What is the best golf course you have played that nobody seems to talk about?
It is a simple question, but one that produced some fascinating answers when we recently put it to the Golfshake Community.
We all know about the Old Course, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Turnberry and the other household names that dominate bucket lists and rankings. They are celebrated for good reason, but one of the joys of playing golf throughout the UK and Ireland is discovering somewhere that perhaps doesn't receive quite the same attention.
And who better to ask than golfers themselves?
Golfshake has long been driven by the experiences of everyday golfers. Thousands use our Golf Course Section to discover places to play, record their rounds and leave independent reviews that help others decide where to visit next.
When we asked our audience to name the best course they had played that "no one talks about", the responses took us from Cornwall to the Highlands and from the spectacular coastline of County Down to the great links of Ireland.
Some of these names certainly aren't unknown. Several are highly ranked and revered by knowledgeable golfers. But that rather misses the point: these are courses our community believes deserve to be talked about even more.
Here are 25 that particularly caught our attention.
Machrihanish Golf Club - Kintyre, Scotland
Machrihanish is no secret among links aficionados, but its remote Kintyre setting keeps it away from the spotlight enjoyed by Scotland's more accessible championship venues.
This wonderfully natural links begins with one of golf's most famous opening tee shots, played across the beach. Golfshake golfers rate the hospitality and pace of play particularly highly, while the club currently carries a 4.7 Golfshake rating and 95% would play again. The journey is part of the experience - and the golf makes the miles worthwhile.
The Golf House Club, Elie - Fife, Scotland
In another part of the world, Elie might be the headline act. In Fife, a certain golfing town along the coast inevitably attracts much of the attention.
At 6,273 yards from the white tees, this isn't about length. Undulating fairways, firm greens, clever bunkering, coastal breezes and a spectacular setting deliver quintessential Scottish links golf. Golfshake rates Elie at 4.9, with 96% saying they would play again.
Golfshake Feature Review - The Golf House Club, Elie
Crail Golfing Society - Fife, Scotland
Continue around the Fife coastline and you reach another historic destination that can be overshadowed by its famous neighbours.
Crail has two courses, but the Old Tom Morris-designed Balcomie Links will particularly appeal to lovers of traditional links golf. At 5,861 yards from the white tees, its mix of seaside terrain, six par threes and glorious views provides bags of personality. Golfshake golfers rate the course and conditioning strongly, with 94% saying they would return.
Ardglass Golf Club - County Down, Northern Ireland
With Royal County Down and Royal Portrush commanding so much attention, Northern Ireland inevitably has excellent courses that can slip under the radar.
Ardglass hugs the County Down coastline and offers a rugged, memorable seaside experience, with the Irish Sea a constant presence. Golfshake golfers rate the course itself particularly highly, and 100% currently say they would play again. If you're heading to County Down, don't stop after its most famous name.
Notts Golf Club, Hollinwell - Nottinghamshire, England
Those who know their golf courses will certainly know Hollinwell, but among the wider golfing public it arguably still receives less attention than its quality deserves.
Set across wonderfully natural Nottinghamshire heathland, this is a serious test of shot-making and strategy. Its 4.9 Golfshake rating is backed by 100% saying they would play again, while one recent reviewer simply called it "one of the best I have played".
Golfshake Feature Review - Notts (Hollinwell) Golf Club
Silloth-on-Solway - Cumbria, England
If Silloth were located in a more fashionable golfing destination, you suspect it would be discussed far more often.
Natural dunes, firm turf, excellent bunkering and ever-present wind make this traditional Cumbrian links a compelling test. The numbers underline its reputation: a 4.9 Golfshake rating from more than 70 reviews, with 98% saying they would play again.
Golfshake Feature Review - Silloth-on-Solway
Boat of Garten - Highlands, Scotland
You don't have to play beside the sea to experience memorable Scottish golf.
Designed by James Braid and set amid the Cairngorms, Boat of Garten combines natural undulations with spectacular Highland scenery. Golfshake visitors particularly praise its condition and hospitality, and 100% currently say they would play again. For anyone planning a Highland golf trip, "The Boat" deserves serious consideration.
Cruden Bay - Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Cruden Bay is adored by knowledgeable links golfers, yet it remains less discussed than Scotland's Open venues.
