Best golf courses in South England

When it comes to stunning countryside, beautiful coastal courses and seaside towns, the South of England is tough to beat.

The varying landscapes, from Surrey’s sandbelt to Devon and Cornwall’s northern coastline, make for some special places to visit and play golf. To help you decide on where to play next, we have put together a list of the best golf courses in South England you can play on your next golf break.

Ranked the 33rd best golf course in the world by Golf Digest

Location: Sandwich, Kent | Designer: Laidlaw Purves | Par: 70 | Founded: 1887

Why play it:

Royal St George’s is one of golf’s most revered championship venues, steeped in history and tradition. As the first course in England to host The Open Championship, it offers a true test of links golf with its undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and ever-changing coastal winds. The course has seen legends like Tiger Woods walk its fairways, and continues to challenge even the most elite players with its natural terrain and strategic layout.

Set within the rolling dunes of Sandwich Bay, this classic links remains largely unchanged since its 19th-century origins, offering a raw and authentic golfing experience. Its prestige, beauty, and demanding design make it a must-play for any serious golfer visiting the UK.

Key features:

• Iconic Open Championship venue with a storied history dating back over 130 years
• Hosted 15 Open Championships, most recently in 2021
• Characterised by wild, rumpled fairways, deep bunkers, and elevated tees with sweeping sea views
• Home to one of the most famous par-4s in golf - the blind, bunker-protected 4th hole
• Maintains a traditional links experience with firm turf, natural grasses, and no artificial hazards

Travel tips: Make the most of your trip by visiting nearby Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s Golf Club - two other previous Open hosts within minutes, perfect for a world-class golf tour of England’s Open Championship venues.

Ranked the 12th best golf course in the world by Golf Digest

Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire | Designer: Willie Park Jr. | Par: 70 | Founded: 1900

Why play it:

Sunningdale Old is widely regarded as the finest inland course in the UK and a masterpiece of strategic heathland golf. Designed by Open Champion Willie Park Jr., the course winds through towering pines, gorse, and heather, offering stunning visuals and thoughtful shot-making on every hole. It delivers an experience that is both challenging and charming, with a timeless atmosphere and impeccable conditioning.

What truly sets Sunningdale Old apart is its ability to test without trickery - there are no water hazards, and yet every hole poses questions that reward precision and course management. It's a favourite among professionals and purists alike and has hosted prestigious events including the Walker Cup, the Senior Open Championship and Women’s British Open.

Key features:

• Legendary heathland design praised for its walkability, aesthetics, and balance
• Ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world and top inland courses in the UK
• Framed by purple heather, mature woodland, and natural elevation changes
• Hosted numerous elite tournaments including the British Masters and Open Qualifying
• Revered for its peaceful setting, immaculate greens, and playable year-round layout

Travel tips: Double your golfing pleasure by playing the New Course - located on the same property and also world-class. Together, they make Sunningdale one of the few clubs with two top-tier layouts in one unforgettable setting.

Ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world

Location: Rock, Cornwall | Designer: James Braid | Par: 69 | Founded: 1890

Why play it:

St Enodoc’s Church Course is a true gem of English links golf - quirky, beautiful, and exhilarating. Designed by five-time Open Champion James Braid, this coastal masterpiece is carved through towering dunes and offers jaw-dropping views of the Camel Estuary and Atlantic Ocean. With blind shots, dramatic elevation changes, and firm, fast-running fairways, it’s a course that tests every club in the bag and leaves a lasting impression on all who play it.

Few places combine rugged natural beauty with strategic brilliance like St Enodoc. At its heart is the centuries-old St Enodoc Church, nestled beside the 10th green, adding both character and history to a course already rich in personality. It’s a must-play for golfers who enjoy tradition, variety, and a bit of adventure.

Key features:

• Classic links design with blind shots, pot bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes
• James Braid layout known for creativity, character, and shot-making challenge
• Signature 6th hole features one of the tallest sand dunes in golf
• St Enodoc Church dates back to the 13th century and sits within the course itself
• Voted one of the most scenic and fun courses in the UK and consistently ranked in global top 100s

Travel tips: Located in Cornwall's picturesque north coast, St Enodoc is perfect for combining golf with a coastal holiday. Stay in nearby Rock or Padstow and explore other local gems like Trevose and Perranporth for a memorable West Country golf tour.

Ranked 41st in Top 100 golf courses in the world

Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 70 | Founded: 1923

Why play it:

Often overshadowed by its older sibling, the Sunningdale New Course stands proudly in its own right as one of the finest inland layouts in the world. Designed by legendary architect Harry Colt, the New Course offers a slightly tougher, more rugged test than the Old, with tighter fairways, deeper bunkering, and more pronounced elevation changes. It’s a beautiful but stern challenge that demands accuracy, strategy, and thoughtful club selection.

