25 Golf Courses You Won't Have Considered Playing Before

By: Kieran Clark | Fri 23 Feb 2024

Are you looking for somewhere different to play this year? Maybe you've already ticked off the most revered layouts or don't believe they are worth the extortionate cost to visit.

Well, this could be the answer for you.

Studying the Golfshake Alternative Top 100 - which showcases venues that aren't regularly seen in conventional Top 100 lists - we can reveal 25 golf courses that you likely won't have considered playing before.

Each of these are Highly Recommended on Golfshake and sit alongside the highest rated layouts on the website, meaning that they have received glowing reviews from a multitude of everyday golfers.

Take a look through the featured destinations below - and why not consider picking one or two to play this season!

Chartham Park Golf Club

Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "A favourite course. Course was in great condition, greens were fabulous. A lovely course to play with easy walking, not too hilly, just a few slopes. Some very interesting holes. A delight to play."

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Location: Durham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "First time playing at this course but won't be my last. Absolutely amazing course in great surroundings. Tee shots near the castle are amazing. Great layout. Very clean. Fairways were in great condition. Clubhouse was lovely. Nice pint and nice food."

Dyrham Park Golf & Country Club

Location: Barnet, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 98%

Review Comment: "Played another round at Dyrham and once again you cannot fault this course. Immaculate greens and tee boxes and unblemished fairways make it hard to believe the course is used on a daily basis. All of this is set in a picturesque location and it's very difficult to find any faults at this club. It's a hidden gem and as it stands probably one of the best kept and maintained courses in southern England."

The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club

Location: Monmouth, Gwent

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 97%

Review Comment: "What an amazing golf course. Challenging with some of the quickest greens I've ever played on. There are multiple signature holes on this course with views that are unbelievable. All staff both in the clubhouse and the pro shop were polite and informative. Can't wait to play again."

Handsworth Golf Club

Location: Birmingham, Staffordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 99%

Review Comment: "Hidden away in the suburbs of Handsworth, this golf club is amazing. Starting from the 1st, which is a slight dogleg right, this course will pull you in and you will love it. Standing on the tee on the 3rd and the 18th are stunning and difficult if you don't hit straight between trees either side. Overall one of my favourite courses ever."

Cleckheaton Golf Club

Location: Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 99%

Review Comment: "This is a wonderful course that's clearly very well maintained, it has great views and some of the best holes I've played in Yorkshire, the par 3 5th is particularly great."

Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club

Location: Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 98%

Review Comment: "This is great course that is well worth visiting. Lovely warm welcome, course in great condition, especially the greens. It is a bargain and should be visited."

Woodbridge Golf Club

Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 97%

Review Comment: "I recently visited this top 100 English golf course and it lived up to its reputation. The course is an heathland course which is in great condition all year round. I certainly recommend visiting this course if you have the opportunity."

The Herefordshire Golf Club

Location: Hereford, Herefordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "A great course with plenty of challenges. Greens and fairways in very good condition. Good value for money."

Vicars Cross Golf Club

Location: Chester, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "A well located and challenging course. Accuracy off the tee is key with many tree lined fairways. The reward for an accurate drive is the chance to go for one of the impressively quick greens, which roll fast but true."

Alnmouth Golf Club

Location: Alnmouth, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Highly Recommended Rating: 98%

Review Comment: "Alnmouth, or Foxton as it's also known, is a beautiful course, with fabulous views of the Northumberland coast. It's hard, the front nine has some very long par 4s, but it's very fair and a course you won't forget. Always in great condition, and always great to play."

Tall Pines Golf Club

Location: Bristol, Somerset

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Highly Recommended Rating: 98%

Review Comment: "Always in good condition and a fair challenge with some standard holes but also some excellent challenging holes, staff always very helpful and accommodating, will play again, also very good value for money."

Leckford Golf Course

Location: Stockbridge, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "Beautiful condition, challenging and excellent views and surroundings."

Newent Golf Club & Lodges

Location: Newent, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "Maggie welcomes you so warmly as if she's known you for years; she remembers what sauce you like on your bacon roll and how many sugars in your tea! Ian takes loving care of the greens and it shows year after year."

Beaconsfield Golf Club

Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "This is a lovely and superbly maintained golf course, coupled with great practice facilities and a charismatic clubhouse. Definitely worth a visit. I wouldn't rate it as spectacular or overly scenic, but it is a delight to play, a mix of parkland and heathland holes with subtle greens. Its slope rating is over stated, it is very scoreable which adds to the enjoyment."

Billingham Golf Club

Location: Billingham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "Hidden gem in the middle of industrial Billingham. Several blind drives but interesting and well worth a visit. Course in great condition."

Bentham Golf Club

Location: Bentham, North Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Highly Recommended Rating: 97%

Review Comment: "Lovely course with great views and some challenging holes. It can get a little wet after rain but don't let that put you off. The greens where in excellent condition for the time of year. I always enjoy playing at Bentham."

Wrotham Heath Golf Club

Location: Borough Green, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Highly Recommended Rating: 97%

Review Comment: "Tremendous course in fabulous condition. Not for the faint-hearted, as it's very hilly and they don't have buggies. Not for the wayward either, plenty of heather and other trouble abound. Take your A game. Excellent food on offer."

Oundle Golf Club

Location: Oundle, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "What a cracking golf course to play, every hole seemed differant, the course was very well maintained. I will be coming back."

Worthing Golf Club

Location: Worthing, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 89%

Review Comment: "What a lovely golf course, not for the beginner that's for sure. The greens were unbelievably hard to read. First time playing there and would fully recommend it. Never given a golf course full marks, but this course gets it."

Frilford Heath Golf Club

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 99%

Review Comment: "Great course, amazing hospitality, friendly pro shop, staff are so great. Course is in superb condition, greens especially were amazing. A joy to play."

Studley Wood Golf Club

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "Beautiful. Friendly staff, immaculate course from tee to green. Greens really true. Worth the money."

Conwy Golf Club

Location: Conwy, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "Beautiful place. Stunning golf course in excellent condition and has a special feel you don't get everywhere. Be back to play again soon."

Longhirst Hall Golf Club

Location: Morpeth, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Highly Recommended Rating: 100%

Review Comment: "The course was in excellent condition, greens smooth and immaculate, from tee to green the course was well manicured and looked after, great job by the green staff, the clubhouse very welcoming and a variety of food and drinks on offer."