Prepare yourself for a wonderful journey through England’s most exceptional golf courses. This comprehensive guide will be your golfing passport, leading you from the rolling hills of the south to the rugged landscapes of the north. These time-honored greens represent not just the best of English golf, but some of the finest courses worldwide. Through this exciting tour, you’ll discover swathes of verdant fairways, challenging holes, and breathtaking canyon and sea views that make each course a unique experience – all seamlessly integrated with luxurious facilities and high-end amenities. Get ready to swing your way through the “Best Golf Courses In England!”
Sunningdale Golf Club
Course Description
Greet the day with the fresh scent of cut grass as you walk onto Sunningdale Golf Club’s renowned golf course. Designed by Willie Park Jr., and later restored by Harry Colt, this scenic playing field includes two 18-hole courses – the Old Course and the New Course. Each invites you to experience both challenging play and visual delight, with dense woodland providing a captivating backdrop for an array of well-placed hazards and perfectly manicured greens.
Membership Information
Welcoming eager golfers of all skill levels, Sunningdale Golf Club offers exclusive membership opportunities that include a variety of benefits. Applications are welcomed throughout the year and selections are made based on the club’s discretion. With full membership access, you’re not only guaranteed a place on the tee, but an array of club amenities, including access to the club’s dining and event facilities.
Location & Travel Information
Nestled in the verdant outskirts of Sunningdale, Berkshire, Sunningdale Golf Club stands as an oasis away from the hustle of city life. Conveniently located near the M3 and M25 motorways, it offers easy access to, and from, all directions. Heathrow Airport is a short drive away for international golfing guests.
Swinley Forest Golf Club
Course Overview
Swinley Forest Golf Club boasts a unique golf course that is sure to impress even the most experienced golf enthusiasts. Divert from your usual routine and navigate the course’s delightfully picturesque terrain, including its meticulously cultivated greens and undulating fairways. The mixed woodland provides an array of stunning vistas and creates an environment of serene seclusion.
How to Join
To become a member of the exclusive Swinley Forest Golf Club, one must be proposed and seconded by two existing members and must have an intimate introduction to the club secretary. Once accepted, members can avail the club’s exceptional facilities and services.
Getting There & Accommodation Options
Located in Ascot, Berkshire, Swinley Forest Golf Club is easily accessible through major roadways or via the Ascot railway station. To further complement your golfing experience, the club is closely surrounded by a variety of luxury accommodation options that cater to all tastes and budgets.
Muirfield Golf Course
Background on Muirfield Golf Course
An exceptionally challenging but equally rewarding golf course, Muirfield Golf Course has gained international acclaim as one of the best and oldest golf clubs in the world. The course layout here is uniquely distinct, twisting in a loop formation that requires players to continually adjust to differing wind directions.
Application Process for Membership
Joining Muirfield Golf Course may seem like an ancient, secretive rite, but don’t despair. After the club’s vote to allow female members in 2017, the waiting list for membership is expanding steadily. Interested golfers need to apply via the club’s website and patiently await their place in the queue.
Transportation & Lodging Nearby
Book your flights into Edinburgh Airport, and from there, the historic Muirfield Golf Course is just a 40-minute car journey away in Gullane. For accommodations, The Bonnie Badger offers luxurious rooms, embraced by comfort and charm, and is set just a short distance away from the prestigious golf course.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
About the Course
If you’re the kind of golfer that loves a good challenge, then you’ll enjoy spending your day on Royal Birkdale Golf Club’s meticulously maintained course. Its notorious winds and dunes encouragement strategic play. The course enthralls players with its massive bunkers and undulating fairways, consistently ranking as one of England’s top golf courses.
How to Become a Member
Royal Birkdale Golf Club offers several membership categories, which cater to different age groups and golfing needs. The admission process is simple, involving the completion of an application form and payment of the current year’s subscription fee once accepted.
Location & Lodging Options
Set in the coastal Southport region of the UK, the Royal Birkdale Golf Club is highly accessible whether you’re travelling by road or rail. The Vincent Hotel and Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, both in close proximity to the course, offer excellent stay alternatives to enhance your golfing getaway.
Ganton Golf Club
Course Information
Ganton Golf Club governs a course of rich history and of striking natural beauty. Here, golf isn’t just a game; it’s a full-blown sensory experience. The course’s fertile, sandy turf present an interesting challenge, with its 18 holes nestled amidst crevices, banks, and plateaus.
Membership Details
Ganton Golf Club encourages prospective members to visit the club to meet with members and the club secretary. The membership selection process considers the prospective member’s knowledge and love for the game of golf, and members can enjoy full access to the course, clubhouse facilities and numerous competitions and events.
