18 Golf Courses That Offer Perfect Winter Drainage

By: Golfshake Editor | Tue 31 Jan 2023

Those of us who play golf in the UK accept that we often have to contend with the elements, particularly during winter, a period of the year that can render some of our most beloved layouts unplayable. But not all of them.

Fortunately, there are courses dotted across the country that drain superbly and present excellent playing conditions whatever the season. These are typically links or heathland designs, often in the southern half of England, but there are some outliers too in other corners of these islands.

Studying responses into the recent Golfshake Survey, we isolated those comments that praised certain venues for their drainage, potentially highlighting a series of destinations that could be ideal for play throughout the winter months or during a relatively wet spell.

We can reveal them to you now in alphabetical order!

Bungay & Waveney Valley Golf Club

Location: Outney Common, Bungay, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Review Comment: "It's good in winter and summer. Food, staff and course were great. Always a good price for our society."

Chelsfield Lakes Golf Club

Location: Court Road, Orpington, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 3.44

Review Comment: "Fair condition considering how much rain we had."

Cranham Golf Course

Location: Cranham, Upminster, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "Very good course, excellent greens, greenkeepers always working to maintain course to a high standard or improve the course. Excellent value for money."

Farleigh Golf Club

Location: Farleigh, Nr Selsdon, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.01

Review Comment: "Great condition after heavy rain. This is an enjoyable course, the bunkers were nice to play out of in general with a couple requiring a rake through after standing water. Well with the money to play Farleigh."

Forest Hill Golf Club

Location: Markfield Lane, Botcheston, Leicestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.63

Review Comment: "A fantastic golf course with great facilities and friendly staff, would recommend to everyone."

Formby Golf Club

Location: Golf Road, Formby, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Formby is the gem on the Lancashire golf coast; a true escape from reality and the most unique yet challenging test of golf that the area has to offer."

Ganton Golf Club

Location: Ganton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "We were genuinely welcomed and both myself and my playing partner had a wonderful time. Golf was tough. Bunkers are deep and need to be avoided at all costs. A wonderful experience and the course is as good as its reputation suggests. Don't hesitate."

Garon Park Golf Complex

Location: Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 3.88

Review Comment: "Perfect day and course in superb condition. Not too busy and good pace of play."

Hindhead Golf Club

Location: Churt Road, Hindhead, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Love this course, stunning holes cut through the Surrey hills. But tough. Avoid the heather at all costs! You really need to play the holes, it is not boom boom golf at all. Love it."

Kings Hill Golf Club

Location: Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.09

Review Comment: "Well maintained and playing really well. They make a huge effort in making the course and the surrounding land look inviting. The clubhouse is also very welcoming."

Pyecombe Golf Club

Location: Pyecombe, Brighton, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "This is a cracking course, easily my favourite around the Brighton area. Greens and approaches are particularly good. My brother and I went round following three foursomes, but rarely waited more than a couple of minutes to tee off. Stunning views all the way round and a challenge for players at all levels."

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

Location: Golf Road, Deal, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Iconic course in very very good condition as you would expect, a fabulous day out the perfect links course."

Sene Valley Golf Club

Location: Sene, Folkestone, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.00

Review Comment: "An enjoyable parkland course overlooking the English Channel above Hythe with, thus, some great views. A very gentle start with four fairly easy and flattish holes changes into more difficult and undulating holes thereafter. A course worth playing again."

Six Hills Golf Club

Location: Six Hills, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.91

Review Comment: "This course is great value for money and a fair challenge. Errant shots can be recovered from. Course is lovely as the eye travels far and geese and trees fill each view. The elevated 16th par 3 is a great challenge."

St Pierre Hotel & Country Club

Location: Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales

Golfshake Rating: 4.06

Review Comment: "Well kept course with plenty of character in a lovely area. Would play here again for sure. Particularly love the holes surrounding the pond."

Test Valley Golf Club

Location: Overton, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "Lovely course on chalk, a varied challenge one of my favourites for the golf society. Excellent clubhouse and practice facilities. Well worth a visit."

West Kent Golf Club

Location: Downe, Orpington, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.08

Review Comment: "This was a great course, the greens were perfect and the fairways were very good for this time of year."

Woodbridge Golf Club

Location: Bromswell Heath, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Review Comment: "The course is well kept and green run really well. Given the nature of its location also a great course to play during the winter months as drains well."