Golf Courses You Would Love to Play in 2025
By: Kieran Clark | Fri 16 May 2025
Share this article:
Playing golf courses for the first time is always a treat, but which layouts are top of your list for the 2025 season?
We have some more recommendations for you courtesy of the Golfshake Community in our hugely popular Course Section, who have consistently reviewed the following venues positively, with particular praise being given to their conditioning, which is an attribute that many golfers value when it comes to choosing where they wish to play.
Covering locations in England, Scotland and Wales, these are the golf courses that you really would love to play in 2025!
Which one stands out the most to you?
The Golf House Club, Elie
Location: Elie, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
2024 Condition Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "This has instantly become one of my favourite golf courses. Having heard and read much about Elie through the years, I was brimming with excitement to play here - and my high expectations were surpassed."
The Roxburghe Golf Club
Location: Kelso, Borders
Golfshake Rating: 4.23
2024 Condition Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "We played in mid-October and the course was in good condition. We'll looked after and some fantastic views. A long walk between holes at times but some cracking holes. It's quite open but greens guarded with big bunkers. A challenging course but really enjoyable. I would recommend playing it."
Tydd St Giles Golf & Leisure Club
Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
2024 Condition Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Well worth a visit. Huge greens and huge bunkers. Flat as a pancake (it is the fens), but still not easy. About seven water hazards, all clearly marked on the scorecard. Nice friendly staff in the 19th."
Welford-on-Avon Golf Course
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
2024 Condition Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: "Fabulous. Everything went so smoothly, great weather, great organisation, great course and great service. We'll definitely play here again."
Whitefield Golf Club
Location: Whitefield, Lancashire
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
2024 Condition Rating: 4.39
Review Comment: "The greens are excellent and the overall condition of the course is great. It's a good test of my skills, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. The condition, layout, and price are all superb."
East Sussex National Golf Club
Location: Uckfield, East Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
2024 Condition Rating: 4.39
Review Comment: "Fabulous course and venue in picturesque surroundings. Great hotel and food. Friendly, helpful staff."
Oakridge Golf Club
Location: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
2024 Condition Rating: 4.39
Review Comment: "The course was in very good condition and well maintained. The clubhouse was clean and tidy and the people were very friendly. We have booked our end of year bash as we enjoyed the course so much."
Old Thorns Golf Club
Location: Liphook, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.02
2024 Condition Rating: 4.38
Review Comment: "Impressive from when you drive into the grounds. Greens like lightning, interesting layout. Some very picturesque holes. Think about a buggy, there are quite a lot of elevation changes."
Forest of Dean Golf Club
Location: Coleford, Gloucestershire
Golfshake Rating: 3.96
2024 Condition Rating: 4.38
Review Comment: "Stayed for a golf weekend, course is not long but is well laid out with some tricky holes, very busy place, pre-booking buggies is a must if you need them. Accommodation is basic but clean and does the job. Food very good and all the staff very helpful."
Normanton Golf Club
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.86
2024 Condition Rating: 4.38
Review Comment: "Very nice course and not the easiest, but in excellent all round condition. Greens fast and true. Stroke index 1 is a beauty. Holes 14 to 17 take it out on you but playing the last makes up for this - one of the best final holes around. Big thank you to everyone concerned with the running and upkeep of the club. Hopefully will see you again."
Etchinghill Golf Club
Location: Folkestone, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 3.98
2024 Condition Rating: 4.37
Review Comment: "Worth the money, so much so that I joined up. Greens very good, challenging course with some thought process and strategy required."
Gleneagles
Location: Gleneagles, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.89
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "One of the best courses in Scotland. Beautiful, sunny, still day. The King’s looked magnificent and played magnificently. The course was in tip top condition and the greens were so good to putt on. This is a must play for anyone golfing in Scotland."
Turton Golf Club
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester
Golfshake Rating: 4.32
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "The course was in excellent condition, especially the greens. Great views from the course and the clubhouse and welcome were tip top too. Overall nothing to complain about and will definitely be playing there again."
Braxted Park Golf Club
Location: Witham, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.34
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "Excellent little course. Always a warm welcome, staff are excellent and so is the food."
Mickleover Golf Club
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "Course was in great condition for early November, and the green staff were taking leaves off the course, particularly the fairways and greens. A very well kept course, a pleasure to play at this time of year with a buggy too."
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club
Location: Colchester, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "Played both courses via society stay over two days. Both in good condition as per usual and each course presents a different test. Well looked after by the venue as per previous visits. Dinner was especially good. Will be back in due course."
Bentley Golf Club
Location: Brentwood, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "Very friendly course, the catering staff were exceptional catering to our needs. Challenging course for our standard and the course was in very good order."
