Best golf courses in England

England is home to a number of the best and most historic golf courses in existence. With a wide variety of layouts including plenty of parkland and heathland offerings, links golf still very much rules the roost. However, there are still several inland gems well worth the visit.

We are often asked by our customers, What are the best golf courses in England? To make your search easier, we have put together a round-up of what we believe are the top courses in the country for your next England golf holiday.

Ranked as the best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Kent | Designer: Dr. Laidlaw Purves | Par: 70 | Yardage: 7,204 yards | Founded: 1887 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Steeped in tradition and framed by wild dunes and rolling fairways, Royal St George’s is one of the most revered links courses in the world. Known for its dramatic undulations, unpredictable bounces, and sweeping coastal views, it has challenged the best players in the game for over a century. The course delivers a pure, authentic links experience, and it remains one of the most mentally demanding tests in championship golf.

Highlight: The par-4 4th hole features one of the largest bunkers in championship golf, “Himalaya”, towering between the tee and the fairway, forcing a blind and daunting drive.

Key features:

• Host of 14 Open Championships, most recently in 2021
• Traditional links layout with natural terrain and deep bunkering
• Known for subtle elevation changes and challenging green complexes
• Rich legacy dating back to the 19th century

Bonus fact: Royal St George’s was the site of Darren Clarke’s emotional 2011 Open Championship victory, his first and only major title, captured at age 42 in front of a rapturous crowd.

Ranked as the 2nd best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Berkshire | Designer: Willie Park Jr. | Par: 70 | Yardage: 6,627 yards | Founded: 1901 | Course type: Heathland

Why play here? Often described as the perfect inland course, Sunningdale Old blends strategic shot-making with stunning natural beauty. Towering pines, blooming heather, and gently rolling fairways create a serene yet challenging layout that has captivated legends of the game for over a century. A favourite among pros and purists alike, this course rewards precision, imagination, and a deft touch around the greens.

Highlight: The par-5 10th is one of the most beautiful holes in British golf, an elevated tee provides a breathtaking view over a sweeping fairway bordered by heather and trees, demanding both power and accuracy.

Key features:

• Consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in the world
• Classic heathland design with tight, tree-lined fairways and subtle greens
• Legendary layout with minimal alterations since 1901
• Home to prestigious events like the Senior Open and Open Qualifying

Bonus fact: Bobby Jones famously carded a 66 here in 1926 during Open qualifying, calling it “the greatest round of golf I ever played.” That round helped set the stage for his historic Grand Slam.

Ranked as the 8th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Southport | Designer: George Low Sr., Fred Hawtree & J.H. Taylor (redesign) | Par: 70 | Yardage: 7,156 yards | Founded: 1889 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set amidst the towering dunes of England’s north-west coast, Royal Birkdale is widely considered the most fair yet formidable of The Open rota venues. The course’s natural valleys frame each hole beautifully while offering clear sightlines, which makes it a favourite among players and spectators alike.

With a reputation for rewarding solid ball-striking and punishing wayward play, Birkdale is a true test of golfing class, particularly when the wind picks up off the Irish Sea.

Highlight: The par-4 13th, often played into a prevailing breeze, is a classic links examination, tight off the tee, with a demanding approach to a narrow green flanked by bunkers.

Key features:

• Host of 10 Open Championships and two Ryder Cups
• Fair but stern test, famed for its natural dune-sheltered routing
• Immaculately maintained with fast, firm fairways and true greens
• Modernist clubhouse offers panoramic views over the final holes

Bonus fact: In 2008, a 53-year-old Greg Norman led The Open after three rounds at Birkdale, nearly pulling off one of the most remarkable major victories in golf history, ultimately finishing third behind Padraig Harrington. Royal Birkdale will once again be on the big stage when hosting The 154th Open in 2026.

