Top Stay & Play Venues on Golfshake

Stay and play breaks have become increasingly popular with golfers across the UK in search of experiencing great courses alongside fine accommodation. These are ideal for a weekend break, group or society outing. Fortunately, there isn't a shortage of quality venues to choose from.

Each year, there are tens of thousands of independent reviews submitted on Golfshake Course Section by regular, everyday golfers, but to mark the beginning of the new decade, we created a special feature that showcased the most consistently positively rated. Compiling ratings from 2017, 2018 and 2019, we looked at venues rated highly for their Course Layout, Course Condition, Value for Money and Club Facilities to assess them with an overall score out of 20.

You can see the complete feature here: 100 Must Play Golf Courses in 2020

However, which of these acclaimed venues can you also stay at? We have searched through our travel partner Golfbreaks.com to identify those Highly Recommended courses that have notable hotel options attached. Here are 20 of the best.

Which one are you choosing?

The Manor House (Castle Combe)

Region: South of England

Rating: 18.69

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Located in Wiltshire, the pretty village of Castle Combe is home to The Manor House, a striking building that dates back to the 14th Century, including 48 individually styled bedrooms, with its Peter Alliss and Clive Clark designed course in the most beautiful of settings.

Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

Region: South of England

Rating: 18.34

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This wonderful hotel and highly regarded spa provide all the luxury you could hope for, while the Championship Course and PGA Academy has you covered when it comes to the golf.

St Mellion International Resort

Region: South West of England

Rating: 18.17

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Set in 450 acres of countryside in Cornwall, St Mellion is known for its two courses, the Nicklaus and Kernow, but it also boasts 80 comfortable guest rooms following a significant refurbishment, making this an ideal stay and play destination.

Gullane Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Rating: 18.14

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Part of Scotland's Golf Coast in East Lothian, the revered Gullane Golf Club is home to three fantastic links courses, perfectly conditioned and scenic, qualities that has seen the venue host the European Tour's Scottish Open.

Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort

Region: East Midlands

Rating: 18.03

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The 188 rooms at Forest Pines are located amidst the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside. This luxurious resort boasts an abundance of modern amenities and comes complete with a 27-hole championship course, often described as one of the best in the UK. 

London Golf Club

Region: South East of England

Rating: 18.01

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Set in the Kent country side and having hosted the European Open in 2008 and 2009, London Golf Club boasts two superb layouts, the International and the Heritage, the former welcoming the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2014.

Gleneagles

Region: Scotland

Rating: 18.00

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One of the most legendary resorts on the planet, Gleneagles can be found in the tranquillity of Perthshire and presents a wide variety of outdoor activities and facilities, but is celebrated for its three courses, the King's, Queen's and the PGA Centenary, a former host of both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup.

The Grove

Region: East of England

Rating: 17.91

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Elegant, The Grove has 211 rooms that offer real 5* luxury, in addition to a Kyle Phillips (Kingsbarns) course that hosted a World Golf Championship in 2006 won by Tiger Woods.

Rufford Park Golf & Country Club

Region: East Midlands

Rating: 17.73

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Tucked away in Nottinghamshire, this popular club features an 18-hole course that will test players of all abilities. There are practice facilities, including a driving range, located onsite as well as a fully stocked pro shop, bar and restaurant where you can relax after your round. 

Prince's Golf Club

Region: South East of England

Rating: 17.42

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Golf historians know that Gene Sarazen won the Open Championship at Prince's in 1932, but it has since become one of the UK's finest golf break venues, home to a revamped 27 holes of championship golf and refurbished accommodation options.

The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club

Region: West Midlands

Rating: 17.38

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The Warwickshire Hotel has only been open since 2016, but it has quickly become a favourite, with easy access to a pair of excellent courses, the Kings and Earls, which provide a thoroughly enjoyable 36 holes of golf.

Carnoustie Golf Links

Region: Scotland

Rating: 17.28

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Iconic due its positioning behind the 18th green of the famous Championship Course, the Carnoustie Hotel is a gateway to a trio of links courses that complement each other, the Burnside and Buddon joining the celebrated Open Championship layout in the Scottish county of Angus.

De Vere Carden Park

Region: North of England

Rating: 17.21

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Found in Cheshire, in 2018 Carden Park was named 'Winner of England's Best Golf Hotel at the World Golf Awards'. Home to a pair of fine courses, the Cheshire and the Nicklaus, there is something to relish here for all visiting golfers.

Celtic Manor Resort

Region: Wales

Rating: 17.19

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Host of a dramatic Ryder Cup in 2010, Celtic Manor continues to draw golfers to Wales, with its tremendous accommodation choices and three terrific layouts - The Twenty Ten itself, the Roman Road and the Montgomerie.

Fairmont St Andrews

Region: Scotland

Rating: 17.09

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Within view of the spiritual home of golf, Fairmont St Andrews makes the most of its spectacular location by offering luxury and quality in equal measure, in addition to presenting two courses, the Kittocks and Torrance, which have their own distinctive place in an unforgettable area for golf.

Barnham Broom Golf Club

Region: East of England

Rating: 17.07

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There are two courses at Barnham Broom, the Valley and Hill, which are worth the visit alone, but the hotel is special too, set in its own 300 acre estate which boasts fabulous views over the River Yare and surrounding Norfolk countryside.

The Belfry

Region: West Midlands

Rating: 17.00

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Renowned for its integral legacy within the Ryder Cup, The Belfry remains hugely popular with golfers who are drawn to play the iconic Brabazon Course, but there is more to discover here, including the Derby and PGA National Courses, not to mention the hotel and resort itself.

Hawkstone Park Golf Club

Region: West Midlands

Rating: 17.00

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Two-time major champion Sandy Lyle grew up at Hawkstone Park, and you can see where the inspiration came from. With its idyllic location on the doorstep of the famous Follies, 66 extensively refurbished en-suite bedrooms, and two brilliant golf courses on-site - it all adds up to a memorable golf break.

Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Region: Scotland

Rating: 17.00

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With views of Edinburgh Castle and the Forth Bridge, Dalmahoy is a classy way to experience the capital of Scotland, with two golf courses, the East and West, the former being a host of the Solheim Cup in 2000.

Slaley Hall

Region: North of England

Rating: 16.88

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When golfers think of breaks to the north of England, Slaley Hall quickly comes to mind, home to an acclaimed hotel and spa, not to mention a pair of thrilling courses, the Hunting and Priestman, with championship pedigree behind them.