The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping and the waterproofs will soon be making a regular appearance in the golf bag. But while summer might be behind us, there is still plenty of excellent golf to enjoy before winter truly arrives.
In fact, autumn can be one of the best times of the year to play. Courses are often quieter, green fees can become more affordable and the changing colours of the countryside provide a spectacular backdrop for a round.
Of course, choosing where to play becomes increasingly important as the weather changes. Some courses are particularly attractive during autumn, while others benefit from free-draining ground that can help maintain playing conditions as the rain arrives.
Berkhamsted Golf Club
To help you decide where to play this autumn, we've revisited years of Golfshake course reviews, previous autumn recommendations and more recent feedback from golfers to identify 20 courses across England that deserve a place on your must-play list.
Whether you're looking for stunning scenery, traditional links golf or somewhere new to discover, these venues should provide plenty of inspiration for your next round.
Best Golf Courses for Autumn Scenery
There is something special about playing golf surrounded by the changing colours of autumn. These five courses offer wonderful settings in which to enjoy the season.
Enville Golf Club - Staffordshire
With two outstanding courses combining heathland and woodland, Enville is a fantastic venue to experience during autumn. Its tree-lined fairways, heather and attractive surroundings make this a memorable place to play, while the quality of the layouts continues to impress visiting golfers.
View Enville Golf Club on Golfshake
Windermere Golf Club - Cumbria
Set within the spectacular Lake District, Windermere offers breathtaking views and a challenging layout despite its relatively modest length. The changes in elevation and stunning surrounding countryside make this a particularly rewarding course to experience during autumn.
View Windermere Golf Club on Golfshake
Rochester & Cobham Park Golf Club - Kent
This traditional parkland course is surrounded by mature trees and offers an enjoyable test of golf in attractive surroundings. Well-regarded for its presentation and challenging layout, Rochester & Cobham Park is a fine choice for an autumn round in the South East.
View Rochester & Cobham Park on Golfshake
Forest Pines - Lincolnshire
Featuring 27 holes set among towering pine trees, Forest Pines offers an enjoyable combination of woodland and heathland-style golf. Accuracy is essential on its tree-lined fairways, while the impressive surroundings make this a particularly appealing venue as the seasons change.
View Forest Pines on Golfshake
Heswall Golf Club - Merseyside
Overlooking the Dee Estuary towards North Wales, Heswall combines an enjoyable golfing challenge with some spectacular views. The attractive setting and varied layout make this a course well worth considering during the autumn months.
View Heswall Golf Club on Golfshake
Heathland and Free-Draining Golf Courses
As conditions become wetter, courses with sandy soil base, chalk or naturally free-draining terrain can be particularly appealing. These five venues offer excellent golf and characteristics that can help extend the playing season.
Farnham Golf Club - Surrey
A charming heathland course featuring heather, woodland and an interesting collection of holes. Farnham's sandy terrain provides excellent drainage, making it a popular choice for golfers seeking quality playing conditions throughout the year.
View Farnham Golf Club on Golfshake
Beaconsfield Golf Club - Buckinghamshire
Designed by Harry Colt, Beaconsfield offers a classic golfing experience with mature trees, strategic bunkering and excellent greens. Its heathland characteristics and favourable drainage make it an attractive option as the autumn weather begins to change.
View Beaconsfield Golf Club on Golfshake
Pyecombe Golf Club - West Sussex
Set within the South Downs, Pyecombe offers a wonderful downland layout with memorable holes and impressive countryside views. Its chalk-based terrain provides natural drainage, helping to make this a popular destination for golf beyond the summer months.
View Pyecombe Golf Club on Golfshake
Berkhamsted Golf Club - Hertfordshire
One of England's most distinctive heathland courses, Berkhamsted is famous for having no bunkers, instead relying on heather, gorse and natural contours to provide its challenge. Its free-draining terrain makes it an excellent option for autumn golf, while the varied layout rewards thoughtful course management.
View Berkhamsted Golf Club on Golfshake
Longcliffe Golf Club - Leicestershire
An established heathland course offering a challenging layout with mature trees and a premium on accuracy. Longcliffe has earned positive feedback for its presentation and provides an enjoyable test for golfers seeking a quality round in the East Midlands.
