20 Golfing Gems to Play This Summer

What is a hidden gem?  This is something we have covered previously and asked if hidden gems are now a thing of the past.  Whilst it's unlikely, in the digital age, that there are any true 'unknown' hidden gems out there now, there are still many unknown and unsung courses that many golfers will still not of heard of.

Continuing our Summer series on where to play, we have analysed the most recent courses and reviews on Golfshake and identified highly rated courses that stand out as being a golfing gem to that particular golfer and selected 20 courses that are well worth playing, offering a variety of locations, course types and price types. 

If there is a hidden gem that you are aware of and don't mind letting others know, then let us know in the comments below.

Bedlingtonshire Golf Club

Region: Northumerbland

Price Range: £££

Golfshake Rating: 4.3

Review Comment: "A gem of a course set in a picturesque setting that keeps giving with an Augusta like corner in the back 9, great greens providing a difficult but fair challenge.  Wouldn't hesitate to return, a friendly welcome with informative pro and excellent event team - roll on the next opportunity to visit"

Chipping Sodbury Golf Club

Region: Gloucester

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.5

Review Comment: "A gem of a course, need to plot your way round and would play it differently a second time. Really great condition and highly recommended."

Cleckheaton & District Golf Club

Great course, very reasonably priced and good food !

Region: West Yorkshire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.5

Review Comment: "This course is a gem hidden alongside the M62, often overlooked and believe me you would not be disappointed if you played here ever. Great layout, some picturesque holes amongst some challenging par 4's and par 3's. Wind adds another dimension to some of the elevated tee offs and you need to be studying some of the holes to play them properly. Food always great, pro shop really friendly and helpful. It is also very reasonably priced for society packages. Go there, give it a try and I promise you it will have a place on your list of courses to revisit."

Derllys Court Golf Club

Region: Carmarthenshire

Price Range: ££

Golfshake Rating: 4.0

Review Comment: "A gem of a course in West Carmarthenshire. Under new ownership. Improving greens. Nice welcome at the clubhouse and a superb view of the countryside. Stunning views from the 7th tee at the highest point. Lots of lakes, 5 of them adding to a very pleasant experience. Well worth a visit. Excellent chef in the clubhouse."

Headingley Golf Club

What a lovely course, you need to play it !

Region: West Yorkshire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.4

Review Comment: "First time playing Headingly for us. We had heard so many great reports about the course, and we were not disappointed. The whole course was immaculately maintained and so well presented. It's an absolute gem of a course and well worth the trip."

High Post Golf Club

An absolute Gem

Region: Wiltshire

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.3

Review Comment: "I was really impressed with this course, it's an absolute Gem of a course and the condition was was 2nd to none, having played some belters on the England DGA Tour this year it was certainly up there. It's not the most challenging course I've played but by far the best condition I've had the pleasure to play on this year."

Hinksey Heights Golf Club

Lovely views, challenging golf

Region: Oxfordshire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 3.9

Review Comment: "Lots of work done over the winter to put this course in the best condition it has enjoyed for years.  It remains one of the gems of Oxfordshire, with peerless views over the dreaming spires.  The greens are in great condition, the people are friendly and it's a wonderful, unstuffy place."

Looe Golf Club

Great course

Region: Cornwall

Price Range: £££

Golfshake Rating: 3.9

Review Comment: "Played the course while on holiday and found it to be a little gem. We were made welcome the moment we entered the clubhouse and throughout the round . The views from the course are fabulous. We will certainly be back.  "

Marriott Worsley Park Golf Club

Region: Lancashire

Price Range: ££

Golfshake Rating: 4.4

Review Comment: "This is a hidden gem nestled in the countryside just outside Manchester and I am very pleased to say its just a few miles from my home. Fabulous facilities including spa, large indoor pool, fully equipped gym and the lovely and challenging 18 hole golf course that I am lucky to play on a weekly basis, it is beautifully maintained by the ground staff who obviously take pride in there work, as do all the staff."

Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Club

Hidden gem in the Peak District

Region: Cheshire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.3

Review Comment: "A well maintained course with interesting holes and great views of the surrounding area. A well stocked pro shop and a very friendly and helpful pro.The facilities are first class. The course plays well and the greens are not for the faint hearted. All in all a great course and club."

Pottergate Golf Club

Region: Lincolnshire

Price Range: ££

Golfshake Rating: 4.3

Review Comment: "An absolute gem of a course which is maturing nicely, greens are a challenge and immaculate. Staff were very polite on arrival signing in the visitors book, would strongly recommend a round."

Royal Blackheath Golf Club

A little gem in London

Region: Kent

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.1

Review Comment: "On my 1st visit to this course I wasn't overly impressed. Having palyed there a few times now  it has grown on me. The front 9 is fairly flat and the back 9 has more interest. With hidden greens and a few  hills. The course was in great condition with excellent greens. It's a gem of course especially if you live in the local vicinity. The food and drink is reasonably priced with a fair selection of stuff. Can't fault the welcome, everyone is always friendly."

Sapey Golf & Country Club

What a Gem

Region: Worcestershire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.7

Review Comment: "Stumbled across Sapey GC whilst searching for somewhere for our annual away day and so glad we did. I've returned twice since with different friends and am impressed each time. Really lovely course and such a warm welcome each time.Well done Sapey, we shall see you again soon"

Seaford Head Golf Course

Region: East Sussex

Price Range: ££

Golfshake Rating: 4.2

Review Comment: "Genuinely unbelievable conditions, a true gem. Yes it's not the longest course or the most challenging but you will find it very tough to find a course with better views. And as for the 18th that speaks for itself. Try it you won't be disappointed."

Stonebridge Golf Club

Best hidden gem in Warwickshire

Region: Warwickshire

Price Range: £££

Golfshake Rating: 4.2

Review Comment: "Great course and made very welcome by staff and members.  3 x 9 holes, all very different types of a challenge, well worth a visit to play this summer."

Sweetwoods Park Golf Club

Lovely course, which needs careful course management

Region: Kent

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.4

Review Comment: "Greens were very quick, with some borrow.  Getting the pace mattered more than the borrow.  I would love to play it again as course knowledge is helpful.  Overall great challenge and great fun."

Tylney Park Golf Club

Hidden Hampshire Gem

Region: Hampshire

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.2

Review Comment: "Brilliant course playing well in the drier weather with varied holes and greens to challenge golfers of all capabilities."

Widnes Golf Club

Region: Cheshire

Price Range: ££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.4

Review Comment: "This was my first time playing widnes. What a lovely little course. Pretty short but still challenging in places. Greens were lovely  "

Winter Hill Golf Club

An Absolute Gem

Region: Berkshire

Price Range: £££££

Golfshake Rating: 4.5

Review Comment: "Stunning course in fantastic surroundings. Highly Recommend, the course is parkland overlooking the river Thames . Stunning views across the countryside. Very challenging in places and signature hole the 15th par 3 is not easy even at 95yds it's a tough hole to hold the green."

Wishaw Golf Club

Hidden Gem

Region: West Midlands

Price Range: £££

Golfshake Rating: 3.9

Review Comment: "Located Just 5mins from the Belfry this challenging golf course is a test for any serious golf. Over the last few year this course has had 4 new greens, 7 new Tee boxes, a new club house and 3 more new greens scheduled for the next 18 months. The course is at its best at this time of year well worth a visit."

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