Between them, England, Scotland and Wales boast over 2,500 golf courses, and it’s estimated that nearly four million people in Britain play the game at least once a year. Over one million play at least once a month. So, when it comes to moving home, proximity to a high-quality course or two will be high on the wish-list of many house-hunters.
Some of our golf courses are renowned around the world, having hosted some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, but there are also many of them that while ‘under the radar’ of sofa-bound fans, are loved by in-the-know players of all standards.
Here, we look at nine of the UK’s most respected golf courses, and discover great new homes for fans to consider purchasing close by.
Sunningdale Old Course, Berkshire
Founded in 1900, Sunningdale Golf Club has two courses and the par 70 Old Course was first opened in 1901, designed by champion player, writer and equipment manufacturer Willie Park Jr. It has hosted numerous professional tournaments and has a round record of 62 held jointly by Nick Faldo and Shane Lowry.
Cricket Field Grove in Crowthorne is under 20 minutes’ drive from Sunningdale, and just six minutes away from East Berkshire Golf Club, considered one of the county’s best. There are currently a wide range of one- to four-bedroom homes for sale there, priced between £205,995 and £481,995. You can also consider Kingswood in Ascot.
Turnberry, South Ayrshire
Officially named Trump Turnberry, it’s renowned for luxury facilities and amazing sea views. The Ailsa course has hosted many major tournaments, including the Open Championship four times, and the 18-hole Kintyre course and nine-hole Arran are other options. There’s also high-quality tutoring at the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.
At Lairds Brae, Kilmarnock, there’s a range of three- and four-bedroom houses for sale, priced from £169,995 to £254,995. It’s just up the west coast from Turnberry, with other courses at Annanhill, Caprington and Loudoun all just a few minutes away. You can also to consider is The Scholars in Kilmarnock.
Wentworth West Course, Surrey
Founded in 1922 and one of Britain’s best-known (and pricy) golf clubs, Wentworth a ‘super-prime’ private estate of very expensive houses. Of its three 18-hole courses, the par-72 West is considered the ‘talisman’ and annually hosts the PGA Championship. The East is also well loved by many players, and there’s always the nine-hole executive course.
For those on a more modest property budget and only 20 minutes away, Hayes Village in the London Borough of Hillingdon will comprise 1,300 homes and some of the first one- and two-bedroom apartments are on sale now from £309,000 to £459,000, with London Help to Buy available. You can also consider Bleriot Gate in Addlestone.
West Sussex Golf Club
This par-68 heathland course was designed in 1930. It is located just outside Pulborough and is officially within the South Downs. It’s renowned for the beauty of its landscape and clubhouse – famous golf writer Bernard Darwin described it as “a little sandy jewel set in the Sussex clay”.
Half-an-hour away is Wychwood Park, where there’s a range of houses and townhouses priced from £359,995 to £464,995. You can also consider Warren Grove in Storrington.
Beau Desert, Staffordshire
Opened in 1911 and set within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is a short par-70 course which is highly considered for its picturesque heathland and woodland corridor landscape. Many players find the greens a delightful challenge and see this as a hidden gem in an area not widely known for its courses.
It takes under 30 minutes to get here from Bentley Fields in Uttoxeter where a range of attractive four-bedroom homes start from £300,000. You can also consider Deer’s Rise in Hednesford.
Royal Birkdale, Merseyside
A regular host of The Open Championship and Women’s British Open, Birkdale Golf Club has an impressive story, which started in 1889. With a par of 70, it saw a record round of 62 from Branden Grace in 2017. Like many links courses, it can be especially challenging when the wind comes in from the Irish Sea.
There are currently two- and three-bedroom homes available at The Spinnings, Preston with prices between £129,746 and £232,995. You can also consider Pavilion Gardens in Southport.
Royal Worlington and Newmarket, Suffolk
This has a par of 35 and since its founding in 1893 has built up a reputation as one of the very best nine-hole courses, not just in Britain but the world. Sand-based, it can be found in excellent condition even in winter and is surprisingly uncrowded. The club is proud of its historic links to Cambridge University, and of its active ladies’ section.
Marham Park, Bury St Edmunds is around 25 minutes’ away and has a variety of three- and four-bedroom house types ranging from £289,995 to £524,995. You can also consider King’s Meadow in Ely.
The Addington, Croydon
This course boasts a natural setting with panoramic views of the capital from some holes. Consistently ranked as one of the country’s Top 50 courses, it has boasted a royal patron and famous members such as PG Wodehouse. It also has an admirable link to the ladies’ game, with 25% of its membership in 1930 being women.
New Mill Quarter in Wallington is under half-an-hour away and there’s a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments there priced from £309,995. You can also consider Cane Hill Park in Coulsdon.
Royal Porthcawl, Glamorgan
This is the highest-ranked course in Wales, with admirers across the world, founded in 1891 and granted its Royal status by Edward VII. In 1995, it has hosted many tournaments including The Walker Cup. There are views across the Bristol Channel, where the breezes and gales making this par-72 links course particularly challenging.
At Waterside @ The Quays in Barry, just 22 miles down the picturesque coastline, there’s a choice of two- to four-bedroom terraced houses priced between £195,995 and £260,995. You can also consider Morgan’s Meadow in Bridgend.