The most improved English golf courses to play in 2026

Whether you're the world's top ranked player or someone just starting out in the sport, all golfers are united in that they would love to get better at this magical game.

Some of us work tirelessly to improve, undergoing lessons and spending many a practice hour at the range. And the same should be said of the courses we play too.

Like any industry, standing still is rarely advisable, with venues across the country taking measures to enhance the experience they can offer to both members and visitors.

Sometimes it's the result of fresh investment, different leadership with new ideas, or even a decent climate helping to provide superb course conditions, but there are numerous places out there that have made significant strides in recent years to deliver something special.

But where can you find them? The Golfshake Course Section and its reviews number in the hundreds of thousands, making it an invaluable resource for golfers searching for new places to visit.

We have compared ratings from 2023 with the averages in 2025 to discover the locations in England that have recorded the most substantial improvements in reputation during that time - making them appealing options to consider playing this year.

It's clear that other golfers believe that these courses are now worth visiting even more so than they were before!

Bransford Golf Club

Location: Worcester, Worcestershire

Golfshake Rating: 3.96

Average 2023 Rating: 2.63

Average 2025 Rating: 4.63

Improvement: +2.00

Review Comment: "This is a real test of all your golfing abilities and is in amazing condition given the weather. Well worth a visit."

Brentwood Golf Club

Location: Brentwood, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 3.83

Average 2023 Rating: 3.31

Average 2025 Rating: 4.35

Improvement: +1.03

Review Comment: "Course in great condition, had great weather which helps, very welcoming, will play again."

Collingtree Park Golf Club

Location: Collingtree, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.95

Average 2023 Rating: 3.70

Average 2025 Rating: 4.67

Improvement: +0.97

Review Comment: "Great condition, especially the greens, with some memorable holes."

Cookridge Hall Golf Club

Location: Cookridge, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.74

Average 2023 Rating: 3.40

Average 2025 Rating: 4.33

Improvement: +0.93

Review Comment: "Always a pleasure to play. Greens were incredibly well kept for the time of year."

Sandhill Golf Club

Location: Little Houghton, South Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.84

Average 2023 Rating: 3.21

Average 2025 Rating: 4.10

Improvement: +0.89

Review Comment: "This course provides excellent value for money. It was in terrific condition and provides a variety of challenges. Suitable for all standards but be on your game or it may bite. Greens ran true and at a nice pace. Some blind shots, some up, some down and sloping fairways mean one has to concentrate. Not a poor hole on the course. Friendly staff in the pro shop and clubhouse, with decent drinks available. The members and regulars were very friendly and helpful. This is much better than many more expensive places in the area."

Royston Golf Club

Location: Royston, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.89

Average 2023 Rating: 3.50

Average 2025 Rating: 4.38

Improvement: +0.88

Review Comment: "Very nice course in Hertfordshire countryside with lovely views, it would play very differently in windy conditions."

Norwood Park Golf Centre

Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.03

Average 2023 Rating: 3.42

Average 2025 Rating: 4.25

Improvement: +0.83

Review Comment: "Great course. Fabulous layout and a challenge for all levels. Friendly welcome from staff and locals alike."

Whittlebury Park Golf Club

Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.05

Average 2023 Rating: 3.69

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.81

Review Comment: "This course has matured very nicely (since I first played it) and was a pleasure to play. The fairways and greens were really good. Some challenging holes too where you need to think carefully about shot selection. It wasn't busy either which was a bonus."

Bramshott Hill Golf Club

Location: Dibden, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.73

Average 2023 Rating: 3.31

Average 2025 Rating: 4.08

Improvement: +0.77

Review Comment: "Great course, twice I have played here and got under 100, really good course for people just starting out in golf, good value for money, pro shop is very good and just really like playing here and will be back as soon as possible."

Cold Ashby Golf Club

Location: Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.87

Average 2023 Rating: 3.56

Average 2025 Rating: 4.31

Improvement: +0.76

Review Comment: "Very cool golf course. Very difficult despite the short distance due to the sloped lies. Really enjoyed the par 3 third hole with a very, very elevated tee shot."

Hobbs Cross Golf Centre

Location: Epping, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.23

Average 2023 Rating: 3.80

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.70

Review Comment: "Brilliant value for money. Probably the best course around London I've played for under £25 for 18 holes. The course was in excellent condition too. Even better condition than some £90 a round courses I'd played recently. Easy course to get around and great if you want to play 9 or 18."

