royal St George is a daunting sight, especially when faced with the imposing bunker on the hill in front of the tee. Once on the fairway, a mid-iron or 5-club must handle a deep depression on the front left edge of the green.
The magical holes are carved into hills and valleys, providing an incredibly diverse challenge; the bunkers are deep and quite punishing, yes they can cost the entire scorecard that day, and the magnificent rolling greens are impeccable. The front nine holes are the most picturesque, while the last nine holes are one of the most demanding in world golf, presenting a truly unique challenge.
Where to stay near Royal St. George's?
The Sands Hotel
The Sands Hotel offers boutique-style accommodation and stunning views of the Thanet coast. Just around the corner from the revitalised Old Town, this seafront hotel offers free Wi-Fi and high-quality dining in the elegant Bay Restaurant.
All rooms at The Sands Hotel are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, wardrobe, desk and safe, and many have sea views. All have an elegant bathroom, all with a bathtub and some with a walk-in shower.
The modern Sands Hotelairy and Bay restaurant and bar offers a variety of breakfasts, including full English and vegetarian. There is also a continental buffet with pastries, cereals, yoghurts and cold cuts and cheeses.
Greetings (yes, that's what it's called)
Luxury guesthouse in Sandwich with free parking
Along with a bar/lounge, this smoke-free guesthouse has a meeting room and multilingual staff. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include barbecue grills and picnic areas. All 17 rooms feature free WiFi.
Greetings offers 17 rooms. This Sandwich hostel offers free Wi-Fi.
The Kings Arms Hotel
Kings Arms Hotel is a 3-star inn with free breakfast and a restaurant.
This inn features a restaurant, free breakfast, and free self parking. WiFi in public areas is free. All 6 rooms offer free WiFi, flat-screen TVs with digital channels, and free toiletries.
The Kings Arms Hotel offers 6 accommodations with complimentary toiletries. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Guests can surf the Internet using complimentary wireless Internet access.
St. Enodoc Golf Club
The 18 hole St Enodoc Church golf course is a James Braid design which has a well deserved reputation as one of the West Country's finest links layouts. It may not look difficult at first glance but the first hole, a par 5, is one of the easier holes although you will need to find your way carefully between the dunes. Pars are harder to come by on the long par 4 holes, particularly the second and third holes. A true impression of the course can be gained by viewing our course flyovers on the home page below.
The ninth is a hole where you hit it over a 50 degree link and you can shoot a shortcut into a lovely park fairway.
Holywell Course : A perfect tip for Golf breaks in England. Almost since golf was first played here there have been holes on the north side of the current clubhouse, sometimes part of the current church course and sometimes part of a shorter nine-hole course. Some of the original holes were of Braid's design; after further land was acquired it was extended in 1982 with the construction of the current holes 5 to 12 to make a full 18 holes. With some further alterations and the addition of some bunkers we have the current layout of 9 par 3s and 9 par 4s for a total length of 4082 yards
The ninth is a hole where you hit it over a link and you can shoot a shortcut into a lovely park fairway.
Church Course : A James Braid design, it has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest links layouts in the West Country. It may not look like it, but the first hole. The par 5 is one of the easier holes, although you will need to plan your way carefully between the dunes. Getting pars is more difficult on the long par 4 holes. The 2nd and 3rd holes. A real taste of the difficulty of the gold course can be gained by viewing our golf course fly-overs.
The 6th hole really sticks in the mind long after the course is played – a 378-yard dogleg hole that must be hit precisely in the “knock”. The course then climbs upwards towards the green, so much so that it is easy to misjudge the distance. A hidden fairway bunker can catch your golf ball if you hit too far, but if you lay up short to the right you will have a blind shot over the poisonous “Himalaya” bunker that you just do not want to end up in. Rumor has it that it is the largest bunker in Europe, but it has few rivals for the title. Use your head on this one, because it is very easy to make a “costly” mistake here.
Where to stay near St. Enodoc?
The St Enodoc Hotel
St Enodoc Hotel is located in Wadebridge, next to a golf course and next to the sea.
The hotel has a lovely terrace and views of the river. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Free private parking is available on site.
Den St Enodoc Hotel offers 20 accommodations with safes and complimentary bottled water. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.
Bathrooms are equipped with shower/tub combinations, toiletries, and hair dryers. This Wadebridge hotel offers complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily, and you can request irons and ironing boards.
Guests appreciate the quiet location of the hotel.
