40 of the Best UK Courses to Play in 2019
By: Golfshake Editor | Wed 09 Jan 2019
When planning the year, most golfers love to add somewhere new to play. Experience a course for the first time can be a memorable day for anyone. But where do you start? Those familiar with the Course Section on Golfshake will be aware that we have numerous reviews written by Staff and Ambassadors from a wide variety of venues across the country, including Open Championship hosts and popular resort destinations for societies.
Here, we bring together 40 of the Best UK Feature Reviews on Golfshake, all published within the last year, packed with information and opinions, which should be helpful when it comes to identifying worthwhile places to visit across the United Kingdom in 2019.
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Alwoodley
Golfshake Rating: 4.61 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: “If you’re a golfer that likes to be creative around a golf course, and use every kind of shot in your bag, you will love it here. Yes, it’s challenging and it times, it can be brutal, but when you leave, you’re immediately thinking about when you can return.”
Belton Woods
Golfshake Rating: 4.44 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "This is an excellent society venue. the infrastructure can easily cope with the level of golfers and the staff are very good. The food is excellent, bar prices are a bit steep but many packages offer a discount on the bar bill so ensure that you ask about this at the time of booking."
Breadsall Priory
Golfshake Rating: 4.88 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Designed in 1991 by Donald Steel, featuring excellent views of the local countryside The Moorland Course offers a heathland style layout. A par 70 course and measuring just over 6,000 yards off the white tees offers a very playable course where distance isn’t demanded from the golfer."
Carnoustie - Championship Course
Golfshake Rating: 4.82 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "This is a proper golf course in every sense. While it may lack the picturesque vistas and sea views of elsewhere, you'll be too consumed by the thrills of its challenge to notice or care. It has a rugged charm. The 2018 Open Championship showcased Carnoustie as being among the finest venues in major golf, and the chance to experience and play that legendary finish is unforgettable."
Castlerock
Golfshake Rating: 4.46 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "I really enjoyed this experience at Castlerock Golf Club and would happily recommend a visit. In fact, I will return as I learned so much from my first visit and I would like to improve on my scoring. To be immediately thinking of a return visit before the pint of Guinness has settled in the clubhouse is the best validation I can give to this venue. The food and welcome in the clubhouse are also superb."
Droitwich
Golfshake Rating: 4.16 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The whole course was in super condition. The greens and bunkers are some of the best I've played in a good while. Great mix of holes make it playable for all levels of golfer with some fantastic views from numerous holes."
Effingham Golf Club
Golfshake Rating: 4.31 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "This is a premier venue that I really enjoyed. The condition of the course was great, and the layout was even better. Despite the intense gradient changes, I felt the course was very easy to walk. The ambitious management team have made great strides in developing the club, and I fully expect more prestigious events being attracted to this venue in the foreseeable future."
Enville
Golfshake Rating: 4.67 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The whole condition of the course was great, the greens receptive, true and quite quick, teeing areas all very good. Some great bunkering on nearly every hole. Very friendly reception before, during and after the round by all staff, members and visitors. A great looking clubhouse with one of the best stocked pro shops you can wish to find."
Fairmont St Andrews – Kittocks
Golfshake Rating: 4.91 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The course was in wonderful condition and I will have to mention the bunkers - possibly the best conditioned sand I have ever played in, I'd almost recommend going in a bunker to try them! The final four holes are a joy to play with stunning views and a lovely reminder on the 17th that the Home of Golf is just down the road. It certainly makes you appreciate where you are!"
Frilford Heath
Golfshake Rating: 4.51 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "What I enjoyed most was the variety of the course, not just the holes, but the “type” of holes. Frilford offered up holes which were inland links, tree lined holes, plenty of water all within 18."
Gog Magog - Old Course
Golfshake Rating: 4.86 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Playing the Old Course can be likened to a conversation with a wise old man. You will learn a lot about your game and be reminded of things you have yet to fully comprehend. A course with tremendous character, charm and charisma, playing it once is surely not enough."
Hever Castle
Golfshake Rating: 4.7 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Hever Castle is within an hour of London and is easily accessible. It is not a traditional heritage based golf facility but it offers exactly what the market seems to crave for at the moment, providing good quality golf for members and visitors in a friendly, comfortable course that is well maintained and designed."
Kings Lynn
Golfshake Rating: 4.2 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Whilst Norfolk is renowned for its links offerings, Kings Lynn Golf Club stands aloft as one of the county's best parkland courses presenting golfers of all abilities a real stern but fair test."
Leeds Castle
Golfshake Rating: 3.95 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "My visit to this course was a real eye opener. I will be honest and admit that I was not as excited to be playing at this venue as much as some of the Open venues on my itinerary. How wrong was I? This is a thoroughly enjoyable, pleasant and most important, FUN, golfing facility."
Littlestone
Golfshake Rating: 4.42 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Littlestone Championship Links is a tough but fair test, with some brilliant holes and a challenging closing stretch. The greens we enjoyed are some of the best on which I have had the pleasure."
London Golf Club
Golfshake Rating: 4.83 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "This is an exquisite, top quality golf course that lives up to its billing in every respect. The experience from entering the gate to departing was first class."
Montrose 1562 Medal
Golfshake Rating: 4.15 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "I was astonished at the natural undulations and hollows but found walking the course very easy despite the gradients in play. The fairways have a spring, like extra soles in your shoes. The entire course feels natural and in no way contrived. It has developed around the shapes and topography provided by nature and it is wonderful for that very fact."