It is gloriously unconventional: humps, hollows, blind shots, dramatic dunes and views towards Slains Castle combine in a course full of quirks and character. Its 4.9 Golfshake rating and 100% "would play again" figure capture the appeal. Sometimes a little bit of golfing madness is exactly what you want.
The Machrie - Isle of Islay, Scotland
Getting to Islay requires a little more commitment than driving to your nearest resort course - and that's part of The Machrie's appeal.
Set beside Laggan Bay, this striking links combines Atlantic scenery with a memorable test among dunes and natural contours. Golfshake reviewers currently give it a 4.9 rating, with 100% saying they would play again. The setting may bring you here; the golf will make you want to return.
Feature: What it's like to stay and play golf at The Machrie
Western Gailes - Ayrshire, Scotland
How does a course as good as Western Gailes sometimes find itself overlooked? Geography has plenty to do with it: Ayrshire is packed with famous links and Open Championship history.
Western Gailes deserves to stand proudly among them. This exacting traditional links uses wind, dunes and natural contours as its defence, and Golfshake golfers clearly love it: 4.9 overall, with 100% saying they would play again.
Golfshake Feature - Western Gailes Golf Club
Golspie Golf Club - Highlands, Scotland
Golspie is exactly the sort of course this question was designed to uncover.
North of Dornoch, the course moves from links to heathland and pasture before returning to links turf for the closing holes. That variety gives it a distinctive identity. Golfshake golfers score it particularly well for value, while all current reviewers say they would play again.
Dunstanburgh Castle - Northumberland, England
There aren't many courses where the backdrop threatens to upstage the golf, but Dunstanburgh Castle comes close.
Set on the magnificent Northumberland coast at Embleton Bay, this James Braid links combines traditional seaside golf with one of England's most recognisable landscapes. It has attracted around 170 Golfshake reviews, carries a 4.4 rating and has a 96% "would play again" figure.
Golfshake Feature - Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
Wallasey Golf Club - Wirral, England
The Wirral and nearby Lancashire coast are home to some huge golfing names, which perhaps explains why Wallasey doesn't always receive the attention it merits.
Originally designed by Tom Morris, this is a proper links shaped by natural undulations and coastal winds. It also has a special place in golfing history: member Dr Frank Stableford devised the scoring system bearing his name here. Golfshake rates Wallasey at 4.6, with 98% saying they would return.
Southerness - Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Southerness answers a familiar question: where can you find outstanding Scottish links golf away from the most obvious destinations?
Designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross, this is a genuine championship links and a stern examination when the wind blows. Its Golfshake feedback is excellent: 4.6 overall, particularly strong marks for course condition and hospitality, and 100% saying they would play again.
St Enodoc - Cornwall, England
St Enodoc isn't exactly unknown, but it remains less familiar to many golfers than its quality deserves.
The Church Course is a wonderful James Braid design weaving through dunes above the Camel Estuary, combining strategic golf with spectacular views. The Golfshake Community gives it a 4.9 rating from more than 90 reviews, with 98% saying they would play again.
Golfshake Feature - St Enodoc Golf Club
Fortrose & Rosemarkie - Highlands, Scotland
There are few golfing locations quite like Fortrose & Rosemarkie.
The links occupies the narrow Chanonry Peninsula on the Moray Firth and was redesigned by James Braid in 1932. It isn't especially long, but wind, gorse and firm conditions provide the defence. Golfshake reviewers rate its condition and hospitality particularly strongly, while 100% currently say they would play again.
Spey Valley - Aviemore, Scotland
The Highlands feature heavily in our community's selections, and Spey Valley offers something very different from the classic coastal links.
Playing through trees with the River Spey and Cairngorm mountains forming the backdrop, this Dave Thomas-designed championship course is long, expansive and memorable. The Macdonald Aviemore venue currently carries a 4.6 Golfshake rating, with 100% saying they would play again.
Golfshake Feature - Spey Valley
Enniscrone - County Sligo, Ireland
Irish links golf has plenty of superstar names, but Enniscrone deserves extremely good company.
Its Dunes Course occupies spectacular terrain on the Bartragh Peninsula and has been shaped over the years by Eddie Hackett and Donald Steel. Huge dunes frame a dramatic links that Golfshake reviewers rate 4.9 overall, with 100% saying they would return. One golfer called it a "hidden gem" - an apt description here.
