Have You Played These European Tour Golf Courses
By: Kieran Clark | Fri 20 Sep 2024
Many golfers get a thrill from playing a course that has staged a professional tournament, and for those of you who love taking on that challenge, there is no shortage of options in the UK & Ireland.
We've been looking back at 40 years of the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the European Tour events that have been hosted on these islands, and now we're shining a light on the layouts that tested many of the world's best players.
Bringing together four decades of history, each of the 50 golf courses below have staged a regular European (DP World) Tour event - and there's every chance that you will have experienced at least one of them.
Have you played many golf courses that have hosted events on the European Tour?
Adare Manor
Location: Adare, County Limerick
Golfshake Rating: 4.80
Review Comment: "A beautiful course in perfect condition, fabulous facilities and great caddies! David was mine and proved invaluable! If there is a golfing heaven, these 18 holes and clubhouse have got to be up there!"
Ballybunion Golf Club
Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Review Comment: "A must play course. Unbelievable course, the best I have ever played. Amazing scenery and view of the ocean on many holes."
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Location: Ballyliffin, County Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Review Comment: "Perfection. 36 holes of the highest quality. I have played 452 courses in Ireland and this is the best. I joined as a member although it's a four hour drive from my house."
The Belfry
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.84
Review Comment: "The whole course is expertly taken care of, the greens were immaculate as were the bunkers. Playing the 10th hole was also absolutely incredible, I almost drove the green, that would have been the highlight of the day but sadly I just missed it."
Carnoustie Golf Links
Location: Carnoustie, Angus
Golfshake Rating: 4.91
Review Comment: "Fabulous layout, a great challenge with the toughest closing three holes anywhere and a sense of golfing history."
Carton House
Location: Maynooth, County Kildare
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
Review Comment: "Superb course, tough and more bunkers than I have ever seen on a golf course. Great challenge and so quiet. Really is worth a visit and will go again!"
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."
Celtic Manor Resort
Location: Newport, Gwent
Golfshake Rating: 3.95
Review Comment: "Played both the Montgomerie and Twenty Ten golf courses over a two day experience. Montgomerie is challenging on many levels and is tougher than the 120 slope rating. The golf course is not flat or for the faint hearted. There is a fair distance from green to the next tee so a buggy is advised. The Twenty Ten course is much flatter but just as challenging as water is never far away from catching a wayward shot. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for every golfer making it a truly great experience."
Close House
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.44
Review Comment: "The Filly is a great course, tough in places with some long holes, but fair, with some short par fours as well. Well worth the money."
Collingtree Park Golf Club
Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.78
Review Comment: "Superb course, lovely atmosphere and a really nice clubhouse. 18th hole in particular makes it worth the trip!"
County Louth Golf Club
Location: Drogheda, County Louth
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Review Comment: "The course is well maintained with fabulous conditioning and excellent greens, just an enjoyable fun course to play."
Druids Glen
Location: Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow
Golfshake Rating: 5.00
Review Comment: "Fabulous welcome and facility. Some jaw-droppingly beautiful golf holes with some wonderfully sculpted and conditioned golf holes. Floral considerations are given great emphasis and this leads to a visual delight whilst playing a testing and accomplished layout. Visually stunning with some very testing holes."
Dundonald Links
Location: Gailes, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: "The course was in great condition when I visited. It has matured and lives well in its skin. Top quality venue in all aspects."
East Sussex National Golf Club
Location: Uckfield, East Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.04
Review Comment: "Fabulous course and venue in picturesque surroundings. Great hotel and food. Friendly helpful staff."
Forest of Arden
Location: Coventry, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Review Comment: "What can you say about the Arden that hasn't been said, stunning course and quite a challenge to your weekend golfer."
Fota Island Resort
Location: Cork Harbour, County Cork
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Review Comment: "October golf in the Cork sunshine, course in great condition, playing full length, so good strong test. But greens worth a special mention, absolutely fabulous. Can't wait to go back!"
Fulford Golf Club
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.69
Review Comment: "I recently played a round of golf at this course and I was very impressed. The layout was great, and the course was well kept. It was a challenging course, steeped in history and the presentation was great. The greens were in excellent condition, and the hospitality was great. The quality of the course was outstanding throughout; great fairways, bunkers and greens. Everything was immaculately kept and the staff were extremely friendly."
Galgorm Castle Golf Club
Location: Ballymena, County Antrim
Golfshake Rating: 4.75
Review Comment: "A special course and venue, great to play it ahead of the NI Open in a few weeks. A great test, but also a good course for an 18 handicapper."
Gleneagles
Location: Gleneagles, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Review Comment: "Played the Kings and it was exceptional, the entire experience and service from restaurant and bar staff, the check in staff, the marshalls and the locker attendants was perfect. Well done to all, best golf course in the UK in my opinion."
