9 Hole Golf Courses That You Simply Have to Play

We absolutely love nine-hole golf courses - they are fun, accessible, varied, and are quite often located amid truly spectacular surroundings. 

This makes them - almost universally - fantastic value for money to play and they offer a suitable challenge for all levels of golfer, with their shorter routing also making them ideal for older or less physically able players.

Ultimately, you could argue that they represent the best of the game - and what it should truly be about - being there for the community and open to all.

We recently asked Have You Played These 9 Hole Golf Courses, but now we have even more recommendations for you, using the Golfshake Course Section and its helpful Interactive Map to uncover some real gems.

Here are some nine-holers that you simply have to play!

Alderley Edge Golf Club

Location: Alderley Edge, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Review Comment: "A mature challenging course in lovely condition, backed up by great facilities and a warm welcome, perfect."

Baron Hill Golf Club

Location: Beaumaris, Anglesey

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Review Comment: "Fabulous views over Snowdon mountain range, location idyllic above the historic tourist destination town of Beaumaris. A very friendly club, apparently one of the oldest privately owned clubs in the UK dating back to the 1880s. Very warm welcome, greens in excellent condition, excellent value for money, definitely will be going back again, only one sand bunker but all greens very carefully guarded."

Blair Atholl Golf Club

Location: Blair Atholl, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Had a great day out. Fantastic 9 hole course, well worth a visit if you are in that area."

Bonnybridge Golf Club

Location: Bonnybridge, Falkirk

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Review Comment: "Even though it’s only 9 holes, this place is special. I love that I can learn so much over the front 9 so that I can play the back 9 perfectly every time and seriously inflate my handicap. I always shoot mid 70s here but high 80s on true 18 hole golf courses and I can’t put my finger on why?"

Braxted Park Golf Club

Location: Witham, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "This course was in excellent condition, greens and fairways all lovely, some tee boxes could be a bit more level but everything else brilliant, staff, food and pro also excellent, this truly is a hidden gem."

Cambuslang Golf Club

Location: Cambuslang, Glasgow

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "Tidy wee course in excellent condition. Greens very true. Rough very fair. Members very welcoming."

Carrbridge Golf Club

Location: Carrbridge, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Review Comment: "What a great course, a real challenge, and what makes it so great are the stunning views of the Highlands. They operate a honesty box during winter which allows you to just turn up and play, course kept in very good condition and the greens are superb."

Casterton Golf Club

Location: Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.19

Review Comment: "Very nice 9 hole course with an additional 9 hole par 3 course which is not as easy as you think! A warm welcome every time."

Charnwood Forest Golf Club

Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "Don't let the fact that it's a 9 hole course put you off. The alternate tee positions make the back nine a different challenge on most of the holes. Each hole significantly different and challenging. Very scenic and course in good condition. Would certainly play again."

Clare Park Lake Golf Course

Location: Sudbury, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "Fantastic hidden gem in Clare. Great little 9 hole with stunning views. Challenging course that requires shot management rather than distance. Took me two hours for 18 holes."

Cocken Lodge Golf Course

Location: Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Review Comment: "Lovely little course, never too busy. Fairly kept course, staff are quality. Ideal for players just starting up."

Comrie Golf Club

Location: Comrie, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Review Comment: "Fantastic gem of a course. Could not have been more helpful when booking and teeing off. Course is well laid out. We played on a Wednesday and the course was not busy."

Dalmunzie Estate

Location: Glenshee, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "A gem of a course hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland. First played this course over 15 years ago and still play it annually. Although only 9 holes it is very challenging. If you are playing to your handicap, you are playing some great golf! There is some sort of hazard on every hole which can cost you your round! The rough can be thick and the wind can be deadly."

Eltham Warren Golf Club

Location: Eltham, London

Golfshake Rating: 4.19

Review Comment: "Good shaped course, some blind tee shots, course planner a good idea if you're playing for first time. Shaping shots definitely needed on some holes. Friendly atmosphere and good condition."

