Everything You Need to Know About The Belfry

The Belfry, one of golf's finest and most highly regarded venues is sure to be on almost every golfer's bucket list, and for great reason. With three top quality courses, world class facilities and years of history, The Belfry is a dream location if you're a golfer. Whether you are planning a weekend visit to stay at The Belfry and play one of its famous courses, or you're planning on visiting for the annual British Masters, here is everything you need to know about this venue on the outskirts of Birmingham.

Which Golf Courses Can You Play at The Belfry?

The Belfry is home to three different courses, The Brabazon, PGA National and The Derby, each bringing their own challenges. The Brabazon Course itself is a thing of legend. The Brabazon has hosted the Ryder Cup four times, more than any other course in history, it is also now the home of the British Masters.

The PGA National can be a real punisher of a course, with its treacherous run-offs and tricky championship standard greens. This course was designed to challenge the best, and the overall quality of the course is no different to the Brabazon. This par 72 course comes with 70 strategically placed bunkers, so your approach shots must be especially considered.

The Derby Course is a par 70 course, designed to test golfers of all abilities. With a really rewarding challenge, this course is perfect for beginners, as well as seasoned golfers. This course still brings the pristine fairways and smooth rolling greens that the other courses here are famous for.

What Facilities Are There at The Belfry?

The facilities on site at The Belfry are out of this world. On the golf front there is a 34-bay floodlit driving range with Toptracer technology, a very well looked after putting green and short game area, four individual custom fitting suites and world class coaching available.

Away from the golf there are world class bedrooms and suites available in the hotel, alongside the Ryder Restaurant, Sam's Bar and Kitchen, Rocca's Taste of the Med and the Brabazon Bar. All offering you superb food and drink options after you’ve tested yourself on the renowned courses.

Why is The Belfry So Revered?

The Belfry is packed with history. It has played host to the Ryder Cup more times than any other venue in the world, in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002. Many greats of the game have a trophy from The Belfry in the cabinet, such as Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros, and the annual British Masters is also a great showcase for players yet to come.

Despite having all this history, The Belfry is still a fairly new venue having only opened its first course in 1977. Since then, The Belfry has gone under major renovation and improvement works, most notably in 2013 when it went under a major £26m renovation of the hotel and all grounds. A further £80 million pound expansion and renovation was recently completed, opening a brand-new leisure space in 2025.

What It's Like to Attend The British Masters at The Belfry

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

The British Masters is now regularly staged on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry. This massive event takes place every year as a part of the DP World Tour. Having been a golf fan of many years, I’d always considered attending golf events in the UK where possible, and 2025's British Masters is where this thought came to fruition. Here is my experience of attending the British Masters and why you should consider attending in the future.

Arriving at The Belfry

For some I am certain that this will be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about attending such a major event, however, this was as easy as it comes. Plenty of signage as soon as we were close to the venue, and with pre-paid parking we were parked and into The Belfry in no time. My main advice would be to get pre-paid parking, but for the forgetful, there was pay on the day parking available as well.

What Can You Expect From The British Masters?

Heading towards the course you will walk through the PGA Village. Here you will find plenty of food and drink options, as well as merchandise stands and different brand activities. It would be very easy to get stuck wandering round here all day, so don't be distracted from the golf that lies before you.

Having never attended a pro golf event before, I was unsure of how the course would be set up, where we would be allowed to go, is there food around the course? I was very pleasantly surprised by the overall set up of the course. Plenty of bars dotted around the course, alongside other food vendors, allowing you to stay in and amongst the action all day long.

Watching Top Golfers Live in Person

As we strolled through the entrance of the course, we knew the 10th tee was where we were headed, in time to see Luke Donald's group and Matt Fitzpatrick's group tee off. Standing within metres of these huge names as they hit their first balls of the week was a real pinch yourself moment for me. This was nothing like those massive festivals or football matches where you need binoculars to even see a glimpse of the action, this was up close and personal.

You get even more of this if you're stood in the right place at the right time and a player hits wayward towards the rough. A faulty tee shot from Alex Fitzpatrick on one hole had me stood within touching distance of himself and his caddie as they eyed up the next shot. It is hard to comprehend how interesting these moments can be until you are actually there yourself, stood amongst the players.

One thing I hadn't considered prior to the event is how it would feel to walk around the Brazabon. One of the most highly regarded and well-known courses in England and potentially worldwide. The course that has hosted the Ryder Cup more times than any other course in the world. Walking around this course I truly realised the levels between these world class courses and your local municipals. At risk of sounding like a golf nerd, I found great enjoyment just walking around this famous course.

The DP World Tour brings together top quality players from all around the world, giving them opportunities to compete alongside PGA Tour players, and even giving them the chance to get themselves onto the American circuit. Although you may not always be familiar with the player you are watching, there is definitely glory in watching these players up close and seeing just how good they are - you never know, one of them may be a major champion one day.

Overall, I had an absolute blast attending the British Masters as my first ever golf event, from start to finish it was a great day out. I couldn't recommend attending this event more, the facilities on show are exceptional and the golf is world class. If you are considering attending your first ever golf event, or just considering attending another golf event, I would highly recommend the British Masters.

There is everything you need to know about The Belfry. From the pristine golf courses and practice facilities to the world class food and drink options, to attending the British Masters. The Belfry is a must visit for every golfer.

If you want to experience it for yourself, please visit our travel partners Golfbreaks.

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