This smoke-free hotel features a bar/lounge and coffee/tea in a common area. Free full breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, dry cleaning, and free newspapers. All 58 individually decorated rooms feature free WiFi and room service.
Padstow Harbor Hotel has 58 rooms with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Digital television is provided. Bathrooms are equipped with shower/bathtub and toiletries.
Guests can surf the Internet using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include a desk and a telephone.
Padstow Harbour restaurants , including those from the famous chef Rick Stein, are just a few minutes' walk away.
A seasonal outdoor pool is open in July and August, while the hotel also has beautiful gardens where guests can relax.
St. Moritz Hotel
Surrounded by the breathtaking Cornish coastline, just outside the thriving seaside resort of Polzeath, the hotel's collection of luxurious rooms, suites, apartments and villas are just a short stroll from the shore. Take a dip in the indoor or outdoor pools, enjoy the restaurant and bars, relax in the Cowshed spa and experience all that the spectacular North Cornwall coast has to offer.
St Moritz has an elegant range of accommodation to choose from with rooms, suites, penthouses and apartments and villas with kitchens.
St Moritz offers its guests an exclusive bolthole, situated on the north coast of Cornwall and is the perfect place to create memories. The finish is super sleek and modern, the location is unbeatable and the Guest Host team is always available to plan your stay from start to finish.
St Moritz Hotel is 2.3 km from St Enodoc Golf Club
Ganton Golf Club
Ganton Golf Club is set amongst impressive moorland in the heart of Yorkshire and is situated in the Vale of Pickering between York and Scarborough, nine miles from the sea. Ganton as a golf course is characterised by deep bunkers that stretch across the entire course. Classified as a moorland golf course and a clear participant on Golf breaks in England.
Ganton has over 100 fiendish bunkers. The direction of the holes is constantly changing, they can go north, next hole, west, then east, etc., so the wind really comes into play. It is a serious test of your golf game, however you will see many of the game's greatest players on the boards at the club, all of whom have left a little humble.
This beauty of a golf course in Yorkshire offers a rare blend of golfing heaven and unspoilt moorland with a selection of attractive links holes.
Ganton has hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup, and if you take golf seriously, Ganton is a place not to be missed.
Where to stay near Ganton Golf Club
Crown Spa Hotel
Crown Spa Hotel, the first Scarborough hotel, was built in 1845. The hotel's interior still retains many of the original architectural features, which have been featured in many film and television productions. Along with an excellent restaurant, the hotel includes the Crown Spa for spa treatments and fitness facilities, which include a 40-foot pool, a large hot tub, 5 "heat experience rooms" and a well-equipped gym and studio.
The Crown Spa The hotel features a luxurious leisure centre, European restaurant, spa treatment and modern fitness centre.
The rooms are spread over 4 floors, with access to modern elevators and tastefully decorated corridors.
Ox Pasture Hall Hotel
Ox Pasture Hall Hotel Scarborough and the Yorkshire Coast is one of the best luxury hotels in Yorkshire. The hotel is set in 17 acres of lovely parkland grounds in the magnificent North York Moors National Park. Ox Pasture Hall Hotel is elegant, stylish and unique with a lot of rustic style and charm. A warm and cosy retreat in a country house where you will be looked after from the moment you arrive until it is time to say goodbye. At Ox Pasture Hall Hotel you will find extreme comfort, the fruits of a well thought out kitchen and a beautiful rural setting beyond comparison. Ox Pasture Hall is also a dog friendly hotel.
Royal Hotel Scarborough
The Royal Hotel dates back to the 1830s and its magnificently impressive architecture, including the famous staircase and The Royal atrium, still retains all the hallmarks of the Regency Period.
Royal Hotel Scarborough Rooms are spacious, airy and bright, retaining many vintage features, such as old pine floors and original ceiling details. Rooms have been modernised with large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and efficient central heating.
All local Scarborough attractions and amenities are within walking distance of the hotel.
Formby Golf Club
Founded in 1884, Formby Golf Club in Merseyside is separated from the rest of the UK by a railway line running north to Southport. The course flanks the east side of the course and you will almost certainly see trains as you play the first three holes. It is a cocktail of different golf courses with different characteristics that make Formby unique and sets it apart.
Like most of the best courses, every hole at Formby is interesting to play. It is also challenging enough for the best players in the world, and Formby is best enjoyed by those who are reasonably competent enough to keep the ball in play.