View Longcliffe Golf Club on Golfshake
Best Links and Coastal Courses for Autumn
When inland courses begin to soften, heading towards the coast can be a sensible option. These five venues offer the opportunity to enjoy traditional links or coastal golf, with the wind often providing an additional challenge.
Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club - Cumbria
One of England's finest traditional links courses, Silloth offers a wonderful combination of natural dunes, challenging bunkers and spectacular coastal scenery. Its sandy terrain and outstanding layout make this a must-play venue for lovers of links golf.
View Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club on Golfshake
Seaton Carew Golf Club - County Durham
A historic links venue offering a superb golfing challenge along the North East coast. With natural dunes, strategic bunkering and excellent greens, Seaton Carew has long been highly regarded by visiting golfers and is an attractive option as autumn progresses.
View Seaton Carew Golf Club on Golfshake
Wallasey Golf Club - Merseyside
A classic links course with a rich history and an excellent collection of holes set among natural dunes. Wallasey provides a challenging but rewarding experience, particularly when the coastal winds add another dimension to the round.
View Wallasey Golf Club on Golfshake
Barton-on-Sea Golf Club - Hampshire
Offering 27 holes and spectacular views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight, Barton-on-Sea is a hugely enjoyable coastal venue. Its varied layout and exposed location provide an interesting challenge for golfers throughout the autumn months.
View Barton-on-Sea Golf Club on Golfshake
Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club - Essex
Combining links-influenced and parkland characteristics, Clacton-on-Sea offers an enjoyable and varied golfing experience. Its coastal location, welcoming atmosphere and positive feedback from visiting golfers make it a worthwhile option for a late-season round.
View Clacton-on-Sea Golf Club on Golfshake
Hidden Gem Golf Courses to Play This Autumn
Autumn can also be an excellent opportunity to explore somewhere new. These five courses might not always attract the same attention as the country's biggest names, but each has plenty to offer.
Cavendish Golf Club - Derbyshire
Designed by Alister MacKenzie, Cavendish is a wonderfully distinctive course packed with character and strategic interest. Its clever layout, challenging greens and impressive surroundings make it one of England's most rewarding shorter courses.
View Cavendish Golf Club on Golfshake
Stoke Rochford Golf Club - Lincolnshire
An attractive parkland course offering varied holes, interesting contours and a friendly welcome. Conveniently located near the A1, Stoke Rochford is a venue that has impressed Golfshake members and is well worth discovering.
View Stoke Rochford Golf Club on Golfshake
Trethorne Golf Club - Cornwall
Set within the Cornish countryside, Trethorne offers an enjoyable layout featuring undulating fairways, elevation changes and plenty of variety. Its natural terrain and challenging holes have earned positive feedback from visiting golfers.
View Trethorne Golf Club on Golfshake
Letchworth Golf Club - Hertfordshire
A traditional parkland course where accuracy and course management are essential. With mature trees, tight fairways and challenging greens, Letchworth offers a rewarding experience and is a venue worth considering for an autumn round.
View Letchworth Golf Club on Golfshake
Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club - Cornwall
An attractive parkland layout featuring mature trees, undulating fairways and a varied collection of holes. Bowood Park offers an enjoyable challenge in the Cornish countryside and has received positive feedback for its scenery and welcoming atmosphere.
View Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club on Golfshake
Where Will You Play Golf This Autumn?
The arrival of autumn doesn't have to mean the end of your golfing season. From colourful parkland settings to free-draining heathland and traditional coastal links, there are still plenty of excellent courses waiting to be experienced.
And with quieter fairways and potentially more attractive green fees, this could be the perfect opportunity to discover somewhere new.
Naturally, it is always worth checking the latest course conditions, visitor availability and any seasonal restrictions before booking, particularly as we move closer to winter.
You can also explore the Golfshake Course Section to read independent reviews from fellow golfers and find more courses worth playing.
Have you played any of these venues, or is there another English golf course that you would recommend for autumn? Let us know and share your experiences with the Golfshake Community.
