20 golf courses to play before the summer ends
By: Kieran Clark | Edited: Tue 30 Jun 2026
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Those long summer days, the balmy nights, the bright mornings, the steamy afternoons, it's all a tonic for the soul if you're a golfer, with those extended hours of daylight and warmer conditions giving you ample opportunity to play courses that are simply looking at their best.
Not to dampen your spirits, but the darker months of winter will be here before you know it, but rather than viewing that as an ominous cloud on the horizon, see the peak weeks of the season as your moment to get out there, explore, and tick off several different layouts, recording a variety of experiences for you to look back on when the snow starts falling.
If you are searching for places to visit, the Golfshake Course Section is your well of inspiration, showcasing several hundred thousand independent reviews submitted by everyday golfers, bringing you closer to those locations that people just like yourself would recommend to others.
And we have another selection for you - based on consistently high ratings from recent years - of venues throughout England.
From Derbyshire to Surrey, Yorkshire, Kent and Somerset, here are 20 golf courses to play before the summer ends!
Breadsall Priory Golf Club
Location: Derby, 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."
Ullesthorpe Court Hotel & Golf Club
Location: Ullesthorpe, Leicestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.02
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "The course has some really nice holes, especially the par 3 9th. Teeing off from the top of an old railway bridge is a nice touch. The staff are great, the course was in really good condition considering the rain we have had. Would play again."
Mickleover Golf Club
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "Great society venue. Played here regularly and the course is always well presented and supported by a great clubhouse and friendly membership. Not the longest but still needs care due its tight fairways and small greens."
Norwood Park Golf Centre
Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.06
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.11
Review Comment: "Great course. Fab layout and a challenge for all levels. Friendly welcome from staff and locals alike."
Whittlebury Park Golf Club
Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.10
Review Comment: "The greens were 100% true and in great condition. The layout was challenging for the average club player. The facilities were first class from the hotel, spa and the course."
Belton Woods
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.02
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.09
Review Comment: "Not just the course, but the whole location, is stunning. Great facilities and lots of things to do when you finish your round."
Sutton Green Golf Club
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.04
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.07
Review Comment: "Surrey's hidden gem. Course is in fantastic condition, tee boxes and greens are perfect. It’s enough of a challenge measuring 6,000 yards off the blues, and doesn’t have a lot of foot traffic either."
Farleigh Golf Club
Location: Farleigh, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.08
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.06
Review Comment: "One of our favourite golf venues, the golf course is always very well maintained and a good challenge for all standards of golfer. Always a friendly welcome in the clubhouse with decent food and attentive staff."
Forest of Arden Golf Resort
Location: Coventry, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.17
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.06
Review Comment: "This course was simply beautiful and one of the best which I have played for a long time. It was picturesque, allowed me to play holes I'd seen on TV. The place was well looked after."
Ramsdale Park Golf Centre
Location: Calverton, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.06
Review Comment: "Great atmosphere. Played yesterday for the first time. Courses magnificent and in fantastic condition."
Tall Pines Golf Club
Location: Downside, Somerset
Golfshake Rating: 4.18
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.05
Review Comment: "Always enjoy playing at Tall Pines, challenging course, excellent facilities and friendly staff. The course is in superb condition. Fairways, greens and even the bunkers are in excellent condition, a credit to everyone involved."
Croham Hurst Golf Club
Location: South Croydon, Greater London
Golfshake Rating: 4.14
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.04
Review Comment: "Impressed with the course. The practice green was fast with lots of undulations - this was copied out on the course. The greens were in great condition, as was the course itself. If you want to be picky - the bunkers were sand and stones. Very nice setting, staff were friendly and the food was good."
Thornhurst Park Golf Course
Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.03
Review Comment: "The course was in reasonable condition considering the recent dry spell. It represents good value for money without many inspiring holes. It is a fair test of golf. The attached bar restaurant is a good option afterwards."
Colne Valley Golf Club
Location: Earls Colne, Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.04
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.03
Review Comment: "A great, well managed, very challenging course. There is always a lovely welcome and golfers very friendly."
Birchwood Park Golf Centre
Location: Dartford, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 3.95
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.02
Review Comment: "Had a round here and the fairways are lush, the greens are fast with some tricky holes, especially on the back nine. The staff here are excellent also. I’m looking forward to coming back for another round."
Springwater Golf Club
Location: Calverton, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.02
Review Comment: "Very relaxing and friendly course, made to feel welcome. The green fees were very good value for money."
Leasowe Golf Club
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.02
Review Comment: "Decent links course with some challenge on most holes, fairly forgiving."
Styrrup Hall Golf & Country Club
Location: Styrrup, South Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.02
Review Comment: "The course was in excellent condition, especially considering the weather we have just experienced. You can really tell how much work has gone into making this course to be up there with the best in the area. Great course, excellent condition and very friendly, helpful team."
Knebworth Golf Club
Location: Knebworth, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.01
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 4.00
Review Comment: "Very nice. Great condition, greens superb. A great day out."
Greetham Valley
Location: Greetham, Leicestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.30
Average Rating 2023/2024/2025: 3.97
Review Comment: "Great venue - worth a visit. Very nice course - in excellent condition. Definitely worth a visit as a society. Greens in good condition and the fairways well maintained."
If you would like even more recently published recommendations, please check out the following below:
- 26 golf breaks you must book in summer 2026
- Where you should play 36 holes of golf in the UK
- 26 golf courses that we think you should play in 2026
- Why have you not played these golf courses?
- 26 golf courses in England you must play in 2026
- The golf courses that other golfers think you should play in 2026
- 20 golf courses that are true gems
- 10 golf courses you should play this year
- Are these the most popular golf venues in the UK?
- The most improved English golf courses to play in 2026
Let's make this a special summer of golf - and making your way to one of these courses is a strong way to start!
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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