Ranked as the 6th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Lancashire | Designer: George Lowe, Harry Colt (1919 redesign) | Par: 70 | Yardage: 6,731 yards | Founded: 1886

Why play here? With a storied history and a layout that has tested the greatest names in golf, Royal Lytham & St Annes is a quintessential championship links. Set against the backdrop of a classic red-brick clubhouse and bordered by the local railway line, this course demands precision, especially from the tee.

Known for its strategic bunkering, over 170 in total, this is a true shotmaker’s course. When The Open visits, it’s often said that the course itself is the toughest competitor.

Highlight: The finishing stretch, especially the demanding par-4 18th, is a masterclass in shot execution under pressure—just ask champions like Seve Ballesteros, who famously won here twice.

Key features:

• Host of 11 Open Championships, 2 Ryder Cups, and numerous elite events
• Over 170 bunkers—many deep and punishing—define strategy and demand precision
• Historic Victorian clubhouse offers a timeless setting
• Challenging yet fair layout ideal for traditionalists and purists

Bonus fact: In 1979, Seve Ballesteros won The Open at Royal Lytham with his unforgettable recovery shot from the car park—securing his legend and forever linking his name with this great course.

Ranked as the 4th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Cornwall | Designer: James Braid | Par: 69 | Yardage: 6,557 yards | Founded: 1890 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Set atop the dramatic sand dunes overlooking the Camel Estuary, St Enodoc’s Church Course is a thrilling, idiosyncratic adventure through one of the most beautiful landscapes in UK golf.

With towering dunes, blind shots, rumpled fairways, and views across Padstow Bay, it is both a joyful test and a spiritual journey. Its quirks are beloved, not maligned; every hole tells a story, none more so than the one that plays beside the ancient St Enodoc Church, nestled into the dunes.

Highlight: The par-4 6th features one of the largest and most fearsome sand dunes in golf, also known as “Himalaya”, requiring a blind tee shot over its steep, sandy face.

Key features:

• One of James Braid’s most celebrated and unspoilt designs
• Breathtaking coastal views from multiple vantage points
• Charming blend of wild natural features and strategic shot values
• The 13th-century St Enodoc Church sits peacefully beside the 10th green

Bonus fact: Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, a long-time lover of the course, is buried in the churchyard beside the 10th fairway; his poem Seaside Golf affectionately references the joys and frustrations of a round at St Enodoc.

Ranked as the 3rd best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Berkshire | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 70 | Yardage: 6,729 yards | Founded: 1923 | Course type: Heathland

Why play here? Though often in the shadow of its elder sibling, the New Course at Sunningdale is no less revered. Designed by Harry Colt, it offers a slightly sterner, more rugged test than the Old, with tighter driving corridors, deeper heather, and more undulating terrain.

The fairways twist through towering pines and ancient oak, with Colt’s masterful bunkering and green complexes demanding strategy and precision. Many consider the New the better test of golf, making it the ideal foil to the more graceful Old.

Highlight: The par-4 6th is a classic risk-reward hole, bending sharply left through a valley of heather with a green that slopes away, offering a tempting line for the bold, but a punishing result for the wayward.

Key features:

• A Harry Colt masterpiece, blending beauty with championship challenge
• Firmer, faster, and more undulating than the Old Course
• Stunning views, particularly across Chobham Common
• Hosts Open Qualifying, Senior Opens, and elite amateur events

Bonus fact: The New Course was once described by Gary Player as “the finest inland course I’ve ever played”, a testament to its strategic brilliance and timeless design.

Ranked as the 13th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Lincolnshire | Designer: Harry Vardon (1905), revised by Harry Colt (1912), and extensively renovated by Tom Doak (2015) | Par: 73 | Yardage: 7,083 yards | Founded: 1905 | Course type: Heathland

Why play here? Renowned for its ferocious bunkering and stunning heathland setting, the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa is a true connoisseur’s layout. Nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire, Vardon's design flows through pine, birch, and heather with an air of timeless serenity, yet it’s anything but gentle.

Deep, revetted bunkers, many over 10 feet deep, guard fairways and greens with merciless intent. Recently restored by Tom Doak, the course retains its classic character while offering modern-day strategy and conditioning at the highest level.