Formby's beautiful heather is best enjoyed from the fairway rather than in the middle of it. Out of bounds means near-desperate attempts to get your ball out of the filtered roots and branches. Fortunately, the thousands of pine trees that frame the property are rarely in play. However, most golfers are likely to find Formby a very challenging golf course.
Formby is much more than a links course with heathland, parks and forests.
Some of Formby's best golf holes are also some of the most difficult. The section from hole five to hole nine is the most prominent part of the course, beginning with a glorious and challenging par 3, with a green protected by three deep bunkers to the left and one to the right.
More about the history of Formby's golf course
The original 18-hole course was redesigned by the famous Willie Park, and a plan of the course (dated 1912) is displayed in the Hall Bar. Next to it is the 1994 plan, showing the changes that have taken place in the intervening years.
James Braid altered the original 15th–18th layout in 1922 to provide extra length and to move the 17th when it was realised that Shireburn Road and the houses would have to be built on the right-hand side. An area of conifers was planted, some of which are still there today.
Minor changes were introduced by masters Hawtree & Taylor in 1933, but the last major change took place in the early 1970s. Construction of the container docks in Liverpool affected the flow of the River Mersey and it became apparent that erosion would affect the shoreline near the 8th and 9th greens. In 1972, the high equivalent spring tide undermined the sandbanks and gale winds regularly blew the loose sand over the 8th green. The council investigated ways to combat erosion but ultimately decided to construct new holes that lead the course away from the shoreline.
New holes 7, 8 and 9 were designed by Donald Steel of Frank Pennick & Partners, and a new 10th tee playing to the existing 10th green made this a short hole. These holes came into play in the early 80s and were used for the 1984 English Amateur Championships.
The latest changes to Formby's golf courses
In recent years a few changes have been made but most are of a “fine tuning” nature; trees were planted in the early 70s to the right of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd holes, thus screening the rail New bunkers have been created on the 4th, 6th and 11th and others redesigned In 1997 fairway irrigation was introduced on 5 holes and now covers all 18 holes. In 1998 new back tees were built to provide a “blue” course which has extended the length to 7028 yards (SSS 75) but more importantly has made the course longer for the scratch golfer.
More recently, in 2005, a new, larger practice range was constructed on site for the entire 14th hole area. This has been a significant improvement in terms of facilities for members and visitors. The new 14th is located immediately south of the previous one and provides a different but significant challenge.
Formby is truly one of the best golf courses in the world and a fixture on Golf breaks in England.
Where to stay near Formby Golf Club
Bliss Hotel Southport
This modern hotel offers 133 luxurious rooms decorated with custom furniture and beautiful soft furnishings. Each room has ironing facilities, WiFi, a minibar, a safe, a selection of blockbuster movies and tea and coffee making facilities.
The Marine Brassiere restaurant is the perfect place to dine with a wide range of food and drinks to choose from. Using fresh local produce to create varied and exciting dishes of the highest standard, these dishes can be enjoyed in the sun on the terrace of the Marine Brassiere during the summer months.
The Bliss Hotel Southport is a great accommodation option when taking a golf holiday in Southport, adding a touch of luxury and a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Enjoy locally sourced dishes, made with love and full of flavour, classic cocktails that will tickle your taste buds and a G&T menu that will make you swoon.
From breakfast to dinner, BlissKitchen has it covered.
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa
Formby Hall is set in 200 acres of green space on the north-west coast and offers the best in resort, golf, spa, restaurants and events.
Formby Hall is home to an 18-hole championship course, a 9-hole Woodhey Dunes course and the PGA Academy, guaranteeing experienced professionals as well as beginners feel welcome.
Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa offers 76 modern en suite bedrooms, a full-service restaurant, a luxury spa and a 20m heated pool. There is also a gym and leisure club, free parking and wireless internet.
The rooms are individually designed and feature beautifully appointed living spaces with views to attract it from the outside, but comfort to keep it inside.
Duke's Folly Hotel
On the corner of the famous Lord Street in Southport, the elegant Dukes Folly Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and close to shops.
There are 20 rooms, 6 of which are themed. Each room has a TV and tea and coffee making facilities, plus a bathroom with a shower. Some rooms have a bathroom or a four-poster bed.
There is a modern lounge bar and an excellent breakfast is served until 10.30am. Dukes Folly offers a 12.00pm departure time so you can enjoy a break if you wish.
Dukes Folly Hotel is open year round for golf weekends, family holidays, business trips, conferences.
