The Golf Courses You Have to Play in 2025
By: Kieran Clark | Tue 04 Feb 2025
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Which golf courses are on your list to experience in 2025? Perhaps it's your time to tick off that dream venue or discover a hidden gem or two. Should you require some inspiration, we have some recommendations for you.
Looking at the Golfshake Course Section and the thousands of reviews that were submitted last season, we have picked out a selection of destinations that most impressed our community of golfers.
Each of these places has a minimum overall rating of 4.00 and a significantly high average rating from 2024 and they encompass championship stages, public layouts and lesser-known gems.
These are golf courses that have the acclaim of other golfers and could be somewhere for you to play this year!
Handsworth Golf Club
Location: Birmingham, Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.59
Average 2024 Rating: 4.56
Review Comment: "Superb. Beautiful course, smooth, true running greens, fairways in lovely conditions."
Dyke Golf Club
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.24
Average 2024 Rating: 4.54
Review Comment: "The course is in magnificent condition. The greens are quick, but not crazy quick, and they are running true. The recent enhancements to the bunkers, as well as the contouring, make the course a pleasure to play. We had fantastic weather, the breeze was not too strong, and the buffet after the round was absolutely amazing."
College Pines Golf Club
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.36
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
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."
High Post Golf Club
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "An excellent track, beautifully presented in great location. We had a warm professional welcome and would return without hesitation."
Aylesbury Vale Golf Club
Location: Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.28
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Fairways are some of the best in the area. Good layout, easy to play, wind and rough will sort you out if off line. Members are great, best atmosphere at any golf club."
Ashbury Golf Club
Location: Okehampton, Devon
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Best value for money golf trip/tour in Britain bar none. Food plentiful and facilities excellent, courses are ok, not top notch but very functional."
Dorset Golf & Country Club
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Golfshake Rating: 4.12
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "A great place for a golf break. The three nine hole courses provide different challenges and strategically placed hazards mean that you have to think your way around."
St Andrews Links
Location: St Andrews, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.93
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
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."
Bromsgrove Golf Centre
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "The course is playing very good, greens are quite tricky as they normally are. Greenkeepers doing a great job as always."
Fulwell Golf Club
Location: Hampton Hill, Greater London
Golfshake Rating: 4.48
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Played here on an annual large society day. Well looked after by the club and course was in excellent condition as per usual. Well worth a visit and an easy walk as very flat. Clubhouse has also had a recent revamp."
Braxted Park Golf Club
Location: Witham, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
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."
Pavenham Park Golf Club
Location: Pavenham, Bedfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.32
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Challenging course, great facilities, customer service second to none. A golf club for golfers who love golf first and foremost."
Quinta do Lago North
Location: Faro, Portugal
Golfshake Rating: 4.26
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Overall, the North Course didn't disappoint. You can see why it is so highly regarded by golfers who have flocked to Quinta do Lago over the years. It's as tough as you make it and if you put a good score together around here then you will have deserved every part of it. A real gem."
Leasowe Golf Club
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.07
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "This was a very nice links course with good facilities and very nice kept greens, the group had a great day out."
Newent Golf Club & Lodges
Location: Newent, Gloucestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.58
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Although this is only 9 holes and fairly short it makes you think about about what you are doing. The greens are quite small but have some suttle movements on them when you are putting."
Dundonald Links
Location: Gailes, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Full enjoyably round here and a firm favourite from our group of golfers. Can be pricey but well worth 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."
Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.48
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Set in rolling hills with views across Salisbury, the course was in first class condition. Not a blemish on any of the fairways with lovely greens. Course does get busy so book in advance. Friendly catering staff and air conditioned clubhouse, most welcome when hot as it's a good walk."
Howley Hall Golf Club
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.07
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "First time we played this course and it definitely won't be the last. Beautifully designed course and is in excellent condition. Really friendly clubhouse too. One of my favourite courses. The holes were great to play and the views are amazing."
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
Location: Wokingham, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Very fortunate to get the opportunity to play here - incredible and simply stunning!"
Wentworth Golf Club
Location: Virginia Water, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.91
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
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 most greens. Friendly staff."
Aberdovey Golf Club
Location: Aberdovey, Gwynedd
Golfshake Rating: 4.89
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Aberdovey is fantastic with its links layout providing stunning views of the coast. The old-style play, where players move on to the next tee and play on, adds to the traditional charm. The course is beautifully presented and the greens are in fantastic condition. The bonus of breathtaking coastal views makes this a must-play course for every golfer."
Isle of Purbeck Golf Club
Location: Swanage, Dorset
Golfshake Rating: 4.70
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "What a place, the course can kill you if wayward, but the views are stunning and you have to play here once at least in your life. Very friendly."
Blackmoor Golf Club
Location: Bordon, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.64
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "I have played Blackmoor on average once a year and it gets better each time. This gem is for the senior golfer, 6,170 yards in length off the whites, flat and in fantastic condition! Rarely, at the end of the day, can you reflect and not find fault big or small of a golf course but here we could not! A fantastic afternoon!"
East Herts Golf Club
Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.54
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Well manicured lush fairways, soft bunker sand, great greens and lots of challenging and interesting holes, more often tree lined. Conditions were perfect and the course was packed. The halfway house was great. Recommend the sausage rolls!"
Pennant Park Golf Club
Location: Flintshire, Clwyd
Golfshake Rating: 4.46
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Excellent. Lovely course, back 9 views over the estuary are fabulous. Greens in great condition."
Weybrook Park Golf Club
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "A very interesting and challenging course with a choice from the 27 holes. The "new" East Course was very good, the large undulating greens proving quite a challenge."