Hartford Golf Club

Location: Northwich, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.26

Review Comment: "Nice round at Hartford. Even though it had rained the day before the course was still relatively dry. Greenkeepers do a great job at maintaining the course!"

Harwich & Dovercourt Golf Club

Location: Harwich, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.16

Review Comment: "Great course in great condition, real good holes all the way round, with some challenging par 3 holes."

Headley Golf Club

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Review Comment: "Course in lovely condition but you have to be fit as you play off two levels, five holes on top course, four holes along the bottom course with a very steep hill in between."

Horsham Park Golf Centre

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Review Comment: "A delightful golfing haven, a picturesque course with the best layout I've played for many years. If it were a hot sunny day I'd have thought I was playing in Spain - quality undulating greens, well kept fairways, every hole was a joy to play."

Horne Park Golf Club

Location: Godstone, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "I liked my visits so much, I joined, for a great price. Staff and members are friendly, I call it 'a working man's golf club' and a deceptive challenge of a golf course. It's not long, but you have to play it. It has interesting hazards on most holes."

Innellan Golf Club

Location: Dunoon, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Review Comment: "Stunning little course in great condition. Would highly recommend."

Isle of Harris Golf Club

Location: Isle of Harris

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "Simply stunning location - have not played in a more picturesque setting."

Killin Golf Club

Location: Killin, Perth & Kinross

Golfshake Rating: 4.24

Review Comment: "A really nice challenging course which is superb value for money. We did not use the clubhouse or practice facilities. The course was in great condition and the staff and locals were very welcoming."

Kyles of Bute Golf Club

Location: Tighnabruaich, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Review Comment: "Was not expecting an opportunity to play golf, having visited the area with mum, wife, dog and son. But this was great, freely available clubs, and an honesty box for green fees. We could even take the dog on the course. Not long, but challenging moorland course, with blind carries and super views. Standout holes were the 7th, and the 9th holes. We were the only ones on the course, would recommend and come again in the unlikely event we are in the area again."

Lavender Park Golf Centre

Location: Ascot, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.14

Review Comment: "Had never visited before but I'd recommend it to beginners like me. Had a great time!"

Lightcliffe Golf Club

Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "A quality 9 hole course in the Halifax district. Seven par 4s and two par 3s provide enough of a test for all standard of players. The 3rd hole is the most picturesque to me. Course and greens in great nick. Will definitely want to return here."

Lochcarron Golf Club

Location: Strathcarron, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Excellent value, including whole day, clubs!"

Marton Meadows Golf Club

Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "After all the rain we have had, this course continues to amaze me how well it holds up, it's in great condition and a credit to the greenkeeping staff. All the staff are so friendly too, great bunch of members as well."

Mattishall Golf Club

Location: Dereham, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.18

Review Comment: "They have made a fantastic job of the 9 hole course, the flow of play was very well controlled. We played in the afternoon which was very quiet."

Merley Park at Cobham Sports Club

Location: Wimborne, Dorset

Golfshake Rating: 4.33

Review Comment: "Fairly quiet at times and only £10 per round payable in advance in the bar where you get tags for your golf bag. Marshalls check for tickets so beware. Cost is £300 per year for unlimited golf which is good value as greens and course in general are well maintained."

Pitcheroak Golf Course

Location: Redditch, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.34

Review Comment: "Great challenge for all levels, friendly staff, golf course offers a variety of easy and difficult holes, accuracy is important as the course is very tight in places."

Ruthin Pwllglas Golf Club

Location: Ruthin, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Absoloutely stunning views, tough holes but gives you a thrill when you get a birdie! Good course for average-good players, tough for beginners."

Stanedge Golf Club

Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "I fell in love with it when I stepped onto the first tee. Superb condition, great little touches here, there and everywhere. Tees excellent, bunkers were the best I have been in all year for condition, not a single weed or blade of grass out of place and the greens were absolutely superb. Ten out of ten all round."

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