It is well known that the UK is home to some of the worlds best links courses. From Scotland, England and Wales, the UK offers some of the best venues for year round golf.
Within this special mini edition of Your Golfer Magazine, we have compiled a review of some of our favorite courses that offer not only value for money, but are also home to some spectacular surroundings.
So, If you are looking for an exciting and challenging golf experience look no further than the clubs featured in this edition.
The Editor
The Irvine Golf Club est 1887
The west coast of Scotland celebrates its glorious past with an eye clearly on the future. In 1860, the Open first came to the west coast of Scotland, when it was played at Prestwick. Since this time, the competition has become the greatest golfing event in the world with Ayrshire firmly at its heart.
Visiting groups are assured of a hugely enjoyable experience at some of the Ayrshire’s multi course venues and excellent stay and play resorts which combine excellent links and parkland golf courses.
There are over fifty golf course to choose from in Ayrshire and Arran. Visitors can choose from classic links to majestic inland layouts.
The open was first played in South Ayrshire in October 1860. Eight golf professionals including Willie Park Snr and Old Tom Morris played three rounds over the 12-hole Prestwick course in one day. Over 150 years later, the Open Championship remains golf’s most prestigious professional tournament and Ayrshire retains its golfing heritage with two Open Championship venues located in the region.
Boasting a stunning links experience, The Irvine Golf Club is set in a seaside location, with the neighbouring Gulf Stream ensuring all-year-round links golf.
Established in 1887, The Irvine is regularly used as an Open Qualifying golf course and truly is one of Scotland’s hidden gems with those that have played the course at The Irvine returning many more times to take on the fairways.
A stunning links golf experience
The golf course owes much of its present day character to the design expertise of legendary golf course architect, James Braid who made interesting use of the landscape with the romantic peaks of Arran making for a stunning backdrop.
Featuring many strategically-placed bunkers catching any wayward shots whilst protecting the long, narrow greens synonymous with some of the great Scottish links; the par 71 course, which measures 6,415 from the championship, white tees represent an enjoyable yet stern test to even the most accomplished of golfer.
The Irvine hosts superb facilities in its wonderfully appointed clubhouse. Visitors are invited to relax in the spacious lounge with views across the golf course and beyond to the surrounding Ayrshire countryside. The clubhouse is home to a well-stocked bar, serving a selection of local ales, beers, wines and spirits as well as daily menus with something to suit all palates and pockets!
The Irvine Golf Club extends a warm welcome to visitors with society groups welcome throughout the year. The golf club offers a range of golf day packages which can be tailored to meet the needs and requirements of the visiting party to include excellent golf on the championship course with excellent dining options and fine Scottish hospitality.
One of the last remaining unspoilt links golf courses
The south-west of Scotland features an abundance of enjoyable places to stay and golf courses to suit golfers of all levels. Visiting groups can enjoy a blend of traditional links courses exposed to the varying wind conditions of the region, many steeped in history and all offering a warm welcome to visiting golfers.
“If I were to play one course for the rest of my life, Machrihanish would be the place” Michael Bamberger
The Machrihanish Golf Club is one of these gems, located within the village of Machrihanish, 5 miles from Campbeltown, the course sits near the southern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula. The golf course features fantastic views over the Atlantic, taking in views of Islay, Jura, Gigha and Northern Ireland. When teeing off on the 1st hole with your drive having to cross the stretch of the Atlantic Ocean, the 3hr journey from Glasgow is made even more rewarding.
“The best opening hole of golf in the world” – Jack Nicklaus
The 18 hole championship course at Machrihanish was design by the world renowned golf course Architect Tom Morris, helped by another renowned designer, J H Taylor. Today, it’s clear to see how these designers used the natural contours of the terrain across the surrounding dunes to create a spectacle of golf, overlooking Machrihanish Bay. Machrihanish is largely regarded as one of the last remaining unspoiled links course in Scotland.
The original clubhouse was destroyed by a fire in 2018. Work began on the new building in 2019 and the clubhouse was reopened to members and visitors in early 2021. Today it features a well-appointed bar and elegant restaurant with spectacular views overlooking Machrihanish Bay and beyond. The Clubhouse also boasts a state of the art Swingroom facility and full equipped locker room for visitors.
The Club has built a reputation as a premier venue for specialised golf packages and social occasions. They offer seasonal rates for all visitors and societies, combining excellent golf on the Championship course and fine dining with first-class hospitality.
Jennie Dunn, the Club’s professional & team can tailor a golf day to meet your needs and requirements, they will be on hand during your visit to ensure that it runs smoothly, leaving you free to enjoy all The Machrihanish Golf Club has to offer.
Porthmadog Golf Club, Gwynedd
Situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and an excellent base to exploring the surrounding area.
The superbly-appointed Porthmadog golf course and clubhouse has everything for a great day out whether with family, friends or a golf society.
