60 Golf Courses You Should Play in 2025

By: Kieran Clark | Tue 14 Jan 2025

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When thinking of golf courses that you want to play this year, you could look at the familiar, glossy rankings and see all the usual names laid out in front of you, or you could seek the opinion of other keen golfers just like yourself.

There are merits to the former, as you can't beat visiting a special, esteemed venue or two, but we quite like the latter, drawing on the views of those who have submitted their reviews into the Golfshake Course Section.

Each of the 60 places featured in this article received over 10 reviews in 2024, were 100% Highly Recommended, rated above 3.80 and can all be played for under £50.

We reckon that means each of these courses throughout the UK qualifies as must plays for 2025!

East
East Midlands
North East
North West
Scotland
South
South East
South West
Wales
West Midlands

East

Aylesbury Vale Golf Club

Location: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Review Comment: "A warm welcome awaits, unlike a lot of other courses, always in good condition considering the weather, if you play four times you get the fifth free."

Barkway Park Golf Club

Location: Royston, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.93

Review Comment: "Played here a few times now, nice parkland course, quite long, a few challenging holes! Liked it so much I joined up!"

Braxted Park Golf Club

Location: Witham, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "This course was in excellent condition, greens, 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."

Brett Vale Golf Club

Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.63

Review Comment: "We played after heavy rainfall while most courses were closed. We had a great day out, bar staff were very friendly, food was great and the golf course is a very interesting layout with a good variety of holes. Great value."

Cranham Golf Course

Location: Upminster, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.15

Review Comment: "The course was in almost perfect condition, the greens had been spiked but still ran true. The fairways were dry as this course has excellent drainage."

Frinton Golf Club

Location: Frinton on Sea, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.06

Review Comment: "Nice links course. Green and fairways in good condition and a pleasant 'leaf-free' way to play golf in October. Would definitely recommend."

Garon Park Golf Complex

Location: Southend on Sea, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.07

Review Comment: "Although a public course, Garon has the feel of a member's club. Greens in great condition and always a lot of maintenance going on to keep it looking good."

Hobbs Cross Golf Centre

Location: Epping, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.06

Review Comment: "One of my favourite courses in the area, always playable no matter the weather. Good driving range, chipping area and putting green."

Mount Pleasant Golf Club

Location: Henlow, Bedfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.85

Review Comment: "Short course with a tight layout with an overlap on a couple of holes and a long walk between 9 and 10. In good condition, pretty wet in places and generally muddy on older part of course. Greens well kept and true. Very friendly staff, pace pretty good."

Orton Meadows Golf Club

Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.98

Review Comment: "Excellent value for money. A challenging technical course with narrow fairways and smallish greens. Back nine has several challenging par 3s."

The Epping Golf Course

Location: Epping, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.00

Review Comment: "Not the longest course but very enjoyable as no holes up and down. In good condition for the time of year and the people in the pro shop and clubhouse very helpful."

The Hertfordshire Golf Club

Location: Broxbourne, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.96

Review Comment: "Always worth a visit. Nice course to play and despite the recent weather the majority of the course was in good condition. Some additional water laying on the fairways but greens in good condition."

Thorpe Wood Golf Club

Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.86

Review Comment: "Lovely course, good challenge. Hot day but all fine, forgiving fairways which is handy as well. Will call back for sure."

Top Meadow Golf Club

Location: North Ockendon, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 3.97

Review Comment: "Great course and very well kept all year round. Good quality food included with the green fee too."

East Midlands

Bondhay Golf Club

Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.99

Review Comment: "Greens are in excellent condition, removal of some trees helps with the pace of play. Twilight offers amazing value."

College Pines Golf Club

Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "I loved my experience at College Pines. You could not hope for much more in terms of the course condition and it represents terrific value for money. All 18 holes were in good shape, and we did not have to worry about saturated ground or having to hit off a mat, which is common elsewhere in the UK over winter."

Mickleover Golf Club

Location: Derby, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "Course was in great condition for early November, and the green staff were taking leaves off the course, particularly the fairways and greens. A very well kept course, a pleasure to play at this time of year with a buggy too."

Ormonde Fields Golf Club

Location: Codnor, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.21

Review Comment: "Always a pleasure to play this hidden gem of a course. Plenty of grass on the fairways and greens slowed the ball down during this very hot and humid day."

Oundle Golf Club

Location: Oundle, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Review Comment: "Lovely golf course, very different from most courses, a real challenge, greens run great and staff very helpful."

