5 of the UK’s most underrated golf courses

Only when you venture away from your most familiar and well-loved golf courses do you realise the wealth of golfing experiences the UK has to offer. From world-class greens in Scotland to courses with fantastic sea views in the south, these are our five most underrated golf courses.

1. Askernish
Set on the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides, just west of north Scotland, Askernish Golf Club is breath-taking. It takes over five hours to reach the island from mainland Scotland by ferry, and as a result, the players at Askernish are dedicated to say the least.

The sixth tee of the course affords stunning views across the ocean, and the refreshing sea breeze that comes with it, and the course itself builds up from a simple, back-to-bones start to a challenging climax. If you’re dedicated and up for the arduous journey over the South Uist, Askernish Golf Club is well worth a visit.

2. Royal North Devon (Westward Ho!)
We’ve written about Royal North Devon before after the course lost its eighth tee to extreme weather and coastal erosion, but despite the challenges it’s faced, England’s oldest golf club has retained its charm.

The interesting twists and turns of the course are a result of a unique combination of old and new; the course remains largely unchanged since it was designed by Victorian golfer Tom Morris, but the club isn’t afraid to move with the times, either. Add stunning coastal views to the mix, and this historic course is definitely one to visit.

3. Tenby
Tenby might not immediately come to mind when you’re listing the country’s best golf clubs, but the natural rise and fall of the terrain and the challenging dune land make this golf club a strong contender.

As well as being the ultimate foray into links golf, Tenby boasts holes that pose a real challenge for golfers. Greens are hidden away in deep dells, and sandhills obscure so much of the course that you seem to happen across a hole rather than aim for it.

4. Royal Wimbledon
Don’t be put off by the £155 visitor fee that comes with this golf course. Having been moved and redesigned over the years, the Royal Wimbledon golf course is a quirky mix of old and new.

The course is split into two sections – neat, groomed land and more unruly parkland. The heathland makes for the most interesting golf on the course, but with so much variation, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.

5. Durness, Sutherland
If nothing else, you should visit Durness Golf Club for the stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean. The course makes for exhilarating play, combining well-designed holes with natural challenges like inclines, lochs, and even a rocky inlet on the closing tee shot.