The New Course weaves through towering pines and golden heather with sweeping views and an unforgettable sense of calm. Though it plays second fiddle in name, many purists consider it the stronger test - especially off the tee. Played alongside the Old, it completes one of the most celebrated 36-hole days in golf.

Key features:

• Colt-designed heathland masterpiece known for its strategic complexity
• More demanding off the tee than the Old Course, with bold bunkering and tighter lines
• Firm, fast fairways and immaculate greens framed by heather, pine, and oak
• Hosts elite amateur and professional events; respected globally in course rankings
• Beautiful routing with subtle elevation shifts and dramatic, natural aesthetics

Travel tips: Sunningdale is just 45 minutes from central London, making it a must-stop for international visitors. Combine a round on the New Course with the Old for one of the most iconic and satisfying golf days anywhere in the world.

Ranked 18th in the top 100 golf courses in the UK & Ireland

Location: Ascot, Berkshire | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 68 | Founded: 1909

Why play it:

Swinley Forest is one of the most exclusive and enchanting golf clubs in the UK - often described as "the most charming inland course in England." Designed by Harry Colt for his own pleasure, it features a minimalist, elegant layout that blends seamlessly with the natural heathland landscape. Though relatively short on the scorecard, the course is a masterclass in subtlety, variety, and shot value, requiring thought and finesse over brute strength.

With its peaceful, secluded setting and understated club culture, Swinley Forest offers a uniquely intimate golfing experience. The course is immaculately maintained, beautifully routed through mature pines and purple heather, and revered for its balance, flow, and walkability. It’s pure Colt - and pure class.

Key features:

• Historic Colt design untouched by modern trends, full of charm and strategy
• Par 68 layout with no par 5s, yet full of challenge and nuance
• Set in a tranquil heathland oasis with towering pines and blooming heather
• Known for immaculate greens, natural bunkering, and perfect conditioning
• Maintains a quiet exclusivity - limited tee times and a no-fuss, traditional feel

Travel tips: Located near Sunningdale, Hindhead, and Walton Heath, Swinley Forest is a key stop on England’s “heathland trail.” While tee times are limited and typically by invitation, those lucky enough to play it often count it among their favorite golfing experiences anywhere.

Ranked 27th in the top 100 golf courses in Britain & Ireland

Location: Weybridge, Surrey | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 70 | Founded: 1913

Why play it:

St George’s Hill is a masterpiece of classic English heathland golf, set within an exclusive private estate and widely considered one of Harry Colt’s finest creations. The Red and Blue nines form the primary 18-hole championship layout, offering a perfectly balanced test of strategy, beauty, and precision. With wide, sweeping fairways framed by heather, pine, and rhododendrons, every hole presents an unforgettable visual and tactical experience.

Carved through undulating terrain, the course showcases Colt’s genius for natural routing and strategic design. While the setting is elegant and refined, the golf is anything but soft - deep bunkering, elevation changes, and slick greens demand accuracy and imagination. It's a course where artistry and challenge go hand in hand.

Key features:

• Harry Colt’s architectural brilliance on full display across rolling heathland
• Red and Blue nines form the main 18; the shorter Green nine is also highly regarded
• Elevated tees, bold bunkering, and scenic views over the Surrey countryside
• Highly walkable and immaculately conditioned year-round
• Combines strategic depth with one of the most beautiful inland settings in golf

Travel tips: Just 40 minutes from central London, St George’s Hill pairs perfectly with other heathland giants like Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, and Walton Heath. Access is limited and often requires a member’s invitation, but it’s well worth the effort to play one of Colt’s most revered and visually striking designs.

Historic Open Championship venue and one of England’s great links

Location: Deal, Kent | Designer: Henry Hunter (original), James Braid (revisions) | Par: 71 | Founded: 1892

Why play it:

Royal Cinque Ports, often referred to simply as “Deal,” is one of the UK’s most underrated links masterpieces. Set along the English Channel, it delivers a pure, unfiltered links experience - tough, wind-swept, and brilliantly designed. Once an Open Championship venue (1909 & 1920), it remains a formidable challenge with fast-running fairways, deep revetted bunkers, and greens that demand precision and nerve.

Famed for its thrilling finishing stretch and classic out-and-back routing, Deal tests every aspect of your game, particularly when the wind is up. It’s a favorite among links purists and tournament players, regularly hosting Open Qualifying and prestigious amateur events. The club’s rich history and warm, traditional clubhouse round out a truly authentic British golf experience.