Weald of Kent Golf Club
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.15
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "I would recommend this course to anyone of any handicap. Condition was exceptional. Very good facilities."
Redlibbets Golf & Country Club
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
2024 Condition Rating: 4.36
Review Comment: "In great condition. Even after the recent wet weather they have looked after the course, which played really well. And the sun came out, what more could you ask for."
Bewdley Pines Golf Club
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.24
2024 Condition Rating: 4.35
Review Comment: "Fantastic course, lovely day, the course wasn't very busy which was very surprising, greens were very well looked after, all the bunkers were raked lovely, met some lovely players going around, all around a fantastic day."
Gaudet Luce Golf Club
Location: Droitwich, Worcestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
2024 Condition Rating: 4.35
Review Comment: "Beautiful golf course, greens in excellent condition and tee boxes and fairways decent as well. Some challenging tee shots at times and driver not necessarily the best choice of club on some of the shorter early holes! We had a buggy and I'm very glad we did - would be a very challenging walk, especially for us older folk!"
Haydock Park Golf Club
Location: Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 3.77
2024 Condition Rating: 4.35
Review Comment: "Course in fantastic condition. Tough drives on most holes as fairways are tree lined and narrow with some sneaky bunkers to catch you out. Greens superb and fast. A very good challenge to golfers of all ability levels."
Staining Lodge Golf Course
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
Golfshake Rating: 3.77
2024 Condition Rating: 4.35
Review Comment: "Great course in fantastic condition with wide fairways and great greens, sat on the patio with a beer afterwards watching groups teeing off on the 10th tee."
Chartham Park Golf Club
Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.47
2024 Condition Rating: 4.34
Review Comment: "Great course with some good challenges. Course conditions were very good. Good society venue, enjoyable day."
Blundells Hill Golf Club
Location: Rainhill, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.49
2024 Condition Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: "Lovely reasonably priced parkland course. In great condition and great value for money. I'd definitely play again."
The Caversham
Location: Caversham, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
2024 Condition Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: "Always worth a visit. Great course to play. Well laid out, hazards in all the right places! Tee boxes a bit soggy due to recent weather, but fairways in good condition, and greens excellent. Bunkers well maintained, good quality sand, no gravel stones. Staff excellent."
Aberystwyth Golf Club
Location: Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
2024 Condition Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: "Lovely course with great views. Fairways in great condition and most of the bunkers have been renovated and are way better than the average golf course. The greens are slow, but very true. Geraint the club secretary was very helpful - we hired a buggy but not essential. Good variety of holes - not too tough which suited my friend who docent play often."
Badgemore Park
Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
2024 Condition Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: "All coming together nicely for the summer! In excellent condition for this time of year!"
Oakland Park Golf Club
Location: Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.09
2024 Condition Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: "Lovely course, fantastic greens, even with all the rain recently, they still had good pace. Staff are very friendly and helpful."
East Brighton Golf Club
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.14
2024 Condition Rating: 4.32
Review Comment: "Views to die for. Superb course, unreal location, greens in great condition and just very well maintained all over. Very welcoming and friendly."
Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club
Location: Felixstowe, Suffolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.42
2024 Condition Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: "Depending on the wind, this place can be a real challenge, that said, if you catch it on a calm day you can put a good score together. Fairly forgiving off the tee, despite the water that comes into play on a few holes. But your short game will need to stand up well around here. True links style bunkers and run off areas to negotiate. Greens always running true and fast. Some of the views, including the Martello Tower are also fantastic. Must play."
Accrington & District Golf Club
Location: Accrington, Lancashire
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
2024 Condition Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: "Enjoyed the annual visit to this course very much. A decent challenge but generally forgiving. Greens good, but lots of cambers make them tricky. Will be back next year."
Colne Valley Golf Club
Location: Colchester, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
2024 Condition Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: "The golf course is absolutely fantastic, nestled in a picturesque setting with a delightful mix of challenging holes that kept me engaged throughout the round. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant experience. The clubhouse, complete with a nice shop and restaurant, added to the overall charm."
West Herts Golf Club
Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "Played here on a Friday twilight as guest of a member. Course was in good nick and seemed they've trimmed the rough back a touch. Greens were good. Made very welcome in the clubhouse and pro shop and pace of play was good."
South Winchester Golf Club
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.34
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "The course was in lovely condition and was a tough enough test for us high handicappers in very windy and sometimes wet conditions. Good layout and well maintained. Really enjoyed it."
Stanton-on-the-Wolds Golf Club
Location: Keyworth, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.49
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "Best greens in Nottinghamshire. I can't stress how good this place this is, the clubhousee is ok, a very old membeership, but the course is fantastic, always enjoyed playing here."
