26 golf courses in England you must play in 2026
By: Kieran Clark | Edited: Fri 22 May 2026
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We're now entering the peak of the season, the days have grown longer, the temperatures have risen, and the sun is (hopefully) shining, meaning that this is your opportunity to make up for all those dark and miserable days of winter.
But where are you going to play? You could search around for inspiration, there are numerous lists and rankings available online, all of which that have merit, but sometimes you just get tired of seeing the same old places promoted, especially when they can often be prohibitively expensive.
That's exactly why we particularly value the views of regular, everyday golfers - specifically those who kindly take the time to submit reviews on Golfshake - to see just which venues they recommend to other people like themselves.
Looking for destinations that have been rated highly by a significant number of reviewers in 2023, 2024 and 2025, we are excited to share with you 26 golf courses in England you must play in 2026.
It's an eclectic collection of names - covering different corners of the country - but they are united in that they have consistently delivered a product that golfers would love to revisit.
Where are you going to play first this summer?
The Manor Golf Club, Kingstone
Location: Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.32
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.50
Review Comment: "Great course, greens were perfect, and pin positions very challenging."
St Mellion Resort
Location: Saltash, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.50
Review Comment: "Fantastic course, possibly my new favourite course. Conditions were challenging, torrential rain the previous day and very heavy thunderstorms during our round made it very wet. Would love to play it again."
High Post Golf Club
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.48
Review Comment: "This golf club has a nice atmosphere due to the friendliness of the staff. This first impression goes a long way to ensuring an enjoyable day out at High Post. The course is excellent, a real credit to the greenkeeping staff, so even if it is a little out of your way, I would highly recommend it."
Tylney Park Golf Club
Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.45
Review Comment: "Back to its summer best! Drying out well, ball running on the fairways and fast greens a delight to play! Varied course with challenging greens in quiet Hampshire countryside."
Southwick Park Golf Club
Location: Fareham, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.19
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.45
Review Comment: "Course in great condition, greens excellent. Always a pleasure to play. Staff also ready to assist if needed."
The Astbury
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.44
Review Comment: "This is a nice golf course in great condition. The greens are in excellent condition. The rough was thick so accuracy off the tee and around the green is rewarded."
College Pines Golf Club
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.43
Review Comment: "Excellent course, lovely staff at the clubhouse. Highly recommended."
Rufford Park Golf & Country Club
Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.43
Review Comment: "Fantastic course out in the middle of Sherwood Forest with lots of challenging holes and great par 3 17th."
Feldon Valley Golf Club
Location: Sutton Lane, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.42
Review Comment: "An undiscovered jewel. Outstanding on and off the course. Highly recommended."
Marriott Worsley Park Golf Club
Location: Worsley Park, Manchester
Golfshake Rating: 4.28
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.42
Review Comment: "Great course. Course in very good condition! Greens excellent. Helpful staff. Decent shop. Well recommended."
Stratford Park Golf Club
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.23
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.41
Review Comment: "Have played here a few times. Always an enjoyable course with great views! Long rough makes it a challenge!"
Pavenham Park Golf Club
Location: Pavenham, Bedfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.44
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.40
Review Comment: "Undulating and hilly at times with some great views across Bedfordshire. Welcoming and friendly club with very helpful staff and pro shop. Well worth a visit."
Horsley Lodge Golf Club
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.41
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.40
Review Comment: "What a well maintained course it is. Very good greens. Mostly tough due to making a good read when putting. Contoured greens and where the ball lands on the green matters. Plenty of water and ponds to catch you out. Every hole is well laid out and interesting and just hitting the fairway needs thinking about - love the course, just wished I was a better player."
Dyrham Park Golf & Country Club
Location: Barnet, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.47
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.40
Review Comment: "Course design very good, fairways and tees in good condition. Greens true and fast although some were a bit patchy. Lots of water hazards so ensure you have more than one ball!"
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
Location: Alnwick, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.40
Review Comment: "One of my favourite courses. Stunning location on the Northumberland coast. The course was in amazing condition with perfect greens as always."
Pyecombe Golf Club
Location: Brighton, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.39
Review Comment: "Very enjoyable challenge. A beautiful course, working with its fantastic location in the South Downs. Loads of wildlife and birds."
Puttenham Golf Club
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.35
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.39
Review Comment: "Glorious weather on such a well maintained course. The greenkeepers continue to do a fantastic job - course improving all the time. Friendly pro shop and clubhouse staff too."
Ashbury Golf Club
Location: Okehampton, Devon
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.37
Review Comment: "Really enjoyed our annual golf break, courses in very good condition considering the traffic they received."
Barnham Broom Golf Club
Location: Barnham Broom, Norfolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.30
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.37
Review Comment: "Very enjoyable round of golf. Accomodation and facilities were also very good. It was a great weekend."
Bromsgrove Golf Centre
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.36
Review Comment: "Great facilities and a very well presented and challenging course even given that it’s a par 68. Brilliant bunkers and superb greens. Plenty of food and drink options after made it an all round great experience."
Faversham Golf Club
Location: Faversham, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.35
Review Comment: "Great welcome from all at the club who couldn't have been more welcoming. Food during the day was excellent, especially dinner in the evening. Bar was also well priced. Course itself is well worth a visit with plenty of variety and many changes in elevation. Greens weren't the quickest but were very true and bunkers were decent."
Dorset Golf & Country Club
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Golfshake Rating: 4.21
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.34
Review Comment: "The greens are playing exceptionally good considering all the rain, still maintaining a nice speed. Great facilities and excellent helpful staff."
Chartham Park Golf Club
Location: East Grinstead, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.47
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.34
Review Comment: "Great course with some good challenges. Course conditions were very good. Good society venue, enjoyable day."
Goodwood Golf Club
Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.34
Review Comment: "Stunning course. Well worth a visit. Greens are challenging, true and the course plays long from the equivalent of the white tees."
Woodlands Golf & Country Club
Location: Bristol, Gloucestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.33
Review Comment: "Still one of the best value courses in Bristol whether you play the Masters or the Signature. Greens very consistent."
Mendip Spring Golf Club
Location: Congresbury, Somerset
Golfshake Rating: 4.21
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.33
Review Comment: "The course was in great condition and a good challenges for our group, with handicaps ranging from 12 to 21. Usual friendly welcome in the busy clubhouse with a great atmosphere."
If you want to know more about Mendip Spring, then do check out this recent feature that we published.
But it's clear that any of these golf courses and venues would be worthwhile visiting this year. They come suggested by other golfers just like you and us - which is why we can endorse that perspective and recommend them for you to play in 2026!
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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