Best Golf Courses In England

Popular opinion might have you believing that the cream of the crop in the UK & Ireland lies north of the border or across the Irish Sea, but English courses fare well in the most illustrious of golfing company with the country boasting one shy of 50 of the UK and Ireland's top 100 golf courses. England is home to multiple Open Championship, Ryder Cup and DP World Tour venues and is renowned for its historic, world class links like Royal Birkdale and Royal St George's to its famous heathlands like Sunningdale and Swinley Forest.

England features some of most exclusive golf clubs in the UK like Queenwood, Wentworth and Bearwood Lakes, but none of these feature in our Top 100 rankings due to their exclusivity and that's why they do not feature below.

Best Golf Courses In England

Below we list the top 50... well, 49... golf courses in England, in order, based on the 2025/26 Golf Monthly UK&I Top 100 golf course rankings...

Royal Birkdale

• Location: Southport, Merseyside
• Founded: 1889
• Designed by: Fred Hawtree and JH Taylor
• Top 100 ranking: 6th
• Book: Visit website

The Southport coast has way more than its fair share of very fine links, but one stands above them all – Royal Birkdale, where the holes play predominantly along the valleys between tall dunes. Birkdale has played host to 10 Open Championships, as well as the 1965 and 1969 Ryder Cups. It has also played host to Women's British Opens, Senior Opens, Amateur Championships, Walker Cups and Curtis Cups. Most recently, it was also the site of Jordan Spieth's infamous drop and unbelievable last five holes to win the 2017 Open Championship. Birkdale is one of the best links courses in England and a must-play for avid golfers.

- Full Royal Birkdale Golf Club review

Sunningdale - New

• Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire
• Opened: 1923
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 9th
• Book: Visit website

New in name but getting on for 100 years old now, Harry Colt and John Morrison’s design has just got better and better over the years. It is a supremely beautiful place to play golf, with holes that will test and tease you, and others where you may just fancy your chances. Whatever happens on the day, you can’t help but enjoy yourself as Sunningdale is home to 36 of the best golf holes in the world, let alone the country!

- Full Sunningdale Golf Club New Course review

Sunningdale - Old

• Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire
• Opened: 1901
• Designed by: Willie Park Jr
• Top 100 ranking: 10th
• Book: Visit website

The Old at Sunningdale vies strongly with its younger sibling for the honour of finest inland course in the UK, let alone England. It's without doubt one of the best heathland golf courses in the UK, showcasing inland golf at its very finest. There are so many strong holes on this wonderful heathland layout, that picking out one over another is tough, but the stretch from the 6^th to the 8^th excels heading out, while the 10^th is a glorious down and up par 4 that will test you to the full.

- Full Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course Review

Royal St George's

• Location: Sandwich, Kent
• Founded: 1887
• Designed by: Laidlaw Purves
• Top 100 ranking: 11th
• Book: Visit website

Founded in 1887, Royal St George’s was the first English course to play host to The Open Championship, which it did in 1894. This links with a difference boasts fairways more rumpled in nature than on any other course on the current Open rota. There’s a glorious feeling of space around the 1^st tee, but the challenge is stiff from the outset in any sort of breeze. Among the standout holes are the famous 4^th with its mighty sleepered bunkers and extremely testing green.

- Full Royal St George's Golf Club review

Woodhall Spa - Hotchkin

• Location: Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
• Opened: 1905
• Designed by: Harry Vardon
• Top 100 ranking: 12th
• Book: 01526 352511 or Email booking@woodhallspagolf.com

Yes, the deep, testing bunkers are what the Hotchkin is most famous for, but Lincolnshire’s finest is about so much more than that. There are so many strong holes it’s almost impossible to single one out, but if pushed, the par-5 9^th sets up particularly magnificently from the tee. A stunning Tom Doak renovation project has recently been completed at Woodhall Spa, where the vision was to restore much of the course's original character with some trees, shrubs and gorse removed and bunkered returned to their original style with other long-lost ones re-introduced. The club, home to the National Golf Centre and home to England Golf, features two of the best golf courses in Lincolnshire with the world class Hotchkin and the superb Bracken Course - a very good second course.

