The North of England is home to legendary Open Championship venues and several of the nation's best loved golf resorts, while the unforgettable contribution of Dr Alister MacKenzie is showcased by many exceptional designs within Yorkshire.

Celebrating this part of the world, we have studied reviews submitted into the Golfshake Course Section since 2019, isolating those that were entered during the months of June, July and August, presenting Highly Recommended destinations (that had a minimum of six recent ratings) for summer.

Discover if there are any acclaimed spots near you and why not tick one or two of them off before the season is completed!

Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "From the warmest of welcomes when you enter the clubhouse, to the extremely helpful starter, to following in the footsteps of golfing legends, through to playing an absolutely superb golf course, this was an outstanding experience."

Close House

Location: Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "Great course, great set up and great day. I cannot fault anything and will be back to play both courses."

The West Lancashire Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Review Comment: "This is a must play golf course for pure quality and a true links test, and you must make the most of the warm welcome and hospitality."

Wallasey Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.73

Review Comment: "Great course condition and phenomenal new holes."

Oakdale (Harrogate) Golf Club

Location: North Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.73

Review Comment: "Visited in June with a society. Great day was had by all. The course provides a really good challenge and is presented in impeccable condition. Food, service and facilities in the clubhouse were excellent."

Eaton Golf Club

Location: Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.70

Review Comment: "The course provides a good test, especially in the high winds on the day. The greens were in very good condition and had lots of variety between the holes. Many more prestigious courses would do well to take a leaf out of Eaton's book. Overall, a great experience and we are already planning to come back."

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Location: County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.69

Review Comment: "Excellent course. Very interesting par 3s and greens very true and quick."

Tyneside Golf Club

Location: Tyne and Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.67

Review Comment: "What a course! Links golf at its very best. We will be back."

Sand Moor Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.66

Review Comment: "Always thought Sand Moor gets overlooked due to the more 'known' courses local (Moortown/Alwoodley), but it's a very good course and often half the price."

Vicars Cross Golf Club

Location: Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.65

Review Comment: "A well located and challenging course. Accuracy of the tee is key with many tree lined fairways. The reward for an accurate drive is the chance to go for one of the impressively quick greens which roll fast but true."

Blundells Hill Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.62

Review Comment: "Great club, friendly staff and members, testing course in parts, always in great condition."

Longhirst Hall Golf Club

Location: Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Played Longhirst in June 2022, the course was in excellent condition, greens smooth and immaculate, from tee to green the course was well manicured and looked after, great job by the green staff, the clubhouse very welcoming and a variety of food and drinks on offer."

Moor Allerton Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Course was immaculate. Greens protected by enormous but not particularly deep bunkers. The greens themselves run true, contoured to fall away if not pin high. All together a super course."

Lancaster Golf Club

Location: Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

Review Comment: "Superb parkland course in stunning surroundings. Lush well presented fairways and well manicured greens."

Sharpley Golf Centre

Location: County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Review Comment: "Haven't played for a couple of years since we've been members elsewhere, but it's still a fabulous course. Not overly long, but the greens make up for it by being full of breaks everywhere! Well worth a visit."

Silkstone Golf Club

Location: South Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.55

Review Comment: "Well presented tee boxes, nice fairways, true greens that are quick. Plenty of challenging holes, first nine a little tougher than the back nine. Best course I've played this year. The club has a good size putting area, chipping area and driving range. The pro shop is well laid out and staff are friendly. Great day out and will be back soon."

Rockliffe Hall Golf Club

Location: County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Review Comment: "Lovely course but very tough. Long holes and plenty of bunkers in play."

Whickham Golf Club

Location: Tyne and Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Review Comment: "Lovely place, clubhouse was fantastic, staff were very nice and helpful. Course was very beautiful, some amazing views and it was in perfect condition."

Shipley Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Review Comment: "Course with character and in great condition."

Hornsea Golf Club

Location: East Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.52

Review Comment: "One of my favourite courses. Testing but fair. Lovely layout. Strongly recommend."

Waterton Park Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.51

Review Comment: "Waterton Park has stunning greens and great surroundings."

Hartford Golf Club

Location: Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.50

Review Comment: "Great course with a few challenging holes. Definitely the friendliest club in Cheshire."

Davenport Golf Club

Location: Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.50

Review Comment: "Brilliant course, fantastic condition, greens superb."

Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club

Location: Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.49

Review Comment: "We played Dunstanburgh on our way back from The Open championship and were both very impressed. The greens rolled well, the course was tricky in parts and the views are lovely. The par 3 13th was my favourite, a 130 yard hole over a steep drop which played into wind on the day and made clubbing difficult."

Wheatley Golf Club

Location: South Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.49

Review Comment: "Very nice course, well worth a visit, clubhouse is nice and the staff are very friendly. Layout of the course is very good."

Brough Golf Club

Location: East Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Review Comment: "Fabulous course in lovely condition. Friendly and helpful staff. Looking forward to playing there again soon."

Windermere Golf Club

Location: Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Review Comment: "Great course set in stunning scenery. Course was in excellent condition with the greens running really well. There is a real need to stay on the fairways here as the rough is quite severe. Every hole is a test but my favourite is the long par 3 10th. Very hilly but well worth a visit. Highly recommended."

Beamish Park Golf Club

Location: County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.45

Review Comment: "Haven't played here for about four years, and decided to do so for my birthday round. I wasn't disappointed either, the course is stunning with beautiful views, and some great holes. Really friendly members as well, definitely a course to play."

Bellingham Golf Club

Location: Northumberland

Golfshake Rating: 4.45

Review Comment: "Beautiful, well kept course set in a stunning location and a tough test of golf as well. Very friendly, welcoming club too, so we'll definitely be going back."

Penwortham Golf Club

Location: Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 4.44

Review Comment: "The course was in great condition and the greens were easily the best I've played since summer. Everyone was super friendly on the course and in the clubhouse."

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