Glenmuir Icon Sunderland Icon Macwet Icon
Back to articles

Best counties in the UK for golf

Thinking of taking a holiday in the UK and want to squeeze in as many amazing golf courses as you can?

26 January 2017 2 minute read Best counties in the UK for golf
Ian Woosnam at Sunningdale. Nick Potts/PA Archive

The UK is blessed with a number of amazing golf courses. We take a look at the best counties in the UK for golfers… 

Surrey 
It’s not just about quantity when it comes to golf clubs in Surrey, though with 115 it has got plenty. Surrey also has the quality. Maybe because it’s within commuting distance to the capital, or the verdant countryside that’s abundant in sand, but Surrey is blessed, with courses like St George’s Hill and Walton Heath.  

Best course… 
Controversially, the highest ranked course linked to the Surrey Golf Union is actually in Berkshire – Sunningdale.  

Hampshire 
Officially the birth place of county golf unions in the UK, Hampshire now boasts a number of world-class courses. And it provides golfers with a large variety of course types from the island-based links course at Hayling to the heathlands surrounding Blackmoor. 

Best course… 
The short, but very sweet, Liphook.  

Kent 
With over 100 courses to choose from you’re spoilt for choice here. And with Surrey just next door, the region makes a great spot for golfing holidays.  You’ve also got a choice of Open Championship hosts including Royal Cinque Ports. 

Best course… 
Royal St George’s, which has hosted 14 Opens. 
   
Royal Birkdale’s rolling hills. Martin Rickett/PA Archive
Royal Birkdale’s rolling hills. Martin Rickett/PA Archive
  
Lancashire 
Enjoy the area’s ‘Golf Coast’, a quartet of links courses that are among the best in the country, if not the world. Outside of these are dozens more courses that are all worth a visit, whether it’s links courses like St Anne’s or the tough heathlands at Pleasington.  

Best course… 
Without a doubt, Royal Birkdale is the best. But also check out Royal Lythams St Anne’s and Formby.  

Yorkshire 
Thanks to the sheer size and geographic variety of the county, expect a range of excellent courses for all tastes. From the Ryder Cup host, Lindrick in South Yorkshire, up to the ‘inland links’ at Ganton there’ll be a course for you.  

Best course… 
Ganton is one of the best courses in the world.  

Argyll & Bute 
The scenery here is stunning – enough to put you off your game. But you won’t be distracted if you’re playing one of its many world-beating courses such as Machrihanish Dunes or Dunaverty.  

Best course… 
A dead heat between natural joys of Machrie and Machrihanish (Championship).  

Ayrshire & Arran 
With two Open venues, stunning scenery and a number of old favourites, this part of Scotland has courses for all tastes. Prestwick offers old world charm, while Royal Troon’s Old course is still seen as one of the world’s best.  

Best course… 
Royal Troon is just pipped by the Ailsa at Turnberry - it’s still one of the most scenic courses in the world.  
   
The Old Course at St Andrews.
The Old Course at St Andrews.
   
Fife
If you want a history lesson, then you need to visit the home of golf. While many will focus their trip on St Andrews, there are a number of courses along the coast that are worth exploring such as the links at Elie. 

Best course… 
It has to be the Old Course at St Andrews. There might not be a more famous course in the world.
   
RECENTLY VIEWED