The Top 50 UK Golf Courses in 2024

As golfers, we all love to rank courses, listing our favourites in a particular order, while many of us also keep a note of the places that we most want to play.

Golf publications lead the discussion through their rankings, which are typically judged by a group of experts who rate venues on a wide variety of categories to create something close to definitive. 

Being a little different, at Golfshake, we leave all of that up to you, the keen golfers who submit thousands of reviews each year to our popular Course Section.

From these ratings, we're able to draw up a list of the most acclaimed places throughout the UK, which evolves and changes every year. If you want to see more, then we recommend checking out The Golfshake Top 100 Golf Course Listings.

Back in 2022, we shared The Top 100 UK Golf Courses, highlighting the leading 25, which is an idea that we have revisited and have decided to showcase The Top 50 UK Golf Courses in 2024.

You can quickly compare the two and see a few notable movements both upwards and downwards, but the reality is that all of the courses featured below (and in the full UK Top 100) are special and should be on your dream list to play.

Have a look and see how many you have played - and choose which ones you really need to tick off!

St George's Hill Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Weybridge, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Being in the top 10 courses in England, it lived up to its rating. The whole course was in fantastic condition, tees, bunkers, fairways and greens. You must play the Red and Blue if you can."

Formby Golf Club

Location: Formby, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Absolute gem of a course with rolling fairways and true greens. Friendly service in the clubhouse with huge breakfast rolls."

Ganton Golf Club

Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Superb course with extremely challenging holes. The course layout is outstanding and provides a real test of golf."

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "The layout was excellent and the condition of the course was perfect. The quality of the design and the history of the course was evident and the overall Open vibe was great."

Castle Stuart Golf Links

Location: Inverness, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Just the complete package - layout, playability, environment. I couldn't criticise any aspect of the experience. Great condition, very testing without being too long."

Royal Troon Golf Club

Location: Troon, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "I was really impressed with the quality of the course and the facilities. The practice facilities were amazing and the course was really enjoyable. I loved the history and the location."

Loch Lomond Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Luss, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Absolutely amazing course, played out my skin, great service, frequently amazed by its beauty and setup of course, tough holes but stunning, a must for the golfing nut."

Nairn Golf Club

Location: Nairn, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Well kept in immaculate condition with lots of interesting holes. Changes made by Mackenzie & Ebert have improved the course."

The Wisley Golf Club

Location: Woking, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Was lucky to be invited to play this gem by a member. It is a very difficult course but the best I have ever played. Top class."

The Renaissance Club

Location: Dirleton, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Amazing venue. Fantastic layout. Superb condition. Course very testing but fair. Service outstanding."

Woking Golf Club

Location: Woking, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "A classic. This is a terrific course that played fast and true despite all the recent rain and I think could be very difficult if they decide to tuck the pins away!"

The West Lancashire Golf Club

Location: Liverpool, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "West Lancashire is a great course and I very much look forward to playing there again. Links golf at its finest."

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Deal, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Superb traditional out and in links. Fantastic staff, welcoming environment in the clubhouse, course in immaculate condition and extensive practice facilities. Their new putting green must be one of the largest in the country and is excellent."

Kingsbarns Golf Links

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Kingsbarns, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Exceptional. A truly magnificent true links golf course with stunning views everywhere. Undulating fairways and tricky greens."

Alwoodley Golf Club

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "A fantastic club and course. Very challenging and in superb condition. Very friendly staff."

Royal County Down Golf Club

Location: Newcastle, County Down

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "It is one of the best golf courses in the world, steeped in history and prestige. The design, condition, including impeccably manicured grounds, the layout, and challenge are first class and make it one of the greats in the world."

Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club

Location: Wigton, Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "What can be said about Silloth, probably nothing that hasn't already been said. A terrific experience, from start to finish. Played two days, one flat calm, one windy, just like playing two different golf courses. Set amongst the dunes, even the busy course traffic on Sunday didn't detract from the feeling you were in your own little private golf course. A fantastic mix of holes, tough and tricky par 3s, thought provoking par 4s, and hit it big, open par 5s. All in all a wonderful golfing experience. Just go play."

Queenwood Golf Club

Location: Ottershaw, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Condition was immaculate, range and short game area is amazing and could spend all day happily honing your game, the service is second to none!"

Dumbarnie Links

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Upper Largo, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "A fantastic links course. Great service from the moment you arrive at the club. The little shot of whisky on the 1st tee was a really nice touch. The course was in fantastic condition, though the greens were slightly slower than I'd have liked."

Hindhead Golf Club

Location: Hindhead, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Hindhead is always in excellent condition. It's got challenge but maybe not as hard as the members would have you believe. The front nine mostly in the valley means some of the errant shots will filter towards the fairway. Fairways are generally pretty generous if you can keep the ball straightish. Once the heather is up, errant shots will be punished. Greens are always quite fast."

