Top 50 places to stay & play in the UK & Ireland

A stay and play break offers the best of both worlds. There's the chance to play a top course and afterwards unwind, be it with a beer, a good meal or a spa treatment, safe in the knowledge that you don't have to get in the car and drive home. The next day you can then get up and do it all over again. And, whether it's an enjoyable jaunt away with a group of pals or a bit of quality time with your other half or family, the UK & Ireland boasts a wide range of golfing breaks to suit every taste and budget.

It has been three years since our last rankings and since then there have been many new destinations opened and this is reflected with eight new entries. The rankings have been compiled by Golf Monthly staff with significant input from our band of well-travelled writers. Between them they have stayed and played at every one of the destinations listed and each of the reviews contains useful information and key details about each resort. The aim of the rankings is to supply you with ideas for your next golfing getaway. All you need to do is decide where to visit and who to go with!

Top 50 Stay & Play - The Criteria

GOLF COURSE - Quality of the layout's(s') test, design, condition, presentation, visual appeal, atmosphere as well as practice and clubhouse facilities.

QUALITY OF THE HOTEL - Standard of decor and furnishings throughout as well as the range and standard of dining and bars on offer to guests.

ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES - From swimming pools and gyms to off-course pursuits.

AMBIENCE - The welcome, service and resort's general feel.

VALUE FOR MONEY - Does a stay represent good value for money? It should be noted, however, that we feel somewhere that is expensive can be considered good value if all the above criteria are met to an outstanding level.

1. Turnberry 2. Gleneagles 3. Doonbeg 4. The Grove 5. Carton House 6. Lough Erne 7. The K Club 8. Mount Juliet 9. Adare Manor 10. Celtic Manor 11. Bovey Castle 12. Old Course Hotel / Duke's Course 13. Archerfield 14. Stoke Park 15. De Vere Slaley Hall 16. Marriott Hanbury Manor 17. Druids Glen 18. Fairmont St Andrews 19. De Vere Cameron House / The Carrick 20. The Belfry 21. Brocket Hall 22. Dromoland Castle 23. Rockliffe Hall 24. Marriott Forest of Arden 25. The Heritage 26. Foxhills 27. Goodwood 28. Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links 29. Macdonald Spey Valley 30. Fota Island 31. Manor House 32. Stapleford Park 33. Carnoustie 34. East Sussex National 35. Marriott Dalmahoy 36. Trevose 37. St Mellion 38. Rosapenna 39. Marriott St Pierre 40. Mar Hall 41. Close House 42. De Vere Carden 43. The Vale 44. The Roxburghe 45. De Vere Oulton Hall 46. Marriott Breadsall 47. Old Thorns 48. Forrest Pines 49. Formby Hall 50. The Oxfordshire