Fancy escaping the daily grind for a day on the fairways? As an English golfer, you know that nothing beats the thrill of a proper links test or a classic heathland challenge right on our doorstep. In this guide, I’ll share the top 5 golf courses you must play this year, drawn from the latest 2025/26 rankings – think world-class layouts that deliver memories to last a lifetime.
Why These Courses Top the List
These picks focus on accessible gems for visitors, blending England’s finest with nearby stars across the UK – all perfect for a 2026 road trip. They’re ranked highly by club golfers and experts, offering stunning scenery, strategic brilliance, and that unmistakable British golf vibe. Whether you’re plotting a mates’ getaway or a solo pilgrimage, book early as tee times vanish fast.
1. Royal Birkdale Golf Club – England’s Crown Jewel
Tucked in Southport, Merseyside, Royal Birkdale is simply the best course in England, blending sublime links variety with dunes that frame every hole like a postcard. Founded in 1889 by Fred Hawtree and JH Taylor, it’s hosted 10 Opens, including Jordan Spieth’s epic 2017 win – imagine walking those same fairways, wind whipping off the Irish Sea.
Visitors play Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (course closed Jan-Mar and late June for the 2026 Open prep). Green fees hit £450-£565 in peak season, but snag a ‘Birkdale Ballot’ fourball for under £100pp early in the year – a steal for this Open venue. Pro tip: Hire a caddie (£60-80 cash) for dune navigation; they’re worth every penny on the blind par-3 3rd. I once saw a mate shank into the railway sleepers there – pure chaos, but that’s Birkdale’s charm!
Signature Hole: The 5th, a dogleg par-4 demanding a precise drive over dunes.
2. Royal County Down Golf Club – Spectacular Northern Links
Just a ferry hop to Newcastle, County Down (Northern Ireland), this 1889 gem by Old Tom Morris tops the UK&I charts with Mourne Mountains looming and sea views on the first three. Narrow fairways snake through dunes, bunkers gape like traps – it’s blind faith golf at its finest, often called the world’s best links.
Open to visitors year-round; expect £300+ fees (check site for 2026 deals). It’s hosted majors and amateurs galore – arrive early for the Annesley links warm-up. Funny story: My first visit, the wind turned the 9th into a comedy of slices; locals just chuckled with their Guinness post-round. Culturally, it’s got that Irish warmth English golfers adore – pair it with a Ulster fry.
Signature Hole: The 3rd, a blind par-4 over massive dunes.
3. Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club – Lancashire Legend
In Lytham St Annes, this Harry Colt masterpiece (founded 1889) screams tradition with its railway sleepers and 200+ bunkers. Note: Closed Nov 2025-Feb 2026 for maintenance, so aim for spring/summer 2026. It’s hosted 11 Opens, rewarding straight drivers on firm turf – pure links without the seaside show-off.
Book via BRS Golf; fees around £300-400. Singles contact reservations directly. Expert advice: Study the par-5 11th’s uphill blind – it’s a brute that tests your bottle. As a northerner at heart, I love how it feels like home turf, minus Blackpool’s donkeys nearby.
Signature Hole: The short par-4 1st, starting right by the clubhouse.
4. Sunningdale Golf Club (Old Course) – Heathland Heaven
Berkshire’s Sunningdale Old (1901, Willie Park Jr) is inland perfection – pine-lined fairways, heather punishment, and walk-up 18th under the oak tree. Paired with the New Course (top 10 too), it’s elite but visitor-friendly Mon-Thu (closed late July-Aug).
Peak fees: £350-£395; £600-£700 for both courses. Greens are lightning-fast; poor approaches roll off into doom. Personal insight: Heather swallows balls like Pac-Man – bring extras! It’s posh yet approachable, evoking Surrey countryside escapes.
Signature Hole: The 18th, a tension-filled approach to the clubhouse.
5. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin Course) – Inland Epic
Lincolnshire’s Woodhall Spa Hotchkin (1920s, Cyril Hugh Johnson, recent Tom Doak tweaks) is Britain’s best inland, ranked world No.58 with vast fairways and quirky greens. Two courses here; Hotchkin dazzles with heather and elevation – a hidden gem for Midlands day trips.
Visitor-friendly with packages; fees £150-250ish (confirm 2026). Hosted English Opens; the par-5 10th’s biarritz green is genius. Anecdote: Nearly aced the island-style par-3 – beer o’clock earned! Lincolnshire links feel authentically English, no passport needed.
Signature Hole: The 10th, with its massive green complex.
Quick Comparison Table
Booking Tips and Gear Essentials
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Book Smart: Use official sites or BRS Golf; societies get deals. Expect deposits, no refunds near date.
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Pack Right: Waterproofs (British weather!), layers, and soft spikes. Caddies enhance fun on links.
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Travel Hacks: Train to Birkdale/Lytham; drive for heathlands. Stay overnight for value – many have Dormy Houses.
These top 5 golf courses you must play this year aren’t just rankings; they’re experiences that’ll sharpen your game and spark stories. Grab your clubs, rally the lads, and tick one off – which will you conquer first? Share your round in the comments!