Where Is The Best Place To Visit For Golf Club Food
By: Derek Clements | Wed 31 Jul 2024
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Golf club food used to be an afterthought. Anybody who has played this game for any length of time will have experienced stale sandwiches, awful hot food and coffee you could use to unblock drains.
But here is the good news - things are changing. And about time too, you may well be thinking.
Regular readers will know that this is an issue we have tackled in the past. Your correspondent is delighted to report that there have been some incredibly positive clubhouse experiences in 2024.
Firstly, it may surprise you to learn that there are golf courses that can boast Michelin stars, here in the UK and across Europe including; Manor House at Castle Combe in England, Gleneagles in Scotland, Lough Erne (Northern Ireland), Adare Manor and Trump Doonbeg (Ireland), Dubai Creek Golf Club, Terre Blanche (France), Palmares Ocean Living & Golf and Monte Rei (Portugal) and Ritz-Carlton Abama (Tenerife).
I have had the rare good fortune to have eaten at Gleneagles and Terre Blanche, and I am here to tell you that the quality of the food and service were out of this world.
If you are planning a golf holiday in Portugal or Spain, you really should check out the likes of Quinta do Lago in Portugal and Las Colinas in Spain. You will probably already know that the courses are world-class but they also score top marks when it comes to the food on offer. Just like both the clubhouse and hotel options at Cameron House Hotel at Loch Lomond the location for the fantastic Carrick golf course.
The Top Rated Food & Drink Ratings on Golfshake
But here at Golfshake we love to hear the feedback from everyday golfers and hear about the experiences and visits to the many golf courses in the UK and around the world. Not just playing but the all-round visit, hospitality and dining experiences.
Firstly, we take a look at the top rated venues from the Golfshake reviews based on the food, drink and hospitality rating, having had a a minimum of 30 reviews over the past three years.
JCB Golf and Country Club
Location: Staffordshire, West Midlands
Hospitality Rating: 5.0
Food & Drink Rating: 4.8
Golfshake Rating: 5.0
Swinley Forest Golf Club
Location: Berkshire, South
Hospitality Rating: 4.7
Food & Drink Rating: 4.7
Golfshake Rating: 4.9
Tandridge Golf Club
Location: Surrey, South East
Hospitality Rating: 4.8
Food & Drink Rating: 4.7
Golfshake Rating: 4.7
Carus Green Golf Club
Location: Cumbria, North West
Hospitality Rating: 4.8
Food & Drink Rating: 4.8
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
London Golf Club
Location: Kent, South East
Hospitality Rating: 4.8
Food & Drink Rating: 4.6
Golfshake Rating: 4.8
What Do The Golfshake Readers Have To Say
The important thing to know about all of the above is that the food is not going to break the bank. It is great quality and almost always uses local produce - and is served with a smile.
You have also had plenty of positive feedback to deliver with respect to the following venues which all came highly recommended with positive commentary when it came to the food and dining experience.
Aldersey Green Golf Club
Location Cheshire, North West
Review: "Returned for a third time as a society last week. Course was in great condition with some tough pin placements. Shout out to all at the club who always make our society feel welcome. Fantastic breakfast, great staff and amazing value. Looking forward to our next visit."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.5
Aldwickbury Park Golf Club
Location Hertfordshire, East
Review: "All I can say is WOW and WOW again. The course was fantastic. The staff could not do enough for us and the Pro Shop was a delight. The food was delicious and every one of us was amazed at the service. Well Done Aldwichbury for making our day so special."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.0
Bridgnorth Golf Club
Location: Shropshire, West Midlands
Review: "The best Bacon Sandwich ever"
Food & Drink Rating: 3.9
Burford Golf Club
Location: Oxfordshire, South
Review: "Great value food in the clubhouse. Best bacon sandwich ever."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.3
Burnham Beeches Golf Club
Location: Buckinghamshire, South
Review: "A beautiful and very challenging golf course in great condition. A warm welcome in the Clubhouse and delicious food."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.6
Chiddingfold Golf Club
Location: Surrey, South East
Review: "Best bacon butty anywhere!"
Food & Drink Rating: 4.1
College Pines Golf Club
Location: Nottinghamshire, East Midlands
Review: "Played with society - was made to feel really welcome , course in great condition for time of year - really good bacon sandwich !"