Perranporth - Cornwall, England
Perranporth is another fine example of James Braid using the land placed in front of him.
This is natural, characterful links golf where contours play a central role and imagination matters more than brute force. The yellow tees measure just over 6,000 yards, but the challenge is considerable. Perranporth has a 4.6 Golfshake rating and a 97% "would play again" figure.
Golfshake Feature - Perranporth
Swinley Forest - Berkshire, England
Swinley Forest may be an unlikely "hidden gem" among golf-course aficionados, because those who know it tend to rave about it. Among the wider golfing public, however, perhaps it still deserves more attention.
Harry Colt's Berkshire heathland creation proves exceptional golf doesn't require excessive length. Golfshake golfers give it a perfect 5.0 rating from more than 50 reviews, with 100% saying they would play again. One recent reviewer went further: "For me the best course I've played."
Feature: The Experience of Playing Swinley Forest Golf Club
Goswick Links - Northumberland, England
Drive between Newcastle and Edinburgh and it would be easy to pass Goswick without realising what lies only a few miles from the A1.
Founded in 1890 and later redesigned by James Braid, this natural Northumberland links can test very good golfers while remaining enjoyable from the appropriate tees. It has more than 70 Golfshake reviews and a 98% return recommendation. One recent golfer summed it up neatly: a "proper test", "not stuffy", reasonably priced and friendly.
Golfshake Feature - Goswick Links
Dunaverty - Kintyre, Scotland
At under 5,000 yards and a par of 66, Dunaverty is a reminder that memorable golf has nothing to do with length.
Situated at Southend on the Kintyre Peninsula, this is small-scale, old-fashioned links golf packed with character. Golfshake golfers score it particularly highly for the course, condition, value and pace of play, and 100% say they would return.
Narin & Portnoo - County Donegal, Ireland
Donegal is a paradise for golfers who enjoy finding courses beyond Ireland's most familiar destinations, and Narin & Portnoo fits the bill beautifully.
Opened in 1930 and subsequently redeveloped, the links meanders over and around the dunes. It has only a handful of Golfshake reviews, but they are enthusiastic: a 4.4 rating, 4.8 for the course and 100% saying they would play again. Perhaps that small sample reinforces the sense of discovery.
Dooks Golf Club - County Kerry, Ireland
When golfers travel to Kerry, certain famous courses tend to dominate the itinerary. Don't overlook Dooks.
Set among dunes at the head of Dingle Bay, this traditional links combines beautiful surroundings with a challenging but enjoyable test. Golfshake rates it 4.6 overall, with particularly strong marks for the course, condition and hospitality, while 100% say they would return. One reviewer called it a "true links test".
Blairgowrie Golf Club - Perthshire, Scotland
We finish inland at one of Scotland's great golfing venues.
Blairgowrie offers the Rosemount and Lansdowne courses alongside its nine-hole Wee Course, providing a complete contrast to the links that dominate this list. Tree-lined holes, excellent conditioning and plenty of character have helped it earn a 4.9 Golfshake rating, with 96% saying they would play again. One experienced reviewer said of Lansdowne that "golf just does not get any better than this".
What Makes a Golf Course Underrated?
Looking through these 25 courses, one thing becomes obvious: "nobody talks about it" doesn't necessarily mean obscure.
Swinley Forest is revered by architecture enthusiasts. Hollinwell regularly appears in rankings. Cruden Bay is famous among links devotees. Western Gailes has a formidable reputation.
But golf has its own gravitational pull. St Andrews dominates Fife. Royal County Down and Royal Portrush dominate Northern Ireland. The Open venues dominate Ayrshire and the Lancashire coast. Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville and others inevitably command attention in Ireland.
Sometimes an exceptional golf course simply has some very noisy neighbours.
There is also a geographical theme. Kintyre, the Highlands, Northumberland, Donegal, Cumbria and the more remote parts of Ireland aren't always the easiest places to reach. And perhaps that's part of the magic.
The Golfshake Course Section has always been about helping golfers discover where to play next, using the experiences and independent reviews of golfers who have actually been there.
Rankings have their place. Championship history matters. Famous architects and tournament pedigree matter too.
But sometimes the best recommendation remains the simplest one of all:
"I've played there. You really need to go."
Judging by the Golfshake Community's answers, these 25 courses deserve to be heard about a lot more often.
