When you read about green fee prices skyrocketing to extraordinary levels, you might start to believe that the overwhelming majority of the greatest courses in the land are far beyond the reach of most golfers.
Yes, that might be true of the biggest names, but that should instead be viewed as a window opening to discover those places that are far less expensive but that still offer a fabulous, unforgettable experience.
We wanted to find out what the public thought about this, asking them to reveal which venues they had visited that presented the best value for their money.
The response was outstanding and we have consequently been able to unearth a tremendous array of courses that can all be played for under £100 during the peak months of the season.
All positively rated and Highly Recommended on Golfshake, which is a status attained courtesy of the reviews submitted by everyday golfers out there, we’re beginning to wonder whether these could really be the best value for money golf courses in the UK?
When you see the quality available and the costs required, many of these wonderful locations should be in that conversation.
Appleby Golf Club
Location: Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Summer Green Fees: From £55
Review Comment: “Absolutely brilliant experience from start to finish. The course itself was in amazing condition, challenging, well-kept, and a real pleasure to play. The food was fantastic, top quality and really hit the spot after the round. But what truly stood out was the welcome and the staff, friendly, attentive, and couldn’t do enough for us. Can’t recommend this place highly enough. We’ll definitely be back!”
Ashburnham Golf Club
Location: Burry Port, Carmarthenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.2
Summer Green Fees: From £65
Review Comment: “Great traditional out and in links. Firm fairways and excellent greens.”
Ballater Golf Club
Location: Ballater, Aberdeenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Summer Green Fees: From £55
Review Comment: “Very nice course. Lovely views all round. The course was in good condition on my visit. Worth a visit.”
Balnagask Golf Course
Location: Torry, Aberdeen
Golfshake Rating: 4.7
Summer Green Fees: From £17.80
Review Comment: “Course in excellent condition. Well done to the greenkeeping staff. Keep up the great work.”
Bentham Golf Club
Location: Bentham, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Summer Green Fees: From £20
Review Comment: “Course is in excellent condition and the greens fantastic, it’s a great challenge for all handicap players. The views all around of the hills and mountains are awesome.”
Boat of Garten Golf Club
Location: Boat of Garten, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.2
Summer Green Fees: From £60
Review Comment: “First time playing Boat of Garten GC and so glad I did. Friendly welcome all round, was playing in an open competition which was so well run. Good practice facilities. Course quite challenging, a few blind tee shots and a few ups and downs to negotiate resulting in a good walk around but not too strenuous. Some great looking holes with fabulous views of surrounding mountains. Course in great condition, greens rolled well if a little difficult to read. Nice looking and friendly clubhouse, all in all great place to have a round of golf.”
Bull Bay Golf Club
Location: Amlwch, Anglesey
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £40
Review Comment: “Coastal course with great views. Course was in excellent condition and it helped that the weather was perfect.”
Burntisland Golf House Club
Location: Burntisland, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Summer Green Fees: From £40
Review Comment: “If you enjoy tight undulating fairways, and greens that are challenging, then this is the course for you, will definitely be back.”
Cavendish Golf Club
Location: Buxton, Derbyshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £55
Review Comment: Unbelievably good. It’s simply a course you just have to play. Every single par three is delightful. The green complexes are just another level to what I’m used to playing on. The only negative for me was the tee boxes were not as spectacular as the fairways and greens. This is a must play course.”
Cardigan Golf Club
Location: Gwbert, Ceredigion
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £35
Review Comment: “I have a holiday membership and absolutely love this course. It has recently been named by Wales Golf as the best course in Wales. A challenging links course where undulations and wind play a part in making course management a necessity.”
Church Stretton Golf Club
Location: Church Stretton, Shropshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Summer Green Fees: From £35
Review Comment: “Wow, a simply stunning golf course with the most amazing panoramic views. The beautiful food and real ale in the clubhouse after our round just topped off what I have to say was one of my favourite days out golfing I’ve ever had. Will definitely revisit.”
Drumoig Golf Course
Location: Drumoig, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.2
Summer Green Fees: From £50
Review Comment: “One of my favourite courses in Fife. Great setup. Great course and some amazing holes. Very scenic as well on some of the holes. I have played this many times and will continue to do so when we travel up to Dundee.”
