Golf in England

England is often overlooked in favor of Ireland and Scotland as a destination for golf travel, but with a mix of heathland and links courses, including four Open Championship venues, and more courses ranked in Britain’s top 100 than Ireland and Scotland, we believe England should be at the top of every golfer’s list.

London & Southwest England

The combination of challenging design, rich history, top-notch conditions, and well-placed bunkers make heathland golf courses a favourite among golfers. England’s heathland golf courses are known for their rolling terrain, natural landscapes, and traditional designs that provide a challenging and aesthetically pleasing experience.

  • The Berkshire

    Founded in 1928, The Berkshire Golf Club is home to two Herbert Fowler designed courses, both of which are widely regarded as amongst the best in the British Isles. The Berkshire’s red and blue courses were constructed on estates once used by Queen Anne for her hunting parties in the 17th/18th century, and the club has hosted many notable Amateur events over the years.

  • Hankley Common

    If there was ever a place where seaside links golf meets heathland golf, it’s at Hankley Common. There is an overwhelming feeling of spaciousness at this course, which occupies only 164 acres of the 850 acres of surrounding heathland that the club owns.

  • St. George's Hill Golf Club

    Regarded by many as Harry Colt’s crowning glory, St George’s Hill Golf Club has been one of England’s most revered clubs since 1913. The Club sits within an exclusive private estate, creating an idyllic ambience and sense of wonderment. The undulating fairways, heather, silver birch and stately Scots pine are ever-present across the course.

  • Sunningdale Golf Club

    A Willie Park Jr design that was opened for play in 1901, the Old Course at Sunningdale Golf Club is a superb heathland layout set amidst the pines, with heather-lined fairways leading to fabulous putting surfaces that are famously smooth and true. The course delivers a classic test of heathland golf.

  • Swinley Forest

    Harry Colt designed Swinley Forest and modestly described it as his “least bad course.” The ambience at Swinley Forest is hard to define, but present everywhere. Although the yardage is only only 6400 yards, with a par of 69 it will test and delight both scratch and higher handicap golfers alike.

  • Walton Heath

    Walton Heath is one of the world’s most highly regarded golf clubs, famous for its rich golfing history and the quality of its two exceptionally challenging heathland layouts. Both courses feature in the UK and Ireland’s Top 50 rankings. The Old has earned its place in the World’s Top 100 every year since the inception of the rankings in 1938. The Club was founded in 1903. The first Captain was King Edward VIII and the first Professional, James Braid, won five Open Championships.

  • Wentworth

    Known as the Burma Road, the West Course at Wentworth is host to the BMW PGA, and hosted many tournaments over the years, including the Ryder Cup, Women’s Open and the World Matchplay. It is probably the most famous of the Surrey courses, as it is certainly the most televised in the UK.

  • Woking

    Woking Golf Club is a jewel of Surrey heathland golf, and the first heathland course in the Surrey and Berkshire area. Many regard this Tom Dunn heathland classic as an ingenious example of a course that can test the best yet remain playable for all. The course is not especially long, only 6600 yards from the back tees, but it requires well positioned tee shots and nerveless chipping and putting.

England’s Golf Coast

Known as England’s golf coast, the northwest coast of England has some tremendous golf to enjoy. It hosts three Open Championship courses and has seven courses in Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses in UK & Ireland. The coastline and views are breathtaking, and the nightlife is lively in Liverpool.

  • Royal Birkdale

    In 1897, Royal Birkdale moved to its present location where 18 holes were laid out by George Lowe, the professional at nearby Royal Lytham. The course winds its way through magnificent dunes and everything is laid out fairly in front of you, but trouble lurks if you stray off course.

    Ranked 42 in the world by Golf Digest, Royal Birkdale is said to be a favorite among the competing pros.

  • Royal Liverpool

    Royal Liverpool was the second English club to host the Open Championship, and the fifth most-used Open venue. Without a doubt, Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) is a tough course. Only 6 holes are in the dunes - otherwise there is little protection from the elements.

  • Royal Lytham & St Anne's

    Royal Lytham was designed in 1886 by George Lowe and modified between the world wars by Harry Colt. The course is exceptionally difficult, - Carnoustie is the only course on the Open rota thought to be tougher. If you are playing well, the course will give you opportunities on the front nine holes, but fewer chances present themselves on the back.

  • Formby Golf Club

    Nestled amongst the finest selection of courses found on any coast around the world, Formby is often spoken of as ‘The Hidden Gem’. The impressive clubhouse at Formby Golf Club, voted 12th most iconic clubhouse in the world, provides members and visitors with a superb choice of bars and dining options, championship snooker tables and history at every turn. Formby is widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in the World.

Southeast England

Within 90 minutes of London and Surrey, the Southeast provides a spectacular opportunity to enjoy the challenges of links golf.

Characterized by flat open spaces with few trees and abundant sand dunes, and firm bouncy playing surfaces, many visitors to London and Southwest England add a stop in the South East to experience the contrast between the heathland and links styles.

  • Princes Golf Club

    Striking a rare balance between modern ambience and historic charm, Prince's Golf Club offers 27 Holes of outstanding championship links golf in an idyllic coastal setting. Having undergone a significant redevelopment since 2017, the club held the prestigious 2023 Women's Amateur Championship and hosted the Final Qualifying for The Open Championship from 2018 to 2022.

  • Royal St George's

    The Royal St George's Golf Club is the only Open rota golf course to be located in South East England. There is nothing artificial about Royal St. George’s; there is a natural look and feel to the course, with wildflowers, dune grasses and commanding views over Pegwell Bay and the white cliffs of Dover.

  • Royal Cinque Ports

    Founded in 1892, Royal Cinque Ports runs along the coast of Sandwich Bay, on the same stretch of coastline as Royal St George's Golf Club and Prince's Golf Club, adjacent to the north.

    Royal Cinque Ports hosted The Open Championship in 1909 and 1920. Two more were scheduled for 1938 and 1949, but both were relocated when abnormally high tides inundated the course. Consequently, the club was removed from the Open Championship rota, but remains a final qualifying course (most recently in 2017).