Travel & Stay Information
Located in North Yorkshire, Ganton Golf Club can be easily reached via the A64 trunk road between York and Scarborough. Enjoying a game in Ganton could be a part of wider exploration of the area, with several quality hotels and guesthouses peppered in the nearby Scarborough and York regions.
St George’s Hill Golf Club
Overview of the Course
At St George’s Hill Golf Club, prepare yourself for a truly memorable golfing experience. The course, assembled in three loops of nine that all return to the clubhouse, is routed beautifully over the Surrey heathland, leaving you with mesmerizing views and unique golfing challenges.
Becoming a Club Member
To become a member at St George’s Hill Golf Club, all applicants are required to be proposed and seconded by two existing members. Prospective members must satisfy the committee of their expertise or genuine interest in the game of golf. Once accepted, members can benefit from the club’s facilities and engage with its active social scene.
Travel & Accommodation Guide
Keen to visit? St George’s Hill Golf Club is easily accessible, either by road or rail, located in the heart of Weybridge, Surrey. The club is a stone’s throw from the City and numerous airports. A wealth of accommodation can be found nearby, from quaint B&Bs to grander hotel offerings, catering to all sorts of preferences.
Walton Heath Golf Club
Insight into Walton Heath Course
When you tee off at Walton Heath Golf Club, you’ll be following in the footsteps of golfing legends. The club boasts two world-class heathland courses amidst verdant terrain, boasting a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills and gorse bushes – providing a challenging par for even the most seasoned golfers.
Membership Procedure
The journey to becoming a member at Walton Heath Golf Club begins with an application form endorsed by two existing club members. Upon approval, members enjoy the privilege of accessing both the award-winning courses and an array of club facilities.
Transportation & Accommodations
Located near Walto-On-the-Hill in Surrey, Walton Heath Golf Club is well-connected with both road and rail networks for convenience. There are plenty of snug countryside lodgings, and luxury hotels available to make your visit more pleasurable, notably the Chequers Inn and The Ritz London.
Old Course at St. Andrews
History & Description of the Course
Sporting a legacy that dates back to the mid-1500s, the Old Course at St. Andrews is a true golfing monument. It’s a testing course, known for its massive greens, devilish bunkers, and double fairways. Its rich history and unique design make for an unforgettable golfing rendezvous.
Membership Process
While membership at the prestigious St. Andrews Golf Club is typically by invitation only, they do welcome applications from golf enthusiasts. The club’s selection committee reviews each application, ensuring that the prospective member shares the club’s passion for golf.
Where to Stay & How to Get There
You can get to the town of St. Andrews by road or rail, or you can fly into Edinburgh and take a scenic drive to the club. For accommodation, you’re spoiled for choice with options ranging from luxury hotels to traditional bed and breakfasts, all within close distance to the historic Old Course.
Kingston Heath Golf Club
Details of the Course
An epitome of strategic and penal golf architecture, Kingston Heath Golf Club in Surrey offers one of the finest courses in the UK. It’s a course where precision and skill are more valuable than power, with its wide fairways and fast, true greens offering a challenge for golfers of all abilities.
Becoming a Member
The process of becoming a member at Kingston Heath starts with an application accompanied by a letter from your home club. If successful, you’ll be granted entry to the club’s practice facilities, competitions, and vibrant social scene.
Travel Guide & Nearby Accommodations
Kingston Heath Golf Club is accessible from London and is around an hour’s drive from Heathrow Airport. There are numerous accommodation options in London to suit all budgets if you’re planning a golfing trip to Kingston Heath.
Golf In England: An Overview
The Popularity & History of Golf in England
The England of today proudly embraces its deep-rooted golf heritage. The game of golf has grown significantly in popularity over the years, and England stands as a world-renowned destination for golfing enthusiasts. Tracing its origins back to the medieval period, golf has become a beloved sport that attracts both local and international players to the country’s many diverse courses.
The Impact on Tourism
Golf tourism in England has evolved into a thriving industry, playing a significant role in the country’s economy. Each year, scores of golfers, both amateur and professional, descend upon England’s fairways, bringing a boost to local businesses. Tourists aren’t solely charmed by the sport itself, but also by the natural landscape, historical travels, and luxury accommodations that surround these courses.
Diversity of Golf Courses in England
England prides itself on the diversity of its golf courses, from seaside links and grassy heathlands to spectacular parklands, each with its unique characteristics and challenges. This variety has placed England at the top of the worldwide golfing map. Whether you’re looking for a competitive challenge, a picturesque view, or an historic ambience, you’re sure to find it at one of England’s golf courses. Each course boasts distinct topographical features and distinctive designs, offering golfing experiences like no other. The clubs cater not only to passionate golfers but also to those who appreciate camaraderie, fine dining, and natural beauty.