Given that there are currently (depending on the source you check) somewhere in the region of 2,500 and 3,000 golf courses in the UK, it’s fair to say that golfers are spoilt for choice on where they could play next.
Searching for your next tee time will often be an exercise where you combine a blend of quality and affordability. You don’t need us to remind you that so many of the biggest names in the country are frequently charging north of £400 during the peak months of the season. That inflation has even infiltrated the next tier of venues where you see places with green fees easily double that of just a few years ago.
Hoping to uncover those locations that still offer a superb layout, outstanding hospitality and an experience to be savoured without, crucially, the most expensive of prices to accompany it, we sought the views of everyday golfers themselves to hopefully point you in the direction of courses that are truly worth playing – in every sense of the word.
We asked the Golfshake Community on Facebook a trio of key questions:
Name a golf course that’s BETTER than courses charging at least twice as much.What’s a golf course you weren’t expecting much from but absolutely loved?Which golf course exceeded your expectations the most?
Hundreds of responses were received and from those we have generated a collection of varied courses that provide a memorable round that is less costly than their equivalents who have simply priced out a vast swathe of the golfing population.
These included Hayling Golf Club, about which one golfer said: “Expected good things, but it blew me away. Layout, condition, shot values, all outstanding. Deserves to be much higher in the ratings.”
Situated on the Isle of Arran, Shiskine is a true cult favourite and it was once again talked about: “Great condition, no two holes are the same, the trickiest, quirkiest course I’ve played and has stunning scenery, just a magical place.”
Talking about saving yourself money, you need to read this comment: “Auchterarder springs to mind, their 6th fairway runs alongside the 15th at the PGA (at Gleneagles) and the PGA is five times the price.”
Someone else felt the same way, remarking that Auchterarder was a “cracking course, on the same turf as Gleneagles, but a fraction of the price!”
You will be aware of the legendary links courses of Ayrshire, the likes of Royal Troon, Turnberry and Prestwick, but what about the superb Troon Lochgreen as a dramatically cheaper alternative?
One golfer said regarding this municipal once played by Jack Nicklaus: “Troon Lochgreen Course. On our golf trip we played all the big name courses and Lochgreen was super fun! We ended up playing it twice as we went to the Scottish Open for a couple of hours and said let’s go and tee it up at Lochgreen again.”
Quite often your memories are enhanced by somewhere that turned out to be a surprise. For one respondent, that include Rory McIlroy’s childhood golf club.
“Holywood Golf Club. We went because of Rory but it turned out to be great. Really good condition, great views and a quirky but fun design. Didn’t hurt it was the best weather day of the trip and the people were so friendly and welcoming. I was expecting C- but it was an A+ day!”
If you are looking for other special days that are comparative bargains in the market, then we have generated this list from the recommendations that were given to us recently.
Here are golf courses that are arguably better than those that cost twice as much to play!
Aldersey Green
Location: Chester, Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £20-£35
Review Comment: “Hidden gem. Never played here before but it was immaculate and such a bargain for £35.”
Appleby
Location: Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £55-£65
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!”
Auchterarder
Location: Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £85-£90
Review Comment: “Course was in great condition, brilliant greens, superb staff, would play again in a heartbeat, totally recommend.”
Boat of Garten
Location: Boat of Garten, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.2
Green Fees: £60-£115
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 in the way of 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.”
Dunaverty
Location: Southend, Kintyre
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Green Fees: £30-£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
Location: Embleton, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Green Fees: £35-£65
Review Comment: “Not to be missed. Enjoyable course in a lovely part of the world, some cracking holes, excellent value for money. Has very useful club hire facility with good quality clubs.”
Forfar
Location: Forfar, Angus
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £75-£150
Review Comment: “This is an inland course that is an excellent test of skill and placement. Several holes you are hitting blind so have to manoeuvre rather than driver out and bash it down the middle. Very rolling fairways so depends which way your ball will roll when it hits the ground. Made to feel very welcome in both the pro shop and the club afterwards. We sat and had a drink out on the benches on the outside area by the 18th green. Very relaxing after the round to chat and chill. Overall, give it a try and you will not be disappointed.”
Goswick Links
Location: Goswick, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £100-£125
Review Comment: “Played in 2025. Natural links layout. Proper test. Not stuffy. Reasonably priced. Friendly.”
