The Golf Courses That Other Golfers Recommend to You

By: Golfshake Editor | Fri 20 Jan 2023

It's that time of the year when golfers start planning where they hope to play during the coming months, either in the near-future or later in the season.

Fortunately, we all have an endless number of course rankings to look through online and in published magazines, but who could be a more informative and reflective critic to trust than another regular, everyday golfer?

That's where the Golfshake Course Section comes into its own, showcasing reviews written by golfers for golfers, highlighting venues that deliver fabulous hospitality and match (or even surpass) expectations.

When posting a review on Golfshake, among the questions golfers are asked is whether they would recommend that course to others. This is where the coveted Highly Recommended rating becomes a factor.

Studying the data from 2022, we have identified the locations that boasted perfect, 100% Highly Recommended status for last season, effectively presenting The Golf Courses That Other Golfers Recommend to You.

Now, reflecting the population density and the demographics on Golfshake, these courses are solely in England, with many of them in the South East. However, for those of you living in different parts of the country, please look out for upcoming future content to connect you with exceptional courses closer to home!

Bedlingtonshire Golf Club

Location: Northumberland

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 38

Golfshake Rating: 4.33

Review Comment: "The course was in excellent condition, especially around the trees and in the bunkers! The greens were true and in superb condition, but challenging and a real test of your green reading skills. Playing off 19 I found this one of the most enjoyable clubs that I have visited this year. The clubhouse (and the cake in particular) rounded off a perfect day."

Cranham Golf Course

Location: Essex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 29

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "A not too difficult course with some nice little holes around and over lakes. The 18th can spoil your card if you don't hit the green. Very generous off the tee but rough quite penalising. Greens excellent all year round."

Seaford Head Golf Course

Location: East Sussex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 28

Golfshake Rating: 4.22

Review Comment: "Surprising fun course, better than I expected, great views, good value and a very nice place to spend a sunny afternoon."

Chartham Park Golf Club

Location: West Sussex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 25

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Review Comment: "A challenging parkland course in good condition. No two holes the same, but beware the water. Very friendly club, clubhouse with all the usual facilities."

Birstall Golf Club

Location: Leicestershire

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 24

Golfshake Rating: 4.45

Review Comment: "Lovely mature course, got to think of your shots a lot, beautiful scenery, nature at its best."

Cobtree Manor Park Golf Club

Location: Kent

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 24

Golfshake Rating: 3.50

Review Comment: "The layout is very relaxingly beautiful and a pleasure to play. Tight fairways make accuracy a premium, since the 69 par makes it a shorter course."

Redlibbets Golf Club

Location: Kent

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 23

Golfshake Rating: 3.97

Review Comment: "Amazing winter course even in the driving rain we had on the day, will definitely be back in the summer as I think it will be even better."

Silvermere Golf Club

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 22

Golfshake Rating: 3.74

Review Comment: "Very playable and affordable, tricky in parts, especially the end in fading light. Everyone is friendly and excellent amenities."

South Essex Golf Club

Location: Essex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 21

Golfshake Rating: 3.78

Review Comment: "Course in good condition - tough challenge and very enjoyable - best course I've played this year."

Beeston Fields Golf Club

Location: Nottinghamshire

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 20

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "A course which has a nice layout, challenging and currently in good condition. Greens are lush and look fast but are not."

Clandon Golf

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 20

Golfshake Rating: 3.67

Review Comment: "Hadn't played here for a while. Course was in good nick, especially given the recent weather. Had drained well and greens were fairly receptive and rolled well. Good pace of play and enjoyed the round."

Chiddingfold Golf Club

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 19

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Review Comment: "This course rewards accuracy and consistency. Not long but certainly tricky. Awesome course conditions for time of year. Super friendly staff and members always happy to chat and answer questions. Thoroughly recommend it."

Coulsdon Court Golf Club

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 19

Golfshake Rating: 3.34

Review Comment: "An excellent, mature, scenic course. Tree-lined fairways and quite a few interesting holes. An enjoyable round and inexpensive."

Carden Park - Nicklaus Course

Location: Cheshire

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 18

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Review Comment: "A long and challenging course that requires good course management. Course in good condition following period of wet weather."

Belton Woods

Location: Lincolnshire

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 18

Golfshake Rating: 4.11

Review Comment: "Excellent for society golf. Went with a group of 16. Played two rounds over a weekend. Group were well catered for."

Farleigh Golf Club

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 18

Golfshake Rating: 4.01

Review Comment: "Great course with a good mix of forgiving and challenging holes. Nice clubhouse with very friendly staff."

The Epping Golf Course

Location: Essex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 17

Golfshake Rating: 3.97

Review Comment: "Based on everything, starting at the cost, this course is fantastic value. The lack of length is made up for with a few dogleg holes and a number of tricky greens."

Boughton Golf Club

Location: Kent

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 17

Golfshake Rating: 3.96

Review Comment: "Good course and well maintained. Tough in summer with LONG rough. Had a good time out there with two four balls."

Woldingham Golf Club

Location: Surrey

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 17

Golfshake Rating: 3.82

Review Comment: "Good variety of holes in a very scenic setting though not over challenging for the average golfer."

Toot Hill Golf Club

Location: Essex

2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 16

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Great course in tip top condition, although it’s not long there are some hard holes, the design is very well thought out."