- Full Woodhall Spa Golf Club Hotchkin Course review

Royal Liverpool

• Location: Hoylake, Wirral
• Founded: 1869
• Designed by: Robert Chambers, George Morris and Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 13th
• Book: Visit website

The course that made its Open return in 2006, when Tiger reigned supreme over a bone-dry links, is a little different. Looking out from the fine red-brick clubhouse, you’ll see a number of flat holes playing around what was once a racecourse but is now the practice ground. But the course at Hoylake really comes alive in the middle when it ventures closer to the Dee estuary for a prolonged spell of dramatic links golf. This testing and historic links played host to its 13th Open Championship in 2023, nine years after Rory McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug here.

- Full Royal Liverpool Golf Club review

Royal Lytham and St Annes

• Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
• Founded: 1886
• Designed by: George Lowe and Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 16th
• Book: Telephone 01253 724 206. Email: bookings@royallytham.org

This 11-time Open venue and two-time Ryder Cup host really is a thinker’s course where plotting your way round is of at least equal merit to length of the tee. Uniquely among The Open venues, it starts with a heavily bunkered par 3, which is followed by two strong par 4s flanking the railway. The run for home is stout indeed. The long par 4s at 15 and 17 – the latter’s approach blind if you’re too far left off the tee - yield par figures with some reluctance. It's another fantastic links in the North West and easily one of best golf courses in Lancashire.

- Full Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club review

St George's Hill

• Location: Weybridge, Surrey
• Opened: 1911
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 25th
• Book: 01932 847758

There is drama, variety and challenge aplenty laid out beneath the imposing red brick clubhouse that you play back up towards on the Red nine’s finale. The stunning St George's Hill is home to three nines (Red and Blue main 18 plus Green) for what is one of the very best golf courses in Surrey. To pick out one or two standout holes from such a strong cast is tough, but the 2nd on the Red is a demanding par 4 played from a raised tee over a crest, then gently back up to the green, while the 2nd on the Blue is a well-guarded 120-yarder where trouble awaits in the form of deep bunkers and steep banks.

- Full St George's Hill Golf Club review

Burnham and Berrow

• Location: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
• Founded: 1891
• Designed by: Charles Gibson
• Top 100 ranking: 29th
• Book: Visit website

Featuring tight fairways, impressive sand hills and thick rough, Burnham and Berrow seems a daunting prospect requiring strict accuracy off the tee. However, it has hosted more than 50 amateur competitions and provides a fair challenge that links enthusiasts will relish. It's not only one of the best golf courses in Somerset but one of, if not the, best courses in the South West.

- Full Burnham and Berrow Golf Club review

Hillside

• Location: Southport, Merseyside
• Founded: 1911
• Designed by: Fred Hawtree
• Top 100 ranking: 30th
• Book: Visit website

One of England's finest links, and as an unusual one with a number of holes beautifully framed by towering pines. The front nine is strong, but the back nine really shines - it's arguably one of the best back nines in the entire UK. The par 5s - the 11th, sweeping from right to left, and the 17th through a dune-lined valley - really stand out.

- Full Hillside Golf Club review

Hankley Common

• Location: Farnham, Surrey
• Opened: 1897
• Designed by: Harry Colt and James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 31st
• Book: 01252 797717

Hankley Common is a beautiful golf course that is of top quality. The surrounding area is a site of special scientific interest and the setting features thousands of birches, rowans, pines and oaks. The course is renowned for its good drainage and the dry conditions make for fast-running fairways akin to a links course, as Bobby Locke once pointed out. The club never rests on its laurels and continues to improve what is one of England's premier inland layouts.