Historic and modern, clean and friendly, free breakfast and free WIFI, parking and printing are available to all guests.
Woodhall Spa Golf Club (Hotchkin Course)
The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, Home of England Golf, set deep in the majestic Lincolnshire countryside, offers two magnificent golf designs: The Hotchkin Course , consistently ranked among the world's best heather and moorland courses, and the superb Bracken Course . This is one of the top golf destinations in England, and with its training and golfing facilities in place, it's easy to see why.
The club dates back to 1891, but the first two nine-hole course designs made room for golf holiday developments, including spa facilities.
The Hotchkin Course at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa, is ranked among the world's top 100 golf courses by Golf World magazine (25th), and it is consistently rated among the world's finest moorland golf experiences and a favourite destination for golfing holidays.
For more than a century, golfers have been welcome to this exquisite heathland course, renowned for its natural beauty, dramatic bunkers and not insignificant tactical challenges.
Each of the Hotchkin course's 18 holes is individually memorable, while the joy of every drive and sharply struck iron shot from firm, moorland peat grass provides an unforgettable experience.
Situated on the outskirts of the leafy Edwardian spa town of Woodhall Spa, 20 miles from historic Lincoln, there are a number of comfortable, welcoming hotels with special golf packages available.
The National Golf Center welcomes green fee players, golf groups, golf societies and corporate golf days.
Accommodation Woodhall Spa Golf Club
Woodhall Spa Golf Hotel
Built in 1880, Golf Hotel Woodhall Spa is set in 7 acres of manicured gardens, lawns and woodland in the heart of Lincolnshire.
Rooms at The Golf Hotel Woodhall Spa feature dark wood furniture, satellite TV, a trouser press and free tea and coffee. Each private bathroom has a hairdryer.
Guests are located next to the golf course just 0.3 miles from the town's restaurants. The Golf Hotel is 32.2 miles from historic Lincoln with its impressive cathedral in the city centre.
The National Golf Centre, located at Woodhall Spa Golf Club, is the home of English amateur golf.
The hotel restaurant offers a varied menu, featuring local produce, in elegant surroundings. A large flat-screen TV in the hotel bar shows live sports and of course plenty of golf. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lounge and bar areas.
Apart from golf, the idyllic hotel environment offers a perfect backdrop for a truly relaxing holiday or business visit.
The Dower Hotel
A short walk from Woodhall Spa Golf Club and Kinema in the Woods, Dower House Hotel offers luxurious rooms with free parking and free Wi-Fi. Set in 2 acres of gardens and woodland, this Lincolnshire country hotel has its own bar and restaurant.
The Dower House Hotel is an elegant and intimate country hotel, full of character and charm. Surrounded by two acres of tranquil gardens nestled in beautiful woodland and approached by a private tree-lined drive, the hotel's idyllic setting is the perfect setting for a romantic wedding, a relaxing holiday, a business visit or a game of golf.
Each room at Dower House is elegantly furnished and features a flat-screen TV, alarm clock, telephone, trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities with homemade cookies. There is also a bathroom with a shower or bath with a hairdryer.
The hotel's Seasons restaurant overlooks the garden and offers a range of freshly prepared dishes. Light meals are also served in the bar.
Admiral Rodney Hotel
In the attractive town of Horncastle, this Grade II listed inn offers en suite rooms and a restaurant. It is located halfway between the cathedral city of Lincoln and the coastal resorts of the east coast.
Decorated in elegant, light colours, each room at Admiral Rodney Hotel has a flat-screen TV. Other features include a work desk and tea and coffee making facilities.
Guests at the Admiral Rodney Hotel can dine in the Courtyard Restaurant or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Rodney Bar. The kitchen uses fresh local ingredients to create à la carte English and traditional pub classics.
Admiral Rodney Hotel has ample free parking for guests with 24-hour security cameras in operation.
Walton Heath Golf Club
This long course with small, difficult greens (well, that size is classic greens, so it's all fair and square) is set in the Surrey heathland. The Old Course at Walton Heath is among the best in England and is a classic heather design, something we don't have much of in Denmark, but there are a few Jutland courses that are in that style. With a clear links influence, the course has a rugged appearance, but 18 remarkable holes cut through the heather, which combine to create one of the most challenging championship courses in England.
The front 9 can play “difficult” in a stiff wind with unpredictable links. The par 5 16th is perhaps the signature hole. The approach requires short accuracy with heather to the left and a huge bunker that absorbs quite a few shots to the right or cuts into the edge of the green.