Priors Hall Golf Club

Location: Corby, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Review Comment: "A very nice parkland course in great surroundings. For a council run pay and play public course it is one of the better venues in this category. A good challenge, great layout of holes, good greens despite the poor weather recently and a reasonably stocked shop. The staff were excellent, friendly and welcoming. The food was also most enjoyable."

Sinfin Golf Club

Location: Derby, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.86

Review Comment: "Well maintained course even following wet spring. Friendly and helpful staff. Reasonable facilities. Good value."

Springwater Golf Club

Location: Arnold, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.20

Review Comment: "Great value course. It was quiet and the greens are in great condition. It suits accuracy over distance!"

Stanedge Golf Club

Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "A beautiful little course but a great golfing challenge. Don't be fooled by the yardage on the scorecard, as this will be one of the most challenging courses you can play. It was in immaculate condition and the greens were very slick. The fairways were fantastic and even the rough was manicured. There are great views of Derbyshire at the top of the course. It's quite apparent the club is very well loved, the members I spoke to were friendly and the staff in the clubhouse welcoming. The food was great! This could easily be one of my favourite Derbyshire golf courses to play!"

Whittlebury Park Golf Club

Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.16

Review Comment: "They have done a lot of work to improve the drainage and also re-design some parts of the holes to make them more visually attractive. It's always been a nice course in the summer but now it's a lot more playable in the spring and autumn too."

North East

Bedlingtonshire Golf Club

Location: Bedlington, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Fantastic condition! Bedlingtonshire is a relatively long course, starting with two par 5s to ease you in and good variety of challenges throughout the course to ensure you don't lose interest."

Barnsley Golf Club (The Limes)

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Review Comment: "A well maintained and laid out course in good condition. Quite generous fairways, some out of bounds with only one par 5 on white tees. The greens are a feature of this course and are the most difficult I have played. Access to the pin is critical as a two foot put from the wrong side could end up 10 feet away or even off the green. Clubhouse facilities are fairly basic but you will get a warm welcome from all."

Bradley Park Golf Club

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.22

Review Comment: "One of my favourite courses in West Yorkshire. Challenging, reasonable price and the staff are great."

Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club

Location: Alnwick, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.41

Review Comment: "Really friendly club, course in fantastic condition with lovely fast greens. Not long but some small undulating greens, lucky to play when there was not much wind. Great value. Excellent bacon rolls and coffee post round."

Sharpley Golf Centre

Location: Seaham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Keeps getting better as it gets older! Great course, interesting greens and a great day out!"

Thornhurst Park Golf Course

Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.14

Review Comment: "Greens very good. The course has some excellent holes and some not so good. Bunkers were in excellent condition. Overall an enjoyable experience at a great price."

Tynemouth Golf Club

Location: Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Quality of tee areas and greens stood out. Well maintained course, challenging for all abilities."

North West

Beckside Golf Club

Location: Crook, Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Review Comment: "Thoroughly enjoyed our round at Beckside GC, views absolutely outstanding and would put it on our list to play again."

Birchwood Golf Club

Location: Warrington, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.08

Review Comment: "Played here with a golf society. Booked a full day package, breakfast, 18 holes, lunch, 18 holes and a two course meal. The whole day was fantastic, the staff were excellent and very accommodating. The course was perfect and played brilliantly, especially the greens. The best we have played this season. The catering was excellent too. Overall a brilliant day was had by all."

Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club

Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester

Golfshake Rating: 4.17

Review Comment: "Greens were great, definitely not a boring course and challenged even the lower handicappers, well worth a visit."

Duxbury Park Golf Club

Location: Chorley, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 3.95

Review Comment: "It's a cracking parkland course. A good testing layout with trees, water and some blind shots. A bit wet at the moment, but they stay on full greens all year. Definitely worth a visit."

Hart Common Golf Club

Location: Bolton, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.19

Review Comment: "It's a cracker of a golf course. Well laid out with a good mix of holes you can go for and more strategic challenges. The greens are exceptional. So quick and true."

Marriott Worsley Park Golf Club

Location: Manchester, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "Played here today as part of a company golf day. Course was in excellent condition. Some challenging holes, plus wide fairways and fast greens."

Onneley Golf Club

Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.36

Review Comment: "Very well kept course, very firm due to lack of rain and hot spell, proved to be challenging around the greens. Would definitely recommend a visit."

Staining Lodge Golf Course

Location: Blackpool, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.02

Review Comment: "Great course in fantastic condition with wide fairways and great greens, sat on the patio with a beer afterwards watching groups teeing off on the 10th tee."

Stamford Golf Club

Location: Stalybridge, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Hidden gem! Great course in excellent condition and a very welcoming atmosphere!"