- Full Hankley Common Golf Club review

Ganton

• Location: Vale of Pickering, Yorkshire
• Opened: 1897
• Designed by: Tom Chisholm and Robert Bird
• Top 100 ranking: 32nd
• Book: Tel: 01944 710329 Email: secretary@gantongolfclub.com

Ganton is a gem of a course with an embarrassment of riches, and a number of holes that will quickly expose your weaknesses, especially if you stray into one of many bunkers that wouldn’t look out of place at Woodhall Spa. The final run for home is strong, with the 17th not quite able to decide if it’s a par 3 or 4 on the card, and 18 then somewhat unusually playing over an entrance road that is actually OOB should your ball come to rest on it. It's an historic club that once boasted six-time Open champion Harry Vardon as its professional, and it has hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and the Amateur Championship. Officially designed by Tom Chisholm and Robert Bird, Ganton has been altered by legendary architects James Braid, Alister MacKenzie, Harry Colt, John Henry Taylor, and Harry Vardon.

- Full Ganton Golf Club review

Swinley Forest

• Location: Ascot, Berkshire
• Opened: 1909
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 33rd
• Book: Tel 01344 620197 Email office@swinleyfgc.co.uk

Swinley Forest is a quintessentially old-school course that is always a delight. Tunnelling through beautiful pines it provides a sublime balance of fun and variety, making it one of Harry Colt's greatest legacies. It's not the longest but this golden-age classic has more than survived the test of time. It's only second to Sunningdale when it comes to the best golf courses in Berkshire.

- Full Swinley Forest Golf Club review

Walton Heath - Old

• Location: Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey
• Opened: 1904
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 35th
• Book: 01737 812060 option 2

The older of Walton Heath’s two excellent courses has a long and rich history that features a Ryder Cup and many other high-profile events with the 2023 AIG Women's Open on the horizon. The stunning Surrey heathland is blessed with an expansive landscape where you can often gaze out over several holes, though rarely will they impinge on each other. If you’re into the wind heading out, the 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th will all test your game to the full, especially if you’re unable to keep it out of the heather.

- Full Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course review

Formby

• Location: Formby, Merseyside
• Founded: 1884
• Designed by: Willie Park Jr, James Braid and Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 40th
• Book: Visit website

While many links courses lack the framing and variety offered by trees, Formby features the best of both worlds with an almost heathland feel in place. It is abound with strong par 4s that contribute to its reputation as one of the very best courses on a coastline packed with excellent golf. This premier-league links is distinctive and memorable and its future is safeguarded with changes on the way.

- Full Formby Golf Club review

St Enodoc - Church

• Location: Rock, Cornwall
• Opened: 1890
• Designed by: James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 41st
• Book: Visit website

St Enodoc is one of a kind and a real treat that offers excellent value, variety and views. The Cornish coastline provides a stunning backdrop to this wonderfully varied James Braid design that changes direction and elevation throughout. Packed with memorable features such as the Himalayas bunker, the course's namesake church and stunning views across the Camel Estuary to Padstow, it's a thrilling ride from start to finish. It's top of the list when it comes to the best golf courses in Cornwall and is right up there as one of England's best links courses.

- Full St Enodoc Church Course review

The Berkshire - Red

• Location: Ascot, Berkshire
• Founded: 1928
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 42nd
• Book: Tel 01344 621 495 option 1 Email golf@theberkshire.co.uk

With six wildly differing short holes, six par 4s and six long holes, there is something for everyone. This fabulous Herbert Fowler design provides enormous fun with variety with something new in store at every turn. It's a stunning heathland layout that more than packs its punch in a popular area, and a 36-hole day at the Berkshire playing the Red as well as the superb Blue course is a day to remember.

- Full The Berkshire Red Course review

Royal Cinque Ports

• Location: Deal, Kent
• Founded: 1892
• Designed by: Harry Hunter and James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 43rd
• Book: Visit website

Along with Royal St George’s and Prince’s, Royal Cinque Ports is one of three Open Championship links in our Top 100 that lie almost back-to-back on the Kent coast between Sandwich and Deal. It's a very strong course with a great variety of holes forging out to the turn and then back into the prevailing wind. There's a fine run from home from the 12th, which is one of the most challenging stretches you will find.

