20 of the Best UK Courses to Play in 2018

Golfers are always looking for somewhere new to play. Ticking off a different course, and sampling a layout or facility for the first time can be an inspiring experience for those of us seeking something fresh. 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, and further afield.

Here, we bring together 20 of the Best UK Feature Reviews on Golfshake, packed with information and opinion, which should be helpful when it comes to identifying worthwhile places to visit across Britain in 2018.

Royal St. David’s

Golfshake Rating: 4.64 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "Royal St. David's describes itself as being "quite simply one of the finest traditional championship links courses in the world". That is a bold statement. But having played it in beautiful May sunshine, with a slight zephyr of light breeze, I find it quite difficult to argue against."

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Gullane No. 2

Golfshake Rating: 5.00 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "To sum up the course, it provides a fantastic test of golf, a wonderful links experience, presented perfectly and set within a location that you will immediately want to go back and play golf at again."

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Aberdovey

Golfshake Rating: 4.63 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "This is a wonderful golf course in a fabulous setting being maintained to the highest ecological standards. It was a wonderful experience that will live long in the memory and I totally recommend it."

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Macdonald Cardrona

Golfshake Rating: 4.12 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "The whole experience at Cardrona is one to cherish for a long time. The condition of the course is superb and the large collection of water features, ditches and swales will aid the drainage of the course during winter months offering a solid playing experience all year round."

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Royal North Devon

Golfshake Rating: 4.26 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "Royal North Devon is a great links course that oozes tradition and heritage and is as far removed as you can imagine from the manicured and manufactured championship courses we see every day on television."

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Burnham and Berrow

Golfshake Rating: 4.74 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "It feels historic and special and I cannot wait to return to sample its delights again. The experience of playing here will last long in the memory. This was due in part to the welcome we were extended but also the magnificence of the course and its surroundings."

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Thetford

Golfshake Rating: 4.56 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "It is a traditional heathland course, with acres of glorious heather and thousands of mature trees which frame each hole. Keep your eyes open and you will see squirrels scampering from tree to tree, muntjac deer foraging for food amid the forest and a vast variety of birds and other wildlife."

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Royal Mid Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 3.97 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "While Royal Mid Surrey conjures thoughts of classic rolling heathland of the Surrey and Berkshire sandbelt, it is not quite in the same category as the likes of Sunningdale or Hankley Common, but it does however provide a great test of golf and the mounding either side of the fairways and the greens offer an almost unique test with only the likes of Berkhamsted drawing comparison."

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Thorpeness

Golfshake Rating: 4.32 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "If you are looking for an affordable golf break in either summer or winter with a top-quality course just a mile from the sea look no further than Thorpeness. I give you my word you won’t be disappointed, can’t wait to go back again soon."

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Preston Golf Club

Golfshake Rating: 4.44 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "The course itself was in fantastic condition and the great variation in holes was quite impressive. If you find yourself travelling up or down the M6 then you should definitely make a quick stop off here for 18 wonderful holes of golf."

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Moor Park

Golfshake Rating: 4.72 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "It will come as no surprise to learn that the High course is in excellent condition. I was most impressed with the greens as they are by far some of the best I have played on. Firm but will hold. Fast, true and very fair."

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Darlington

Golfshake Rating: 4.18 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "Although this course is reasonably flat and arguably doesn’t offer outstanding views, it does offer some of the best greens in the area and is always presented in top condition. It has everything golfers want with its lush fairways and fast greens and is definitely worth a play if you’re in the area."

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Macdonald Spey Valley

Golfshake Rating: 4.53 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "This is a top venue, top location and an outstanding golf course. It's difficult to find fault with everything Spey Valley has to offer from start to finish and given the opportunity would love the chance to pay another visit."

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Saffron Walden

Golfshake Rating: 4.25 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "The course was in great condition. It was great to see a number of green staff out working away to ensure the high standards of the course and the greens were exceptional and ran brilliantly."

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Kidderminster

Golfshake Rating: 4.50 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "I found the course to be in great condition this early in the year and the greens staff were busy with ongoing improvements which should bode well for the season ahead."

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West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.54 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "Overall, West Sussex deserves its accolades of being one of the finest heathland course in the England, if not the UK. Due to the sand base it will hold the water well and will certainly offer up great playability all year round."

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Saunton

Golfshake Rating: 4.59 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "These are 36 holes of the finest links to be found in the United Kingdom. Sir Nick Faldo has been one of its many fans since playing here as a boy. He said: “I’ve no doubt that if the East Course were located on the coast of Lancashire or Kent it would have hosted an Open Championship by now."

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Handsworth

Golfshake Rating: 4.24 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "The course was in great condition with well-manicured fairways, the bunkering is of some of the best I have seen and is complemented by the recent renovation of the 70+ bunkers. The greens were quick and rolled well all the way round."

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Ingestre Park

Golfshake Rating: 4.56 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "The course was in superb condition from tee to green, including the bunkers. The greens were fast, true but very tricky. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience on a well-presented course. There was a good choice of quality, reasonably-priced food and drinks available in the clubhouse."

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Royal County Down

Golfshake Rating: 4.89 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Snippet: "Royal County Down, nestled under the Mourne Mountains, is playable all year round. It gives the club a magical charm, a superiority richly deserved and the type of aura that rises through the soil and into your very being. It starts the moment you drive into the club."

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For more Courses and Resorts, visit the Golfshake Course Section.

Here, we bring together 20 of the Best UK Feature Reviews on Golfshake, packed with information and opinion, which should be helpful when it comes to identifying worthwhile places to visit across Britain in 2018.