The Grove
Location: Chandler's Cross, 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."
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."
Haggs Castle Golf Club
Location: Bellahouston, Glasgow
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Review Comment: "Well maintained, interesting layout, good facilities, nice people, handy location."
Hanbury Manor
Location: Ware, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.19
Review Comment: "The course to me never matched the grandeur of the hotel and clubhouse but it seems like they are addressing that now and the course is beginning to look more in keeping with the expectations you conjure up as you drive in."
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 time and time again."
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."
Killarney Golf Club
Location: Killarney, County Kerry
Golfshake Rating: 4.21
Review Comment: "Beautiful scenery and fantastic course. The course was in very good condition - fairly breezy but a windy day would have made this a very challenging course. Friendly staff and certainly worth a visit."
Kingsbarns Golf Links
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."
Lahinch Golf Club
Location: Lahinch, County Clare
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: "Wow - not sure I have the superlatives to explain how much I enjoyed this place. Played early, with a member, and the place was immaculate and stunningly beautiful. Golf simply doesn’t get any better."
Loch Lomond Golf Club
Location: Luss, Alexandria
Golfshake Rating: 5.00
Review Comment: "A must play course in anyone's book. This course must be on your list to play at some point. Beautiful surroundings right on the edge of the Loch. Dress warm if there is a breeze as some of the holes are very exposed."
The London Golf Club
Location: Ash, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.82
Review Comment: "Stunning course and greens, fantastic venue, friendly and helpful staff, stunning views, greens like snooker tables."
Moor Park Golf Club
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.46
Review Comment: "This is one of those courses you're always happy to be able to play. Steeped in heritage and sculpted into the natural beauty of the surroundings it never fails to make you say wow. Add to that the course is spectacular, in amazing condition at all times and a treat to play."
Moortown Golf Club
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.90
Review Comment: "Very good course. Well maintained. Good mix of holes. We played alongside Alwoodley. A great two course break."
Mount Juliet
Location: Thomastown, County Kilkenny
Golfshake Rating: 5.00
Review Comment: "I loved the experience at Mount Juliet from the moment you enter the driveway to sampling the excellent food and then testing out this wonderful golf course. It is special in so many ways. It feels like a standout exceptional venue. And my experience of the day simply confirmed this despite some rough weather. The course conditioning was superb and then views and layout are exactly what you would expect from a venue used by many of the worlds greatest golfers."
The Oxfordshire
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
Review Comment: "Amazing course. The place is stunning in the summer. Fairways like carpets. Rough really long and deep."
Portmarnock Golf Club
Location: Portmarnock, Dublin
Golfshake Rating: 4.82
Review Comment: "The more I play it the more I love it. The wind was so strong the day we played the planes that are usually constantly flying overhead to land at Dublin Airport had been rerouted inland. We played the yellow nine then the red nine. A good score wasn't available so I focused on trying low bump and runs and punched shots. Great fun and looking forward to my next round."
Portstewart Golf Club
Location: Portstewart, County Londonderry
Golfshake Rating: 4.84
Review Comment: "The course is really beautiful, with great views of the surroundings. The greens are well-maintained and the fairways are challenging but fair. I had a great time playing here, and I would definitely recommend it. The course is world class."
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."
Royal Aberdeen Golf Club
Location: Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Golfshake Rating: 4.90
Review Comment: "An incredible course with the first nine in amazing dunes and the back nine into the wind on a plateau. Simply a must play."
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Location: Southport, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Review Comment: "The course has a rich history and is in great condition. It's a beautiful venue and the staff are exemplary."
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."
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!"
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Location: Portrush, County Antrim
Golfshake Rating: 4.90
Review Comment: "World class golf course that really rewards good shots."
Slaley Hall
Location: Hexham, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Review Comment: Two excellent golf courses with some fantastic holes. Great hotel and spa facilities. Good food and wine."
St Andrews Links
Location: St Andrews, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.93
Review Comment: "It's my favourite course on the planet. Always special and rewarding."
St Mellion
Location: Saltash, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.57
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."
St Pierre Hotel & Country Club
Location: Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
Review Comment: "The layout is fantastic. It's a great test of golf, and it's in really good condition. The length and variety of the holes is really impressive, and its reputation is well deserved. It's playable in all conditions, which is great."
Sunningdale Golf Club
Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: "What a magnificent course and club. Everything is done to a high level."
Walton Heath Golf Club
Location: Tadworth, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.82
Review Comment: "I have not played two rounds in a day for many years but I survived and to my surprise broke 100 on both courses. The club offers tremendous value for money as a full society catered package, most probably the best in this renowned golfing area. They fly under the golfing radar these days, no silly deals or frothy social media for them, but as soon as you enter the unassuming clubhouse you realise you are somewhere truly special."
Wentworth
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 most course greens. Friendly staff."
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."
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