Moor Allerton
Golfshake Rating: 4.54 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Regardless of your level of golf, you will enjoy playing here. Yes, it will be a stern challenge for a higher handicap, but those lower handicap golfers can also have a torrid time. It’s certainly not an easy course to navigate your way around, but is one you with thoroughly enjoy."
Murrayshall
Golfshake Rating: 4.28 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The two well-presented courses at Murrayshall offer up an enjoyable golfing experience. Add to this the incredible views across the Vale of Strathmore and on to the mountains of Highland Perthshire. Don’t forget to add into the mix an excellent, recently refurbished hotel complex with a superb restaurant and brasserie. This package provides you with a recipe for golfing delight."
North Foreland
Golfshake Rating: 4.34 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The best compliment I can pay it is to say that if I lived locally this is exactly the sort of club where I would want to be a member."
Northamptonshire County
Golfshake Rating: 4.56 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Northamptonshire County is a great example of timeless course design by Harry Colt, maximising the land and surroundings to maximum effect to create a track which certainly lives up to its reputation."
Oswestry
Golfshake Rating: 4.52 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The course was in as good a condition as you will find. Tees and fairways were superb, great bunkering all way round and the greens are as good as I've played on for a good while. If you don't putt well here it's not down to the surfaces!"
Panmure
Golfshake Rating: 4.43 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "I consider this to be an excellent golf course. It is understated and doesn’t shout its credentials but it serves up a delicious cocktail of golfing delights. There is a palpable feeling of heritage and tradition and I loved it. If you are playing golf in this area this is a must visit. I can almost guarantee that you will not be disappointed."
Portstewart
Golfshake Rating: 4.22 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "I absolutely loved Portstewart. The course is superb, it was challenging, distractingly different and superbly presented. It has tested the world’s best golfers and one of the worst (me) but it was a joyful, wonderful experience that I would seek to repeat again and again."
Royal Cinque Ports
Golfshake Rating: 4.62 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Deal is a classic links course, a truly consummate challenge and magnificent experience. It featured large on my bucket list for several years."
Royal Cromer
Golfshake Rating: 4.67 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Royal Cromer is a top-class venue with a golf course that is right up there with the UK finest. Variety on every hole and a treat for golfers of any ability. A must play."
Royal Portrush
Golfshake Rating: 4.62 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Despite its global standing this club has a wonderfully welcoming feel to any golfers lucky enough to visit. The trophy cabinets and memorabilia are stunning, so please give yourself time to review them when you visit. I would make the same recommendation in respect of the food and beverages. This was a memorable golfing experience that I wholly recommend to anyone who plays this game."
Royal St George's
Golfshake Rating: 4.74 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Royal St George's is a sprawling, rumpled, ruffled, natural expanse of links land that presents the game in its rawest and traditional form. It’s wonderful, a comprehensive golfing experience – complete with uneven stances, blind shots and unpredictable bounces."
Sheringham Golf Club
Golfshake Rating: 4.64 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "You could run out of superlatives to use to describe Sheringham. A golfing gem in every sense and one that will leave you wanting more and more."
Southport & Ainsdale
Golfshake Rating: 4.85 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "There are a host of great courses in this part of the country and Birkdale is always the one that grabs the limelight, but if you are playing golf in this area then you really should make a point of playing here."
Studley Wood
Golfshake Rating: 4.74 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The course was in really great condition; clearly a lot of attention had been paid to making sure the greens were quick and true, which they were. The fairways and bunkers were in top condition as well."
Telford
Golfshake Rating: 4.7 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The sequence of holes from 8-13 really stand out and there is also a nice contrast in the two nines, with more hilly terrain featuring on the back nine. There is excellent value to be had here, particularly as part of a stay and play package with the excellent on-site hotel."
Tewkesbury Park
Golfshake Rating: 4.68 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The course is well thought out and maintained and I can see it becoming very popular as word of the overall facilities being offered gets out."
The Grove
Golfshake Rating: 4.9 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "This was a truly unique experience made special by the staff who allow you to sample life as a pro for the day. Every little detail was taken care of meaning we could focus on relaxing and enjoying a fantastic round of golf at a top class course."
The Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.78 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Playing The Oxfordshire is an experience and one which should be savoured. It is unique in the fact that it is a combination of inland links, American style drama with plenty of water and a bit of English parkland thrown in too. The one constant is the quality of the design and the smile evoking questions which are asked of the golfer."
The Players Club
Golfshake Rating: 4.27 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The friendliness of the staff was second to none. The selection of food was great and as mentioned before the bacon roll we had was the best I've ever had at a golf course."
Toot Hill
Golfshake Rating: 4.87 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "What impresses me the most is the condition, as previously mentioned, I believe Toot Hill is very popular for visitors, societies, charity days etc, so the green staff have something they should be extremely proud of."
Ufford Park
Golfshake Rating: 4.44 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The layout of Ufford Park is fantastic. So much variety and not too harsh off the tee meaning golfers of all abilities will enjoy the visit."
West Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.55 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "The natural grounds and surroundings offer so much fun and a true test of golf for the ages. The course was in fantastic condition given the hot summer we have had. The greens were as quick as they should be given the natural defence the course has with the bunkers and run off areas."
Woburn Duke's Course
Golfshake Rating: 4.95 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Snippet: "Woburn is a beautiful, tranquil place where the golf is truly heaven sent. Just as prisoners on death row are given the choice of their final meal, if I could only play one final round of golf; it might well be here at Woburn."
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