- Full Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club review

Hollinwell

• Location: Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
• Opened: 1901 (club founded 1887)
• Designed by: Willie Park Jr
• Top 100 ranking: 47th
• Book: Tel: 01623 753225 option 3 Email office@hollinwell.co.uk

Notts provides a genuine away-from-it-all feeling. The course is a fine heathland routing with sometimes breathtaking changes in elevation and a host of exceptional holes. An ongoing bunker-improvement programme is successfully recreating a true heathland appearance. Not only is it top of the best golf courses in Nottinghamshire list but it is also the best golf course in the midlands. The course has hosted numerous high-level events including Open Final Qualifying and is only getting better thanks to work from Martin Ebert.

- Full Holinwell Home of Notts Golf Club review

Silloth on Solway

• Location: Wigton, Cumbria
• Founded: 1892
• Designed by: David Grant and Willie Park Jr
• Top 100 ranking: 51st
• Book: Visit website

Blessed with an idyllic setting, the rumpled links never seems to attract a bad word. Heather, gorse and the breeze will challenge every department of your game. Somewhat paradoxically, this is a Top 100 hidden gem and undoubtedly the best value course in the Top 100.

- Full Silloth on Solway Golf Club review

Alwoodley

• Location: Moortown, Leeds, Yorkshire
• Founded: 1907
• Designed by: Alister MacKenzie
• Top 100 ranking: 53rd
• Book: Visit website

As course design debuts go, this Alister MacKenzie heathland beauty on the outskirts of Leeds takes some beating - it's so good that MacKenzie even based a couple of holes at Augusta National on it. Some of his original design features lost over the years have even been re-introduced in the 21st century. Fine opening and closing holes bookend this testing inland classic, which is one of England's finest heathlands and one of the very best golf courses in Yorkshire.

- Full Alwoodley Golf Club review

Saunton - East

• Location: Braunton, Devon
• Founded: 1897
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 54th
• Book: Email info@sauntongolf.co.uk Tel 01271 812436 (option 1)

Saunton is home to two of the best golf courses in Devon with the East and West, which both feature in the Golf Monthly UK&I Top 100 rankings. The more challenging of two wonderful links courses is the East, which is set in the glorious North Devon dunes to provide a wonderful and testing setting to play golf.

- Full Saunton Golf Club East Course review

Liphook

• Location: Liphook, Hampshire
• Opened: 1923
• Designed by: Arthur Croome and Tom Simpson
• Top 100 ranking: 55th
• Book: secretary@liphookgolfclub.com

Liphook is enjoyable all year round as it is delightful, engaging and peaceful. The classy healthland design welcomes all sorts of players and offers very good value for money. This already highly ranked course has undergone a major transformation over the past four years under the guidance of Tom Mackenzie with three goals in mind: 1) to improve safety when crossing the road after the 14th; 2) to create a better routing and flow, and; 3) to maximise the full potential of this glorious heathland terrain. It was already top of the pile when it comes to the best golf courses in Hamsphire and it has got even better.

- Full Liphook Golf Club review

The Berkshire - Blue

• Location: Ascot, Berkshire
• Founded: 1928
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 57th
• Book: Tel 01344 621 495 option 1 Email golf@theberkshire.co.uk

A picturesque and challenging Herbert Fowler course. Making use of the land's natural slopes, the holes fit naturally and comfortably into the landscape. The Blue Course is an absolute cracker; a perfect complement to the Red over a similar, glorious landscape, but somehow still completely different. It is probably the tougher of the two and is equally attractive.