Highlight: The par-4 12th is a brutal yet beautiful test, with a fairway lined by punishing bunkers and a raised green flanked by heather and sand, a hole that perfectly encapsulates the Hotchkin's uncompromising nature.

Key features:

• Consistently ranked among the top 50 courses in the world
• More than 140 bunkers, many famously deep and steep-faced
• Tranquil woodland-heathland setting, rich in flora and wildlife
• Home of England Golf, with world-class practice and training facilities

Bonus fact: Tom Doak’s restoration in the mid-2010s reintroduced Colt’s original strategic intent, widening playing corridors and exposing natural sandy waste areas, elevating the Hotchkin to new international acclaim without sacrificing its heritage.

Ranked as the 16th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Liverpool | Designer: George Morris & Robert Chambers, with revisions by Harry Colt and Donald Steel | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,383 yards | Founded: 1869 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Royal Liverpool, known affectionately as Hoylake, is one of the most historic and prestigious venues in British golf. A true championship links it is fast-running, strategic, and exposed, making it a stern test in even the lightest breeze.

Despite its relatively flat topography, Hoylake’s challenge lies in its subtlety: firm fairways, penal bunkering, and out-of-bounds that loom ominously on multiple holes. It rewards clear thinking, precision, and courage, exactly why it has crowned so many worthy champions.

Highlight: The new par-3 17th, Little Eye, added ahead of the 2023 Open Championship, is a breathtaking short hole perched along the Dee Estuary, just 136 yards, but utterly exposed and capable of wrecking scorecards.

Key features:

• Host of 13 Open Championships and two Amateur Championships
• Fast, firm links with sharp bunkering and strategic demand
• Rich tournament history, including wins by Tiger Woods (2006) and Rory McIlroy (2014)
• Excellent practice facilities and a proud, tradition-laden clubhouse

Bonus fact: In 2006, Tiger Woods famously used his driver just once across four rounds, masterfully navigating the baked-out links with surgical precision en route to a two-shot victory.

Ranked as the 9th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Surrey | Designer: Harry Colt (1913) | Par: 70 (Red & Blue) | Yardage: 6,481 yards | Founded: 1913 | Course type: Heathland

Why play here? Set within one of England’s most exclusive private estates, St George’s Hill is often described as the quintessential Colt layout. With its dramatic elevation changes, sweeping fairways framed by heather and pine, and perfectly placed bunkering, it is a course of rare charm and sophistication.

Every hole feels carved naturally into the Surrey heathland, offering strategy, beauty, and a constant sense of variety. Though not as long as some modern layouts, it demands thought over brute force, an ideal combination for the purist.

Highlight: The opening hole, a stunning par-4 from an elevated tee, plunging through a wide corridor of trees, is considered one of the finest opening holes in all of golf.

Key features:

• One of Harry Colt’s most revered and unspoiled designs
• Set across three nines: Red, Blue (main 18), and Green (additional 9)
• Panoramic views across Surrey from the clubhouse and several tees
• Elegant clubhouse and pristine presentation throughout the year

Bonus fact: When the course opened in 1913, it was hailed in The Times as “the finest inland course in the world”, a reputation it continues to uphold among Colt enthusiasts and connoisseurs of classic design.

Ranked as the 10th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Deal, Kent | Designer: Henry Hunter, with later revisions by James Braid and Guy Campbell | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,245 yards | Founded: 1892 | Course type: Links

Why play here? Royal Cinque Ports, commonly known as Deal, is one of England’s purest links experiences. Hugging the English Channel, the course is long, narrow, and often windswept, with undulating fairways and deep, revetted bunkers demanding absolute precision.

It’s a relentless test, particularly on the back nine, which plays directly into the prevailing wind and offers no let-up. Though no longer part of The Open rota, it remains a favourite of traditionalists and elite amateurs alike for its authenticity and challenge.

