Britain’s Best Golfing Holiday Destinations

What better way to relax on holiday than getting in a few rounds? If you’re a keen golfer make sure you book your cottage near one of the UK's top golf courses. Get to play on some of the UK’s most famous and challenging courses, booking early is recommended (both for the accommodation and to play at the course).  Most courses (subject to availability) publish their own green fees and many now have online booking facilities on their own websites where you can reserve specific tee times.

Here CountryCottagesOnline.Net have listed some of the UK's best and most scenic courses for your holiday inspiration.
 

Some of the Best Golf Courses in England include:

•    The Belfry, Warwickshire, B76 9PR

Considered to be one of the world's best golf courses and a favourite venue for the Ryder Cup, the Belfry is situated near to the city of Birmingham and consists of three courses; The Brabazon, an impressive championship course, the PGA National; a championship course with some 70 deep bunkers and  the all ability Derby. For those up for a real challenge, The Brabazon has challenged some of golf’s finest players and will test your skills with its narrow fairways, deep bunkers and lakes. The PGA is an inland links style course with fairways, vast greens and bunkers.
Tee times subject to availability, can be booked in advance via the Belfry's website.

What this Part of Warwickshire Offers for Visitors:

If you want to spend some time exploring the local area as well as golfing, the Belfry is situated around 31 miles from Warwick and there are some fascinating historical places to visit in this part of Warwickshire including Warwick Castle and further afield Stratford Upon Avon with its range of high end eateries and shopping.
 

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•    The Hotchkin, Woodhall Spa, near Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN10 6PU

One of the top UK inland golf courses famous for its natural beauty and the challenges it promises, the Hotchkin in Lincolnshire is said to be amongst the World's top 100 courses. With sharp crooked dog leg bends, heather and wooded areas to negotiate, on this heathland course, whatever your handicap you will need to use all your golfing skills to get a high score on this tricky but unforgettable course. Famous also for its resident wildlife you may also find yourself avoiding the odd squirrel or pheasant too!

What this Area of Lincolnshire Offers for Visitors:
Once you've had your fill of golfing, why not explore some of the best of Lincolnshire on days out?  For walks and wildlife watching, the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is close at hand and for history and a good choice of eateries and shops, Lincoln is less than 20 miles from the Hotchkin Golf Course.

• Find holiday accommodation in and near Horncastle

•    The Royal Liverpool Club, Hoylake, The Wirral, CH47 4AL

One of England's oldest golf courses, dating back to 1869, the Royal Liverpool Club at Hoylake is a tough course with an impressive history of professional tournaments including the Open and the Walker Cup.  With a dramatic coastal location, this is an impressive golf course where you can tread in the footsteps of some of the world's finest championship golfers.   The 18-hole links course offers a challenging experience in an awe inspiring setting, with the added bonus of an endless supply of fresh sea air.

What this Area of the Wirral Offers Visitors:

Just a stone's throw from the Royal Liverpool Golf Club is Hoylake Beach where you can enjoy relaxing walks along the sands.  This is an appealing coastal area and a great base for days out exploring some of the best of the Wirral Peninsula.
 

•    Royal West Golf Course, Brancaster, near Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE31 8AX

The Royal West links course in Norfolk is in a truly amazing coastal setting and golfers must cross the beach to get from course to the clubhouse adding to the experience! Bracing winds are part and parcel of playing at this course and at high tide you will have the unique experience of being marooned on your own golfing island! The fast changing weather conditions add to the excitement and the location is bound to provide an experience that you won't forget in a hurry!  

It’s especially important to book early on this course as although visitors are permitted, places are limited and visitors must hold a current CONGU handicap.   It's also essential to check tide times before visiting!

What this Part of Norfolk Offers for Visitors:

On days out from Brancaster, head out and discover the beautiful sandy beaches and quaint coastal towns and villages dotted along the North Norfolk coast.  Wells-next-the-Sea is just 10 miles away from Brancaster and one of the prettiest Norfolk coastal towns.