The old course really starts on the fourth tee. Yes, hole 2 at 461 yards would be a good start for the British Masters, and the third at 289 yards is a lovely short risk reward par 4, but it is not until 4 that the full scale of this huge and exposed hole really hits you and you begin to appreciate the timeless nature of the golf here.
As the round progresses, you will realise that the spartan landscape of Walton Heath makes every hole memorable. There are no distractions, just a truly beautiful golf course.
It is probably fair to say that the visiting golfer feels at ease receiving a warm welcome at the most prestigious and traditional clubs in the UK, for the atmosphere around Walton Heath Golf Club, one of the best golf courses in England, is warm, open and inclusive. For visitors there is an hcp limit of 20, but the club does not really impose it. You are also free to play however you like.
Walton Heath Golf Club
Where to stay near Walton Heath Club
Holiday Inn London – Epsom Downs
A family-run hotel located on the grounds of Epsom Downs racecourse, 3.2 miles from the centre of Epsom, with free parking and breakfast included.
Each of the 120 rooms at Holiday Inn Express London Epsom Downs is modern, bright and spacious, with a comfortable bed that makes it easier than ever to fall asleep. The colourful rooms have a flat-screen TV with Freeview channels and a work desk. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a bathroom with a hydromassage shower.
The standard hotel rooms in Epsom have a double bed and a fold-out sofa bed to accommodate 2 adults and up to 2 children up to 18 years old. Holiday Inn Express London – Epsom Downs double rooms have two single beds for up to 2 people.
Cranleigh Hotel
Situated in the heart of Reigate, this Victorian house is now a small and charming hotel, offering free parking, free Wi-Fi and fully refurbished rooms with en suite bathrooms.
With a superb location right in the centre of this historic market town, Cranleigh Hotel is just a few minutes' walk from Reigate with its many golf courses. We are at the foot of the North Downs.
This stunning Victorian house has beautiful and peaceful gardens. The well-appointed, boutique-style rooms are spacious and comfortable, with flat-screen TVs and comfortable king-size beds. The traditional full English breakfast is freshly cooked to order, with lighter continental options available.
While in Reigate, you can also visit some of the restaurants within walking distance of The Cranleigh Hotel.
The Arora Gatwick / Crawley Hotel
Arora Hotel Gatwick/Crawley is located in the heart of Crawley town centre. This award-winning four-star luxury hotel offers elegant accommodation with 432 superior, premier and family bedrooms, excellent meeting, conference, training and banqueting facilities, a restaurant and two bars, internet café and atrium with free WIFI access, a luxury health and fitness club and on-site parking, as well as Park & Fly packages for 4, 8 or 15 days.
Combined with magnificent fountains at the entrance and an impressive 4-storey waterfall cascade in the atrium, the Arora Hotel Gatwick/Crawley is an impressive venue for all your business and leisure travel needs.
Arora Gatwick/Crawley Hotel Grill is a modern local restaurant celebrating the produce that Sussex and the surrounding counties are famous for. Morgan's Pub shows live sports and serves hearty pub food. Guests can also enjoy a drink with a view in the Palm Bar or relax in the Coffee Real Bar Lounge.
West Sussex Golf Club
With a backdrop of the Sussex Downs framed by pine trees, West Sussex Golf Club is a place of beauty that continues on the course itself. In fact, it is recognised as one of the most attractive golf courses in the country thanks to the incorporation of natural features such as heather and gentle hills.
You can play at West Sussex Golf Club at any time of year as it is almost always open. After rain the sandy ground dries quickly. In addition, the shelter the Downs offer means that snow and frost are hardly ever a problem. If the course does have to close it is usually for a couple of hours at most, nothing to spoil your holiday. This makes West Sussex an excellent choice if you want to continue playing late in the season or if you want to start early.
Best hole in Sussex
It is difficult to say which is the best hole in West Sussex, because the ninth is perhaps the only modest hole on the map. The most spectacular sequence, however, begins with the second shot of the fourth and ends with a glorious seventh. The green is elegantly set against a backdrop of tall pines. Then comes the fifth, a very attractive short hole. The sixth is a colossal and daunting par 3 where you really hit downhill: you have to avoid hitting a sea of heather and a natural pond to find a seemingly small green. The seventh requires a long drive to “carry” heather and thick bushes, not to mention a huge sand bunker. I don’t think it is hyperbole to suggest that this stretch of holes is comparable to the fourth to seventh at Pine Valley. Believe me, the sixth at Pulborough is every bit as tough as the fifth at Pine Valley.