- Full The Berkshire Blue Course review

Royal West Norfolk

• Location: Brancaster, Norfolk
• Opened: 1892
• Designed by: Holcombe Ingleby
• Top 100 ranking: 59th
• Book: Tel 01485 210087 Email secretary@rwngc.org

Some holes and the entrance road have been affected by the tide, but this merely adds to the character of this step-back-in-time links that is still a true test in the modern era. Also known as 'Brancaster', this mainly two-ball only club is a wonderful experience of links golf from start to finish with some stirring holes. We think it's the pick of the bunch of the best golf courses in Norfolk.

- Full Royal West Norfolk Golf Club review

Rye - Old

• Location: Rye, East Sussex
• Opened: 1895
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 65th
• Book: links@ryegolfclub.co.uk

Rye is a well-maintained course with a great heritage. The original layout was designed by a 25-year-old Harry Colt, the club's first captain, who produced this attractive and exciting course with a hugely characterful layout. It plays over fast-running, undulating turf and presents a strong challenge particular when the wind is up. One of the best links courses in the south of England, Rye is always in excellent condition and playable all year.

- Full Rye Golf Club review

West Sussex

• Location: Pulborough, West Sussex
• Opened: 1931
• Designed by: Guy Campbell and Cecil Hutchison
• Top 100 ranking: 62nd
• Book: Tel 01798 872 426 Email proshop@westsussexgolf.co.uk

This heathland classic twists and turns constantly as it runs over gently undulating and very springy turf sitting on a free-draining subsoil. Don't be fooled by this charming layout's modest length of 6,351 yards, for the par is just 68. Take full advantage of the opening par 5, four several testing par 4s and the very long par 3 6th give little away willingly. Of the best golf courses in Sussex, West Sussex GC is top and it is certainly one of the best heathland golf courses in the country.

- Full West Sussex Golf Club review

Worplesdon

• Location: Worplesdon, Surrey
• Opened: 1893
• Designed by: J F Abercromby
• Top 100 ranking: 63rd
• Book: 01483 472277 (Option 1)

When the heather is in bloom, this pretty layout is simply fantastic. The heathland track is built on the Bagshot sand making it very well-draining. A blend of short and long holes make this a thoroughly enjoyable test. Recently, the club has worked hard to emphasise the natural heathland elements, with heather areas being restored and 80 bunkers renovated. The club is known for its Mixed Foursomes competition that dates back to 1921.

- Full Worplesdon Golf Club review

Walton Heath - New

• Location: Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey
• Opened: 1907 nine holes (1913 18 holes)
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 64th
• Book: 01737 812060 option 2

The course eases you in with a short-par-4, delightful-par-3 combination, before a beautiful and, at times, very challenging heathland examination. Herbert Fowler created both heathland beauties at Walton Heath, with the first nine holes of the New arriving three years after its older sibling in 1907, before being extended to a full 18 in 1913. When tour events and the Ryder Cup have visited this corner of Surrey, they have typically played a composite course.

- Full Walton Heath New Course review

Southport and Ainsdale

• Location: Southport, Merseyside
• Founded: 1906
• Designed by: George Lowe and James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 65th
• Book: 01704 578000 ext 1 or email charlotte.pilkington@sandagolf.co.uk

Two-time Ryder Cup host S&A is a welcoming golf club with a rich and interesting history. The current 18 holes date from 1925 and were the work of five-time Open champion and prolific course designer James Braid. His design remains largely unchanged. It is a very natural layout with a selection of highly memorable holes. It's a fine and challenging links that sets out its stall from the word go, with a daunting par 3 of nearly 200 yards as the opener.

- Full Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club review

Moortown

• Location: Moortown, Leeds, Yorkshire
• Opened: 1909
• Designed by: Alister MacKenzie
• Top 100 ranking: 69th
• Book: Visit website

The first ever Ryder Cup in Britain was held here and it is one of Alister MacKenzie's finest designs. It's situated opposite to MacKenzie's first design, Alwoodley. The heathland/moorland hybrid has been re-worked to re-establish it's traditional heathland characteristics in recent years. The peace and serentiy found on the fairways is remarkable considering its close proximity to the centre of Leeds.

