Best Golf Courses in England

Royal St George's Golf Club, designed by Dr. Laidlaw Purves in 1887, is one of the most historic and revered links courses in the world. Located along the Kentish coast, it features wild duneland, natural bunkers, and strategic holes. The club has hosted the Open Championship 15 times and offers a quintessential, challenging links experience.

Sunningdale Golf Club (Old) is a historic 18-hole heathland layout designed by Willie Park Jr. in 1901 with Harry Colt as its first secretary. Renowned for firm, springy fairways, strategic bunkering, and vibrant heather, it is one of the game's most celebrated inland courses. Immersive woodland scenery, fast greens, and world-class challenge cement its reputation.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, designed by George Lowe and enhanced by the Hawtree family, is a storied links on England’s Golf Coast in Southport. Renowned for its championship history, it features rolling dunes, defined fairways, and a memorable art deco clubhouse. The course’s valley-routing provides a fair challenge and exceptional spectator experience, consistently ranking among the world’s best.

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is one of England’s premier links, founded in 1886 and set on its current site since 1897. The current routing was shaped by George Lowe and major changes by Harry Colt in 1919. The course is globally celebrated for its history, challenging bunkering, and as a frequent host of The Open Championship.

Royal Liverpool Golf Club, founded in 1869 and expanded to 18 holes two years later, is a classic links course designed by Robert Chambers and George Morris, later renovated by Harry Colt. Renowned for hosting major championships, its storied history, challenging layout, and coastal setting make it one of England’s most prestigious clubs.

Sunningdale Golf Club (New) is a celebrated heathland course in Berkshire, England, designed by Harry Colt and Tom Simpson. Opened in 1923, the New Course is renowned for its wide fairways bordered by heather, beautifully contoured greens, and a more open moorland feel than its sister Old Course. Often ranked among the UK's top courses, it combines challenge and playability.

Walton Heath Golf Club (Old) is a renowned heathland course designed by Herbert Fowler, opened in 1904 and steeped in history. Known for hosting the 1981 Ryder Cup and numerous top championships, it features firm, springy fairways, deep heather, and a links-like inland character. Consistently ranked among the top 100 courses globally, the Old demands both strategy and precision.

Burnham and Berrow Golf Club's Championship Course is a highly acclaimed traditional links, originally designed by Charles Gibson and later evolved with input from Herbert Fowler, Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie, and Hugh Alison. Famed for rolling dunes and challenging holes along the Bristol Channel, it is ranked among the top links courses in England and regularly hosts elite amateur events.

Ganton Golf Club is an esteemed inland course in North Yorkshire, renowned for deep bunkering and fast, firm heathland fairways. Dating to 1891 and originally laid out by Tom Chisholm and Robert Bird, it features contributions from legends such as Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie, and James Braid. Ganton regularly hosts top amateur and professional events, combining championship heritage with architectural pedigree.

Hankley Common Golf Club is a classic heathland course in Surrey, England, originally established in 1897. Designed by James Braid and Harry Colt, the course showcases expansive rolling terrain with stunning views across its 850-acre estate, featuring exceptional conditioning, slick greens, and challenging bunkering amid natural heather and pine.

St George's Hill Golf Club is a private, historic course in Weybridge, Surrey, renowned for its stunning heathland layout and distinctive clubhouse. Designed by Harry Colt in 1913, the Red and Blue nines form the main championship 18, featuring dramatic elevation changes and strategic bunkering that showcase Colt’s architectural legacy.

Aldeburgh Golf Club's Championship Course is a classic maritime heathland, designed originally by Willie Fernie and shaped by Open champions including J. H. Taylor and Willie Park Jr. Its challenging par 68 layout, firm fast fairways, and scenic coastal setting make it a unique must-play in England.