Where to Play Golf in England

When golfers come to us looking to plan an H&B golf tour of England, the process often begins a little different than it might for Scotland or Ireland.

Unlike those countries, where the bucket-list courses are a bit more obvious, England is often something of an enigma.

Most travelers know there’s great golf to be discovered there, but what specific courses and where they are located is sometimes a big unknown.

Like choosing where to play golf in Scotland and Ireland, the key in England is to divide and conquer.

The best golf in the country is mostly concentrated in one of three regions. As you’ll soon learn, two of these regions can be accomplished in a single week-long trip, while the third generally requires a trip of its own.

Here are the pros and cons of each region for golf in England, as ordered by their popularity with our travelers.

England’s Golf Coast

There are numerous reasons to consider a northwest England golf trip. Not the least of which is a concentration of great golf that's unmatched elsewhere in the U.K. and Ireland.

Pros

• Three host golf courses for The Open are the headliners: Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
• An outstanding bench consisting of Formby, Hillside, Southport & Ainsdale, and Wallasey; former and current Ryder Cup, Amateur Championship, and Open Qualifying venues.
• The courses are all located within a relatively small area allowing travelers to unpack the suitcase just once.
• Enjoyable array of nightlife, from the pubs of Southport to the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Cons

• Tourists may find the area lacking. After a day of sightseeing in Liverpool, there is little to keep them occupied for the rest of the week.
• England’s Golf Coast typically can’t be combined with another region in the country in a single week without skipping some quality courses in the process.
• You may add “Hit 5 off the first tee at Royal Liverpool” to your golf resume.

The Channel Coast

Although the area is often overlooked, those wise enough to plan golf trips to southeast England and the Channel Coast will find 3 current or former Open Championship hosts.

Pros

• The headliner is Royal St. George’s Golf Club. Host of the 2021 Open Championship and one of England’s most notable clubs.
• The bench is composed of two former Open Championship hosts and one of England’s most charming links courses: Prince’s, Royal Cinque Ports, and Rye.
• The proximity to London allows for an easy combination with the heathland courses of Surrey.
• Home to a few of England’s most notable sites, from the White Cliffs of Dover to the historic town and cathedral of Canterbury.

Cons

• Unlike England’s Golf Coast, it’s difficult to fill an entire week of golf here. Therefore, one hotel change is generally required.
• You may add “Took 3 to get out of Sarazen’s Bunker at Prince’s” to your golf resume.

London Heathland

Those embarking on London golf trips can enjoy a combination of world-class golf and sightseeing that's among the finest destinations in the game.

Pros

• Arguably the finest collection of inland courses on the globe.
• The headliners are two of England’s most exclusive clubs: Sunningdale Golf Club and Swinley Forest.
• An excellent destination for buddies and couples trips alike, thanks to the proximity to London and exceptional sightseeing in the city.
• The quantity of great golf allows travelers a choice: Combine London with the links courses of the Channel Coast or skip the hotel change in favor of a weeklong exploration of the Heathland.

Cons

• No members of The Open Rota.
• You may add “Lost a dozen ProVs in the heather” to your golf resume.

In addition to the pros and cons above, there’s a variety of other factors that may influence which region of England is right for your golf trip. As always, your H&B Expedition Planning Manager will lend their insight and expertise to help you land on the region that’s the best fit for you and your group.

We know the process of planning an England golf trip brings a lot of questions. From who to invite on your golf trip to any number of questions related to caddies, if you’ve arrived at our corner of the web in search of answers, we’re all too happy to help. Visit our England Planning Guide for more insight ahead of your trip, or explore the articles and regions featured below.