How Much Does it Cost to Play The Best Golf Courses in England

When it comes to many of the leading golf courses in the UK, there has undoubtedly been substantial green fee inflation in recent years, with costs to play the most revered layouts in the country rising dramatically.

This is something that - if we had a magic wand - we'd instantly change about the game.

However, the reality is something that we have to accept, but just how expensive can it be to experience that select group of courses that are universally celebrated?

Looking specifically at England, we have picked out the leading 25 venues that accept visitors from the Golfshake Top 100, which has been collated based on the many reviews and ratings submitted by the everyday golfers who come together to create the Golfshake Community.

We've researched to uncover the peak season green fees below, but many of these courses can be accessed for significantly less throughout autumn, winter and during summer twilight hours, so it's worth taking a bit of time to explore further should any of these places catch your eye.

But how much does it cost to play the best English golf courses? This will give you a flavour.

St George's Hill Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Summer Green Fees: £240

Review Comment: "One of the most beautiful courses I have ever played, from the impressive clubhouse to the excellent condition of the course. Simply fantastic!"

Formby Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Summer Green Fees: £230

Review Comment: "Absolute gem of a course with rolling fairways and true greens. Friendly service in the clubhouse with huge breakfast rolls."

Ganton Golf Club

Location: North Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Summer Green Fees: £195

Review Comment: "What a great course. Deservedly rated a top 100 course. Fairways and greens are pristine. Stay out of the fairway bunkers and you can score well. Most golfers will not have experienced anything like them. Deep and difficult, the only option in most is to pop it out and take the medicine. Beautiful and brutal in equal measure."

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Location: Lancashire

Golfshake Rating: 5.00

Summer Green Fees: £320

Review Comment: "The layout was excellent and the condition of the course was perfect. The quality of the design and the history of the course was evident and the overall Open vibe was great."

Woking Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Summer Green Fees: £180

Review Comment: "Wow! Stunning views. Such a stunningly well kept golf course, fabulous views overlooking the whole course from the 11th tee."

The West Lancashire Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.97

Summer Green Fees: £175

Review Comment: "West Lancashire GC is a great course and I very much look forward to playing there again. Links golf at its finest."

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Kent

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Summer Green Fees: £235

Review Comment: "Superb traditional out and in links. Fantastic staff, welcoming environment in the clubhouse, course in immaculate condition and extensive practice facilities. Their new putting green must be one of the largest in the country and is excellent."

Alwoodley Golf Club

Location: West Yorkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Summer Green Fees: £190

Review Comment: "Fantastic course. Great mix of holes. Lots of interesting shots. Good condition. Very welcoming. Highly recommend."

Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club

Location: Cumbria

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Summer Green Fees: £95

Review Comment: "You will not find a better value for money course in the country. You CANNOT get away with anything that is just slightly of line and you need to think your way around the course or it will make a fool of you. I loved this course so much as it tested my golfing brain and challenges you not take to many risks. So much so I have just been accepted as a member."

Hindhead Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.96

Summer Green Fees: £135

Review Comment: "Love this course, stunning holes cut through the Surrey hills. But tough. Avoid the heather at all costs! You really need to play the holes, it is not boom boom golf at all. Love it."

Woburn Golf Club

Location: Buckinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Summer Green Fees: £209

Review Comment: "A beautiful course sculpted in between the plentiful trees and slops of the Woburn. The fairways, greens, Tee boxes and bunkers are as you would expect all perfect, with the greens running smooth and true. A challenging course that offers both attacking possibilities and holes where you need to think about your shot choice carefully! Not a cheap course to play, but a real treat if you get the chance!"

Worplesdon Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.95

Summer Green Fees: £175

Review Comment: "Brilliant golf course and rightly rated highly. Felt very welcome and enjoyed it thoroughly. Will be back for sure."

Royal West Norfolk Golf Club

Location: Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Summer Green Fees: £125

Review Comment: "Cracking layout. The old fashioned in and out style of links is great fun, especially if the tide is in. The course is quite forgiving from the tee if you are on the right lines, but around the greens and bunkers is where it will catch you out. Condition is fantastic. As expected."

Sunningdale Golf Club

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Location: Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Summer Green Fees: £350

Review Comment: "Quite simply one the best courses I've ever played. Amazing views all the way around, long tough but rewarding, if you hit the fairway. Greens ran true throughout and the halfway house lived up to the hype."

Sherwood Forest Golf Club

Location: Nottinghamshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Summer Green Fees: £100

Review Comment: "Superb, fast greens. Firm fairways framed with gorse, heather and trees. Challenging par threes and tough stretch of par fours on the back nine will really test your game on this classic heathland layout."

The Berkshire Golf Club

Location: Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Summer Green Fees: £220

Review Comment: "This is truly a must play venue if you have a bucket list. Great clubhouse, great food, fantastic courses, very welcoming, well stocked shop, brilliant facilities."

Hankley Common Golf Club

Location: Surrey

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Summer Green Fees: £145

Review Comment: "This is a great course with some challenging holes and a peaceful atmosphere. The layout and condition was excellent and the greens were outstanding. There was a good variety of holes that tested my skills and I really enjoyed my round. Highly recommended."

Liphook Golf Club

Location: Hampshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £135

Review Comment: "Fast greens, lush fairways, plenty of heather to left and right, this is a pretty course and a decent test of golf, without being ridiculous. Will play here again."

Hillside Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £250

Review Comment: "Of all the top quality courses in and around Southport, Hillside is top of the tree for me. From the welcoming members, the staff and the golf course it’s a joy to play and return time and time again."

Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £200

Review Comment: "A stunning course that asks lots of questions from tee to green. Then once you find the putting surface you are confronted by humps and hollows galore. An absolute pleasure to play, in such fine condition."

The Grove

Location: Hertfordshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £209

Review Comment: "The golf course is in great condition, with brilliant greens and challenging holes. The whole experience was amazing, and I really enjoyed the variety of holes and the level of difficulty. The course is top quality and very well kept."

Royal Liverpool Golf Club

Location: Merseyside

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £310

Review Comment: "You're in for a treat when you play here. The fairways and greens are always in top condition, and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. It's a historic course, so you can expect a lot of character."

St Enodoc Golf Club

Location: Cornwall

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £135

Review Comment: "This golf course is fantastic! The scenery is beautiful, the course is well-maintained. It's a links golf course, so the quality is great and the views are incredible. The course is challenging but fair and the location is great too. Overall, this is an amazing course and I had a great time playing here."

Hunstanton Golf Club

Location: Norfolk

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £135

Review Comment: "Brilliant fun, such a good test of golf. Avoid the pot bunkers on the greens as they are card wreckers. Some beautiful holes and such a good test for players of all abilities."

Swinley Forest Golf Club

Location: Berkshire

Golfshake Rating: 4.93

Summer Green Fees: £220

Review Comment: "The surroundings were incredibly peaceful and calming, making the entire experience incredibly enjoyable. The course itself was interesting and challenging, but also in great condition which added to the value. The layout was fantastic and the condition of the course was immaculate."

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