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Some of the Best Loved Golfing Holiday Destinations in Scotland include:

•    Cruden Bay Golf Course, Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire Scotland, AB42 0NN

For those keen to golf right by the seaside, Cruden Bay is a fine location.  Set right next to the sand dunes of Cruden Bay beach, this Aberdeenshire 9-hole golf course offers an old fashioned links style experience on one of Scotland's finest courses, 23 miles north of Aberdeen.  

What this Part of Aberdeenshire Offers for Visitors:

Situated within Aberdeenshire, this is Scotland's castle country so when you're not golfing there are splendid historic castles and ruins to visit, deserted beaches, as well as whisky distilleries to discover within an hour's drive.
 

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•    Gleneagles Golf Course,  Auchterarder, Perthshire Scotland PH3 1NF 

Gleneagles Golf Course. One of Scotland's most famous golf courses, Gleneagles dates back to the 1920s and attracts keen golfers from far and wide who want to play on one of the three iconic courses. Situated around equidistant between Loch Lomond National Park, Stirling and Perth, Gleneagles has played host to the Ryder Cup and enjoys a stunning location in the Perthshire countryside.

Visitors are welcome year round, but booking is essential to avoid disappointment. See the Gleneagles website for details of their green fees and for booking to play on this world famous golf course.

• Find self-catering accommodation near Gleneagles.

•    St Andrews Golf Course, Scotland, KY16 9XL    

Probably the UK's best known links golf course,  St Andrews, dubbed 'the Home of Golf' has a rich history going back some 600 years and is one of the world's oldest and most famous golf courses.  Home to an impressive seven courses; the Old Course, the Castle Course, the New Course, the Jubilee Course, the Eden Course, the Strathtyrum Course and the Balgove Course, each has its own challenges and character.
Booking early is recommended for this popular club and you may want to book a caddy to guide you around too.

What this Part of Scotland Offers Visitors:
Aside from the golf, the town of St Andrews itself with its fantastic coastal location and rich history is a joy to explore.  Discover lovely sandy beaches close by as well as fascinating historic sites such as St Andrews Castle, the Chapel of St Mary on the Rock and St Andrews Castle.

• Find holiday accommodation in and around St Andrews.

Wales' Best Loved Golfing Holiday Destinations

•    Nefyn Golf Club, Gwynedd, LL53 6DA

In a truly breathtaking coastal setting with the promise of fabulous sea views from each tee, Nefyn Golf Club is a sight to behold.  This 27 hole championship course hugs the coast and features a fairway which runs alongside dramatic coastal scenery which includes small coves and bays.   The course is in 3 sections; the Front, the New and the Old, each of which covers a challenging 9 holes.

What this Area of Gwynedd Offers for Visitors:

Within an hour's drive of Nefyn Golf Club is Snowdonia National Park where you can leave the clubs behind and enjoy walks and hikes in this stunning naturally beautiful area, as well as discover lovely market towns and quaint villages.
 

• Find holiday homes in and near Snowdonia National Park.

Golfing Holidays in Ireland

•    Royal County Down Championship Links, Newcastle, Northern Ireland , BT33 OAN

Another coastal golf course, the Royal County Down Golf Club with its 18 holes is regarded as the best in the world by some.  The location of this course is dramatic and impressive, set right by the sea, against a backdrop of the mountains of Mourne.  The views are so good in this part of Northern Ireland that the biggest challenge may be keeping your eyes on the ball!  With narrow fairways edged by sand dunes and gorse, this course offers plenty of challenges, as well as an absolutely stunning setting.

What this Part of Northern Ireland Offers for Visitors:

Just 32 miles from Belfast, the Royal County Down course is well located for discovering some of the best of Northern Ireland's coast and countryside if you want to explore the local area, as well as enjoy playing some golf on holiday.