Badgemore Park
Location: Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.26
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Excellent course, a good challenge. Tree lined fairways. Bunkers everywhere. Condition of course one of the best around, couldn't fault it. Pace of play was great. One to play."
South Herefordshire Golf Club
Location: Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.24
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Tricky but fair course, with amazing views all round. It was in excellent condition from tee to green. Would suit bigger hitters than me. Very good value for money."
Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "A challenging course for the amateur golfer where you do get rewarded for good play. Excellent spread of long and short holes that uses the majority of your clubs. Good quality greens which can be read without extensive familiarity."
Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club
Location: Camelford, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "Bowood may not be the easiest venue to get to but it is well worth the effort. The hotel is excellent, the staff are friendly and the course is a gem. It is also worth pointing out that, unlike many other resort courses, there is "proper" sand in the bunkers. Definitely worth a visit."
Llandrindod Wells Golf Club
Location: Llandrindod Wells, Powys
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
Average 2024 Rating: 4.50
Review Comment: "What an absolute gem of a course in beautiful Mid Wales. The course is always in immaculate condition whatever the weather and the views are to die for. With so many cracking holes it makes for a fabulous day's golf and to cap it all off you’ll have the warmest and friendliest of welcomes in the clubhouse where the food is very reasonable, and generally superb. I’ll be back there in a couple of weeks, and can’t wait!"
The Epping Golf Course
Location: Epping, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.00
Average 2024 Rating: 4.46
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."
Chiltern Forest Golf Club
Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Average 2024 Rating: 4.45
Review Comment: "What a place! Beautiful course, with amazing views. Really well maintained and great value."
La Cala Golf & Spa Resort
Location: Malaga, Spain
Golfshake Rating: 4.13
Average 2024 Rating: 4.45
Review Comment: "A fabulous venue and a very well kept course. A wonderful environment to be in. The course was very challenging and kept all three of us in contention to win the day."
Tyrrells Wood Golf Club
Location: Leatherhead, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Average 2024 Rating: 4.44
Review Comment: "Not played it for years, great condition, even though it's quite short, the greens and course design add a good degree of difficulty. Great clubhouse and patio area, will return!"
Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort
Location: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Average 2024 Rating: 4.44
Review Comment: "I love this course, the beauty of it on a sunny day, with the flowers around the putting green and the fountains. It's a proper course, proper trees, proper hazards, proper bunkers and a proper layout. Hard to choose my favourite two nines, but Forest then Pines probably just wins it."
The Belfry
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.84
Average 2024 Rating: 4.42
Review Comment: "Always a pleasure to play. Great venue and setup and three fantastic courses in their own right depending on what you are looking for in terms of the challenge, layout, conditioning and price point. Can't wait to return and stay once the new development is complete."
Troon Lochgreen
Location: Troon, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.44
Average 2024 Rating: 4.42
Review Comment: "A fantastic golf course with lots of variety of holes to suit any level of golfer and have always found it challenging but fair. The greens and fairways are always in great condition any time of the year. If you have a chance of playing this course do not miss it."
Cowdray Park Golf Club
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Average 2024 Rating: 4.42
Review Comment: "Cowdray is a wonderful layout. The fairways and tees are superb, the bunkers are well designed and filled with proper sand and the greens are flawless. The clubhouse is warm and inviting, the food is of the highest standard and the staff are friendly. There is no shortage of things to do on site - and there is plenty to do within striking distance."
Sherwood Forest Golf Club
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Incredible layout, immaculate condition, tough but very fair course. The practice facilities are amazing."
St Mellion Resort
Location: Saltash, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.57
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "If you like a challenge in beautiful surroundings then you won't be disappointed if you go to St Mellion. Both courses are superb."
The Warwickshire Golf Club
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Both courses are of the highest quality and condition. We could not fault the layout, the scenery, the greens and just the overall quality of the Kings and Earls Courses. Would return in a heartbeat."
Puttenham Golf Club
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.42
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "A great layout, with some challenging but fair holes for any handicap. Course in very good condition, especially with the rain that had preceded. Very friendly, welcoming and courteous staff to make your day enjoyable."
The Point at Polzeath
Location: Wadebridge, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.39
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Great course, perfect venue. Lots of very interesting holes, scenery and setting is lovely. Not too long but a real challenge. Course is in excellent condition, fairways and greens top class. All the staff are very friendly and green fees reasonable."
The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Fantastic setting for a golf course and the course was playing very well. The clubhouse and facilities were great."
Seaton Carew Golf Club
Location: Hartlepool, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Great links course with superb green complexes. Wonderful conditioning."
Hobbs Cross Golf Centre
Location: Epping, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Excellent condition, fairways, greens and bunkers very well maintained. Can get very busy at peak times. One of my favourite courses in the area, always playable no matter the weather. Good driving range, chipping area and putting green."
Goodwood Golf Club
Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
Average 2024 Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Stunning course. Well worth a visit. Greens are challenging, true, and the course plays long from the equivalent of the white tees."
Feldon Valley Golf Club
Location: Sutton Lane, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.46
Average 2024 Rating: 4.39
Review Comment: "Warm welcome in the shop and the course and greens were in good shape. It’s a more testing round than it first appears, with some clever design and layout of holes. The bar and kitchen team were very friendly and we all enjoyed a good lunch after. Recommend the fish and chips and burgers! Quality!"
Goswick Links Golf Club
Location: Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.23
Average 2024 Rating: 4.39
Review Comment: "Fantastic course with something for everyone, fair and testing. Rewards a good shot, punishes ones that fail to deliver. Greens superb, true and slick as you would expect from a championship golf course. Played twice this year, once in perfect weather conditions, once in a gale, course excellent both times although scores quite variable."
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