Key features:

• Traditional out-and-back links layout along the coast with stunning sea views
• Hosted The Open twice and continues to host top-tier amateur and professional events
• Renowned for one of the toughest final stretches in links golf
• Firm, fast fairways, deep bunkering, and challenging green complexes
• Revered for its character, conditioning, and fierce integrity as a true test of golf

Travel tips: Located in Kent’s famed “links triangle,” Royal Cinque Ports pairs perfectly with nearby Royal St George’s and Prince’s Golf Club - three world-class seaside courses within minutes of each other.

Former Ryder Cup venue and a top 100 course globally

Location: Tadworth, Surrey | Designer: Herbert Fowler | Par: 72 | Founded: 1903

Why play it:

The Old Course at Walton Heath is one of England’s most storied and respected inland courses. A quintessential heathland layout designed by Herbert Fowler, it flows across open, gently undulating terrain framed by heather, gorse, and distant views of the North Downs. The course is steeped in championship history - hosting the 1981 Ryder Cup, multiple British Masters, and Open Championship qualifying - and continues to challenge elite and amateur players alike with its strategic design and subtle complexity.

Unlike many wooded heathland tracks, Walton Heath offers a spacious, open feel more akin to a links course, with wind often playing a key role. The routing rewards thoughtful play and ball control, with penal bunkers, sloping greens, and firm, fast-running fairways. Add in its historic clubhouse and deep ties to figures like Winston Churchill, and you’ve got one of the most atmospheric and enjoyable tests in British golf.

Key features:

• Ryder Cup and major championship pedigree with over a century of history
• Classic Fowler design across wide, heather-lined fairways and natural heathland
• Famous for its openness, strategic bunkering, and superb putting surfaces
• Hosted legends of the game and remains a key venue for elite competition
• Often played in combination with the equally strong New Course on-site

Travel tips: Just 30 minutes from central London and Gatwick Airport, Walton Heath is ideal for visitors looking to play a historic championship course without venturing far. Pair it with nearby gems like Sunningdale and St George’s Hill for a premier Surrey heathland golf tour.

Widely regarded as one of the finest links courses in England

Location: Braunton, North Devon | Designer: Herbert Fowler | Par: 71 | Founded: 1897 (East Course established in 1919)

Why play it:

Saunton’s East Course is a pure links gem, often described as the best course in England never to have hosted The Open. Designed by Herbert Fowler, the East is a demanding yet fair test, laid out across one of the most striking dune systems in the country. With fast, firm fairways, subtle undulations, and ever-present coastal winds, it challenges every aspect of a golfer’s game - without relying on trickery or blind shots.

The course has hosted numerous prestigious amateur events, including the British Boys’ and English Amateur Championships, and remains a favorite among serious players for its variety, strategic depth, and consistency. Remote and peaceful, with panoramic views of the dunes and Atlantic, Saunton East offers a true escape - and a truly great round of golf.

Key features:

• Classic Fowler links design winding through towering dunes and natural terrain
• Highly respected for its strategic variety, balance, and exceptional conditioning
• Host of top-tier amateur events and consistently ranked in UK & Ireland top 100
• Complemented by the excellent West Course for a full 36-hole links experience
• Set in a stunning, unspoiled coastal landscape near the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Travel tips: Tucked away on Devon’s dramatic north coast, Saunton is best enjoyed as part of a links-focused escape - combine it with nearby gems like Royal North Devon and Burnham & Berrow. Stay in the coastal village of Croyde or nearby Barnstaple for a relaxed base amid beaches, surf, and superb golf.

A classic West Country links ranked among England’s finest

Location: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset | Designer: Harry Colt (with contributions from Fowler & Braid) | Par: 71 | Founded: 1891

Why play it:

Burnham & Berrow is a traditional championship links that offers everything you'd want from coastal golf - rolling dunes, firm fairways, deep bunkers, and the ever-present challenge of the wind. Originally laid out in the late 19th century and refined by Harry Colt, the Championship Course is a raw, natural test that’s both demanding and deeply enjoyable. Its out-and-back routing makes wind direction a constant factor, and the fast, undulating greens reward smart, creative play.

Steeped in amateur golfing history, Burnham & Berrow has hosted countless national events, including the English Amateur and British Boys’. It’s a pure, unspoiled golfing experience with stunning sea views, no weak holes, and a timeless charm that links lovers deeply appreciate.

Key features:

• Colt-crafted championship links famed for its natural terrain and challenge
• Host of major amateur events and Open Championship Regional Qualifying
• Strong variety of holes, including memorable par 3s and a tough finishing stretch
• Stunning dunes, ocean views, and consistently excellent green complexes
• Complemented by the shorter Channel Course for a fun second round option

Travel tips: Located in Somerset’s coastal southwest, Burnham & Berrow is perfect for a links golf tour. Pair it with nearby gems like Saunton and Royal North Devon for a West Country trip full of charm and championship-quality golf. Stay in Burnham-on-Sea or the nearby countryside for a quiet, traditional seaside escape. Alternatively, stay in Bristol to experience great nightlife!

