26 golf courses that we think you should play in 2026
By: Kieran Clark | Edited: Fri 12 Jun 2026
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When judging a successful golf season, you can determine that in several ways, including whether you lowered your handicap or not, played more frequently than the previous year, or managed to meet some engaging new acquaintances on the course.
But you should also aspire to tick off a range of different layouts, particularly some you have experienced for the first time. It's the depth and variety of venues out there that helps to make this the most mentally stimulating of games, where each course you play offers a unique challenge.
Finding the best locations to visit can be a test as there is so much choice out there. That's why we frequently draw on the thoughts and opinions of the many everyday golfers who regularly submit reviews into Golfshake.
Boasting consistently high ratings over recent years, here are 26 golf courses that we think you should play in 2026 - based on the views of keen golfers just like yourself!
We think it's very likely that you're about to discover a recommended destination that you haven't considered or heard of before!
Gosfield Lake Golf Club
Location: Halstead, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.19
Review Comment: "Hidden treasure. Course beautifully laid out, welcoming atmosphere, kind friendly staff and the food is amazing. Highly recommend."
Eastham Lodge Golf Club
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.19
Review Comment: "Good condition, fairways spot on, greens true and fast, bunkers, some with sand, some with not enough sand. Tees great, and the layout a great course to play, lovely full English breakfast and great meat pie, chips and peas, spot on day out."
The Warwickshire Golf Club
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.18
Review Comment: "A very challenging course with a great layout. In fantastic condition, one of the best I have ever played."
The Drift
Location: Leatherhead, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.12
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.18
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."
Sharpley Golf Centre
Location: Seaham, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.39
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.18
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."
Weald of Kent Golf Club
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.14
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.17
Review Comment: "Have been coming to Weald of Kent for quite a few years now as a small society and have always found the course to be in good condition and have always been treated fantastically by the staff in the club."
Woldingham Golf Club
Location: Woldingham, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.16
Review Comment: "A well kept course with very little mud as it dries very well. Quite testing in places but very little chance of losing your ball. Good clubhouse and helpful staff and also plenty of parking."
West Midlands Golf Club
Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.16
Review Comment: "Great course and would recommend to anyone to play. The fairways were in really good condition, and a lot of inviting, but challenging holes."
Pedham Place Golf Centre
Location: Swanley, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.13
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.15
Review Comment: "Course in great condition, food was very good and all the staff were very helpful. Able to accommodate our late addition. In all made for a brilliant day."
Badgemore Park
Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.13
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.15
Review Comment: "This is the second time I’ve organised a ladies society day. I have to say the service was of a very high standard on both occasions. The golf course and the meal afterwards was perfect. I am going to book again next year, all the ladies wished to return. This speaks for itself."
Thorpe Wood Golf Club
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.09
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.15
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."
Kingswood Golf Club
Location: Tadworth, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.15
Review Comment: "Excellent course with simply stunning views, very challenging in places, but also very open, which allows for the odd wayward shot, friendly staff."
Westerham Golf Club
Location: Westerham, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.14
Review Comment: "Really enjoyable day at Westerham, even the rain did not spoil the day. Great course, really good condition and playing very well."
Disley Golf Club
Location: Disley, Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.14
Review Comment: "Invited back to play the course again. Friendly staff, nice food, course has many different holes, challenging and fun to play, working out where to miss as much as where to land it. Greens the highlight."
Purley Downs Golf Club
Location: South Croydon, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.14
Review Comment: "Enjoyable course with some challenges where good course management and shot selection can be rewarded."
North Downs Golf Club
Location: Caterham, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.13
Review Comment: "Great course. Easy to play and access is great. Buggy is always available and the staff are really friendly."
Three Locks Golf Club
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.13
Review Comment: "Great course, picturesque views and welcoming staff. Looking forward to playing there again. Some tricky holes that make you think twice about using the big stick!"
Toot Hill Golf Club
Location: Ongar, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.19
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.12
Review Comment: "Absolutly love playing Toot Hill. It's always a challenge with its fast greens and up and down fairways. Would recommend this to all standards of golfers."
Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club
Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.08
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.12
Review Comment: "Course was in good condition considering how wet it has been. Greens were true and receptive and there are some excellent holes, especially on the back nine."
The Shropshire
Location: Telford, Shropshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.30
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.12
Review Comment: "Great course in great condition. Friendly staff and a great clubhouse for a great day on the course. Would recommend."
Ruddington Grange Golf Club
Location: Ruddington, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.08
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.12
Review Comment: "Lovely course which has you thinking about your game on several holes. Will definitely be back there again to play soon."
Oakland Park Golf Club
Location: Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.12
Review Comment: "We found the course in great condition. The greens especially were a treat, despite being quite challenging with variously well-placed contours. A flat layout with some fun holes, and a few tricky bunkers. Relatively short, so ideal for older players. Very nice clubhouse, with good facilities, but one minor gripe that the kitchen had closed by the time we'd completed our round. Would definitely recommend, as it was excellent value for money. Looking forward to a return visit."
Breadsall Priory Golf Club
Location: Morley, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.12
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "Excellent conditions, greens and fairways in great condition. Love playing here because it has two different style of courses to play."
Garon Park Golf Complex
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.07
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "Garon Park is in fabulous condition at the moment. Highly recommended."
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club
Location: Colchester, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "This was the second visit for our golf society. As before the course was in excellent condition. The hotel is very nice and all of the staff are welcoming, polite and very helpful."
Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort
Location: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "I love this course, the beauty of it on a sunny day, with the flowers around the putting green and the fountains. It's a proper course, proper trees, proper hazards, proper bunkers and a proper layout. Hard to choose my favourite two nines, but Forest then Pines probably just wins it."
Now that we're in the midst of the golf season, the moment is here for you to grasp the opportunity of the summer months and play a range of new courses for the first time.
Which of these suggested venues are you going to select first?
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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