Towneley Golf Club

Location: Burnley, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.08

Review Comment: "Fantastic and challenging course. Well maintained for a public course. Well worth a visit. Good clubhouse with excellent staff."

Scotland

Cowdenbeath Golf Club

Location: Cowdenbeath, Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.00

Review Comment: "Really excellent greens with greatly improved bunkers."

Troon Lochgreen Golf Club

Location: Troon, Ayrshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "We played the course for the first time in a few years, and it is still very enjoyable and challenging."

South

Huntswood Golf Club

Location: Slough, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.02

Review Comment: "I visit Huntswood three or four times a year and it's always pleasure. Recently Huntswood have made some very positive and challenging improvements to the course which adds to the enjoyment. It's not the longest course but brilliant all the same. Definitely worth a visit."

Silverstone Golf Club

Location: Buckingham, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.05

Review Comment: "Generally flat course with a good mix of different types of holes with various challenges. Friendly pro shop and good bar/food."

The South Buckinghamshire

Location: Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.85

Review Comment: "Great condition. For a public course, it looked amazing! The greens looked very good, although a bit slow. Friendly staff, good amenities."

Three Locks Golf Club

Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.24

Review Comment: "Lovely golf course. Picturesque surroundings with some quite testing holes considering there are only about 20 bunkers on the whole course. Six par 3s, one of which is only 89yrds off the yellows - elevated tee but can leave a tricky shot if you miss the green either left or right so a good tee shot is still required. Clubhouse staff are very helpful and friendly. Lovely food and a reasonable selection of drinks at reasonable prices. Well worth a visit."

West Berkshire Golf Club

Location: Newbury, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.88

Review Comment: "For mid-November, the course was in fantastic condition - the fairways were well mown and true and the greens outstanding. A warm welcome and an excellent breakfast. We will be back."

South East

Cuckfield Golf Centre

Location: Cuckfield, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Review Comment: "The course was in perfect condition. The greens were very fast. The views are outstanding and it was very friendly."

Ifield Golf Club

Location: Crawley, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.02

Review Comment: "The whole course is in great condition and the greens are amazing. They do a fantastic sausage roll as well."

London Airlinks Golf Course

Location: London, Greater London

Golfshake Rating: 4.20

Review Comment: "It was a great golf experience, from the welcoming greeting from the staff, to the condition and challenge of the course. Don't be fooled by low slope, there are some extremely tricky holes, with plenty of jeopardy. Cannot be beaten for value if you pick up on their special offers. All in all, I highly recommend giving them a go."

Lydd Golf Club

Location: Romney Marsh, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.03

Review Comment: "I loved it, the course is in excellent condition, the staff were exceptional, especially the young lady behind the bar. Food was basic and average. On a par with Littlestone and better than most of the other local clubs."

Mitcham Golf Club

Location: Mitcham, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 3.87

Review Comment: "What a great track, thinking man's course, you can not just grip and rip, you get full use of all your clubs with this course, had a very links feel to it but with plenty of trees thrown in, I shall be back before my trip to Scotland to prepare. Greens kept in the best condition."

North Downs Golf Club

Location: Caterham, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Review Comment: "Played here on a society day. Course was in reasonable condition given the recent wet weather. Was very misty in parts both at start and end which made for tricky scoring but pleased the club let us go out. Greens were decent and rolled well. Well looked after by the club both pre and post round and food was good."

Pedham Place Golf Centre

Location: Swanley, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.06

Review Comment: "Tight fairways but forgiving rough. Lovely undulating course with some challenging doglegs and bunker placement. The course is in absolutely fantastic condition considering how wet it’s been. Drains so well. Reallly enjoyable round of golf for two mid handicappers even if you can hear the M25."

Pyecombe Golf Club

Location: Brighton, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.39

Review Comment: "This is one of the best courses in East Sussex. The course is well laid out and the greens are excellent, very fast."

Rookwood Golf Course

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 3.99

Review Comment: "Great golf course. Well maintained challenging course with super greens, friendly staff in the clubhouse."

Seaford Head Golf Course

Location: Seaford, East Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "First time played, great course and will definitely be back. Scenery is amazing and greens in excellent condition."

South West

Ashbury Golf Club

Location: Okehampton, Devon

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Review Comment: "We had a four day golf break, it was excellent, the courses were in great condition and very interesting, a good test of golf skills, the greens were slow but well maintained. The staff were superb, very helpful and always pleasant. Food was plentiful, not top cuisine, but good and you will not be disappointed. We will be back next year for certain."

