Have You Played These 9 Hole Golf Courses

The beauty of golf is best expressed through the variety of landscapes that we play the game on - and nine-hole courses are often the finest examples of that wonderful diversity.

We're a big fan of these shorter layouts, which are routinely beautiful, provide tremendous value for money, and are generally more accessible to a wider spectrum of golfers than more bruising, championship venues.

Having previously shared The Best 9 Hole Golf Courses in The UK, we return to this subject, using the Golfshake Course Section and its engaging Interactive Map to search for more of the top-rated nine-hole designs in the country.

You may not be familiar with some of these places, but we reckon there is a good chance that you will have experienced a few of them.

Have you played these nine-hole golf courses?

Abernethy Golf Club

Location: Nethy Bridge, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "The best 9 hole course I have ever played, and the setting is spectacular. You weave in and out of Highland pine forests, with views of the Cairngorms whenever you are in the open."

Allendale Golf Club

Location: Allendale, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "We headed to Allendale GC and the first thing that gets you is the views, everywhere you look is amazing! We had probably the best day of the year so far with clear skies and sunshine! The course is a real challenge, questioning your club selection and course management to ensure a good score. A must play course and one we will definitely revisit!"

Baxenden Golf Club

Location: Accrington, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Review Comment: "Course in very good condition, greens superb. Good challenging course, one of the better 9 hole courses."

Betws-y-Coed Golf Club

Location: Betws-y-Coed, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Review Comment: "Played Royal St David's the previous day and Betws-y-Coed was just what we needed. It is relatively flat but more challenging than one might think. The clubhouse was not open as it was Thursday and there is an honesty box for green fees. Beautiful views everywhere you look and a pretty course."

Broomieknowe Golf Club

Location: Bonnyrigg, Midlothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.39

Review Comment: "Great course. Good condition for the time of year. Doesn't look like a special course at first. But it's actually a nicely designed layout with lots of interesting holes. I would recommend for good value price."

Carradale Golf Club

Location: Carradale, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.49

Review Comment: "A real gem. Definitely worth a detour on the way to Machrihanish. Plenty of interest and few blind holes. Loved the pudding bowl 6th hole. Good condition and spectacular views of Arran."

Cilgwyn Golf Club 

Location: Lampeter, Ceredigion

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Review Comment: "Lovely way to spend an afternoon! Turned up on spec, warm and friendly welcome. Great round of golf. Course recovering after recent weather but very playable. Can't wait to be back!"

Cliftonville Golf Club

Location: Belfast, County Antrim

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Review Comment: "Brilliant test of golf, only 9 holes but every one of them difficult, toughest start of any course in Belfast."

Colne Golf Club

Location: Colne, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Review Comment: "Have played Colne a few times now and always enjoy a round here. Course in great condition if a little wet in places. Greens mint, rolled really well. Good course for a nine holer and fairly flat."

Crow Nest Park Golf Club

Location: Brighouse, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.27

Review Comment: "Not overly long but every hole is different. Course well maintained and fantastic quality of greens."

Cushendall Golf Club

Location: Cushendall, County Antrim

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Review Comment: "Really picturesque 9 holes with excellent greens and well maintained fairways, also really cheap green fee, I would definitely play again.

Dalziel Park Golf Club

Location: Motherwell, North Lanarkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.39

Review Comment: "Have done a lot of work over the years improving layout and especially drainage works. New tees to vary setup. Greens are usually to a high standard."

Fintona Golf Club

Location: Fintona, County Tyrone

Golfshake Rating: 4.27

Review Comment: "Good parkland course, despite being only a 9 hole course it is a challenge as the second time round the tee boxes are from different spots which make it another challenge. Greens and fairways in great shape and enjoyable to play."

Flempton Golf Club

Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "This is a wonderful course that will test all levels of golfers. It has wide, generous fairways guarded by bunkers and sloping greens. There is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere in the clubhouse."

Gairloch Golf Club

Location: Gairloch, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Review Comment: "A must for anyone on holiday in the Highlands. Clubhouse staff couldn't have been more helpful and food on offer was good and reasonably priced (as was the golf)."

Greenisland Golf Club

Location: Greenisland, County Antrim

Golfshake Rating: 4.27

Review Comment: "Fantastic course, brilliant for starting out. Will definitely play again. Very wet conditions thismorning but enjoyable all the same."

Hope Golf & Social Club

Location: Hope Valley, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.49

Review Comment: "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."

Inchmarlo Golf Resort

Location: Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "Great wee course. This is a very well looked after golf course, greens are superb! Enjoyed playing it."

Innerleithen Golf Club

Location: Innerleithen, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.34

Review Comment: "Lovely course with beautiful views. Set in a valley, this is a course I will certainly play again."

Kingsfield Golf Centre

Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.34

Review Comment: "Love playing this course. The fairways, sand and greens are in great condition and it looks great. There aren’t many trees but there are loads of bunkers. Pace of play usually very good, course often quiet."

Langholm Golf Club

Location: Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Great course, always in excellent condition, though very hilly as on the side of a valley! Fantastic views, one or two challenging holes, greens good, and usually very quiet, it's like having your own golf course. The clubhouse isn`t always open so you need to put your fee into an honesty box."

Llannerch Park Golf Club

Location: St Asaph, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Review Comment: "A very welcoming golf club, which has a driving range and simulator too! The course is always kept in great condition and they're always looking for ways to improve. Excellent value for money!"

Lowes Park Golf Club

Location: Bury, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "This is a nine hole parkland course with several alternative tees. Very well laid out with several challenging holes and some pleasant flower planting."

Melville Golf Centre

Location: Lasswade, Midlothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.27

Review Comment: "First time back in over 10 years. Good condition given the recent weather. Easy for a beginner to get back into the swing of things."

Mundesley Golf Club

Location: Norwich, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Review Comment: "Extremely well maintained and friendly course. Tight fairways and trees make this a precise test of golf. The course is a credit to the staff and the greens are super. Food after the round was also excellent. A hidden gem."

Rishton Golf Club

Location: Blackburn, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.27

Review Comment: "Rishton Golf Club is a very unassuming little club. No pro-shop or fancy clubhouse, just a good old fashioned club bar and an absolutely fantastic course. The layout is excellent and challenging but the condition of the course is the star of the show."

Sandbach Golf Club

Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.33

Review Comment: "Established in 1895, this is a nine hole, seventeen tee, gem of a course. One might be tempted to think that measuring just over 5,400 yards, Sandbach would be a soft touch. Nothing could be farther from the truth."

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