West Malling Golf Club

Location: Maidstone, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 3.82

Average 2023 Rating: 3.50

Average 2025 Rating: 4.17

Improvement: +0.67

Review Comment: "The greens were in immaculate condition and some of the best I've played on, which definitely made it worth the £60 on a Friday morning. Some fairways were slightly patchy, but most were in great condition. It wasn't a particularly challenging course and more of a scorer's course, but it was certainly a beautiful course."

Thorpe Wood Golf Club

Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.12

Average 2023 Rating: 4.05

Average 2025 Rating: 4.70

Improvement: +0.65

Review Comment: "This venue is excellent for a public pay and play course. The condition, facilities, clubhouse, shop and staff are all first class. The greens were in great condition as were the bunkers, tees and fairways. Very impressed and great value for money too. Made this visit extremely enjoyable. Also helped to have nice weather. Very happy to recommend. Will definitely be back."

The Burstead Golf Club

Location: Little Burstead, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 3.99

Average 2023 Rating: 3.79

Average 2025 Rating: 4.43

Improvement: +0.64

Review Comment: "Always love coming to this course, seems to get better every time we come here, from tee boxes to greens all excellent, credit to green staff especially after our dry summer, interesting holes and flat for my aging bones but still a good test. Clubhouse, food, staff all great, members very friendly. This is one of a few clubs I will consider joining when I retire."

The Manor Golf Club, Kingstone

Location: Kingstone, Staffordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.32

Average 2023 Rating: 4.25

Average 2025 Rating: 4.88

Improvement: +0.63

Review Comment: "Course keeps getting better, beautiful greens."

Portal Golf & Spa Resort

Location: Tarporley, Cheshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.91

Average 2023 Rating: 3.55

Average 2025 Rating: 4.15

Improvement: +0.60

Review Comment: "Great course. Good mixture of styles of hole to challenge all golfers. Good food in the club =house as well."

The Drift

Location: Leatherhead, Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.10

Average 2023 Rating: 3.67

Average 2025 Rating: 4.25

Improvement: +0.58

Review Comment: Very enjoyable day out. Course is a good mix of challenging, forgiving and interesting. Some really good holes. Good option in the area for visiting golfers. Would happily go again."

Hever Castle Golf Club

Location: Hever, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 3.98

Average 2023 Rating: 3.64

Average 2025 Rating: 4.20

Improvement: +0.56

Review Comment: "Beautiful course. Great challenging course with picturesque holes especially around the turn. Greens are slick but true and you need to be on the right side to get a good chance to score."

Morley Hayes Golf Club

Location: Morley, Derbyshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.98

Average 2023 Rating: 3.83

Average 2025 Rating: 4.39

Improvement: +0.56

Review Comment: "Course was perfect, playing conditions and well maintained greens made the difference."

Whitefields Golf Course

Location: Rugby, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.95

Average 2023 Rating: 3.75

Average 2025 Rating: 4.30

Improvement: +0.55

Review Comment: "Have played here a few times, very enjoyable golf course with a nice layout. Particularly like the long par 4 around Draycote Water on the back 9!"

Hadden Hill Golf Club

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Average 2023 Rating: 4.08

Average 2025 Rating: 4.63

Improvement: +0.54

Review Comment: "Great course for a beginner. For someone who hasn’t played for 25 years, it was a great experience. Friendly staff who were so welcoming, great facilities. Would recommend."

The Warwickshire Golf Club

Location: Warwick, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.31

Average 2023 Rating: 3.96

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.54

Review Comment: "Great course. A very challenging course with a great layout. In fantastic condition one of the best I have ever played."

Wensum Valley Golf Club

Location: Norwich, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 3.87

Average 2023 Rating: 3.71

Average 2025 Rating: 4.25

Improvement: +0.54

Review Comment: "Lovely course in good condition. Played the Wensum Course with the water adding a real challenge. Very enjoyable round and nice to relax in the bar afterwards."

Tylney Park Golf Club

Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Average 2023 Rating: 4.31

Average 2025 Rating: 4.83

Improvement: +0.52

Review Comment: "Drying out well, ball running on the fairways and fast greens a delight to play! Varied course with challenging greens in quiet Hampshire countryside."

Stonebridge Golf Club

Location: Meriden, Warwickshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.86

Average 2023 Rating: 3.39

Average 2025 Rating: 3.91

Improvement: +0.52

Review Comment: "Fantastic golf course, well maintained and managed, with golf strategy required."

