Where You Should Visit to Play Golf in 2023 - The Best Locations
By: Golfshake Editor | Mon 30 Jan 2023
Just where should you visit to play golf in 2023? Golfers in the UK & Ireland don't have a shortage of choices, gratefully, with each corner of these islands home to remarkable destinations.
Helping to highlight just some of the finest that should be on your list to experience this year and beyond, we have surveyed the Golfshake Community to discover the places that they would recommend above all others.
As part of that survey, we posed the question: "What was the best course you played in 2022?"
Tallying up those responses, we can now showcase 20 locations that are essential, including seven that ran ahead of the pack.
The Belfry
Golfshake Rating: 4.85
Extra Content: What It's Like to Play The Iconic 10th Hole at The Belfry?
Host of the British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo and four-time stage for the Ryder Cup, the Brabazon Course at The Belfry is part of the fabric of European golf, but that is just a fragment of the story when you come here.
The comments we received included: “Great customer service, well kept courses and hotel and pro shop facilities were spot on.” And: “Quality of upkeep, practice facilities, friendly staff and excellent facilities.”
Forest of Arden
Golfshake Rating: 4.45
Extra Content: 10 Reasons to Stay & Play at Forest of Arden
Forest of Arden is set in vast acres of Warwickshire parkland and woodland and has been an established venue on the European Tour, while the entire complex delivers a package that should appeal to a wide variety of visiting golfers.
“Good condition, good all round challenge, set in a well run hotel geared for golf” as one response noted.
St Andrews
Golfshake Rating: 4.96
Extra Content: Tips For Planning a Golf Trip to St Andrews
Golf towns don't come more special than St Andrews and its seven public courses, including the timeless Old Course. The history and atmosphere of this special corner of Fife is beyond explanation, with numerous other layouts within close proximity making this a destination that is arguably unbeatable.
“It's the home of golf” - and it lives up to that standard.
The Celtic Manor Resort
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
Extra Content: Why You Should Play Golf at Celtic Manor
No one could forget the dramatic Ryder Cup in 2010, memories of which still draw visitors to this day. But there is even more to this resort than the Twenty Ten Course, with the Montgomerie and Roman Road also hugely popular with golfers.
“Amazing condition, really difficult course. Amazing location and very helpful staff," said one survey comment.
Gleneagles
Golfshake Rating: 4.89
Extra Content: Is Gleneagles The Ultimate Golf Destination in The UK?
Located in Perthshire, the heart of Scotland, the Gleneagles Hotel is an extraordinary property, offering luxury facilities alongside three golf courses with pedigree, the historic King's, the tranquil Queen's, and the PGA Centenary, which has welcomed both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup in recent years.
It doesn't get any better than the Glen.
Turnberry
Golfshake Rating: 4.95
Extra Content: The Ailsa Course at Turnberry Feature Review
A revered destination in Ayrshire that is famed for hosting a quartet of Open Championships, most notably the 'Duel in the Sun' featuring Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977. More recently, the legendary Ailsa Course has been revamped to great acclaim, as has the adjacent King Robert The Bruce Course.
Simply, one comment said regarding the Ailsa; “It’s the best golf course in the world."
Prince's Golf Club
Golfshake Rating: 4.60
Extra Content: Prince's Golf Club Feature Review
This majestic jewel of golf's magical Kent coastline was the site of Gene Sarazen's Open triumph back in 1932, but the Prince's of today is somewhat different, offering a classic links with a modern twist following significant works that have been completed in recent years.
Aligned with excellent accommodation, you have what one survey respondent concluded: "Views, links and the experience - even the drive in is fabulous."
Beyond those leading seven, 13 other venues were standouts from our survey, drawing a considerable number of votes to demand inclusion - and it's easy to see why!
The Vale Resort
Location: Hensol, Mid Glamorgan, Wales
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Extra Content: Why You Must Stay & Play at The Vale Resort
Review Comment: "The whole set up is fantastic, great courses, great food and accommodations, friendly and helpful staff."
Carnoustie
Location: Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Extra Content: 6 Reasons to Play Golf at Carnoustie
Review Comment: "Anyone using the Carnoustie courses will be delighted as there are three courses to choose from, Burnside, Buddon and the Championship. All courses are superb and have different levels of severity. The scores can vary from very placid weather conditions to blowing a gale, a real challenge."
The Warwickshire
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.53
Extra Content: The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club Feature Review
Review Comment: "This is a quality high class golf club. Great staff and quality food with a fantastic course to match. The course is long and has bunkers around the holes that will test you. There is also water and treees to make you really think. The fairways were really good but the greens were unbelievable."
Carden Park
Location: Chester, Cheshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.13
Review Comment: "Well kept, lovely scenery, excellent greens and price was good."
Dundonald Links
Location: Gailes, Ayrshire, Scotland
Golfshake Rating: 4.93
Extra Content: Why You Should Play Golf at Dundonald Links
Review Comment: "Dundonald Links is an experience every golfer should try, more than once. The upgrades to this golf resort are absolutely incredible. Practice facilities brilliant, lodges, a big yes, and the new clubhouse and catering are second to none. Everything is just ace."
East Sussex National
Location: Uckfield, East Sussex, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.09
Extra Content: The Wonder That is East Sussex National
Review Comment: "We played both courses and each was in very good condition. The staff of the golf centre and the hotel were all most helpful and friendly and the rooms were very comfortable and spacious. All the food was excellent."
Foxhills Club & Resort
Location: Ottershaw, Surrey, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.51
Extra Content: Foxhills Golf Club - Bernard Hunt Course Feature Review
Review Comment: "Absolutely stunning course in incredible condition. Best course I’ve ever played. Open enough for a 28 handicapper to enjoy it but also a few challenging holes, condition is amazing."
Hawkstone Park Golf Club
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.64
Review Comment: "Hawkstone has two championship courses with plenty of interesting holes. When we played here the greens were fast. This is a perfect venue for a golf break or society day."
Belton Woods
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Extra Content: Belton Woods Hotel, Spa And Golf Resort Stay & Play Review
Review Comment: "Two courses to choose from. Course laid out nicely and picturesque. Good club facilities."
Close House
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.91
Extra Content: 10 Reasons to Stay & Play at Close House
Review Comment: "Great course, great set up and great day. I cannot fault anything and will be back to play both courses."
Breadsall Priory
Location: Derby, Derbyshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.30
Extra Content: Breadsall Priory Stay & Play Review
Review Comment: "Played Moorland Course on a Saturday as part of a weekend away, staff were very good and course was in decent condition and forgiving."
Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort
Location: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England
Golfshake Rating: 4.50
Extra Content: Why You Should Play Golf at Forest Pines
Review Comment: "Excellent combination of courses, 27 holes, none too easy, many very difficult, couldn't ask for a better golf weekend."
The K Club
Location: Co. Kildare, Kildare, Ireland
Golfshake Rating: 4.39
Extra Content: Why You Should Play Golf at The K Club
Review Comment: "Quality course which is truly underrated. I would highly recommended playing this course. Very challenging, especially when windy."
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