Dunaverty Golf Club
Location: Southend, Argyll & Bute
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £65
Review Comment: “I have played this golf course occasionally since I was a child, a long time ago. Every time I come back I appreciate the place more and more. Playing Dunaverty is a truly enriching experience, the course is not long but there are some very tricky par 3s. Some of the views are world class. The first two or three holes, and the last, are average but from hole 4 to 17, Dunaverty is a very special place to play golf.”
Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club
Location: Alnwick, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £55
Review Comment: “What a great course. Play started in a raging storm and ended in glorious sunshine but still quite breezy. Greens in great condition but lightning fast. Yet another hidden trap, a double stream before the 18th green, so lost a couple of points. It is really worth the money!”
Furness Golf Club
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Summer Green Fees: From £35
Review Comment: “Best value links in the North West? Proper links course with all the usual hazards.”
Grantown on Spey Golf Club
Location: Grantown-on-Spey, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Summer Green Fees: From £40
Review Comment: “Always a gem to play this course, greens have always been at the top level, always will play again and again.”
Hart Common Golf Club
Location: Westhoughton, Bolton
Golfshake Rating: 4.0
Summer Green Fees: From £15
Review Comment: “Hart Common is a great parkland course. Well laid out and always in great condition. There is a great selection of holes, some you open the shoulders, some risk reward holes and plenty of other challenges. The greens are always in superb condition and plenty of sand in the bunkers.”
King James VI Golf Club
Location: Moncreiffe Island, Perth
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £40
Review Comment: “I played this course for the first time, and was a bit worried about the walk up and over the railway bridge to get there, but it was fine, I think if you get a chance to play it you should do.”
Kington Golf Club
Location: Kington, Herefordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Summer Green Fees: From £26
Review Comment: “Outstanding views, challenging course, fantastic clubhouse.”
Moor Hall Golf Club
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Summer Green Fees: From £80
Review Comment: “The course is in fantastic condition overall, The greens are simply outstanding, the best I’ve seen anywhere for years. Fast, true, and incredibly consistent, they are a real credit to the greenkeeping team. The approaches, run-offs, and tees are also presented to an exceptionally high standard. There is a great variety of holes throughout the round followed by a really tough closing stretch. What really stands out is the pride the members have in their course, and it’s easy to see why. The presentation, condition, and ongoing investment create a golfing experience that far exceeds expectations.”
Nefyn Golf Club
Location: Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Summer Green Fees: From £79
Review Comment: “Setting was fantastic along with the weather. Very welcoming club with 27 great holes of golf along the cliff tops.”
Norwood Park Golf Centre
Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Summer Green Fees: From £34
Review Comment: “Great course. Fab layout and a challenge for all levels. Friendly welcome from staff and locals alike.”
Painswick Golf Club
Location: Painswick, Gloucestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Summer Green Fees: From £20
Review Comment: “Here is a course with great variety and no bunkers, where every hole is different. It’s better if your drives are straight and strong (180 yards). But a load of fun and heaps of laughs.”
Seaton Carew Golf Club
Location: Seaton Carew, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Summer Green Fees: From £60
Review Comment: “Amazingly playable for time of year. Classic links golf, superb greens, great layout.”
Sharpley Golf Centre
Location: Seaham, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £30
Review Comment: “This is probably the second best course, apart from Close House, I have played on, again in mint condition, greens are very well kept.”
Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club
Location: Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Summer Green Fees: From £30
Review Comment: “Top 100 course worldwide, quirky, friendly and in excellent condition at a very reasonable price. Stunning location and views.”
Southerness Golf Club
Location: Southerness, Dumfries & Galloway
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Summer Green Fees: From £80
Review Comment: “Super course and a real coastal treat. A flat (ish) links which meanders away from the coast for the first few holes (around a cow field), but then routes back to a fabulous 12th hole which has one of the best views you will ever encounter. A tough finish if the wind is coming off the Solway coast from 14-17, especially with the more accessible par 5 18th back to the clubhouse providing a little reward for resilience on the back 9. Go and enjoy it like we did on a calm July evening.”
Uttoxeter Golf Club
Location: Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Summer Green Fees: From £15
Review Comment: “Great course and club, first visit but worthy of a perfect review. Club staff very helpful and friendly, the course was very well kept. Some blind shots and hills to contend with, definitely worth a visit.”
Having scanned through this impressive gathering of superb golf courses, which of them do you find most intriguing?
Affordable for golfers but nonetheless providing a standard that you will remember fondly, ticking off any of these layouts would make your season a genuinely successful one.