Staining Lodge Golf Course

Location: Staining, Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 3.78

Average 2023 Rating: 3.86

Average 2025 Rating: 4.38

Improvement: +0.52

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."

Cherry Lodge Golf Club

Location: Westerham, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 3.81

Average 2023 Rating: 4.00

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.50

Review Comment: "Fantastic golf club, excellent value for money. The greens staff do a fantastic job to keep this course looking and playing to a high standard."

Leeds Golf Centre

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.86

Average 2023 Rating: 3.75

Average 2025 Rating: 4.25

Improvement: +0.50

Review Comment: "Best course in Leeds in my opinion. Great practice facilities, great course, great staff, great food, and for the money you pay, well worth it, shame my golf wasn’t as good but can’t wait to play again."

Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club

Location: Rochester, Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.57

Average 2023 Rating: 4.44

Average 2025 Rating: 4.92

Improvement: +0.48

Review Comment: "A super course and facilities - well worth a visit and it is easy to understand why it has the reputation that it does."

The Shropshire

Location: Telford, Shropshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.29

Average 2023 Rating: 4.04

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.46

Review Comment: "Course in wonderful condition, greens perfect, as were bunkers."

Cheshunt Park Golf Club

Location: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.71

Average 2023 Rating: 3.50

Average 2025 Rating: 3.92

Improvement: +0.42

Review Comment: "Lovely course, good challenge, easy to navigate and in great condition for spring. Will definitely play again."

Mardyke Valley Golf Centre

Location: South Ockendon, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 3.75

Average 2023 Rating: 3.54

Average 2025 Rating: 3.95

Improvement: +0.41

Review Comment: "Course is in great condition at the moment. Will be returning very soon."

Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

Location: Calne, Wiltshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Average 2023 Rating: 3.90

Average 2025 Rating: 4.30

Improvement: +0.40

Review Comment: "A great round, despite the recent weather, the course was in superb condition. A very enjoyable round and great pace of play."

Hawkstone Park Golf Club

Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Average 2023 Rating: 4.10

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.40

Review Comment: "Very nice course, could well be worth an overnight stay for both courses if the other course is as good as the Championship layout."

Shooters Hill Golf Club

Location: Shooters Hill, London

Golfshake Rating: 3.95

Average 2023 Rating: 4.00

Average 2025 Rating: 4.40

Improvement: +0.40

Review Comment: "Course looking good. It has dried out very well from the months of wet weather, the greens are coming on nicely and are quick and true but will get better. Trees and ditches are all there to make life tricky if you are off line."

Cumberwell Park Golf Club

Location: Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.45

Average 2023 Rating: 4.43

Average 2025 Rating: 4.80

Improvement: +0.37

Review Comment: "A superb venue, extremely friendly and helpful staff. The course and facilities are second to none and I can highly recommend a visit to this superb course."

Mount Pleasant Golf Club

Location: Henlow, Bedfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 3.94

Average 2023 Rating: 3.71

Average 2025 Rating: 4.08

Improvement: +0.37

Review Comment: "Not played in years - nicely matured course with a lovely layout, friendly staff, good value and easy to book system."

Barnham Broom Golf Club

Location: Barnham Broom, Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Average 2023 Rating: 4.14

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.36

Review Comment: "Great character, holes/doglegs in both directions,  use of high tees, excellent greens, overall course well maintained, good food and accommodations."

Sharpley Golf Centre

Location: Seaham, County Durham

Golfshake Rating: 4.46

Average 2023 Rating: 3.79

Average 2025 Rating: 4.13

Improvement: +0.34

Review Comment: "Lovely course. Haven't played for a while, but as good as ever. Great hole selection, great clubhouse and a great day out."

Abridge Golf Club

Location: Abridge, Essex

Golfshake Rating: 4.20

Average 2023 Rating: 4.00

Average 2025 Rating: 4.33

Improvement: +0.33

Review Comment: "This club never fails to impress. The course is superb, the food is excellent and all the staff are very friendly and welcoming."

East Brighton Golf Club

Location: Brighton, East Sussex

Golfshake Rating: 4.14

Average 2023 Rating: 4.19

Average 2025 Rating: 4.50

Improvement: +0.31

Review Comment: "First time playing East Brighton and what a great course it is. Challenging up and down with amazing views over the coast and downs."

Which of these golf courses are you most likely to play this year? Perhaps you have already experienced several of them before. We'd love to hear about the venues you have visited that have made positive improvements in recent seasons as destinations nationwide seek to find that edge on their local competition.