The Best Golf Courses You Can Play With a County Card
By: Kieran Clark | Fri 24 May 2024
If you're a member of a golf club, playing the same course (even if you love it) can sometimes become a little repetitive, meaning that the occasional excursion to another venue can be a rewarding experience.
However, you don't need us to tell you that it can be expensive to play some of the more acclaimed layouts in your area. But for golfers in England - there is a pathway to make these roaming rounds as a visitor somewhat less expensive and more attractive to book.
The County Card is a benefit scheme that offers golfers a discount at participating courses for one round per year. Your saving can be up to as much as 50% - and there are some fabulous places that are involved and just waiting for you to take advantage of the opportunity to play them.
Looking at the current figures, there are approximately 1,300 eligible clubs in England that can be played with a County Card, but we have broken that down further to take just one of the finest venues from each of the relevant counties to give you a flavour of what you could attain by having a County Card and using it wisely.
These are some of The Best Golf Courses You Can Play With a County Card!
Where are you playing first?
Sand Martins Golf Club
County: Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.60
County Card Green Fee: £50
Review Comment: "Waited a very long time to play this course, and it was worth the wait. In superb condition, a fantastic layout and some challenging holes. Really did enjoy this round."
Beaconsfield Golf Club
County: Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.58
County Card Green Fee: £86
Review Comment: "This is a lovely and superbly maintained golf course, coupled with great practice facilities and a charismatic clubhouse. Definitely worth a visit. I wouldn't rate it as spectacular or overly scenic but it is a delight to play, a mix of parkland and heathland holes with subtle greens. Its slope rating is over stated, it is very scoreable which adds to the enjoyment."
John O’Gaunt Golf Club
County: Bedfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.25
County Card Green Fee: £60
Review Comment: "Without doubt the best course I've played this year when it comes to condition. Running fairways and really quick greens. Nothing to complain about at all. Clubhouse staff friendly and attentive too. Some lovely looking holes, tree-lined but always able to find your ball."
Gog Magog Golf Club
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
County: Cambridgeshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
County Card Green Fee: £70
Review Comment: "The course is in excellent condition, especially for this time of year, all the facilities are fantastic, very friendly staff. We were well looked after. Would definitely recommend, and would look forward to returning."
Sandiway Golf Club
County: Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.71
County Card Green Fee: £70
Review Comment: "Played the course yesterday and was thoroughly impressed. The fairways were beautifully presented and the greens excellent. The team have done a lot of work on the surrounding trees and improved on what was already a great course."
Perranporth Golf Club
County: Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
County Card Green Fee: £60
Review Comment: "Real test of your skills! As many have mentioned, it is a rough course, many blind shots, rolling fairways and fast beautifully kept greens make this a serious challenge of skill and patience. I will say if you can play well here, you can play well on any links course."
Ulverston Golf Club
County: Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.11
County Card Green Fee: £48
Review Comment: "Played today for the first time. We received a warm welcome in the pro shop. The course was in good condition generally. The course had several blind tee shots so quite tricky when playing the course for the first time. There are some lovely holes with great views of the surrounding coast and countryside. Post golf we enjoyed a pint and some food all reasonably priced. This is a good course, I would recommend a round here."
Horsley Lodge Golf Club
County: Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.53
County Card Green Fee: £35
Review Comment: "Lovely setting, course was in great condition, but as always is very testing. The back four holes are very difficult and it is easy to drop shots. Mid round my driving went askew!"
Thurlestone Golf Club
County: Devon
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
County Card Green Fee: £50
Review Comment: "The views actually distracted me from the golf! A beautiful course that's a good challenge but with amazing views of the Devon coastline. On a beautiful summer's day what more could we wish for."
Isle of Purbeck Golf Club
County: Dorset
Golfshake Rating: 4.70
County Card Green Fee: £60
Review Comment: "I think this is God’s own golf course. The views are stunning and it’s a good test of golf especially in the wind. The flora and fauna are out of the top drawer. Recent improvements have transformed the course from how it was a couple of years back."
Brancepeth Castle Golf Club
County: Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.59
County Card Green Fee: £30
Review Comment: "First time playing at this course but won't be my last. Absolutely amazing course in great surroundings. Tee shots near the castle are amazing. Great layout. Very clean. Fairways were in great condition. Clubhouse was lovely. Nice pint and nice food."
Stoke by Nayland Golf Club
County: Essex
Golfshake Rating: 4.23
County Card Green Fee: Half Price
Review Comment: "Great venue and courses, greens well paced, good sports bar and very friendly service staff with good food as well. A great place to go for a short golf break."
Chipping Sodbury Golf Club
County: Gloucestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.14
County Card Green Fee: £35
Review Comment: "Fairways were in great condition, greens were quick and very consistent, bunkers were nice to play from. Really enjoyed my first round here and would definitely go back!"
Hayling Golf Club
County: Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.61
County Card Green Fee: £90
Review Comment: "The best links course for miles and in fantastic condition, the greens were in perfect condition, great fun."
Berkhamsted Golf Club
County: Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.56
County Card Green Fee: £70
Review Comment: "Excellent challenge but there's trouble everywhere. No bunkers. no ponds, but loads of deep rough and gorse, and heather. A course to play more than once because the first time you'll have trouble. Very friendly staff, excellent starter. Great clubhouse. Good food."
Rochester & Cobham Golf Club
County: Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.64
County Card Green Fee: £60
Review Comment: "A super club and course. Absolutely delightful as ever and the greens are in really good nick. Always a pleasure to visit the club."
