32 Bucket List Golf Courses That You Must Play

Most golfers are dreamers at heart, always hoping that every round and their next shot could be the best they've played. But that's also true of the courses that we visit, as we all have lists in our minds of layouts that we'd love to experience.

Which venues are on your golfing bucket list? It might be one of the most famous courses on the planet, an iconic major championship host, or perhaps somewhere unique that you've read about.

Everyone is different and has their own ambitions, but we have studied the many thousands of reviews submitted to the Golfshake Course Section to identify places that everyday golfers have considered to be a dream or bucket list round.

All of these featured destinations are among the best rated on Golfshake, meaning that they come Highly Recommended to you by other golfers! 

Have you played any of these bucket list courses?

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."

Nairn Golf Club

Location: Nairn, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Personally I rate this higher than Dornoch and would consider this the best course in the Highlands. Although I may be a little biased with this being my home course as a junior. Stunning condition and views always, traditional challenging links that you need to think your way around. Fees are substantially higher than in the past so maybe not the best value and likely more of a bucket list round."

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "For me Royal Lytham & St Annes was a bucket list course to play and it did not disappoint. An excellent experience from arrival to leaving."

Ballybunion Golf Club

Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Review Comment: "Unbelievable course, the best I have ever played. Amazing scenery and view of the ocean on many holes."

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Location: Kingsbarns, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Exceptional. A truly magnificent 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: "Fantastic course. Great mix of holes. Lots of interesting shots. Good condition. Very welcoming. Highly recommend."

Royal County Down Golf Club

Location: Newcastle, County Down

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "One of the greats in the world. Design, condition, layout, challenge. It's simply amazing."

Queenwood Golf Club

Location: Ottershaw, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Review Comment: "Stunning. A dream course to be invited to play although the greens are just impossible - but this does not deter from a very special place and lovely course."

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

Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "A real treat. Lived up to all the hype. Amazing place. Course just immaculate and testing but fair. People make this also. The staff are just brill!"

Woburn Golf Club

Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Review Comment: "Superb. 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."

North Berwick Golf Club

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."

Sunningdale Golf Club

Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Quite simply one of the best courses I've ever played. Amazing views all the way around, long, tough but rewarding, if you hit the fairway. Greens ran true throughout and the halfway house lived up to the hype."

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: Gailes, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Review Comment: "Fantastic links experience. Full enjoyably round here and a firm favourite from our group of golfers. Can be pricey but well worth it and we make sure to visit each year to see the course and venue improvements. Top class customer service and all round first class trip."

Hillside Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Stunning. Of all the top quality courses in and around Southport, Hillside is top of the tree for me. From the welcoming members, the staff and the golf course, it’s a joy to play and return to time and time again."

Dunbar Golf Club

Location: Dunbar, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "Sublime! This has been a course I've wanted to play for many years - and expectations were not disappointed! Friendly welcome. Lovely breakfast. Very helpful pro shop. Beautiful and well kept course. Views to die for and the golf was not too shabby either! A wonderful experience of links golf as it was intended to be and if ever you are in the area, a must visit."

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "A stunning course that asks lots of questions from tee to green. Then once you find the putting surface you are confronted by humps and hollows galore. An absolute pleasure to play, in such fine condition."

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Location: Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

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."

St Andrews Links

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: "Magical. Wow. This place is mysterious, with so many memorable holes. The golf course really makes you think. The back middle stretch (11, 12, 13) is a little lacklustre compared to the other amazing holes, but doesn't really detract from a special experience. If you're coming this way for a golf trip, this is the course you can't miss."

Swinley Forest Golf Club

Location: Ascot, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "The course is set out beautifully without a single boring hole. All holes create multiple challenges but there is one constant; the heather! It is in immaculate condition considering the amount of rain! All the staff are wonderfully friendly."

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Location: Southport, Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Excellent condition. Greens very fast, bunkers galore and bunkers too numerous to count. With rough immediately off the fairway that is tough to find and play your ball. A championship course through and through - one to definitely experience. All the staff very welcoming and helpful."

Prince's Golf Club

Location: Sandwich, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Stunning course that is really well kept. Tough to play but really enjoyable. Will definitely be going back."

Burnham & Berrow Golf Club

Location: Burnham on Sea, Somerset

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Tough course, very tight in places and brutal rough. A real test! Good shop, checked our handicaps and recommended the tee that we would enjoy most."

Gullane Golf Club

Location: Gullane, East Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "Superb links, great condition, tradition and friendliness combined. Phenomenal tee shots and views on this links course."

Machrihanish Golf Club

Location: Machrihanish, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "It's a pain to get to but Machrihanish Golf Club, along with Machrihanish Dunes around the corner, are well worth the trip. True bucket list courses."

Wentworth Golf Club

Location: Virginia Water, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "It is perfect in every way, with great practice facilities, and the course is outstanding. The greens are very fast and true, tee boxes like greens at most other courses. Friendly staff."

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Location: Dornoch, Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "From the minute you arrive, Royal Dornoch oozes class. Great welcome, friendly staff, the place has a proper 'Golf Aura' surrounding it. Starter was great, lovely little pack, bag tag, scorecard holder, planner, a lovey memento. The course was just immense, from the 1st, to the 18th, every single hole was a joy to play. Don’t think I could pick a favourite, and, to me, there are no weak holes. Just lots of enjoyment. At a place like Dornoch, scores don’t matter. But, it’s always nice to sneak a birdie somewhere, probably on the way out. I loved all the par 3s, none of which are particularly long, proving par 3s don’t need to be 200+ yards. Once in your life, just forget the expense, and play Royal Dornoch."

Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell)

Location: Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.90

Review Comment: "The course is set in a beatiful location and is a difficult course technically and physically. It was great to play such a tough test but suited to low handicappers in my view. Nevertheless we had a great day."

Trump International Golf Links, Scotland

Location: Balmedie, Aberdeenshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "Best of the best. Amazing quality, playability, overall experience and architecture."

Royal St George's Golf Club

Location: Sandwich, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "I absolutely loved the history and immaculate condition of this course. It lived up to all my expectations of an Open venue. The greens were exceptional, and everything was well-tended. I definitely need to play here a few more times to really appreciate it!"

Royal St David's Golf Club

Location: Harlech, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.87

Review Comment: "Had a fantastic day at Royal St David's, course in great condition, greens were excellent. Course is getting better since my last visit a couple of years ago. Staff were very welcoming, clubhouse and food excellent. A great day."

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