25 Must Play Golf Courses Recommended in England
By: Golfshake Editor | Wed 15 Mar 2023
England is home to a staggering depth of quality golf courses, a fact that is arguably underappreciated internationally. The nation boasts incredible, historic championship layouts alongside many superb resorts and influential designs that rank among the best examples of course architecture worldwide.
But just where would other golfers recommend to you - especially those venues that perhaps don't receive wider recognition? Helpfully, this is where the Golfshake Course Section becomes useful as a resource that collates and showcases the views of everyday golfers.
We have identified destinations that received 100% Highly Recommended status last year - meaning that those reviewing golfers would either play there again or recommend that experience to someone else.
Check out the list below and why not pick out a course or two for a visit this season!
Gaudet Luce Golf Club
Location: Worcestershire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 11
Golfshake Rating: 4.07
Review Comment: "Very good course, care is needed over your club choice as there are a number of obstacles. The greens are in excellent condition."
Thorney Park Golf Club
Location: Buckinghamshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 11
Golfshake Rating: 3.97
Review Comment: "Great little course with a very good layout and the greens were in great condition for the time of the year."
Cherwell Edge Golf Club
Location: Oxfordshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 11
Golfshake Rating: 3.77
Review Comment: "Excellent course and condition. Excellent food as well, a little slow on the front 9 but cleared after that. Great day."
Sunbury Golf
Location: Greater London
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 11
Golfshake Rating: 3.42
Review Comment: "Relatively short course that provides a unique challenge. Greens and fairways kept on good condition and has some water features to make the average golf think about his/her shots."
Richmond Park Golf Course
Location: Greater London
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 11
Golfshake Rating: 3.26
Review Comment: "Two courses with contrasting characters and degrees of difficulty. Both incredibly well maintained for public courses and reasonably priced too. There's a pleasant clubhouse which serves a wide selection of beverages and food. The clubhouse also has an outdoor area edged by a large pond. There's a wide variety of wildlife to see both around the pond and on the courses. There's also a 20 bay driving range along with chipping and bunker practice areas."
London Golf Club
Location: Kent
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.89
Review Comment: "This course is in great shape! The fairways are well-maintained and the greens are perfect. It's an excellent course that is both challenging and beautiful."
Sickleholme Golf Club
Location: Derbyshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.59
Review Comment: "A great course with lots of interest and spectacular views of the surrounding Peak District. I found this course to be a good test of my abilities, with some tricky holes. Whilst it is situated on a south facing hillside, the ups and downs are quite manageable."
Sudbury Golf Club
Location: Greater London
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Review Comment: "A lovely course within the sprawling Greater London area. Great views around the course of various London landmarks. Some really good holes that offer chances of making a score, but some that can ruin your scorecard. Course in good condition considering there hadn't been any rain for weeks."
Hart Common Golf Club
Location: Lancashire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Review Comment: "The greens are fantastic, the fairways are well-kept, and it's very reasonably priced. It's well laid out and the best value course I've played. It's kept in great condition too."
The Burstead Golf Club
Location: Essex
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: "Great course, always well maintained, the greens are some of the best condition of all the courses in the local area. Club is always looking to improve the course layout, drainage, tee boxes. Fantastic staff, very welcoming. Overall a fantastic golf club."
The Cambridgeshire Golf Course
Location: Cambridgeshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: "Enjoy this course, good to play although not overly challenging, with a lot of water and ditches crossing the course it gives you something to think about."
Leasowe Golf Club
Location: Merseyside
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.19
Review Comment: "The course is a very solid and enjoyable one and the greens were in impeccable condition. At £30 it represents superb value for money."
Thornbury Golf Centre
Location: Gloucester
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.14
Review Comment: "The course was in great shape - the fairways are wide open and the greens are top class. It's also physically manageable, which is great. The club is always extremely welcoming to visitors and members, and they're always there to help you out."
Croham Hurst Golf Club
Location: Surrey
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.13
Review Comment: "This is a great course, very challenging with fast greens and lengthy holes. Ground drains very well so always plays consistently well."
Welford on Avon Golf Course
Location: Warwickshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 4.00
Review Comment: "We had a perfect round on the well-kept course. While other courses were swimming in mud, somehow Welford remains drained. Great views, smooth greens and fairways like soft carpet!"
Ardencote Manor Country Club & Spa
Location: Warwickshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.90
Review Comment: "As usual, a great venue. Course in good condition. Interesting water shots, but no fountain running today. Gentle undulating course with a few steep banks. An enjoyable couple of days."
Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club
Location: East Sussex
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.87
Review Comment: "The Woosnam is a well kept, well laid out course with many interesting holes. Stayed overnight and played both courses, both worth playing. Staff were friendly and restaurant food was very good."
Shipton Golf Club
Location: Gloucester
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.83
Review Comment: "Lovely course, well maintained with always friendly staff, good value for money and a nice driving range."
West Malling Golf Club
Location: Kent
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.76
Review Comment: "My first visit to the Spitfire Course for two years and I was really pleased to see the course in superb condition. Although not a long course, most holes represent a challenge for mid and high handicappers with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards."
Marland Golf Course
Location: Lancashire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.63
Review Comment: "This is a little cracker of a layout. If you like your golf courses wide and expansive and laid out in front of you, then it won't be for you, but if you like them fun and a little quirky then it'll be right up your street."
South Cerney Golf Course
Location: Gloucester
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 10
Golfshake Rating: 3.57
Review Comment: "Excellent little course, great to get out and play. My partner was on a course for the first time and it's a great place for that experience."
Hawkstone Park Golf Club
Location: Shropshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 9
Golfshake Rating: 4.64
Review Comment: "The golf course is really lovely, with great condition and a great layout. It's easy to book a tee time and the trip is definitely worth it. The course is challenging but fair, and the scenery is really nice."
St Mellion Resort
Location: Cornwall
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 9
Golfshake Rating: 4.63
Review Comment: "The course was in immaculate condition and proved to be challenging, but in a great way. A lot of thought has gone into the design. The pro shop is well stocked, and the pros are incredibly friendly."
Sand Martins Golf Club
Location: Berkshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 9
Golfshake Rating: 4.49
Review Comment: "Waited a very long time to play this course, and it was worth the wait. In superb condition, a fantastic layout and some challenging holes. Really did enjoy this round."
Ogbourne Downs Golf Club
Location: Wiltshire
2022 Highly Recommended Reviews: 9
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Review Comment: "Great round on a great course. Not the easiest and feels like there's hardly a flat lie to be played, but considering the weather the course is in immaculate condition. Stunning location, superb views and friendly people."
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