What are the different types of golf courses?

Every golf course is pretty much the same, right? Wrong! Golf isn’t just a complex sport to play, but it’s arguably the only sport on the planet where the conditions and playing surface are different in every single location.

Golf courses can be categorised by several different styles, and every different style has its own distinctive features. It can be difficult to know how they differ, and which type of course might suit you best, so we’ve broken things down into a handy guide.

Golf as we know it started in Scotland centuries ago on the sandy seaside land of St. Andrews, Scotland. The Old Course at St. Andrews is now known as the original links course, and a vast number of links courses have followed around the UK and the rest of the world.

Links courses are often characterised by the land on which they are built, typically sand-based terrain running along coastlines. As such, they are usually littered with bunkers and dunes, with fescue aplenty, and typically incorporate the original land’s slopes and hollows, and the turf is firm and fast.

The UK is blessed with a huge number of spectacular links courses. In England, golfers can visit Southport in northwest England, which boasts what many would argue to be one of the finest stretches of golf coastline in the world. Popular venues include Open Championship venue, Royal Birkdale, as well as Hillside Golf Club, West Lancashire Golf Club, and Formby, where golfers can find year-round high-quality golf.

In the south of England, you'll find Kent's iconic coastline, home to Royal St. George’s, Prince’s, and Royal Cinque Ports. All three courses have hosted Open Championships, the most recent of which being Royal St. George’s in 2021. The Kent coast is one of the driest and warmest parts of the entire country, and as such the likelihood of good weather is reassuringly high.

Finally, when discussing links golf in the UK you simply cannot ignore Scotland, the home of golf. The famous Old Course at St. Andrews is a must-play for any golf-nut at some point in their life, and the coastline of East Lothian, just outside Edinburgh, has some of the world’s greatest links golf courses on offer. Holidays to Scotland’s links courses are worth the trip for any golfer, of any standard.

Parkland courses make up the largest proportion of courses worldwide, and the UK is no different. Parkland courses can offer better value-for-money than their counterparts and are sometimes paired with brilliant resorts to offer the full holiday package. They are usually easily accessible, as they do not necessarily need a specific type of land on which to be built. As such, there are a host of brilliant venues found across the country, and these are usually within a reasonable distance for most golfers.

The Belfry Hotel & Resort, host of the Ryder Cup not once but four times, is one of the UK’s best and most popular parkland golf venues. With a fantastic hotel attached, with bars, restaurants, a well-equipped spa, and even an on-site nightclub, The Belfry is an ideal location for a golf break. There are three courses on-site, each of which provides an enjoyable experience for any standard of golfer.

In South Wales, golfers looking for another top-class parkland resort can find Celtic Manor. The resort oozes class and is home to three exceptional golf courses. The hosting venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor has cemented its position as one of the UK’s top golfing establishments and has a long list of fantastic facilities guests are encouraged to make use of during their stay.

Also among a long list of popular parkland venues is the renowned Forest of Arden. Set within 10,000 acres of ancient woodland where deer roam free, it’s no surprise that the four-star Forest of Arden Marriott is a firm favourite amongst golfers. With an abundance of leisure facilities and lavish surroundings and host to two top golf courses, the excellently located resort is a brilliant location for a golf break.

Heathland courses, like links courses, offer year-round playability on firm turf. Heathland layouts often provide utterly spectacular surroundings, especially in late summer and early autumn when their heather is in bloom in its typically beautiful purple. They can be found across the country and are not exclusively found by the sea like their links counterparts.

The UK, and England in particular, is blessed with some brilliant heathland courses. Bournemouth, for example, is home to several of England’s finest courses. It is a location that is popular for golf tours thanks to its heathland gems, bustling town centre and mile-long beach.

Broadstone Golf Club, founded in 1898 and re-designed in 1914 by Harry Colt, is a superb golf course set in beautiful Dorset countryside that has hosted many national and regional competitions.

Just down the road is the magnificent heathland course at the Isle of Purbeck, consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in the British Isles by Golf World. It has great coastal views across The Solent to the Isle of Wight and, if you fancy arriving in style, there is a ferry that can take you to the golf course across the water!

A little further north is the world-renowned Surrey sand belt, home to arguably some of the world’s greatest heathland courses. Home to courses like Walton Heath and Woking, among many others, it must be at least a consideration when looking to enjoy heathland golf.

The rest of the UK is equally blessed with wonderful heathland golf, and golfers can find some great tracks in locations such as central Scotland, home to yet another Ryder Cup course in Gleneagles.

Finally, for those looking for a more resort-style location, Woodhall Spa is a brilliant destination. The Hotchkin Course is heathland at its very best, famous for its natural beauty, heather, dramatic bunkers, and distinct tactical challenge. Ranked the 8th best course in England and 79th best in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses, you can be sure this round is going to be testing and enjoyable from start to finish. Woodhall Spa Golf Club is an oasis in Lincolnshire and a must-play golf break.

For those looking for a more exotic style of golf course, desert golf provides some of the world’s finest tracks. The best desert golf can be found in the USA, primarily in Arizona, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs.

Every golf fan has heard of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and it represents what is the blueprint for desert golf in Arizona. The iconic tournament is played on the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale - one of the best in the state and a must-play layout.

Additionally, there are more than 400 courses in the state of Arizona so you’re sure to find a course that suits your game; We-Ko-Pa is an award-winning club that has two fantastic courses, Cholla and Saguaro, each delivering an oasis of greenery amongst the desert landscape with water features, cacti, and brilliant holes designs.

The resorts within Arizona are stylish and luxurious, with many carved into the mountains, and have their own on-site golf courses that are certainly worth playing. The Boulders Resort makes for a particularly special golf holiday, not only is the hotel simply perfect, but the golf course is also special too.

Las Vegas is also a great destination for a once-in-a-lifetime golf trip. The quality of golf found there is strong, and it now even rivals those in neighbouring states of California and Arizona. The desert climate provides year-round golf, and the rocky, mountainous terrain is utterly stunning. The available courses are easily accessibly from the famous strip, meaning there’s plenty of time to maximise the rest of your holiday. The offerings at Paiute, Sun Mountain, Snow Mountain, and Wolf are all particularly notable tracks available to travellers.

Finally, Palm Springs is a world-renowned destination in California. Boasting 300 days of sunshine and golf’s greatest mountain landscape, Palm Springs golf courses are truly unique. There is little wonder why it brings golfers from around the world to its sunny climate year-round. A regular feature and fan favourite on the PGA TOUR is the TPC Stadium Course, and Palm Springs is also a hotspot for legendary course designers. Mission Hills, designed by Gary Player and The Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West are fantastic courses that must be experienced.