“I consider the last four holes at Deal to be without doubt, the finest four consecutive holes on any course in the world.” ~ Gary Player

Highlight: The closing stretch from the 16th to 18th is among the toughest in Britain, into the wind, lined with deep bunkers, and culminating in a brutally exposed final hole that has settled many championships.

Key features:

• Former Open Championship venue (1909, 1920) and current Final Qualifying site
• Rugged links with rolling fairways and punishing bunkering
• One of the finest back nines in all of links golf
• Renowned for its tough, fair test and exceptional conditioning

Bonus fact: Royal Cinque Ports lost the right to host The Open in both 1938 and 1949 due to flooding from high tides, a cruel fate that kept this magnificent course from further major glory.

Ranked as the 15th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Surrey | Designer: Herbert Fowler | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,406 yards | Founded: 1904

Why play here? Steeped in history and heather-lined beauty, the Old Course at Walton Heath is a quintessential English heathland layout that has hosted legends of the game for over a century. With its strategic bunkering, firm fairways, and stunning natural surroundings, the course offers a traditional yet demanding test for all levels of golfer.

Highlight: In 1981, Walton Heath made history as the first course in England to host the Ryder Cup. That year, the U.S. team, featuring legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Lee Trevino, delivered a dominant performance, widely regarded as one of the strongest teams ever assembled.

Key features:

• Historic Ryder Cup and European Tour venue
• Iconic heathland setting with purple heather and panoramic views
• Demanding bunkering and subtle green complexes
• Elegant, tradition-rich clubhouse with classic English charm

Bonus fact: Sir Winston Churchill served as club captain in 1910, and Walton Heath has long been a favorite of political and golfing royalty alike.

Ranked as the 23rd best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: North Devon | Designer: Herbert Fowler | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,779 yards | Founded: 1897 (East Course: 1920s)

Why play here? Set against the wild and windswept dunes of North Devon, the East Course at Saunton Golf Club offers pure links golf in its most natural and traditional form. Designed by Herbert Fowler, the course features undulating fairways, deep revetted bunkers, and firm, fast-running turf, all framed by dramatic dune-scapes. Remote, rugged, and relentlessly strategic, this is links golf at its finest.

Highlight: Despite its remote location, the East Course has earned a reputation as one of England’s finest links, hosting numerous elite amateur events including the British Boys’ Championship and the R&A British Amateur. Sir Nick Faldo once said he could “play here every day and never get bored.”

Key features:

• Classic links design winding through towering dunes
• Demands imagination, shot-making, and wind management
• Consistently high-quality turf and conditioning
• Quiet, unspoiled setting just minutes from the North Devon coast

Bonus fact: Saunton’s East Course has produced several elite players and champions, serving as a proving ground for future stars of the amateur and professional game.

Ranked as the 7th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: North Yorkshire | Designer: Tom Chisholm & Charles Alison (with later input from Harry Colt, James Braid & Alister MacKenzie) | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,032 yards | Founded: 1891

Why play here? Ganton Golf Club offers a unique blend of inland heathland and links-style golf, set on firm, sandy soil with deep bunkers, gorse-lined fairways, and subtle greens. Often described as “inland links,” Ganton has tested the best for over a century and remains one of the most revered championship venues in England. Its rich history, strategic brilliance, and year-round playability make it a must-play for serious golfers.

Highlight: Ganton is one of only a handful of clubs in the world to have hosted the Ryder Cup (1949), the Walker Cup (2003), and the Curtis Cup (2000), cementing its status as a venue of international importance.

Key features:

• Host of Ryder, Walker, and Curtis Cups, golfing’s "Triple Crown"
• Fast, firm fairways with rugged bunkering and penal rough
• Blend of heathland and links characteristics for a strategic challenge
• Classic English clubhouse steeped in tradition

Bonus fact: Several of golf’s greatest course architects, Colt, Braid, and MacKenzie, have each left their mark on Ganton, creating a layout that demands thought and precision on every shot.