- Full Moortown Golf Club review

Hunstanton

• Location: Hunstanton, Norfolk
• Founded: 1891
• Designed by: James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 70th
• Book: 01485 532811

The origins of the grand old links at Hunstanton on the north Norfolk coast date back to 1891 although the course has been altered many times since then, firstly when James Braid oversaw the addition of 40 new bunkers in 1907. More recently, Martin Hawtree has overseen some significant course improvements. There are tremendous holes around the turn on this challenging links. It is a traditional out-and-back layout played either side of a dune ridge. The end of the front nine delivers some great holes and there's lovely scenery throughout. The course's par-3s are particularly memorable.

- Full Hunstanton Golf Club review

West Hill

• Location: Brookwood, Surrey
• Opened: 1907
• Designed by: Cuthbert Butchart
• Top 100 ranking: 71st
• Book: 01483 474365

Defined by it majestic trees and abundant heather, West Hill is a delightful course that is consistently strong from start to finish. Tall pines encircle the course and there are undulations, heathers, streams and ditches that provide constant interest and variety. One of the famous '3 W's' West Hill is a traditional Surrey heathland which has reaped the rewards of recent improvements.

- Full West Hill Golf Club review

Prince's - Himalayas and Dunes

• Location: Sandwich, Kent
• Founded: 1906
• Designed by: Charles Hutchings, Guy Campbell and John Morrison
• Top 100 ranking: 73rd
• Book: Visit website

Considerable investment in recent years plus new holes and a dramatic re-styling saw this famous Open Championship venue on the Kent coast break into the Golf Monthly Top 100 for the first time. Gene Sarazen won the Claret Jug here in 1932, introducing his new-fangled sand wedge to the golfing world to deal with the deep pot bunkers. Today’s Prince’s bears little resemblance to the 18-hole course over which Sarazen triumphed 89 years ago. Indeed, today’s 27 holes have changed beyond all recognition over the last three years thanks to major investment and the design mind of Martin Ebert.

- Full Prince's Golf Club review

Parkstone

• Location: Poole, Dorset
• Founded: 1909
• Designed by: Willie Park Jr
• Top 100 ranking: 74th
• Book: lisa.jones@parkstonegolfclub.co.uk

The glorious Parkstone is a Willie Park Junior creation dating back to 1909. But it is largely James Braid’s modifications in 1937 that define this top-drawer layout, which offers a thoroughly desirable mix of examination and enjoyment. It's one the best golf courses in Dorset and the best of Bournemouth's 'Big 3' along with the fantastic Ferndown and Broadstone - all three make for a wonderful golf break.

- Full Parkstone Golf Club review

West Lancashire

• Location: Blundellsands, Liverpool
• Founded: 1873
• Designed by: C.K Cotton and Fred Hawtree
• Top 100 ranking: 75th
• Book: 0151 924 1076

West Lancs is the oldest club in Lancashire, and one of the ten oldest in England, boasting a history inextricably intertwined with Royal Liverpool’s. The club started out in 1873, when seven Royal Liverpool members decided golf should cross the Mersey. The two clubs shared memberships in the early years. This renowned course at Blundellsands, north of Liverpool is among a concentrated cluster making up one of the UK’s finest stretches of links golf from The Wirral up to Southport. The Open qualifying venue is one of the country's truest seaside tests. Every aspect of your game will be tested, it's demanding but well worth it.

- Full West Lancashire Golf Club review

Woburn - Marquess'

• Location: Woburn, Buckinghamshire
• Opened: 2000
• Designed by: Ross McMurray, Clive Clark, Peter Alliss and Alex Hay
• Top 100 ranking: 77th
• Book: Visit website

One of three courses at Woburn, this is the youngest and most highly rated. The fantastic club is home to three of the best golf courses in Buckinghamshire and the newest of the three, the Marquess', is the best on the property. It has staged three British Masters and hosted the Women's British Open in 2019. Woburn is the only club, aside from St Andrews, that has three courses in our Top 100 list which just shows you the quality of the golf on offer.