One of England’s premier heathland courses on the south coast

Location: Poole, Dorset | Designer: Willie Park Jr., later refined by Harry Colt and James Braid | Par: 72 | Founded: 1909

Why play it:

Parkstone Golf Club is a beautifully crafted heathland course offering a mix of inland elegance and coastal charm. Set across rolling terrain with views over Poole Harbour and the Isle of Wight, it combines heather-lined fairways, towering pines, and excellent elevation changes to create one of the most scenic and enjoyable rounds in southern England. Originally laid out by Willie Park Jr. and enhanced by Colt and Braid, the course blends strategic design with natural beauty.

Known for its immaculate conditioning, Parkstone is a course that rewards creativity and precision rather than brute strength. With each hole offering a distinct look and feel, it’s a thinking golfer’s track - challenging yet playable, and a joy to walk.

Key features:

• Classic heathland design with a coastal twist and panoramic sea views
• Routed through pines, heather, and gorse with strong elevation variety
• Strategic bunkering and slick greens demand accuracy and control
• Regularly ranked among the top 100 courses in the UK & Ireland
• Modernised layout and facilities, while retaining traditional charm

Travel tips: Located near the vibrant seaside town of Bournemouth, Parkstone is ideal for a golf-and-coast getaway. Pair it with nearby Broadstone and Ferndown to complete Dorset’s elite heathland trio. The area also offers excellent dining, beaches, and scenic stays along England’s south coast. Bournemouth is also a great location to stay in if you would like to experience lively nightlife!

A top-tier heathland course and hidden gem of southern England

Location: Broadstone, Dorset | Designer: Harry Colt | Par: 70 | Founded: 1898

Why play it:

Broadstone is one of the finest examples of classic heathland golf in the UK - natural, scenic, and strategically brilliant. Set across 250 acres of rolling Dorset countryside, Harry Colt’s routing makes full use of the dramatic terrain, with sweeping elevation changes, bold bunkering, and wide, heather-framed fairways. It’s a course that flows beautifully, offering constant variety and engaging shot values throughout.

Often flying under the radar, Broadstone is a true connoisseur’s course - quiet, unpretentious, and always immaculately presented. Every hole feels unique, with vistas stretching over heath, woodland, and the distant Purbeck Hills. It’s a must-play for anyone seeking the charm of inland golf at its most natural and unspoiled.

Key features:

• Colt-designed heathland classic with dramatic elevation changes and open vistas
• Heather-lined fairways, natural bunkering, and fast, firm playing surfaces
• Frequently ranked in the UK’s top 100 and praised for its strategic variety
• Peaceful, rural setting with no surrounding development
• Strong, consistent test with a standout stretch from holes 4 through 13

Travel tips: Just a short drive from Bournemouth and Poole, Broadstone pairs perfectly with Parkstone and Ferndown to complete Dorset’s “heathland trio.” Stay locally to enjoy the golf and explore nearby beaches, countryside, and Bournemouth for a well-rounded coastal golf escape.

A historic Open venue with 27 holes of championship links golf

Location: Sandwich Bay, Kent | Designer: Charles Hutchings (original), modern revisions by Martin Ebert | Par: 72 (Dunes + Shore) | Founded: 1906

Why play it:

Prince’s is a superb championship links that blends rich history with modern playability. Host of the 1932 Open Championship (won by Gene Sarazen), the course has evolved into a 27-hole setup made up of three excellent nines: Shore, Dunes, and Himalayas. Each loop offers a distinct character, but the Shore & Dunes combination forms the primary championship layout - long, strategic, and beautifully integrated with the wild, coastal landscape of Sandwich Bay.

Recent renovations by Martin Ebert have revitalised the design, bringing back natural dunes, redefined bunkering, and enhanced playability and aesthetics throughout. With stunning sea views, excellent conditioning, and a strong test of links golf, Prince’s is a worthy neighbour to Royal St George’s and a key stop on any Kent coast golf trip.

Key features:

• 27 holes of pure links golf with recent architectural upgrades
• Hosted the 1932 Open and continues to stage major amateur championships
• Rolling dunes, revetted bunkers, and strong wind exposure demand strategy
• Excellent year-round conditioning and a modern clubhouse with top-tier facilities
• On-site lodging at The Lodge makes for a perfect stay-and-play experience

Travel tips: Located next door to Royal St George’s and a short drive from Royal Cinque Ports, Prince’s completes Kent’s famed “links triangle.” Stay on-site at The Lodge for convenience, sea views, and fine dining - or explore the historic town of Sandwich for a more traditional local stay.