Founded in 1905, Porthmadog was designed and created by legendary golf course architect, James Braid. Today, the site offers a beautiful and traditional links course which provides friendly hospitality and an enjoyable but challenging round of golf for all ages and abilities.
The par 72 Porthmadog golf course stretches over 6, 326 yards from the championship tees. The front nine is predominantly set on a heathland layout whilst, the course’s back nine has more of a links style to it. Each loop of nine provides stunning views of the Cardigan Bay coast and the Snowdonia mountain range.
The course has a WHS slope rating of 124 representing a fair challenge to all levels of golfer.
The excellent Porthmadog clubhouse building features a comfortable lounge, well-appointed bars and a spacious locker room. The large modern clubhouse is extremely family-orientated and extends a warm welcome to golfers and nongolfers alike.
The comfortable lounge area is completed with a relaxed atmosphere and a wellstocked bar serving a variety of ales, beers, wines and spirits. Aside from this, the spike bar has sports television and a snooker room.
The golf club’s catering team offers a varied menu suiting all pockets and palates with dining options for friends, family and more formal dining options. The club can also cater for all manner of social occasion and celebrations.
Dormy Accommodation
Facilities : 5 bedrooms with en suite , 4 x Twin rooms, 1 x Twin Room (Bunk).
Please contact us –Bookings@porthmadog-golf-club.co.uk.co.uk
Part of a golfing hub
Porthmadog is truly part of a golfing hub in North Wales. The region is littered with fine golf courses and some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the United Kingdom.
The pleasant locations, facilities and greens of North Wales combine to provide a fantastic choice for a golf break. As well as the many outdoor pursuits which can be enjoyed in North Wales, the region offers visitors some of the best value green fees around. The area’s unspoiled golf courses at affordable prices encompass a variety of unique and testing challenges, from the gentle, rolling parkland courses to stunning mountain-backed links-style golf courses.
Some of the earliest golf courses in Wales can be found in the north, with many close to the Irish Sea meaning conditions can be challenging; with many golf courses set to the stunning backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
Located on the north-western side of Wales, and home to Porthmadog, Gwynedd is mostly located within the Snowdonia National Park with the Snowdonia mountain ranges and Cambrian coastline as the town’s magnificent backdrop. Gwynedd is home to many cultural and historical places to visit including the quant harbour town of Porthmadog.
Planning a golf break in 2025?
Visitors and society groups are welcome at Porthmadog Golf Club throughout the year with a variety of competitively-priced packages, which can be tailored by a variety of bespoke arrangements with discounts available for groups of twelve or more.
Porthmadog’s friendly, dedicated professional team will also be on hand to offer their help and advice to ensure the smooth running of the golf day.
GANTON GOLF CLUB
landscapes and an all-
Yorkshires long-acknowledged premier course is said to be the finest inland layout in the country. A catalogue of impressive Top100 World rankings, place Ganton amongst the ‘Who’s Who’ of the world’s top golfing locations.
Golf was first played in Ganton in the summer of 1891. The course was originally laid out by St Andrews’ Tom Chisolm, and has since been touched by most leading golf course architects over the years, including Braid, Colt, Fowler, Taylor and MacKenzie. Not resting on their laurels, the Club has recently embarked on a major restoration project
under the direction of leading golf course architect Martin Ebert. Clearance of gorse has revealed natural sand lines that had been lost over time – the dramatic scale of these sand areas provides great challenge and pleasing natural aesthetics.
Ganton is the only inland UK Club to host the Ryder, Curtis & Walker Cups, and the Amateur Championship among many other significant events. In 2021 the Club hosted the English Strokeplay Championship (Brabazon Trophy) and the R&A Senior Amateur Championship. In 2023 the R&A return to stage the Boys and Girls Championships.
Ganton remains an enigma, where golfers experience tradition, quality, and a great test of their ability; The par 71 course measures over 7000yrd from the Championship tees, but most will prefer to play from the range of shorter teeing options available.
The superbly appointed clubhouse is a shrine to golfing years gone by. The Thirsk, Vardon and Rudgard rooms all boasts views across the course and provide access to a wonderful outdoor terrace – perfect for al fresco eating and drinking.
Ganton Golf Club welcomes society groups throughout the year with excellent dining packages coupled with fantastic golf to create the ideal golf day.
Ganton is proud to have been closely linked to the history of British golf and visitors enjoy reviewing old photographs, original paintings and tournament memorabilia which detail ‘the Ganton story’.
Vardon House provides on-site dormy accommodation for up to 8 golfers, and many visitors to Ganton take the opportunity to book a ‘stay and play’ package so they can fully immerse themselves in the Club traditions and history.
Ganton is certainly a venue that should be on every discerning golfer’s bucket list.