Tall Pines Golf Club

Location: Bristol, Somerset

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Review Comment: "My brothers and I came here on the August bank holiday and enjoyed a great day on a lovely course in really excellent condition, with a few beers in the (seemingly newly refurbished) clubhouse after. We will definitely be back!"

Wales

Pennant Park Golf Club

Location: Flintshire, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Review Comment: "Lovely course, back nine views over the estuary are fabulous. Greens in great condition."

West Midlands

Woodlands Golf & Country Club

Location: Bristol, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.17

Review Comment: "Very good course with some thoughtful holes. Held up very well in poor weather conditions. Other courses in the area were shut."

Bewdley Pines Golf Club

Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.17

Review Comment: "Fantastic course, lovely day, the course wasn't very busy which was very surprising, greens were very well looked after, all the bunkers were raked lovely, met some lovely players going around, all around a fantastic day."

Bramcote Waters Golf Club

Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.03

Review Comment: "Great little nine hole course, a good challenge for any player no matter what your handicap is. You can go around again for another nine holes played from a slightly different position, but still challenging."

Bromsgrove Golf Centre

Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.06

Review Comment: "The course is playing very good, greens are quite tricky as they normally are. Greenkeepers doing a great job as always."

Chesterton Valley Golf Club

Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.07

Review Comment: "This is a course that stays drier than most in the wet winter. Great course to play, reasonable prices, friendly staff, nice little clubhouse."

Cleeve Hill Golf Club

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.24

Review Comment: "This course has wonderful views around Gloucestershire from all the tees. The course is in marvellously good nick. Plus, the variety of challenges presented to us over the course are amazing. No two holes are the same!"

Forest of Dean Golf Club

Location: Coleford, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.10

Review Comment: "Quirky and lovely course in fantastic surroundings. Lovely hotel and rooms, dining facilities were excellent. Staff, shop and other facilities were all brilliant. An overnight visit, three course evening meal, breakfast and two rounds of golf for less than £70. Simply just couldn't be wrong and the course played great too."

Lickey Hills Golf Club

Location: Birmingham, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.97

Review Comment: "Course is looking good after the winter weather. It is usually open when other courses close. It needs new equipment and additional staff to make it outstanding. The greenkeepers do a great job considering there are so few of them. Would recommend a round there."

Newent Golf Club & Lodges

Location: Newent, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Review Comment: "I like Newent, nice tight course that is well looked after, the staff were really friendly, and probably the best bacon butty around."

Ombersley Golf Club

Location: Droitwich, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.23

Review Comment: "This course holds up under all weather conditions. With many local courses closed for several weeks because of saturation from persistent rain this course remained open on full tees and greens. Greens were in great condition."

Rodway Hill Golf Club

Location: Highnam, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.86

Review Comment: "Absolutely lovely course. Well set out and challenging on some holes. Course kept in fantastic condition as is the clubhouse."

Shipton Golf Club

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.94

Review Comment: "I have always rated this course as brilliant in every way; has driving range, putting green and well kept greens, fairways and staff. Great food and the capacity of the course to absorb a large number of players never ceases to amaze me."

South Herefordshire Golf Club

Location: Ross on Wye, Herefordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.24

Review Comment: "What a course! Loved every hole here. Totally unexpected! The rest of our travelling party, handicaps ranging from 8 to 38, loved it. Good mix of holes. Lovely 19th hole, friendly staff, cold beer! What else is better!"

Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club

Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.11

Review Comment: "Played Stoneleigh Deer Park, the colour of the trees enhanced by the sunlight made this round a delight. There was little wind and despite not playing for a month the scoring was good. The greens were in good condition and the ground staff were doing their best to collect the fallen leaves. The pace of play was good, just under four hours with two four balls in front of us. Good fun and company a very pleasant way to spend a Wednesday."

Telford Hotel & Golf Resort

Location: Telford, Shropshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Review Comment: "Excellent course whether you are a high, mid or low handicap. Facilities are also great if you want to make a weekend of it."

Stratford Park Golf Club

Location: Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.21

Review Comment: "Though some of the holes are a bit samey the overall course is varied enough to be interesting and the fairways and greens were superb when you consider we played on the 27th of December. Drainage was good and though foggy, everything was fully playable. Well done to the grounds team."

Warley Woods Golf Club

Location: Smethwick, West Midlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.05

Review Comment: "Lovely little nine-hole course. Drains well. Challenging for the big hitters."

West Midlands Golf Club

Location: Solihull, West Midlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.07

Review Comment: "Played here again after a couple of years since playing. The course was in very good condition and challenging. Some of the pin positions were in some very challenging spots. I managed to par the longest hole (par 6) and finished with all of my group being lucky enough to all par the last hole on the island."