The golf courses that other golfers think you should play in 2026
By: Kieran Clark | Edited: Tue 12 May 2026
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Even if you're someone who is a member of a club that you cherish, there is something thrilling about roaming elsewhere and visiting somewhere new for a change.
Nomadic golfers are used to that experience - that is the cornerstone of their relationship with the game. Travelling around, looking for bargains, searching for gems and layouts to play that will leave a lasting impression.
The Golfshake Course Section is a handy place to find locations to tick off this year - you can benefit from a database that features several hundred thousand independent reviews that have been submitted by regular, everyday golfers.
But where in the UK would this community recommend that you play?
We have studied ratings from the past three years to identify those places that have been received positively over a sustained period by a significant number of people, meaning that there is as close to a consensus on these golfing jewels as you are likely to find.
Launching the first in a series of articles, we're excited to share a collection of these courses with you now, which encompasses a mixture of the biggest names alongside those that have much to offer slightly under the radar.
If you see a familiar venue below, given the level of acclaim that our golfers have given it, you can be fairly confident that these are destinations that should be on your list to sample.
Here are the golf courses that other golfers think you should play in 2026!
Turnberry
Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.85
Review Comment: "Loved it! The course is fantastic, just avoid the bunkers at all costs, amazing views helped by wonderful sunny weather with virtually no wind. A dream come true to play here, but highly recommend the cheaper shoulder season."
The Grove
Location: Chandler's Cross, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.84
Review Comment: "The Grove was in superb condition as per usual, lush fairways and true running greens."
Enville Golf Club
Location: Stourbridge, Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.81
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.83
Review Comment: "Played in 2025. Great to play even towards the end of the drought. Greens in wonderful condition. A thinking golfer's course, not just hammer the ball as hard as you can."
Alresford Golf Club
Location: Alresford, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.62
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.80
Review Comment: "Excellent golf club and course. Warm and professional welcome with ease of booking; interesting, varied and challenging course in good condition. Catering standards and facilities above average. All staff: professionals, administrative and restaurant/bar extremely pleasant and helpful."
Oundle Golf Club
Location: Oundle, Northamptonshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.79
Review Comment: "Played in recent open, course was presented in great condition, greens true and quick, layout was interesting, not your normal course, a must to play again."
The Wychwood Golf Club
Location: Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.78
Review Comment: "A very enjoyable, challenging course, in a beautiful location and in immaculate condition."
Royal Cromer Golf Club
Location: Cromer, Norfolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.78
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.76
Review Comment: "The condition was amazing in the peak of summer 2025, layout is fantastic with some amazing holes and the location is incredible."
Tynemouth Golf Club
Location: Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.75
Review Comment: "My home course, which has suffered a little this winter due to the bad weather, but now the weather is improving, the fairways have been cut and things are really looking up again!"
Gullane Golf Club
Location: Gullane, East Lothian
Golfshake Rating: 4.93
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.74
Review Comment: "You must come to this venue. Three fantastic courses all different in style and challenge. In this part of Scotland a visit here is simply a must. Brilliant facilities, clubhouse, shop and welcome. Free warm up basket of balls. An enjoyable hilly walk with challenging holes. Stay on the fairway and take in the views - gorgeous."
Woburn Golf Club
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.72
Review Comment: "Everything is "just so" at Woburn. The experience is superb. What a place - amazing courses, super facilities, full of happy staff."
Bedlingtonshire Golf Club
Location: Bedlington, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.72
Review Comment: "The course gets better each year and the greens were in excellent condition."
The Manor House Golf Club
Location: Castle Combe, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.62
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.68
Review Comment: "Superb course in magnificent condition. Without question one of the best around and always a pleasure to play, Friendly staff, and the best pasties at the halfway house."
Stanedge Golf Club
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.28
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.67
Review Comment: "I am a member at a golf course not far too away from Stanedge and I have to say the whole experience was wonderful. The golf course for the time of year was a delight. Without saying too much, where I am a member, it is muddy and a mess but not at Stanedge. You could see there was genuine care everywhere. After our round we had a lovely lunch in the clubhouse. I have never seen such a beautifully decorated golf club. We will most definitely back."
Stamford Golf Club
Location: Stalybridge, Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.66
Review Comment: "Excellent course, very tricky first two holes, very good variety of holes, greens excellent. Well worth a visit."
Rushmore Golf Club
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.34
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.64
Review Comment: "Played here on quite a few occasions. Always in really good order, quick greens well kept fairways and tees. Bunkers have been upgraded in many parts of the course. Great place to play with really friendly staff and good food."
London Golf Club
Location: Ash, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.70
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.62
Review Comment: "Always a pleasure. It's such a great place to play, the setup and organisation makes you feel special and the course was in great condition, albeit pretty wet in some places which given the recent heavy rain was to be expected. Greens as ever true and quick."