Runcorn Golf Club
Location: Runcorn, Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "We played with a wide range of handicappers in the group and all enjoyed the round."
Willesley Park Golf Club
Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire
Golfshake Rating: 3.98
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "Undulating gem of a course with some tight fairways and cambers that you need to be aware of. Greens in very good condition, fairways dry. After the weather we’ve had it was a real surprise. Hats off to the greenkeepers and ground staff."
Eastham Lodge Golf Club
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "Course in decent condition, still preferred lies but all greens on. Friendly club with some really great members. Good value for money too. Short course but tricky."
Tenby Golf Club
Location: Tenby, Carmarthenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.16
2024 Condition Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: "A proper links test in a wonderful location. Can't wait to come back and try out the new clubhouse."
Drayton Park Golf Club
Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.79
2024 Condition Rating: 4.29
Review Comment: "Excellent course, always testing, especially the 15th, fairways recovering after dry weather, greens in excellent condition."
Dorset Golf & Country Club
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
2024 Condition Rating: 4.27
Review Comment: "A great place for a golf break. The three nine hole courses provide different challenges and strategically placed hazards mean that you have to think your way around. Staying on-site helped make the break even more enjoyable."
Swaffham Golf Club
Location: Swaffham, Norfolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
2024 Condition Rating: 4.25
Review Comment: "Lovely test. Despite being relatively short don't be fooled this is a very tight course where being in the right position off the tee holds more value than blasting it miles out of position."
Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club
Location: Borth, Ceredigion
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
2024 Condition Rating: 4.25
Review Comment: "What better on a sunny day than playing one of the best links courses in Wales. The course was in great condition with nice fairways and smooth greens and a good pace of play. The facilities are excellent with a pro shop and food available all day."
Lydd Golf Club
Location: Romney Marsh, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.05
2024 Condition Rating: 4.25
Review Comment: "At a time when other local courses are closed, partially closed and always very muddy, Lydd remains firm, very little mud, well grassed on all fairways and greens in good condition."
Cleckheaton Golf Club
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.34
2024 Condition Rating: 4.22
Review Comment: "Worth visiting. Lovely course in excellent condition, greens beautiful, with excellent clubhouse and facilities. Will definitely be back."
Ruddington Grange Golf Club
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
2024 Condition Rating: 4.22
Review Comment: "Really enjoyed our game today, the course is one of our favourite visits every year, it's in amazing condition, well groomed and a great challenge."
Guildford Golf Club
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
2024 Condition Rating: 4.21
Review Comment: "First time visit to the club, with three golfing pals. Very friendly staff, good value for money, greens in great condition. Food was good afterwards in clubhouse. Definitely will visit again."
Cambridge Meridian Golf Club
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.02
2024 Condition Rating: 4.21
Review Comment: "Excellent. Wonderful club, welcoming, good food, great Guinness. Greens had been spiked but running reasonably. We will be back for sure."
Monmouthshire Golf Club
Location: Abergavenny, Gwent
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
2024 Condition Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: "A challenging course with narrow tee shots in places. Every club in the bag was utilised. Good, fast greens and the scenery is incredible. Friendly staff and members - I shall return."
Ladybank Golf Club
Location: Ladybank, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
2024 Condition Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: "Stunning but brutally difficult course. It's easy to see why this was a long-standing Open qualifying course. A classic heathland which was bone-dry and rockhard when we played it. I'm not sure I have ever played on firmer greens which made it nearly impossibly to get up and down if you missed the many raised greens anywhere other than below the hole. The layout is fantastic and condition was great. Greens were super quick and treacherous, almost too much so but we did play it the afternoon after the women's Scottish matchplay had been staged in the morning. It is hard to lose a golf ball with the tree-lined fairways but even without that, it is one of the most difficult golf courses I have ever played. I am desperate to go back and give it another go."
London Airlinks Golf Course
Location: London, Greater London
Golfshake Rating: 3.73
2024 Condition Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: "It was a great golf experience, from the welcoming greeting from the staff, to the condition and challenge of the course. Don't be fooled by low slope, there are some extremely tricky holes, with plenty of jeopardy. Cannot be beaten for value if you pick up on their special offers. All in all, I highly recommend giving them a go."
Marriott Hanbury Manor Golf Club
Location: Ware, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.93
2024 Condition Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: "Well maintained, great layout and excellent holes."
Related Content
50 Hidden Gem Golf Courses to Play in England
50 Golf Courses You Need to Think About Playing This Year
The 50 Golf Courses You Should Consider Playing in 2025
25 English Golf Courses That Other Golfers Recommend to You
50 Golf Courses That Are Always in Great Condition
50 English Golf Courses You Must Play in 2025
Related Content: Must Play golfshake golfbreaks Golf Courses Courses