Ranked as the 17th best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Leeds | Designer: Dr. Alister MacKenzie | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,914 yards | Founded: 1907

Why play here? Alwoodley is the crown jewel of Yorkshire golf and the very first course designed by the legendary Dr. Alister Mackenzie, who would go on to co-design Augusta National. This classic heathland layout blends natural beauty with strategic brilliance: firm, springy turf; bold bunkering; and sweeping views across the moorland. The course's subtle complexity and elegant routing make it a joy to play and replay.

Highlight: As MacKenzie’s first architectural work, Alwoodley is a living museum of his design philosophy, wide playing corridors, strategic bunkering, and natural flow, all of which foreshadow the principles he’d later apply at Augusta, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne.

Key features:

• Historic first design by legendary architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie
• Open heathland terrain with heather, gorse, and far-reaching views
• Fast-running fairways and greens that reward strategic angles
• Elegant clubhouse with a rich, century-long heritage

Bonus fact: MacKenzie was a founding member of Alwoodley and submitted his design as part of a competition to lay out the course, launching a career that shaped some of the most iconic courses in the world.

Ranked as the 22nd best golf course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Southport | Designer: Willie Park Jr. (with later work by James Braid & Harry Colt) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,028 yards | Founded: 1884

Why play here? Formby Golf Club is one of the most distinctive and atmospheric courses in the UK, blending classic links with elements of inland and woodland golf. Set amidst towering pines and rugged sand dunes along England’s northwest coast, Formby is a unique test that demands creativity, precision, and control. The course has hosted countless elite amateur events and remains a revered stop for purists of the game.

Highlight: Formby has been a frequent host of The Amateur Championship and the prestigious Curtis Cup, showcasing its ability to challenge the very best while maintaining its natural beauty and traditional charm.

Key features:

• Unique combination of links and parkland characteristics
• Routed through dunes, pine forest, and heathland
• Excellent year-round conditioning and shot variety
• Historic clubhouse with rich golfing heritage and atmosphere

Bonus fact: Nestled within the grounds of Formby Golf Club is Formby Ladies Golf Club, one of the oldest ladies' golf clubs in the world, and the two clubs share a rare and historic connection in British golf.

Best time to visit: Late Spring to early Autumn is the prime golf season in England, with summer months (June to August) offering peak conditions, longest daylight hours, and vibrant course scenery. For those seeking better value and fewer crowds, April/May and October are excellent alternatives; courses are still in great shape, and the weather is often pleasantly mild.

Where to stay: England boasts a wide range of golf-friendly accommodations, from historic countryside hotels to modern resorts. Top picks include The Belfry, Carden Park, East Sussex National, and Forest of Arden, all offering top-tier golf alongside luxury stays.

Find our article on the best golf resorts in England here!

Booking tips: Book tee times and accommodation well in advance, especially during bank holidays and peak weekends. Look for midweek golf packages or Sunday Driver deals for better value, and consider early morning or late afternoon tee times for quieter rounds and softer light.

Q: Is England good for golf? A: Golf is incredibly popular in England, with approximately a million active golfers who play twice a month.

Q: What is the golf season in England? A: The golf season in England starts in April and finishes at the end of September.

Q: How many golf courses are in England? A: England has more than 1,872 registered golf courses, which is more than any other country in Europe.

Q: Is it expensive to play golf in England? A: Golf packages in England vary depending on the quality of the golf course, hotel, and the number of nights. Golfbreaks customers can book an England golf package from as little as £59 per person for 1 night, dinner, bed & breakfast, and 2 rounds. Find out more about the best-selling deals in the UK.

Q: Do I need a handicap to play golf in England? A: You're unlikely not to be asked to present your handicap certificate upon arrival at your chosen golf course; however, we always recommend checking with your Golf Travel Expert at the time of booking.

Whether you're seeking the challenge of championship links or a leisurely round in the rolling countryside, England offers a course to match every golfer’s style. These courses showcase the best the country has to offer, blending scenic beauty, rich history, and exceptional playability.