The Best Golf Courses That You Can Play This Year

Whether it's imprinted on a piece of paper or resides prominently in your mind, every golfer has a list of courses that they most want to play, and many of them feature because of a recommendation that someone else gave you.

You've probably got a friend who has preached enthusiastically about one particular layout that they think about on a daily basis and incessantly demand that you should also experience, but you may have also done your own research about certain courses, have read about them online or in magazines, or saw a place showcased on TV in a professional tournament.

Whatever the origin of this inspiration, there are venues out there that we should all aspire to sample during our golfing lifetimes.

Looking for some fresh ideas, we recently surveyed over 700 members of the Golfshake Community and asked them to name the best course they played throughout 2023. 

We received many responses, but several notable locations were recurring candidates, which establishes them as tracks that you should probably consider visiting if you haven't already.

Boasting seven unique recommendations, let's start in Cumbria and talk about Silloth-on-Solway, which famously offers exceptional value for money and sits above a very competitive pack in our survey.

Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club

• Location: Silloth, Cumbria, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.96
• Survey Comments: 

"Absolutely stunning and a real test of ability."

"Amazing setting, great course layout."

"Links, brilliant condition, great value."

There's clearly a lot of love out there for Silloth, and for very good reason, but here are some more destinations that you perhaps haven't considered before and that could arguably be somewhat overshadowed by other courses in their region.

Aberdovey Golf Club

• Location: Aberdovey, Gwynedd, Wales
• Golfshake Rating: 4.89
• Survey Comments: 

"Old style play, move to next tee, play on."

"Well presented and greens in great condition, coastal views a bonus." 

Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club

• Location: Alnwick, Northumberland, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.41
• Survey Comments: 

"Nice links layout - welcoming - in good condition."

"A beautiful and much improved links with stunning scenery."

"Exceptional links course at reasonable cost."

East Sussex National Golf Club

• Location: Uckfield, East Sussex, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.04
• Survey Comments: 

"Great condition, tough course amazing clubhouse."

"Two courses both good set ups and good staff."

Goswick Golf Club

• Location: Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.23
• Survey Comments: 

"Beautifully maintained, and a great test of golf."

"Good links course, nice greens, great test of golf. Good welcome in clubhouse."

Gullane Golf Club

• Location: Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland
• Golfshake Rating: 4.92
• Survey Comments: 

"Superb links, great condition, tradition and friendliness combined."

"Phenomenal tee shots and views on this links course."

Seaton Carew Golf Club

• Location: Hartlepool, County Durham, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.22
• Survey Comments: 

"Great links course with superb green complexes. Wonderful conditioning."

"Course was immaculate. Pro shop was well stocked and very friendly."

Woburn Golf Club

• Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.95
• Survey Comments: 

"Brilliant course design in a beautiful setting and in perfect condition. Great facilities at the club."

"Immaculate condition of the course, warm-up/practice areas."

There is no doubt that playing a legendary or exclusively special layout is a day that you will never forget, so it's no shock to see that other standout experiences in the minds of golfers were some of those courses that are clearly at the top of the tree.

JCB Golf & Country Club

• Location: Rocester, Staffordshire, England
• Golfshake Rating: 4.96
• Survey Comments: 

"By invite only. Exceptional standard of service. Course was very good."

"Amazing design, condition and service."

Kingsbarns Golf Links

• Location: Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland
• Golfshake Rating: 4.96
• Survey Comments: 

"The quality of the tee boxes, fairways and greens."

"Stunning location, excellent layout, excellent condition, great staff."

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

• Location: Dornoch, Highlands, Scotland
• Golfshake Rating: 4.90
• Survey Comments: 

"Location, condition, design and the history."

"Scenery, condition of course and the layout/variety of holes."

"A true links test, wonderful views, good condition, great experience."

The Old Course at St Andrews

• Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
• Golfshake Rating: 4.93
• Survey Comments: 

"History, condition, iconicness, etc."

"It's my favourite course on the planet. Always special and rewarding."

"Fantastic experience to play such a prestigous golf course. Once in a lifetime but would love to go back. Great experience start to finish. You really can't sum up how good it is to play here."

Turnberry

• Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland
• Golfshake Rating: 4.95
• Survey Comments: 

"Condition of course, layout and overall quality."

"Absolute breathtaking scenery."

"Simply a fantastic course kept in superb condition."

But it's not just the UK that you've been playing golf in, as a significant proportion of the Community are keen travellers, and here are a trio of international courses that are simply unforgettable to visit.

Aphrodite Hills

• Location: Aphrodite Avenue, Paphos, Cyprus
• Golfshake Rating: 4.04
• Survey Comments: 

"Amazing views, fast greens and golf in the sunshine."

"Course, clubhouse and surroundings are second to none, staff meet and greet you, great driving range and superb food and drink afterwards."

Montgomerie Maxx Royal

• Location: Belek, Antalya, Turkey
• Golfshake Rating: 4.48
• Survey Comments: 

"It was in superb condition and well laid out with super fast greens and perfect fairways, tees and bunkers. In addition, everything in the bar/catering was included in the price, from breakfast on arrival to meal afterwards and food/drinks on the course."

"It was beautifully manicured and tailored for everyone’s handicap even though it held the Turkish Open there in previous years. The staff were friendly and helpful and nothing was a problem. The course was fabulous."

West Cliffs

• Location: Obidos, Lisbon, Portugal
• Golfshake Rating: 4.58
• Survey Comments: 

"Along the Atlantic coast, breathtaking beauty and at the same time, very challenging, the greens were the fastest I ever played."

"Just a brilliant design near to the sea but also hilly with magnificent views and 18 excellent varied holes."

So, there you have a list of the most acclaimed courses among the Golfshake Community during the past year. Whether you're looking to expand or simply validate your golfing bucket list - we hope that you have found some food for imagination in this feature article!

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