The Best UK Spring Golf Breaks You Must Experience

It's been a tough winter. Storms Babet and Henk became household names in the UK & Ireland as heavy rainfall and high winds battered these shores. For even the most enthusiastic of golfers - getting out there has been a hard sell. 

But, thankfully, better days are coming, the hours of daylight are gradually stretching, and we're only now a matter of weeks away from when we can genuinely declare that springtime has arrived.

And clearly, many golfers out there are starting to feel optimistic. Our travel partners Golfbreaks have been inundated with groups booking spring trips - and it's easy to see why when you take a look at the venues they have available!

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland & The Republic of Ireland

If you are hoping to begin your season in a memorable way - then here are some places that should be on your list.

England

(St Mellion)

Let's take a glance at what you can experience in England. Forest Pines is Highly Recommended on Golfshake and this popular location in Lincolnshire boasts a 27-hole layout that is definitely worth playing and has offers starting from £115pp.

Another spot that we have featured on Golfshake, East Sussex National's two courses have long drawn acclaim, as has the accommodation itself, which can be sampled this spring from £119pp for one night, dinner, bed and breakfast, in addition to two rounds.

Moving north to Cheshire, Macdonald Portal is another venue that we have reviewed and it's definitely an option worth exploring. From just £99pp, you can discover why so many golfers continue to make their way here.

St Mellion is an institution with prestige and you could stay there yourself this spring and stride the fairways on both the Kernow and Nicklaus courses. Cornwall is a hotbed of fabulous layouts and a pair of them can be found here.

Travelling to the Midlands, Breadsall Priory is a destination that has long been highly regarded, with two superb but contrasting courses being laid out around a beautiful listed building from the 13th century. From just £138pp, you can spend an enjoyable time there.

Finally, in England, let's head north to Yorkshire and the fantastic Oulton Hall. Dave Thomas designed the course here, with rooms being positioned within a historic mansion that has been converted into a four-star hotel. From £115pp, it can be a real springtime treat for you.

Scotland

(Dundonald Links)

The depth and variety of Scottish locations available on Golfbreaks is striking - and all of them really would make for a special trip for anyone.

We can personally recommend the Lodges at Dundonald Links, which is the perfect base to experience some of the finest courses in Ayrshire, including Western Gailes and Kilmarnock Barassie. From just £245pp, this is the chance to experience a location with true golfing pedigree.

Away from the seaside in the heart of Perthshire, Murrayshall has become a wonderful venue, renowned for its tranquility and comfortable hospitality. From just £199pp, a couple of nights spent here would be truly rewarding.

(Gleneagles)

Likewise, in the same part of the world, Gleneagles is a legendary spot that has a reputation all of its own. From just £385pp, you could spend the night in luxury and play two of Scotland's finest inland courses at The King's and Queen's. That would be a golf trip to forever recall with fondness.

You might feel the same way about Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond, which we had the good fortune of visiting last year. From £225 - including two rounds - you can see exactly why we were left raving about it.

Golfing landscapes don't come more revered than what you find at Carnoustie, where you can stay in the hotel overlooking the famed Championship Course for £350pp. Depending on the package, you could walk in the footsteps of those Open champions, or take on the thoroughly enjoyable test of the Burnside and Buddon courses.

Talking about special places, imagine waking up in the morning and gazing out across The Old Course at St Andrews. That's the view you could have this spring at the Rusacks Hotel, where, from £225pp, you can book packages that include rounds at Ladybank, Crail, Scotscraig, and the iconic layouts in the historic town itself.

Similarly, with the spotlight on Royal Troon for The 152nd Open, why not spend a night gazing out across the links at Marine Troon, where, from £585, you could play some of the finest creations in the area.

Moving way north into the Highlands, you will come across The Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch, which overlooks the famed Championship Course. There are 20 courses within an hour's drive of this location, and with packages starting from £279pp, you could experience the likes of Brora and Tain, in addition to Royal Dornoch itself.

East Lothian is known as Scotland's Golf Coast - and this might just explain why. You can stay at the Marine North Berwick, looking across the storied West Links, where from £245pp, you can play many of the nearby treats, including Longniddry, Dunbar and Gullane No. 2.

Staying in this magical corner of the golf world, Craigielaw Lodge is an outstanding base, from where you can discover designs such as Kilspindie and the fantastic Craigielaw Golf Course itself, all of which can be ticked from as little as £180pp.

Wales

(Machynys Peninsula)

We reckon that Wales is a truly underrated destination for golf - and this is your opportunity to see why. 

Everyone can recall with fondness the drama of the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, and you could follow in the footsteps of Colin Montgomerie's European heroes. There are three courses at this superb venue - including The Twenty Ten - and packages on Golfbreaks start from £112pp.

But there is more to golf in Wales than just Celtic Manor, with St Pierre Marriott being among the standouts. The Solheim Cup has previously been hosted at this place and there are two courses to play, which you can take on from just £121pp.

The Vale Resort is a location that we have featured on Golfshake and it's positioned within a special corner of rural Glamorgan. From just £125pp, you can stay a night and play both the Lake Course and Wales National Course.

Moving to the coastline, the Nanhoron Arms can be found in Nefyn Gwynedd and is the ideal base from which to explore some fantastic seaside layouts, including Porthmadog, Nefyn & District, Conwy and North Wales, which is a journey that you can embark on from just £105pp.

Royal St David's and Aberdovey are two of the finest courses in Wales and you could experience them both while staying at either the Royal St David's Dormy Lodge (from £199pp) or the Aberdovey Dormy Bungalow (from £215pp).

Swansea is a wonderful city to visit - and it's close to some brilliant layouts to discover. Stay at the Mercure Swansea Hotel from £219pp, you can play the likes of Pyle & Kenfig, Southerndown, Machynys Peninsula and Ashburnham.

Northern Ireland & The Republic of Ireland

(Slieve Russell)

The Emerald Isle boasts some of the greatest golf courses on the planet and you could acquire a taste of them this springtime thanks to these offerings from Golfbreaks.

Staying in the majestic city of Dublin, Portmarnock Resort is an exceptional venue that has been further enhanced following the recent revamp to its acclaimed course, which is now known as Jameson Links. You can stay here for a night (and two rounds) from just £279pp.

Remaining near Dublin, The K Club is best known for staging the Ryder Cup in 2006, and you could luxuriate in those surroundings this springtime from just £269pp to stay for one night and rounds on both the North and South courses.

Moving away to the north west of the Republic of Ireland, Slieve Russell is another venue that enjoys rich distinction, including acclaim for its course that has previously hosted events on the European Tour. If you want to spend time there, you can book a break this spring from £179pp.

Former home to the Irish Open, Druids Glen is a five-star golf resort in Wicklow and showcases tremendous facilities, including an excellent spa. From £259pp, you can see it all for yourself.

Sharing one final venue, we move into Northern Ireland, and specifically the Lough Erne Resort. Home to a championship layout designed by Sir Nick Faldo, which is the highlight of a venue that boasts 120 luxury rooms and suites. From £160pp, Golfbreaks offers packages that'll make this a perfect place to begin your golf season.

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