10 of The Best Golf Courses in Derbyshire

By: Liam Moore | Mon 14 Aug 2023

Derbyshire is home to many golf courses thanks to the beautiful surroundings of the region.

Whether you live in the area or you’re planning a golf trip to the county, it’s always good to know which courses have been rated as the very best.

Below, we provide information on 10 of the best golf courses in Derbyshire – have you managed to play any of them?

Sickleholme Golf Club

Situated in the heart of the Peak District lies Sickleholme Golf Club, which is home to a 6064-yard par-69 golf course. Despite not being long by contemporary standards, Sickleholme can offer golfers a fantastic challenge through the combination of strategically positioned bunkers, perfect undulating greens and tight, tree-lined fairways that will demand accuracy from the tee. The added bonus of a round at Sickleholme is the stunning scenery that awaits any visitor.

Golfshake Review: "Hidden gem. The staff where very polite and helpful, the course is great good tee boxes good fairways andn the greens are brilliant very very fast and true."

Kedleston Park Golf Club

Kedleston Park

Kedleston Park Golf Club opened for play during the late 1940s and the championship course – that extends beyond 7,000 yards from the tips – offers a fabulous test of golf through its intricate and challenging design. The course is further enhanced through USGA specified greens and recent investment into the bunkering, mounds and greenside complexes.

Golfshake Review: "Fabulous golf course, great condition. Challenging but fair. Strategic thinking required. Open qualifying venue."

Erewash Valley Golf Club

Erewash Valley Golf Club has been in existence for more than 100 years, with their early origins tracing back to 1905. Although originally a 9-hole loop, the club has since expanded to complete the traditional 18. Erewash valley features a unique layout, with the round starting with consecutive par fives and finishing on a par three. This all adds to Erewash Valley’s charm however, and there is a great challenge to be found here on this relatively short course.

Golfshake Review: "Really enjoyed playing here, after my first time here I was well impressed by the course, the facilities and the general friendly atmosphere. So much so that I've joined as a member."

Horsley Lodge Golf Club

Horsley Lodge

Set in the Derbyshire countryside is Horsley Lodge Golf Club, which features a par-72 golf course that measures 6,544 yards from the backs. The family-owned club opened for play in 1990, with Bill White tasked with penning the original design. Peter McEvoy was enlisted to remodel some parts of the course in 1998, where his vision remains today. Fabolous greens and stunning views await any visitor.

Golfshake Review: "This is a beautiful course! great variety of holes and great quality of course."

Hope Golf & Social Club

Hope Golf & Social Club is located within the grounds of Hope Cement Works and boasts a terrific 9-hole golf course that is commonly played twice to make up the traditional 18. There are a number of testing holes that provides an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities. The club is also home to other sports, such as bowls, fishing and sailing.

Golfshake Review: "This course is great value for money. The views are amazing and some of the holes are really challenging. It's a small 9-hole course, but it's set in stunning scenery."

Cavendish Golf Club

Cavendish

Cavendish Golf Club boasts a brilliant golf course that proves length isn’t the only challenge in the game of golf. Measuring a mere 5,721 yards from the tips, bombing driver on every hole certainly isn’t the play at Cavendish. Alister MacKenzie – the architect responsible for Augusta National – has provided golfers with a unique challenge that requires pinpoint accuracy and a golfing brain. Brute power simply won’t be enough around Cavendish!

Golfshake Review: "Thought out Golf required for testing and cleverly designed Greens. Firm in winter is a welcome bonus. Overall a Beautiful Course."

Buxton & High Peak Golf Club

Remarkably, Buxton & High Peak Golf Club dates back to the 1800s, and the beautiful golf course is referred to as an inland links - which makes it the oldest golf club in Derbyshire. It is located in the Peak District, and the perceived shortness of just 5,877 yards is susceptible to prevailing winds that will need the utmost of attention to negotiate. What rounds off the unique offering is the fact that the club is situated 1,100 feet above sea level!

Golfshake Review: "Course in a lovely location with great views, can be challenging when the wind blows. Friendly and welcoming club make it an enjoyable visit."

Chevin Golf Club

Chevin is another golf club that has been dipped in rich history, having originally opened for business back in 1894. The course is situated in the beautiful Amber Valley and easily accessed from the A6 north of Derby. It is a mixture of mature parkland and moorland terrain with surreal views on offer. A fairly modest measurement of 6,062 yards from the tips will look inviting for better players.

Golfshake Review: "Fantastic course - immaculately kept all round and some really memorable holes."

Mickleover Golf Club

Mickleover Golf Club will be celebrating their 100th anniversary later this year, which is a testament to the golf course found on site. It can be best described as an immaculately maintained parkland layout that is situated in the Trent Valley. Many of the greens feature severe undulation, so prepare for your short game to get a real test.

Golfshake Review: "Great course in great condition. Not long but you have to be straight. There's plenty of challenge. Food and drink very reasonably priced and friendly clubhouse. Lovely place."

Ashbourne Golf Club

Ashbourne Golf Club can offer outstanding views towards Dovedale and the Peak District, with the golf course set in stunning and expansive countryside. David Hemstock remodelled the existing version in 1999 and it extends to 6,306 yards off the whites. Ashbourne boasts brilliant drainage facilities, meaning a trip at this golf club can be enjoyed all year round.

Golfshake Review: "A quite challenging course for all abilities, with great views! The course is well maintained with consistently good greens. All the par 3's provide a challenge, then there are a mixture of more challenging par 4 and 5's with some that appear more straight forward. A course you have to plot your way round."