The Golf Courses You SHOULD Play This Winter

For some, winter golf is a grind that is best avoided, but for many, it can be a hugely rewarding time of year to make the most of daylight and enjoy the benefits that the game offers.

That is especially true if you play somewhere memorable, which this period of the year makes possible through reduced green fees and attractive visitor packages.

But if you're looking for that standout round this winter, we have studied the thousands of independent reviews submitted to the Golfshake Course Section to identify where you SHOULD play. Specifically looking at those ratings posted during the winter months, the following venues have been acclaimed by everyday golfers.

Make this a winter golf season to remember and experience one of these magnificent courses!

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Region: Wales

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Porthcawl is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. It offers traditional links golf at its very best. This time of year it is as difficult as it is beautiful. Fairways and greens were perfect, as always, and the views over the links are as good as it gets. If you love golf you must play this wonderful course."

The Berkshire Golf Club

Region: South of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.89

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Had an amazing time playing this course, one of the best I've played, the greens were immaculate given the rain and rolled true. Fantastic scenery and would love to return."

Machrihanish Dunes

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Mach Dunes shows what a genius David McLay Kidd is. Built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. No fertiliser, only sheep and laid out with the minimum of alteration to the original dunes, only the tees were levelled out."

Charnwood Forest Golf Club

Region: East Midlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.51

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Exciting and beautiful course, very friendly club, the staff were fantastic."

Beamish Park Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Haven't played here for about four years, and decided to do so for my birthday round. I wasn't disappointed either, the course is stunning with beautiful views, and some great holes. Really friendly members as well, definitely a course to play."

Belvoir Park Golf Club

Region: Northern Ireland

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Amazing course, great facilities and friendly staff. I will be back again for sure."

Wildernesse Golf Club

Region: South East of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.86

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Excellent course in great condition. Greens quick and true. Clubhouse, facilities and food all excellent. Well worth a visit."

Wenvoe Castle Golf Club

Region: Wales

Golfshake Rating: 4.50

Winter Golf Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Greens were fast and smooth. Enjoyable layout with a variety of holes to challenge you. Service in the pro shop is first class."

Enville Golf Club

Region: West Midlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Winter Golf Rating: 4.98

Review Comment: "This time we played the Highgate and everyone in our group loved it. Greens were easily the best we have played on all year. Not sure which is best out of the Highgate or the Lodge, we will need to go back and play both again!"

The West Lancashire Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.86

Winter Golf Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Amazing course and I played the best round of my life so very happy! Even when I have played awful there it is still an amazing place to play golf."

Formby Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.85

Winter Golf Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Outstanding course, one of the best courses I have ever played. Each hole was very challenging in its own way although 6-14 were particularly tough."

Western Gailes Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.82

Winter Golf Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Absolutely outstanding and a first class test of links golf. Superlatives can't really describe how good this course is and how well laid out the holes are along the Ayrshire coastline. Must play, would visit again and happy memories for a long time."

Wallasey Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.73

Winter Golf Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Proper links, great views, brutal rough and some great holes. Brilliant course and a friendly welcome."

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Winter Golf Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "For me Royal Lytham & St Annes was a bucket list course to play and it did not disappoint. An excellent experience from arrival to leaving."

Edzell Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.84

Winter Golf Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Super course, a good test with some great holes. Well worth a visit."

Coombe Hill Golf Club

Region: South East of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.85

Winter Golf Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "What a joy to play here. Greens were perfect and the course is beautiful. Cannot wait to return!"

Southerness Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Winter Golf Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "We played this course in early October 2021. A classic links course. Very flat, lots of gorse and other impenetrable bushes. Wonderful greens. Great layout. I would say that this is one of the best golf courses I have ever played, and a “must play” for any serious golfer."

Oakdale Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Winter Golf Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "A tough challenge for any standard of golfer. Picturesque views and undulating contours. Fantastic finishing hole."

Crieff Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.75

Winter Golf Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "First time at this course which is only 35 minutes drive away - loved the course, its condition, and friendly staff - I'll be back."

Thurlestone Golf Club

Region: South West of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.62

Winter Golf Rating: 4.89

Review Comment: "The Pebble Beach of England. Everything about Thurlestone was fantastic. Superb course, great views, well designed holes, good condition. Excellent."

Porters Park Golf Club

Region: East of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.79

Winter Golf Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "Really nice course currently in excellent condition. Lovely design, nothing boring or simple. Greens in excellent condition. Very true. Think it through, no smash it and chip holes. Proper clubhouse and excellent service. Food was very good too. Excellent selection of beers for after the round."

St Enodoc Golf Club

Region: South West of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Winter Golf Rating: 4.87

Review Comment: "Played here yesterday for the first time. The course certainly lived up to its reputation...magnificent! The weather was a bit hit and miss and sadly so was the golf, but it didn't matter. Courteous friendly staff, great organisation, lovely food. Thank you St Enodoc, I will be back."

Goswick Links Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.77

Winter Golf Rating: 4.86

Review Comment: "Great course, excellent welcome, cracking pro-shop for somewhere so remote. Challenging course, not for the faint hearted, and if the wind blows take plenty of balls!"

Royal Cromer Golf Club

Region: East of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Winter Golf Rating: 4.85

Review Comment: "Stunning course with some stunning scenery. Well designed, and bunkers placed really well. A tough test but a thoroughly enjoyable experience."

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

Region: South East of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.76

Winter Golf Rating: 4.84

Review Comment: "Never disappoints, often immaculate, always aesthetically beautiful whilst presenting a demanding, technical challenge. Just a pleasure from start to finish."

Hillside Golf Club

Region: North of England

Golfshake Rating: 4.76

Winter Golf Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "Lucky enough to play Hillside twice recently. Great course that gets better and better as the round progresses. Very friendly and in great condition."

Dunbar Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.76

Winter Golf Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "This has been a course I've wanted to play for many years - and expectations were not disappointed! Views to die for and the golf was not too shabby either! A wonderful experience of links golf as it was intended to be and if ever you are in the area, a must visit."

North Berwick Golf Club

Region: Scotland

Golfshake Rating: 4.77

Winter Golf Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "Loved the course, the back nine stands out as one of if not the best stretches of golf I have played. Lots of quirky interesting holes that will live long in the memory."

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