Fulwell Golf Club
Location: Hampton Hill, Greater London
Golfshake Rating: 4.51
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.62
Review Comment: "It’s fair to say it didn’t disappoint and I will be returning. Despite it raining on the day, the course was thoroughly enjoyable and in great condition. The staff looked after us great from the moment we arrived and I can’t wait to go back and play in the height of the summer."
Upavon Golf Club
Location: Pewsey, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.62
Review Comment: "A very enjoyable albeit challenging course with beautiful views and surroundings."
Burnham Beeches Golf Club
Location: Slough, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.61
Review Comment: "Great course. Been a while since I've played here, the greens and fairways were in very good condition, the greens were fast and challenging."
Tyrrells Wood Golf Club
Location: Leatherhead, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.42
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.61
Review Comment: "Amazing course, great condition, very fast greens, was a pleasure a proper golf course, fortunate enough to know a member and can see why he pays the fees he does."
Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club
Location: Rochester, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.57
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.59
Review Comment: "Always in great condition and well looked after whenever I play here. Great value for money too considering what other courses are charging and the fact this course holds Open Qualifying. Highly recommend."
Wallasey Golf Club
Location: Wallasey, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.61
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.59
Review Comment: "High quality links course. Course condition immaculate. Very friendly welcome."
Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club
Location: Wigton, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.59
Review Comment: "Wonderful layout, great condition and great test. Friendly staff."
The Point at Polzeath
Location: Wadebridge, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.59
Review Comment: "A real surprise, excellent course, very welcoming compared to a nearby course. Excellent value for money and a course I would very much like to play again. If you are in the area definitely choose this one."
Brett Vale Golf Club
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.57
Review Comment: "Brett Vale hosted our golf society and were fantastic hosts. The welcome in the clubhouse was brilliant and staff were fantastic. A decent breakfast with great service. Interesting layout and good condition, a good challenge."
Frilford Heath Golf Club
Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.54
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.57
Review Comment: "A friendly welcome and a course in superb condition. Really enjoyed the round, the weather was kind too so made for a great day."
St Andrews Links
Location: St Andrews, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.56
Review Comment: "Excellent tradition, history, aura, experience, conditioning, design."
Moor Hall Golf Club
Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.24
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.55
Review Comment: "A great test of golf regardless of handicap, lots of variety and challenges around the course. This place is a hidden gem within Sutton Coldfield and a throughly enjoyable experience."
Handsworth Golf Club
Location: Handsworth Wood, Birmingham
Golfshake Rating: 4.54
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.54
Review Comment: "This has to be one of the best courses in the West Midlands that I have ever played. Superb and pristine condition. And at this time of year can only get better. Some great holes and quite a few thinking holes rather than just give it a bash. Give it a try and you will not be disappointed."
Gleneagles
Location: Gleneagles, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.89
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.53
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."
Dundonald Links
Location: Gailes, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.93
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.53
Review Comment: "It played really well given the conditions at the time. The fairways drained well and the greens rolled true. The clubhouse setup was fantastic from the changing rooms to the bar and restaurant - superb!"
Carnoustie Golf Links
Location: Carnoustie, Angus
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.53
Review Comment: "Part of a great golf week in 2025, I've been going on for 35 years, but it's obviously a well-recognised world class course, hard but fair and a pleasure and a delight to play every year."
Weybrook Park Golf Club
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.40
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.53
Review Comment: "With all the dry weather we have had, this course was in excellent condition. The greens were quick and undulating needing for some good putting, fairways actually had grass and the tees perfect. Staff were very friendly and helpful. If you have the opportunity try and play a game here."
Cavendish Golf Club
Location: Buxton, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.36
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.53
Review Comment: "Arguably the best course under 6,000 yards in the world. Dr Alister MacKenzie weaved his magic on an incredible landscape. Excellent value as it celebrates its centenary year. Here's to another 100! Love this golf course and club. So friendly to visiting golfers."
Dyke Golf Club
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.50
Review Comment: "We had biblical rain on the day. However, the course stood up very well to the conditions. Greens were smooth and quick in pace too. Fairways were still eminently playable. We very much enjoyed the course. Afterwards, the staff were very helpful, indeed the pro took it upon himself to kindly get a plastic bag for my wet gear! Thoroughly recommend going to this club."
These are the courses that golfers like you believe are worth playing if you get the chance. Will you take their advice this season?
About the author
Kieran Clark is the Digital Editor of Golfshake. He oversees editorial content, community engagement, forums, and social media channels. A lifelong golfer from the Isle of Bute in Scotland who has now lived in St Andrews for a decade, he began playing at the age of five and maintains a passion for exploring courses, with a particular affection for historic layouts. Kieran regularly contributes in-depth opinion pieces and features, drawing on his enthusiasm for the game and its culture.
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