The Golf Courses You SHOULD Have Played in 2022

By: Golfshake Editor | Thu 22 Dec 2022

Which golf course did you most enjoy playing this year? Well, if you submitted a glowing review into the Golfshake Course Section, then it might just make an appearance in this article!

Each season, thousands of new reviews are added on Golfshake, reflecting a diverse audience of golfers and the spectrum of venues that they experienced during 2022. We have been analysing the data from the past 12 months to uncover the standouts that most resonated with our Community.

The following courses all recorded sparkling ratings from a minimum of three reviews, with just two destinations that were featured in last year's annual recap maintaining that status again!

So, without further delay and hopefully providing some inspiration for 2023, it's time for you to meet The Golf Courses You Should Have Played in 2022!

Formby Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Formby is the gem on the Lancashire golf coast; a true escape from reality and the most unique yet challenging test of golf that the area has to offer."

Worplesdon Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Brilliant golf course and rightly rated highly. Felt very welcome and enjoyed it thoroughly. Will be back for sure."

New Zealand Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "One of my favourite places to play this amazing game with spectacular views with nearly all holes being framed by heather. A must play."

Brora Golf Club

Location: Highlands

Golfshake Rating: 4.86

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "What a fantastic course, beautiful greens which are sometimes tricky adding to the enjoyment of this great course. Stunning views - loved this course from the 1st to the 18th! Beware of the tricky par 3 18th. Special mention to the staff who greet you with the warmest of welcomes - looking forward to returning next year!"

Blundells Hill Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.62

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

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

Downfield Golf Club

Location: Tayside

Golfshake Rating: 4.55

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "One of the best golf courses in the UK, Barry the Shop Pro is one of the most excellent guys I have met. The members are charming as well."

Newent Golf Club & Lodges

Location: Gloucester

Golfshake Rating: 4.43

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Perfect greens, well cut and defined fairways and the rough is cut beneath the trees - it's very difficult to lose a ball unless hit over a fence or into the famous par 3 pond!"

Long Ashton Golf Club

Location: Somerset

Golfshake Rating: 4.40

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Awesome course, fantastic food and beverage section, large and inclusive membership all add up to a great venue for golf in the South West! I have played every course around and am hard pushed to think of a better course."

West Byfleet Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.38

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Had a round of golf with friends at this great course, the course is always in great condition and the staff are very helpful."

Tynemouth Golf Club

Location: Tyne & Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.35

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "I've been a member for over a year now and continue to enjoy the course. Good test of golf, and interesting ravines."

Sedbergh Golf Club

Location: Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.24

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "The course is set in beautiful picturesque surroundings. From tee to green the course was immaculate. The greens were fast and well manicured. The fairways were well cut and considering the time of year they were fantastic. It's a quirky course but well worth a visit and certainly well worth the money to play. I will be going back."

Burghill Valley Golf Club

Location: Herefordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.23

2022 Average Rating: 5.00

Review Comment: "Course is well designed, maintained to a very high standard and a pleasure to play!"

Royal Cromer Golf Club

Location: Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.76

2022 Average Rating: 4.93

Review Comment: "This was one of the friendliest courses I have played, as well as having stunning views, providing challenging golf, and being in superb condition."

Crosland Heath Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

2022 Average Rating: 4.92

Review Comment: "This is the third time we have played this course as a society and although it rains every time, the lads still regard it as one of the best courses we have played in seven years of society golf at some of the country's top courses. The layout is quirky and therefore you have to manage your way around carefully avoiding ravines, heather, gorse and various water hazards. The greens were immaculate and I would say are among the best we have played anywhere."

Whickham Golf Club

Location: Tyne & Wear

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

2022 Average Rating: 4.92

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."

Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell)

Location: Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.88

2022 Average Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "Fantastic venue. Very challenging golf course that rewards accurate tee shots and good putting on the tricky greens."

Dumbarnie Links

Location: Fife

Golfshake Rating: 4.34

2022 Average Rating: 4.88

Review Comment: "Dumbarnie is a fabulous addition to Scotland's golf landscape; an intricately designed layout that makes the absolute most of its magnificent setting to deliver incredible views but also a smart challenge for players, requiring strategy and presenting options with shot selection."

Prince's Golf Club

Location: Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.60

2022 Average Rating: 4.86

Review Comment: "Excellent course, facilities and very friendly. Good weather helped make our stay memorable. The best links I have played apart from Turnberry."

Chartham Park Golf Club

Location: West Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

2022 Average Rating: 4.85

Review Comment: "Beautiful course, great condition with a very interesting layout, quite a tight tree lined course so perhaps leave the driver in the bag. Some good looking holes with approaches over water. Good food and drink selection in the clubhouse, nice driving range facilities."

Hindhead Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "This is one of the best golf courses I have played. The fairways and greens are immaculate. The views are superb. A true test of golf where skill and accuracy are required."

Remedy Oak Golf Club

Location: Dorset

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "Stunning course with exceptional staff. If only I lived in Bournemouth area. Greens were the best I have ever played on."

Ladbrook Park

Location: Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.62

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "A stunning course in magnificent condition. Best of any course I have visited in the last three months. A joy to play, not an easy course, but very much one I will play again if I get the chance."

Sandiway Golf Club

Location: Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.62

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "Played the course yesterday and was thoroughly impressed. The fairways were beautifully presented and the greens excellent. The team have done a lot of work on the surrounding trees and improved on what was already a great course."

Stoneham Golf Club

Location: Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.52

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "I love this course. It's a brilliant layout, and in immaculate condition. Everything about it from the welcome to leaving is first class and a must play course."

Formby Ladies Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

2022 Average Rating: 4.83

Review Comment: "The perfect little accompaniment to its 'big brother', if you will. A wonderful course that everyone should add to a trip to the North West."