St Annes Old Links Golf Club
County: Lancashire
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
County Card Green Fee: £65
Review Comment: "This course is definitely a step above the rest I’ve played. It's a classic links course that is always a great test. An excellent links course that I would highly recommend to anyone."
Longcliffe Golf Club
County: Leicestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.10
County Card Green Fee: £45
Review Comment: "The course is immaculate at the moment. The greens and fairways really well cared for. Some tee boxes a bit unlevel but nothing to worry about. Most importantly a really interesting 18 holes which challenge as well on occasion cut you some slack. Great people in the pro shop!"
Stoke Rochford Golf Club
County: Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.45
County Card Green Fee: £35
Review Comment: "Well worth a visit. Was a very interesting course to play with lots of scenic holes. The staff and members were very welcoming and friendly and they offered electric hire trolleys which was helpful for an undulating course. The food and cakes afterwards were delicious."
Fulwell Golf Club
County: Middlesex
Golfshake Rating: 4.48
County Card Green Fee: £55
Review Comment: "The course is in amazing condition and is at least a month ahead of other golf courses I have played. The greens are phenomenal and the new tee complexes have really added something to the respective holes."
Northamptonshire County Golf Club
County: Northamptonshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.50
County Card Green Fee: £75
Review Comment: "Fantastic course, must visit. I played the course just after Open Qualifying and was told the course has never been in better condition. They weren't wrong, it was quite honestly faultless - reminded me of Hollinwell in places and all the best courses in Surrey - In that condition, this course walks into the top 50 in England."
Tynemouth Golf Club
County: Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
County Card Green Fee: £15
Review Comment: "Great course. My club, so may be somewhat biased. Great holes, good challenge and an excellent clubhouse."
Worksop Golf Club
County: Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
County Card Green Fee: £45
Review Comment: "The course was in great condition and the staff and service was second to none from the bacon butty when we arrived to the last cup of coffee following our evening meal. I would thoroughly recommend the steak pie with lashings of gravy, just what we needed after tough day on the course. I am sure we will return soon for another great day at Worksop."
The Oxfordshire
County: Oxfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
County Card Green Fee: £70
Review Comment: "I had a great time playing at The Oxfordshire. The course was in great condition with new bunkers and water hazards. The layout was well done and the course not too busy. The greens were in good condition and the course was very picturesque. Well worth playing!"
Church Stretton Golf Club
County: Shropshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.39
County Card Green Fee: £17.50
Review Comment: "Had a truly wonderful morning. Was made extremely welcome, course in excellent condition, weather was good with little breeze so perhaps played at its easiest but can imagine it’s a stiff test on a windy day. If you play poorly on the day you’ll still enjoy the magic of the magnificent views and charm of the course. Great value for money and I’m going back to play again."
Burnham & Berrow Golf Club
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
County: Somerset
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
County Card Green Fee: £90
Review Comment: "I played in 2022 and it was an incredible experience. The layout of the course was spectacular with stunning views and the greens were in great condition. The challenge was great and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the links. The clubhouse had good food and the staff were very welcoming. I'm looking forward to playing the course again when they prepare it for The Open final qualifier. Highly recommended for anyone who loves links golf!"
Druids Heath Golf Club
County: Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.38
County Card Green Fee: £37
Review Comment: "We played today and the course has benefitted from a few dry weeks and is looking fantastic. We had a society day and it was great from start to finish."
West Surrey Golf Club
County: Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.61
County Card Green Fee: £95
Review Comment: "A great layout in superb condition. The greens rolled very true so if you got a good putt you knew early if it was going in. Great food in the clubhouse and nice outdoor seating looking up the 18th."
Seaford Golf Club
County: Sussex
Golfshake Rating: 4.39
County Card Green Fee: £45
Review Comment: "Lovely course, wide fairways, which you'll need if the wind is strong, well laid out and easy to navigate around, some holes are deceptively long. Course was in very good condition with fast greens."
Sutton Coldfield Golf Club
County: Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.33
County Card Green Fee: £75
Review Comment: "My experience at the Sutton Coldfield Golf Club was great. The course was in good condition, fairways were manicured nicely, and the greens were consistent and rolled true. The sand traps were perfectly raked and a pleasure to play from. The dryness didn't affect playability as the greens still held the ball nicely. Off course, the bar facilities were above par with a generous selection of beverages at reasonable prices. All in all, a great experience and a course I would highly recommend to others."
Chippenham Golf Club
County: Wiltshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
County Card Green Fee: £30
Review Comment: "Very enjoyable. Despite very heavy rain over the last two weeks, the course was in good condition. No complaints about the greens - very fair and true. Nice course! Thank you."
Fulford Heath Golf Club
County: Worcestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.36
County Card Green Fee: £35
Review Comment: "The best local golf course I have played. I was advised that this course is a proper golfer's course. I now know what people mean when they say a proper golfer's course. Very picturesque course with excellent greens and fairways. The tees are better than most greens I have played on. Facilities and staff are great."
Crosland Heath Golf Club
County: Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.68
County Card Green Fee: £30
Review Comment: "Fantastic golfing experience, greens immaculate. This is the third time we have played this course as a society and although it rains every time, the lads still regard it as one of the best courses we have played in seven years of society golf. The layout is quirky and therefore you have to manage your way around carefully avoiding ravines, heather, gorse and various water hazards. The greens are among the best we have played anywhere."
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