JCB Golf & Country Club

Location: Rocester, Staffordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "By invite only. Exceptional standard of service. Course was very good, amazing design, condition and service."

Turnberry

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "Great hospitality and views over Firth of Clyde. Donald Trump's alterations have made the course even better. Hard to believe, I know!"

Woburn Golf Club

Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "This is a special course, it's pricey but an unforgettable experience and thoroughly worth a visit. Everything was spot on and The Marquess was in amazing condition."

Worplesdon Golf Club

Location: Woking, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "A combination of the quality of the playing course and the club facilities, including the friendliness and help of the clubhouse staff, make this a great club."

North Berwick Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: North Berwick, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "Golfing heaven. An amazing experience if you ever have the chance and privilege to play North Berwick. Legendary course that is on everyone's bucket list and it does not disappoint."

Western Gailes Golf Club

Location: Irvine, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "Old school class links, personified tradition, history, links perfection of the highest of standard."

Royal West Norfolk Golf Club

Location: Brancaster, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Cracking layout. The old fashioned in and out style of links is great fun, especially if the tide is in. The course is quite forgiving from the tee if you are on the right lines, but around the greens and bunkers is where it will catch you out. Condition is fantastic. As expected."

Sunningdale Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Sunningdale Old. What a magnificent course and club. Everything is done to a high level."

Luffness New Golf Club

Location: Aberlady, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Course very dry and fiery playing like a true links. Greens in superb condition. Very friendly welcome from the staff and excellent food."

Sherwood Forest Golf Club

Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Incredible layout, immaculate condition, tough but very fair course. The practice facilities are amazing."

The Berkshire Golf Club

Location: Ascot, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Presented in excellent condition and lived up to its reputation as challenging. It is simply a brilliant place and a test for any golfer."

Dundonald Links

Location: Irvine, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "The course was in great condition when I visited. It’s matured and lives well in its skin. Top quality venue in all aspects."

Hankley Common Golf Club

Location: Farnham, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Spacious, in great condition, great variety of holes. It's just a beautiful place to play golf and also very welcoming."

Prestwick Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Prestwick, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "One of the most historical clubs. Hosted the first Open and several more, the last in 1925. Hard course with several blind shots, treacherous greens, and Scottish bunkers."

Liphook Golf Club

Location: Liphook, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Absolutely fantastic course. Fast greens, lush fairways, plenty of heather to left and right, this is a pretty course and a decent test of golf, without being ridiculous. Will play here again."

Hillside Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Beautiful links course with stunning views, absolutely love the place."

Dunbar Golf Club

Location: Dunbar, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Always presented in tip top condition. Try to play this course at least three times per year. Staff and members are always most welcoming."

The Golf House Club, Elie

Location: Elie, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Great day, course in excellent condition, wind was not too penal, beautiful scenery in Fife, must come again!"

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Location: Ainsdale, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Quality links course in excellent condition. From first arriving on the course to the waitress in the clubhouse. Nothing was too much trouble."

Brora Golf Club

Location: Brora, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Great location, great layout, great condition, great greens, welcoming staff."

The Grove

Location: Watford, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "The facilities, practice areas, course was a great test, but good for all standards, excellent all round experience."

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Location: Porthcawl, Bridgend

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Unbelievable course. Definitely the best course I have ever played. Superb conditions, super fast and true greens, challenging design and truly an amazing experience. Not the cheapest but brilliant."

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Location: Hoylake, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Legendary track! Amazing day yet again at this historic course. I would recommend that anyone with a medium to low handicap play here, it is an absolute privilege!"

St Andrews Links

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: St Andrews, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Fantastic experience to play such a prestigous golf course. Once in a lifetime but would love to go back. Great experience start to finish. You really can't sum up how good it is to play here."

St Enodoc Golf Club

Location: Rock, Cornwall

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Great links course. Not intimidating but always a challenge with an offshore breeze coming in."

Hunstanton Golf Club

Location: Hunstanton, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "I was really impressed with the condition of the course considering the time of year and weather we had. The layout of the links was great and the views were stunning. This was my first time playing here, and it exceeded my expectations."

Swinley Forest Golf Club

Location: Ascot, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "What a golf course. Beautifully designed with fantastic views. All holes have a personality and challenge in different ways."

Parkstone Golf Club

Location: Poole, Dorset

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "You can see why it is a top 50 course in England, it has everything, every hole is a joy to play, even when it was raining, top marks."

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Golfing perfection. Place is immaculate and if you ever get the chance to go and play it then you absolutely must. There is a bit of room for those that aren't as straight, but there are about 122 bunkers so if that isn't a strength then you could be in for a long day. They could drop the pins in the middle of every green and it would still be hard to get your ball close - and pick the line. This is a difficult championship golf course so just enjoy it for the experience that it is."

Prince's Golf Club

Location: Sandwich, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Great course, well kept, fabulous greens. Typical links course, trouble if you are not on line. Good enough variation in holes but wouldn't say there were any spectacular holes, just good all round."

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