25 Underrated Golf Courses to Play in 2025

Every golfer loves to play a superb and memorable course that leaves a positive impression, especially when it's somewhere that surprises you. 

Most of us will be aware of the biggest names and the venues that typically sit prominently on published rankings, but what about those places that perhaps don't enjoy that level of recognition?

The Golfshake Alternative Top 100 is a great place to find some of these jewels, drawn from the reviews submitted by regular golfers and recommended by them, and we are excited to share another selection from this updated list in 2025.

Each of these courses has drawn acclaim from golfers, but you often won't see them promoted more widely, meaning that they are arguably quite underrated in the world of golf.

Let's see how many of these you have played - and maybe you will find your next special tee time!

Wynyard Golf Club

Location: Billingham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.59

Green Fees: £80

Review Comment: "The course is challenging, there are numerous bunkers strategically placed to catch all levels of golfers out. The bunkers have a decent amount of sand and appear to be regularly naintained. The fairways are in very good condition especially for this time of year. The greens are undulating in places, two-tier at times and quite difficult to read, but in excellent condition."

Links Golf Club, Newmarket

Location: Newmarket, Cambridgeshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: From £46

Review Comment: "This course and club is a delight. The course has variety, and presents various fair challenges. To tee off twice from Devils Dyke is a great pleasure. The reception you receive from staff is excellent and the food is always very good. A real treat."

Coxmoor Golf Club

Location: Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: £110

Review Comment: "The course is a feast for the eyes. Every hole invites you to challenge your ball striking to plot your way around. Great practice facilities to warm up and the clubhouse has views of the course from every window. Well worth the visit if you are in the area."

Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

Location: Durham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "Great course and facilities, so many feature holes and excellent conditioned greens, one of the best parkland courses we have played."

Romiley Golf Club

Location: Stockport, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: From £40

Review Comment: "Excellent course, great variety of holes, challenging greens, great condition for time of year. Well worth a visit!"

Stockport Golf Club

Location: Stockport, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.58

Green Fees: £110

Review Comment: "Excellent course, with fantastic true rolling greens, consistent sand in bunkers. Very pleasant and helpful staff all round."

Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club

Location: Rochester, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Green Fees: From £100

Review Comment: "A great course. Always a pleasure to play, in great condition and challenging enough without ruining your day out!"

Blackmoor Golf Club

Location: Bordon, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Green Fees: £120

Review Comment: "I have played Blackmoor on average once a year and it gets better each time. This gem is for the senior golfer, 6,170 yards in length off the whites, flat and in fantastic condition! Rarely, at the end of the day, can you reflect and not find fault big or small of a golf course, but here we could not! A fantastic afternoon!"

Kings Norton Golf Club

Location: Alvechurch, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Green Fees: £65

Review Comment: "This is a lovely course, beautifully laid out, challenging in parts and well worth playing. Even the par 3s here are difficult in parts. Split into three nine hole courses, red blue and yellow. Had a great game here and finished at the extended clubhouse for some well deserved drinks."

Perranporth Golf Club

Location: Perranporth, Cornwall

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: £95

Review Comment: "Just had the pleasure of playing Perranporth Golf Club, and what a unique and enjoyable experience it was! The course is a true test of skill and creativity, with its numerous blind shots keeping me on my toes and adding an exciting twist to the round. It’s not every day you get to embrace the challenge of trusting your swing and letting the course reveal its surprises. The layout is brilliant, weaving through the dramatic Cornish landscape, with breathtaking views at every turn. Walking up and down those undulating fairways felt like a mini adventure - though I’m now nursing a sore back from all that climbing! Totally worth it, though, for such a memorable day on a course that offers something refreshingly different. The staff were friendly, the greens were in great condition, and the overall vibe of the club was welcoming and relaxed. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun, scenic round, Perranporth is a must-play. Can’t wait to come back (after my back recovers)!"

Hayling Golf Club

Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: From £70

Review Comment: "This is a proper links test, a beautifully kept course too with fantastic clubhouse and friendly staff. It's amazing value for what is one of the best links courses in the South - well worth the day trip from London when you compare the quality of the experience here. I rate it up with Rye and Royal Cinque Ports - but it's much cheaper and easier to play than either."

Conwy Golf Club

Location: Conwy, Gwynedd

Golfshake Rating: 4.56

Green Fees: From £90

Review Comment: "Nice condition, proper links course. It has always been excellent but each year they make improvements that enhance the golf course and the enjoyment of the course."

Abergele Golf Club

Location: Abergele, Clwyd

Golfshake Rating: 4.55

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "Abergele is a great course. Amazing scenery, well maintained course, and slick, fast greens. We've played all over North Wales, and this course is right up there with the best of them."

Crosland Heath Golf Club

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "What a course! Unbelievable from start to finish. Pro shop extremely friendly, facilities top drawer and the course was in unbelievable condition. Greens immaculate. For the weather we've had the course was dry, perfectly playable and really varied. Par 3s fantastic. Such a quality course. Clubhouse lovely and really nice food too."

Handsworth Golf Club

Location: Handsworth Wood, Birmingham

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: From £35

Review Comment: "Excellent course. Condition was top notch and the course had a far few tough holes. The staff member in the pro shop was more than happy to help."

Frilford Heath Golf Club

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: £140

Review Comment: "Superb course. A pleasure to play a top course that is in amazing condition for the time of year. Friendly staff and made to feel welcome."

Sand Martins Golf Club

Location: Wokingham, Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: From £60

Review Comment: "Great golf course, always in great shape all year through. Great knowledgable staff as well."

Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club

Location: Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.54

Green Fees: From £100

Review Comment: "Excellent course. It would be difficult to find any criticism of such a beautiful and well maintained course."

Hartlepool Golf Club

Location: Hartlepool, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £55

Review Comment: "James Braid at his best. Running fairways and fast, undulating greens in great condition."

Llanymynech Golf Club

Location: Llanymynech, Shropshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £30

Review Comment: "A special place. We’ve played here three years running - never disappoints. Fast, tricky greens. Course in tip-top condition. Very friendly in pro shop and in the bar. Food always great value. Can’t wait to come back."

Knole Park Golf Club

Location: Sevenoaks, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £70

Review Comment: "It's a great test of golf there, lovely layout as in inland links style, some incredible tee shots over valleys and plenty of deer on the course in keeping with the surrounding area. Cracking venue, would play again and again."

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club

Location: Dartmouth, Devon

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Stayed for a three day, three round break. The staff are great, the course has interest and really great design on virtually every hole. Pace of play has been really good."

West Lothian Golf Club

Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £35

Review Comment: "Very good course with outstanding views. Staff and members very welcoming."

Eyemouth Golf Club

Location: Eyemouth, Borders

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: From £45

Review Comment: "Some really interesting and challenging holes, especially 10, 11 and 13. I would highly recommend playing this course. Great views from the clubhouse. The pro and staff were welcoming and friendly."

Mid Kent Golf Club

Location: Gravesend, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.53

Green Fees: £50

Review Comment: "The greens are true with delicate slopes. A very nice speed that means you don't have to hit the putts hard but not too fast that you just get scared of hitting it. All round a lovely course to play and how envious I feel of the members there."

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