The 12th hole is a wonderful “one-shooter”, a par 3.
Visitors are welcome most days at West Sussex Golf Club . The only requirement is that you are the guest of a club member or you are a member of another golf club, whether in the UK or abroad. As always, remember the DGU card.
Where to stay
Roundabout Hotel
Surrounded by the beautiful hills of the South Downs, the pretty gardens of this converted Tudor house are secluded by tall trees. The hotel is located on the edge of West Chiltington, a charming town with 3 vineyards where award-winning wine is produced.
Roundabout Hotel serves fine dining with a traditional touch in the restaurant, using locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea and snacks in the separate lounge and bar, which features wood-burning fireplaces, exposed wooden beams and garden views.
Branded toiletries, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV are included in each individually designed room. Tea and coffee making facilities are also included.
The Roundabout Hotel offers 24 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and complimentary toiletries. Beds come with Egyptian cotton sheets. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.
Chequers Hotel
Situated in the large town of Pulborough, just outside the South Downs National Park, the Checkers Hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free parking. The local area is famous for horse racing and motor racing, as well as being a popular fishing destination.
The rooms at Checkers Hotel It has a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
A varied full English breakfast is offered from the varied breakfast menu and is served in the bright and spacious conservatory. Guests can also relax in the garden and enjoy the shade under the beautiful Magnolia tree.
Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, furniture are available at The Corn Store, located a 5-minute walk away.
Tyrol House
The beautifully decorated family home, with its mix of antiques and modern furnishings, has high quality fabrics and walls adorned with paintings and drawings. A large and elegant lounge for guest use has a TV, open fireplace and French windows opening onto the beautiful secluded garden where guests can relax.
The Tyrol House rooms (ensuite or with en suite bathrooms) are elegantly furnished with ultra-comfortable mattresses, Egyptian cotton linens, fluffy towels, smart TVs (complete with Netflix and Amazon Prime) and are decorated with luxury toiletries, fresh flowers and other touches – typical of the care and attention lavished on these Wolsey Lodge hosts.
The dining room is the setting for delicious breakfasts, which are prepared to order. You can enjoy two-course dinners by appointment overlooking the garden, and in good weather, guests can dine al fresco. This lovely B&B admits dogs, so expect your pets to be as welcome as you are!
Go on Golf Trips to England with Traveltalk
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- Golf in Spain
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Bonus info for Golf breaks in England
List of golf courses near London with a rating of 4 and above.
- Richmond Park Golf Course
https://www.glendalegolf.co.uk/richmond-park-golf-course/
- Hendon Golf Club
- Highgate Golf Club
- Finchley Golf Club
https://www.finchleygolfclub.com/
- Wimbledon Golf Club
- Shooters Hill Golf Club
- Royal Blackheath Golf Club
https://www.royalblackheath.com/
- Metro Golf Center
https://www.metrogolfcentre.co.uk/
9.Hampstead Golf Club
http://www.hampsteadgolfclub.co.uk/
10.Ealing Golf Club
https://www.ealinggolfclub.com/
List of golf courses in Northern England with a rating of 4 and above.
- Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course
- Alnmouth Golf Club
https://www.alnmouthgolfclub.com/
- Hillside Golf Club
https://www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk/
- Hesketh Golf Club
https://www.heskethgolfclub.co.uk/
- Seaton Carew Golf Club
https://www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk/
- St Annes Old Links Golf Club
https://www.stannesoldlinks.com/
- Lavender Park Golf Center
http://www.lavenderparkgolf.co.uk/
- Rockliffe Hall Golf
https://www.rockliffehall.com/golf
- Birchwood Golf Club
https://www.birchwoodgolfclub.co.uk/
- The grove
List of golf courses in Southern England with a rating of 4 and above.
- Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
https://www.royalcinqueports.com/
- Figure Hills Golf Club
- Bearwood Lakes
- Ashford Manor Golf Club
- Prince's Golf Club
https://www.princesgolfclub.co.uk/
- Castle Royle Golf & Country Club
- Sandford Springs Hotel & Golf Club
https://www.sandfordsprings.co.uk/
- Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire
https://www.frilfordheath.co.uk/
- Tandridge Golf Club
http://www.tandridgegolfclub.com/
- Woldingham Golf Club
Map overview for golf trips to England
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