The shining star of scotland’s golf coast…
CRAIGIELAW GOLF CLUB
Situated on Scotland’s Golf Coast, Craigielaw truly is a golfers’ paradise. Boasting a challenging 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Donald Steel, Craigielaw is inspired by the great links courses of Britain. It is equal to many of the finest examples of such courses, some of which are conveniently located nearby in the golf rich East Lothian area.
Despite only opening in 2001, the course has already hosted many national events, including the 2006 Scottish Amateur Strokeplay Championship and was a qualifying course for the 2007 British Seniors Open at Muirfield. In August 2019, it played host to the Scottish Seniors Open.
When you are competing against the best, you must ‘up your game’. That is why we witness so many terrific sporting spectacles, when the greatest come head to head and drive their game to a higher level. So, when your club is set amongst a further 22 golf courses, including the world-renowned greats such as Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane, you have to be doing something special to hold your own against such celebrated company. So, what is it that sets Craigielaw Golf Club apart?
With its challenging greens, cavernous bunkers and spectacular views over the Firth of Forth, Gullane Hill and out towards Edinburgh and Fife, Craigielaw Golf Club is an experience not to be missed. Combine this with the friendly welcome and efficiency of service, and you can soon see why Craigielaw has become our choice as Scotland’s finest east coast golf course.
Whether for a simple round of golf, a business meeting or convivial lunch, both active and enthusiastic members, and visitors alike, are welcomed to take advantage of the excellent facilities. Aside from the championship links course, make use of the grass academy practice ground and driving range, or tidy up your short game on the practice putting green. There is also a 6-hole par 3 course to help hone your game.
Off the course, the clubhouse is open to golfers and non-golfers alike. Offering the finest locally and seasonally produced food, alongside an extensive range or whiskies, wine and beer, the restaurant at Craigielaw offers guests a varied and delicious menu with stunning views and friendly service. Whether for a bacon roll before hitting the golf course, having a coffee and catching up with friends, lunch with family or delicious evening meal, it really is perfect for all occasions.
You can even stay in the Craigielaw Lodge, and enjoy Scottish hospitality at its best, in comfortable en-suite rooms overlooking the golf course. The Lodge is the ideal base for exploring ‘Scotland’s Golf Coast’ and the beautiful East Lothian coastline with its stunning beaches, castles and walks - perfect for golfing groups, family holidays and even romantic getaways.
Located just a half hour drive from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, Craigielaw caters to all the discerning golfer’s needs.
details can also be found at www.craigielawgolfclub.com
The incredibly varied geography of Somerset means that there are plenty of unique challenges just waiting to be experienced. There are many golf courses in the region to enjoy also - some accessed from the county’s excellent motorway network and others tucked away in the crevices and foothills of the protected landscapes.
One thing all courses have in common is the breath-taking scenery, taking in fine views of wonderful landmarks such as Glastonbury Tor and the Bristol Channel and with stunning backdrops of the Severn Estuary and the Welsh Hills.
Somerset offers an opportunity not to be missed.
The classic seaside town of Weston Super Mare is one of the UK’s most popular tourist hotspots offering everything from a traditional cream tea to the attractions of the Grand Pier. Weston also features some excellent golf courses including links style seaside courses and enjoyable parkland layouts.
Weston is a cracking course and always few true links courses in the world I
never tire of playing this
always in great condition. One of the and an inherent part of the town. this unsung Mackenzie gem.
As you’d expect from a traditional seaside town, accommodation providers are in abundance so golfers embarking on a holiday in the area really do have the pick of the hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses that are located in the area, whether that be on the prom or set back in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
Established in 1892, Weston Super Mare Golf Club is located on the coast to the southern tip of the town on Weston Bay. Playable all-year-round with excellent drainage synonymous with English seaside links courses, the excellent golf course boasts splendid views across the Bristol Channel towards Wales.
The golf course at Weston Super Mare was designed by world-renowned golf course architect Dr Alister Mackenzie and in 2011, hosted the Mackenzie Medallion competition which was played by members of other ‘Mackenzie golf clubs’ throughout the country.
Today, the Weston course represents a challenging test of links golf for all standards of player, requiring accurate shots to score well, especially in windy conditions! Its generous fairways, fast and true-running greens coupled with spectacular views make a round of golf at Weston Super Mare Golf Club a truly memorable and enjoyable experience with many visitors returning year-afteryear.
A friendly welcome awaits at Weston. The clubhouse was officially opened in 1905 and today, comprises bar and dining facilities in its traditional, listed building.
The comfortable, well-stocked bar offers a wide selection of ales, beers, wines and spirits whilst, the Mackenzie Dining Room provides a varied menu from a traditional breakfast to a substantial choice of main meals and formal dining options.
The Club’s lounge bar - as well as a relaxing space for members and visitors alike - couples as a superb function room which can be hired for social and formal occasions.
