18 Special Golf Courses to Play in 2025

By: Kieran Clark | Wed 26 Feb 2025

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Which golf course is top of your list to play in 2025? Perhaps it's that iconic layout you've long dreamt about or somewhere that has been recommended by a friend.

Naturally, we consider everyone who contributes to Golfshake to be our friends, so we have drawn on the reviews and ratings that have been submitted by everyday golfers to our popular Course Section.

We have picked out some superb venues in the UK & Ireland that have been described as bucket list, dream or special by reviewers, and it's an exciting group of destinations that we've managed to uncover, with some true hidden gems being showcased in the selection.

Take a look below and see if there's a course in particular that catches your eye!

The K Club

Location: Straffan, County Kildare

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Great condition, fantastic venue, and although it's a Ryder Cup course, it was very playable for my handicap."

Carden Park - Nicklaus Course

Carden Park

Location: Chester, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Brilliant scenery. Fantastic course and facilities. Would recommend no doubt. Lovely area. Hotel was magnificent with beautiful food and drink. A wonderful golf weekend."

The Warwickshire Golf Club

The Warwickshire

Location: Warwick, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Great course and complex in general. Course is a challenging but fair one. Greens were excellent. Would recommend and I will be playing again."

Camberley Heath Golf Club

Camberley Heath

Location: Camberley, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

Review Comment: "Very friendly welcome, course is well laid out and you need to plot your way around. In very good condition and a real mix of holes to challenge all golfers."

Windermere Golf Club

Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.42

Review Comment: "Even though it's short, this course is really challenging because of the hills. But it's worth it because the scenery is so beautiful. You won't be disappointed!"

Bamburgh Castle Golf Club

Location: Bamburgh, Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

Review Comment: "Excellent course, fantastic location, great clubhouse and welcome. Quite a few blind shots but just go for it!"

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club

Location: Felixstowe, Suffolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.39

Review Comment: "Great course, especially the last six holes, true links, a real challenge. Friendly atmosphere, highly recommend."

Kinsale Golf Club

Location: Kinsale, County Cork

Golfshake Rating: 4.39

Review Comment: "This course is a superb test of golf that will at all times keep you on your toes. It's not a long course but is tricky. One of the most enjoyable courses I played this year. Staff were friendly and food was excellent. I will be back."

Pleasington Golf Club

Location: Blackburn, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "What a course. Every hole is a test and the views around each corner are breathtaking. The par 3s are exceptional. Never played it before but been on my radar for a couple of years.The Mill is a special hole. From the pro shop to the bar staff to the members we were chatting to in the bar, everyone made 11 of us very welcome. Been telling everyone about this place - can't wait to return. Soon!"

Oxford Golf Club

Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "Fast greens, but really true. Par 3 12th is the standout hole, it's truly frightening. It's a really fair golf course."

Cork Golf Club

Location: Cork, County Cork

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

Review Comment: "This is a lovely old style golf course, well worth playing with emphasis on good driving from tees."

Askernish Golf Club

Location: Askernish, South Uist

Golfshake Rating: 4.37

Review Comment: "My dream has been to find a course that combines a challenge within a perfect setting. I found it in Askernish. The course attracted me with its history of being designed by old Tom Morris and then reopened by Kenny Dalglish. It is an incredible setting, the Machair with its wild flowers is just beautiful, the course harps back to the early days of golf and is rustic, natural and a spectacular challenge. I did not stop smiling despite the difficulty finding the wayward balls and the odd rabbit hole. My advice - make the journey and play this gorgeous course."

Helsby Golf Club

Location: Warrington, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.35

Review Comment: "Excellent course in fabulous nick, the fairways are a dream to hit off, when you find them! And the greens are true and sometimes difficult to read, which for me is a good thing. Will defo return."

Windmill Village Golf Club

Windmill Village

Location: Coventry, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.33

Review Comment: "A short but lovely course, plenty of water hazards and bunkers to keep you on your toes, friendly staff."

Toot Hill Golf Club

Location: Toot Hill, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Review Comment: "A gem. Immaculate course. Great value for money. Friendly and helpful staff. All round value, the best in Essex."

Halifax Golf Club

Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Review Comment: "A beautiful course, views to savour! Expect to take lots of photos and expect some holes to ruin your life. This is all part of the enjoyment of playing this unique and lovely course."

Ashbury Golf Club

Ashbury Golf

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."