Food & Drink Rating: 3.9
Chiltern Forest Golf Club
Location: Buckinghamshire, South
Review: "Excellent conditions with true running greens. Followed by the best food I have ever eaten in 58 years of golf. Best value golf in the UK."
Food & Drink Rating: 3.9
Dainton Park Golf Club
Location: Devon, South West
Review: "Well looked after fairways and greens. Probably one of the best in Devon. Amazing place, amazing food too."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.2
Elsham Golf Club
Location: Lincolnshire, East Midlands
Review "The full English breakfast and bacon sandwiches were THE BEST we have ever had and believe me that is high praise as we play over 50 courses a year. Stunning food and great staff serving it."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.0
Kilnwick Percy Golf Club
Location: North Yorkshire, North East
Review: "The food in the clubhouse was spot-on, would recommend the club sandwich!"
Food & Drink Rating: 4.1
Gaudet Luce Golf Club
Location: Worcestershire, West Midlands
Review: "The bacon rolls are lovely"
Food & Drink Rating: 4.2
Newent Golf Club & Lodges
Location: Gloucester, West Midlands
Review: "The best bacon rolls in Gloucester"
Food & Drink Rating: 4.6
Portpatrick Golf Club
Location: Dumrie & Galloway, Scotland
Review: "Absolutely outstanding visit to Portpatrick over two days. The golf on both days was amazing. The staff in the clubhouse could not do enough for us even though they had a very large group of visitors over the two days. Dined in the clubhouse both nights and the food was fantastic. Will definitely be back again next year."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.0
Sapey Golf & Country Club
Location: Worcestershire, West Midlands
Review: "Breakfast was outstanding, the sausages at most places are terrible but these were the best I've tasted. It's clear that the attention to detail is important here. Staff very friendly and helpful."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.5
Stanedge Golf Club
Location: Derbyshire, East Midlands
Review: "Fantastic course we'll maintained beautiful views with immaculate greens couldn't fault it some really challenging holes and really enjoyed every minute, then called in the club house which was fantastic very friendly staff with amazing food ,i would recommend as best golf club in Derbyshire !"
Food & Drink Rating: 4.4
Stoke Rochford Golf Club
Location: Lincolnshire, East Midlands
Review: "Was a very interesting course to play with a lots of scenic holes. The staff and members were very welcoming and friendly and they offered electric hire trolleys which was helpful for a undulating course. The food and cakes afterwards were delicious."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.2
The Best Venues To Stay & Play
Finally, where stands out on a golf break? For most of us, food becomes a proper consideration at stay and play venues which involve two or three rounds of golf, overnight accommodation, dinner and breakfast, and these are the four that come out on top with the Golfshake audience.
Forest of Dean Golf Club
Location: Gloucester, West Midlands
Quirky and lovely course in fantastic surroundings. Lovely hotel and rooms, dining facilities were excellent. Staff, shop and other facilities were all brilliant. An overnight visit, 3 course evening meal, breakfast and 2 rounds of golf for less than £70. Simply just couldn't be wrong and the course played great too."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.1
Old Thorns Golf Club
Location: Hampshire, South
Excellent course, Amazing food. The course is excellent, lots of different types of holes to play; I played there 3 days in a row and still enjoyed each round. A good small range near the 1st hole as well as putting green just rounds the place off. The food at the resort is amazing too."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.1
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club
Location: Essex, East
Played this course as part of an overnight stay package, we arrived and had one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had. The course layout is good the evening meal was outstanding and the staff were very friendly and professional."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.2
Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel
Location: Suffolk, East
Another fantastic 3 day trip to Thorpeness GC.Course is in good condition, but very dry & bouncy fairways.A true test of every part of your game.Food, drink & staff are all excellent.Great range of food on the menu, and the meals for very tasty, hearty& well presented. Staff are very welcoming & helpful.Rooms are a good size & comfortable."
Food & Drink Rating: 4.1
Again, I have been lucky enough to have played and stayed at Old Thorns, Stoke by Nayland and Thorpeness. The first thing to say is that the golf courses attached to these hotels are all quite superb. And the food offering is on a par, especially when you take into account that these are busy hotels, catering for huge numbers of golfers.
If you have recently visited any stand-out venues for a round of golf or a golf break then let us know. We love hearing the thoughts and feedback from as many golfers as possible.
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