Golf societies and visiting groups are attracted throughout the year by Weston Super Mare Golf Club’s attention to details, first class facilities and top-value golf packages.
A friendly and hospitable golf club, Weston offers a variety of packages combining championship golf on the superb Weston course and excellent dining options suiting all palates and budgets. The Club’s dedicated professional team are on hand to ensure that the event runs smoothly, ensuring that the society organiser can enjoy all that Weston Super Mare has to offer.
Weston Super Mare Golf Club is also part of bristolgolfbreaks.com and offers some excellent stay and play deals in collaboration with local accommodation providers. Visitors can choose from one night/two rounds, two nights/three rounds or tailor their golf break to suit the needs and requirements of the group.
01934 626 968
gm@westonsupermaregolfclub.com
Seaton Carew Golf Club 10th Oldest Club In England
Founded in 1874, Seaton Carew Golf Club will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024 and the club has a rich golfing history as the 10th oldest in England. It was also the first to be established in the counties of Durham & Yorkshire, something which is still celebrated on the club’s crest and in its original name of Durham & Yorkshire Golf Club.
As part of its anniversary activities, Seaton Carew will be hosting England Golf’s premier tournament, the English Amateur Championships which take place between the 28th of July and 4th of August. The 2024 event will be even more significant because it’s also the governing body’s centenary year.
Uniquely, Seaton Carew has 22 holes which are played as two different layouts, although only one is in play at a given time. The Old Course, played mainly in the winter, and the Micklem, used in the summer, each have differing WHS course and slope ratings, both making for an enjoyable test of golfing ability.
The Old Course is the creation of legendary golf architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie, whilst the Micklem includes three holes designed by Frank Pennink. The latter will be used as the venue for the English Amateur Championships. The club is very proud of its MacKenzie heritage and is currently working with MacKenzie & Ebert to restore many of the bunkers to the great doctor’s original designs.
The fast-draining soil means golf can be played almost 365 days a year at Seaton Carew making it a very attractive winter golf destination. Golfers often compliment the club on the tightly-mown fairways and fast running greens as they thread their way between almost one hundred deep-faced bunkers and contend with whatever the elements throw at them. One thing’s for sure, breaking par will be quite an achievement!
The superbly appointed clubhouse is home to relaxing bar and lounge areas, and the popular Bunting Lounge offers traditional home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The club is renowned in the north-east for excellent dining options and fine hospitality, and visitors are welcome to relax in the historic Captains’ Corner surrounded by 150 years of past club dignitaries.
Whether an individual golfer or part of visiting group, Seaton Carew is the ideal place for a great day’s golf. Societies are welcomed from 11am onwards with a variety of golfing packages available.
For those new to the region, Hartlepool has a long fishing heritage, the nearby River Tees is still a major seaport and the town’s marina is home to a sizeable fleet of leisure craft. It’s also home to the sailing frigate HMS Trincomalee, now a floating museum, which is based next to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The town also boasts miles of wonderful sandy beaches and there are plenty of seaside attractions in the village of Seaton Carew. From affordable B&B’s to luxury hotels the region offers a host of accommodation options for those wishing to spend a few days soaking up the north-east hospitality.
www.seatoncarewgolfclub.co.uk
North Wales Golf Club
With lots of golf courses, each with the backdrop of the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales offers a truly unique and testing golfing experience on stunning mountain-backed parkland and links-style golf courses. Conditions can be difficult but, the golf enjoyable and the views, inspiring!
Situated in Llandudno, North Wales Golf Club boasts spectacular views over the Conwy estuary to Anglesey and the Snowdonia mountain range. The club’s coastal location gives visitors access to some of the most stunning scenery in the UK.
Founded in 1894 by Tancred D. Cummins of Bowden in Cheshire, North Wales Golf Club has many connections to Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Liverpool member and Open Champion, Harold Hilton advised on the course layout and the club badge features the words, ‘far and sure’ which is taken from the Hoylake club moto.
The undulating North Wales course plays as a Par 71 from the white tees and stretches over 6,310 yards. With a WHS course rating of 70.4 and Slope rating of 126, the venue hosted the Welsh team championships in 1995 and offers even the most accomplished of golfers a challenging trial whilst allowing them to enjoy the exhilarating sea air and magnificent scenery.
The clubhouse at North Wales Golf Club has recently been refurbished and offers bar and catering services throughout the week. The friendly atmosphere of the clubhouse lounges and dining area is complemented with panoramic views of the golf course and the Snowdonia mountain range.
The golf club prides itself on offering unrivalled value for money and attention to detail. A popular venue for society and corporate visitors, North Wales GC offers a variety of golf day packages to suit all budgets, including home cooked dining option to please all palates!
With a magnificent golf course which can be found in fantastic condition all year round, great food and great hospitality – it is easy to see why many visitors return to North Wales Golf Club year after year.