- Full Woburn Marquess' Course review

Woking

• Location: Woking, Surrey
• Founded: 1893
• Designed by: Tom Dunn
• Top 100 ranking: 79th
• Book: Tel 01483 769582 Email proshop@wokinggolfclub.co.uk

Woking is another of Surrey's great heathland courses. Formed in 1893, it is the county's oldest heathland club and was designed by Tom Dunn. It's primarily a two-ball club and gets off to a gentle start with a 280 yard par-4 opener...although it gets tougher from there. While the course as a whole is not especially long, at just over 6,500 yards, it is blessed with greens that feature contours that will keep you on your toes throughout.

- Full Woking Golf Club review

Aldeburgh - Championship

• Location: Aldeburgh, Suffolk
• Founded: 1884
• Designed by: John Thompson and Willie Fernie, Willie Park Jr, JH Taylor, Hugh Alison and Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 80th
• Book: 01728 453 309

This is England's second oldest heathland course with no par-5s and ten par-4s measuring over 400 yards, meaning a good score is very well earned. No need to worry though, it plays like a fast-running links course in summer. Aldeburgh tops the list of the best golf courses in Suffolk ahead of the likes of Ipswich, Thorpeness and Woodbridge.

- Full Aldeburgh Golf Club review

Trevose - Championship

• Location: Constantine Bay, Cornwall
• Founded: 1925
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 83rd
• Book: Visit website

A number of seaside links in our Top 100 have reaped the benefits of Harry Colt’s legendary architectural genius, either in the capacity of original designer or sought-after remodeller. His Championship course at Trevose on the north Cornwall coast is a great example of a layout that offers challenge and fairness in equal measure. Even before you set foot on the links, you’ll be pacing around in anticipation, for the clubhouse and 1st tee enjoy a tantalisingly elevated setting. From here, you can enjoy captivating views out over the fairways you’ll soon be treading, and on to Constantine Bay and Trevose Head beyond.

- Full Trevose Golf Club review

Wallasey

• Location: The Wirral, Cheshire
• Opened: 1891
• Designed by: Old Tom Morris, James Braid, Donald Steel
• Top 100 ranking: 85th
• Book: Visit website

Wallasey Golf Club is on the north-west coast of England, an area with many premium links. In a stretch that includes three current Open venues - Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham & St Anne’s, the club can justifiably stand proud. I first played it in 2022 and have already been back. This is undoubtedly one of the best golf courses in Cheshire - or Merseyside if you prefer - and was a very welcome addition to the Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland in 2023.

- Full Wallasey Golf Club review

Woburn - Duke's

• Location: Woburn, Buckinghamshire
• Opened: 1976
• Designed by: Charles Lawrie
• Top 100 ranking: 86th
• Book: Visit website

The Duke’s is where it all began on the Duke of Bedford’s Woburn Estate, with Charles Lawrie crafting the first of today’s three courses through avenues of pine, birch and chestnut in 1976. It sits comfortably alongside the two other courses at Woburn but this offers wonderful aesthetics and great variety. You would be forgiven for thinking it had always been here and it's hard to believe that this stunning treelined course is less than 50 years old.

- Full Woburn Duke's Course review

Saunton - West

• Location: Braunton, Devon
• Founded: 1897
• Designed by: Herbert Fowler
• Top 100 ranking: 87th
• Book: Email info@sauntongolf.co.uk Tel 01271 812436 (option 1)

In the mid-1930s, demand for golf amongt the members at Saunton was so high that they decided they required a second course. Herbert Fowler was asked to submit a design, and the new course was built. When the Second World War came, however, it was occupied by the military and used for training. Shorter than the East, though not much, the West Course is arguably a little more forgiving, more varied, and most importantly for many, more fun. It is very hard to split both the West and East course here at Saunton so why not give both a try and decide for yourself. It is another truly enjoyable links course.