Hart Common
Location: Westhoughton, Bolton
Golfshake Rating: 4.0
Green Fees: £22-£32
Review Comment: “Played here with our society. Probably the best value course we’ve played all season. In great condition and a friendly welcome. Breakfast is great too.”
Hayling
Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Green Fees: £90-£160
Review Comment: “This is a proper links test, a beautifully kept course too with fantastic clubhouse and friendly staff. It’s amazing value for what is one of the best links courses in the south – well worth the day trip from London when you compare the quality of the experience here. I rate it up with Rye and Royal Cinque Ports – but it’s much cheaper and easier to play than either.”
Holywood
(Image Credit: Kevin Murray)
Location: Holywood, County Down
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Green Fees: £40-£60
Review Comment: “Two distinct loops of nine holes. The opening loop is created on a hillside offering incredible views over the Belfast Lough. The shorter holes are all excellent. The back nine is laid out much higher up the hill with a steep walk to the tenth tee box. This golf course is now a partner to Visit Belfast as a tourist venue such is the interest in the golf course due to its affiliation to Rory McIlroy.”
Kington
Location: Kington, Herefordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Green Fees: £26-£45
Review Comment: “Just love playing here. Course was in fabulous condition and the greens were so good and fast. The little additions they’ve made for their centenary year make an always enjoyable experience that bit better. Friendly greeting in the pro shop and the food as always was top notch. 100% worth a visit.”
Machrihanish
(Image Credit: Kevin Murray)
Location: Machrihanish, Kintyre
Golfshake Rating: 4.7
Green Fees: £99-£175
Review Comment: “Fabulous course in great surroundings. A fast, testing layout, especially in the wind. Tight fairways and slick greens. Stay on the fairway to avoid disappointment!”
Mapperley
Location: Mapperley, Nottingham
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Green Fees: £15-£45
Review Comment: “Very good challenging course, well worth a visit. Friendly staff. Three or four holes are as good as anywhere.”
Prestwick St Nicholas
Location: Prestwick, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Green Fees: £90-£130
Review Comment: “Fantastic course, has to be added to any coastal challenge. Greens in excellent condition, and very true all the way through.”
Seaton Carew
Location: Hartlepool, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.3
Green Fees: £55-£140
Review Comment: “Amazingly playable for time of year. Classic links golf, superb greens, great layout.”
Shiskine
Location: Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Green Fees: £32-£42
Review Comment: “Top 100 course worldwide, quirky, friendly and in excellent condition at a very reasonable price. Stunning location and views.”
Silloth-on-Solway
Location: Silloth, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.9
Green Fees: £55-£130
Review Comment: “Absolute must for any golfer. This course is superb. Every hole is unique and offers different challenges. The condition in mid-September was excellent, the greens rolled lovely and every aspect was immaculate.”
Southerness
Location: Southerness, Dumfries & Galloway
Golfshake Rating: 4.6
Green Fees: £65-£115
Review Comment: “Played this course 30 years ago and always remembered it as a beauty! Played again last week and I was not disappointed! It’s one of the best true links courses in Scotland! Perfect tight fairways and fair undulating greens! The course was in fantastic condition and is a must play! It’s well off the beaten track, but if heading down or up the M74 to another golf resort, a 20 mile detour to break the journey will be worth it! Highly recommend! And the modest traditional clubhouse is super friendly and very affordable! Don’t miss it!”
St Davids City
Location: Whitesands Bay, Ceredigion
Golfshake Rating: 4.1
Green Fees: £12-£25
Review Comment: “A tricky 9 holer with wind coming off the sea due to its elevated position over Whitesands Bay. If you can keep a drive straight and have a decent short game, you will score well and not lose balls. Some interesting double MacKenzie-style greens which run true. Keep an eye on your ball on the fairways as rabbit scrapings are everywhere.”
Stranraer
Location: Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway
Golfshake Rating: 4.5
Green Fees: £25-£55
Review Comment: “The fairways are the best I’ve seen, the greens are well looked after, overall the course is 100% the best I’ve played all year.”
Troon Lochgreen
Location: Troon, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.4
Green Fees: £33-£38
Review Comment: “We played the course for the first time in a few years, and it is still very enjoyable and challenging.”
Which of these exceptional golf courses are you now most likely to place on your must-play list in the future?