- Full Saunton West Course review

Sherwood Forest

• Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
• Founded: 1895
• Designed by: Harry Colt and James Braid
• Top 100 ranking: 89th
• Book: Tel 01623 626689 opt 2 or 3 Email info@sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk

On the fringes of Mansfield, Sherwood Forest Golf Club dates from 1895. They have been at the same site since 1912 playing over a course originally laid out by Hary Colt but remodelled by James Braid in the 1920s. It lies over a springy heathland lined by heather and a magnificent variety of trees. This supremely attractive setting for golf offers tough tee shots and sublime putting surfaces. Good tree removal work has been undertaken to restore some of the course's original character, which has also enhanced the heathland feel.

- Full Sherwood Forest Golf Club review

Ferndown - Old

• Location: Ferndown, Dorset
• Opened: 1913
• Designed by: Harold Hilton
• Top 100 ranking: 93rd
• Book: Visit website

Ferndown was designed by Golf Monthly's first ever editor and two-time Open champion, Harold Hilton. It is also where Peter Alliss grew up playing, as his father Percy was the club pro. This beautiful heathland course has sandy fairways and heather to either side. Pine trees and firs also line some of the holes to create a very attractive layout.

- Full Ferndown Golf Club review

Royal North Devon

• Location: Westward Ho!, Devon
• Founded: 1864
• Designed by: Old Tom Morris
• Top 100 ranking: 94th
• Book: Visit website

The historic links at Westward Ho! in Devon is the oldest course (not club) in England still playing over its original fairways. A course that has to fight with coastal erosion but still has a classic links feel to it. You have to share some of the unusual reed-lined holes with roaming sheep and horses which gives a unique challenge to the golfer. It can take a couple of rounds to begin to understand the subtleties of this great links, but that is all part of its charm and character.

- Full Royal North Devon Golf Club review

Tandridge

• Location: Oxted, Surrey
• Opened: 1924
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 96th
• Book: Visit website

Harry Colt is considered by some as the greatest golf course architect of all time. He has a larger design presence in our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland than anyone, and his work has an enduring influence and legacy at some of the top courses in the world, including Muirfield, Royal County Down, and the American course often cited as the best of all, Pine Valley. Beneficiary of a long-term and comprehensive upgrade to restore and enhance its own Harry Colt heritage, Tandridge offers a game of two halves, with the flatter and strategic front nine leading to a rollercoaster and scenic ride home.

- Full Tandridge Golf Club review

Broadstone

• Location: Broadstone, Dorset
• Founded: 1898
• Designed by: Harry Colt
• Top 100 ranking: 97th
• Book: Tel 01202 692595 Email office@broadstonegolfclub.com

Another of Bournemouth's 'Big 3', Broadstone is a heathland fan's dream, with changes in elevation, impressive variety and several cracking holes adding to its appeal. The original course was created in 1898 by Tom Dunn before a Harry Colt redesign in 1914, which introduced a number of new holes to take fuller advantage of its stunning location on expansive heathland. In recent years, architect Frank Pont has been entrusted to take the course back closer to its Colt days with some eye-catchingly dramatic bunkering.

- Full Broadstone Golf Club review

Woburn - Duchess'

• Location: Woburn, Buckinghamshire
• Opened: 1978
• Designed by: Charles Lawrie
• Top 100 ranking: 98th
• Book: Visit website

The last of the three Woburn courses makes the list. This one is the tightest of all three with its iconic pines hugging each and every hole. You wouldn't want to play this one if you hit it wayward. This is a wonderful course that rewards good shot-making and a dynamic, flexible approach. As such, it’s been a popular venue for competition over the years. From 1982 until 1994 the Ford Classic on the Ladies European Tour was played here.

- Full Woburn Golf Club Duchess' Course review