Best Golf Courses in the Midlands
Golf courses in the Midlands have contributed much to the legacy of golf in the UK.
Primarily, the region has played host to four Ryder Cups. The Brabazon Course at the Belfry is just one of 13 golf courses to host the Ryder Cup in the UK.
The Midlands is also home to England Golf which is the governing body for the sport in the country.
And in and amongst the 400+ golf courses in the Midlands, there are a plethora of UK & Ireland Top 100 courses, England Top 100 courses and plenty of hidden gems. In this article we’ll aim to uncover some of our favourites.
The best golf courses in the Midlands
We’ve coupled our top picks of golf courses in the West Midlands with our favourite golf clubs in the East Midlands to give us the ultimate list for the whole of the Midlands.
1. Hollinwell Golf Club
📌 Derby Rd, Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottingham NG17 7QR
💷 Green Fees from £85
We start with a special golf club settled into the rolling hills of North Nottinghamshire. Just half an hour from Nottingham city centre is Hollinwell Golf Club.
This 18-hole course is a beautiful example of a heathland-style course, set on free draining sandstone. The fairways use the natural landscape of hills and forest to create the perfect setting to play golf. Each of the holes present a nice unique challenge for all golfers.
Having been used as an Open Qualifying course Hollinwell has a big reputation and features in England’s top 100! It also makes our list of the best golf courses in Nottingham.
2. Sherwood Forest Golf Club
📌 Eakring Rd, Mansfield NG18 3EW
💷 Green Fees from £80
Sherwood Forest Golf Club is another course situated in the heart of Nottinghamshire, surrounded by the natural beauty of Sherwood Forest.
The course is a stunning heathland design and features a range of challenging holes, including narrow fairways, tricky greens, and strategically placed bunkers.
The club has hosted numerous amateur and professional tournaments over the years, including the Nottinghamshire Amateur Championship and the British Girls Championship.
With its picturesque setting and challenging design, Sherwood Forest Golf Club is a must-visit for any heathland enthusiast in the Midlands.
3. The Belfry
📌 Lichfield Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield B76 9PR
💷 Green Fees from £95
The Belfry is home to three fantastic golf courses, The Brabazon, PGA National, and The Derby.
But it’s the Brabazon course has seen some of the world’s greatest players tee it up here. It’s perhaps one of the most famous golf courses in the country and was home to the 1985 Ryder Cup, won by Team Europe.
Whilst the Brabazon ranks in England’s top 100 courses, all of the three 18 hole golf courses are maintained to the highest standard.
The PGA National offers an inland links experience and is the only PGA golf course in England. Meanwhile, the Derby is a parkland style course that provides a good challenge to players of all abilities.
There are plenty of tailor made packages available at The Belfry, which enable you to stay and play and try your hand at all three courses. The on-site accommodation and restaurant are of the highest standard.
4. Woodhall Spa
📌 The Broadway, Woodhall Spa LN10 6PU
💷 Green Fees from £105
Woodhall Spa Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the best inland golf courses in the country. Not only that, but it features in England’s Top 100, the UK & Ireland Top 100 and World Top 100 lists!
And on arrival, it’s not hard to see why. The club offers two golf courses, the Hotchkin Course and the Bracken Course, both designed by Harry Vardon in the early 1900s.
The Hotchkin Course (the star attraction) is known for its challenging heathland layout, with undulating fairways and deep bunkers, while the Bracken Course offers a more forgiving parkland-style design.
I personally love both courses, but The Hotchkin is clearly on another level. It’s one of my favourite golf courses I’ve played!
5. Forest Pines Golf Club
📌 Ermine Street, Broughton, Near Brigg, Scunthorpe DN20 0AQ
💷 Green Fees from £35
The 4 star country retreat Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort is set in 190 acres of Yorkshire & Humberside woodland.
As well as a first class hotel, health club and spa and 27 holes of championship golf, it ranks as one of the best golf resorts in the UK.
The 27 holes span over a total of 10,000 yards looping through the pines. And the course’s prestige speaks for itself in the fact that it has hosted R&A Boys Home Internationals, the PGA Fourball Championships and the British Blind Open.
Also voted one of the best winter courses in the UK, the resort is truly an all year round destination.
6. Beau Desert Golf Club
📌 Rugeley Rd, Hazelslade, Cannock WS12 0PJ
💷 Green Fees from £70
Another heathland gem, we move onto Beau Desert Golf Club, arguably one of the star attraction golf courses in Staffordshire.
The club is situated on 500 acres of picturesque countryside, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
Designed by Herbert Fowler in 1911, the course features fast greens and strategic bunkering that make it a challenging and enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels.
The club ranks in both the UK & Ireland and England Top 100 lists and has hosted some major tournaments over the years including Open Championship qualifying and England Golf’s County Championships.
7. Kington Golf Club
📌 Bradnor Hill, Kington HR5 3RE
💷 Green Fees from £30
Moving closer to the Welsh border, we find Kington Golf Club. The club’s charming course is nestled in the rolling hills of Herefordshire.
The 18-hole course was designed by Major Cecil Hutchinson in 1925, and its layout takes full advantage of the natural terrain. It features undulating fairways, challenging roughs, and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
Despite ranking in England’s top 100 courses, the club offers incredible value green fees, from just £30.
8. Little Aston Golf Club
📌 Roman Rd, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield B74 3AN
💷 Green Fees from £100
Little Aston Golf Club is personally one of my favourite golf courses near Birmingham. It’s a parkland course that lies about 20 minutes from the city centre.
Founded in 1908, this charming 18-hole course features angled greens, two lakes, sneaky bunkers, and more, and it has hosted plenty of tournaments in its time.
It’s definitely regarded as one of the best golf courses in the area, but also features in the UK & Ireland Top 100 and England Top 100 golf courses too. But perhaps one of my favourite things about the course is the practice putting green (pictured). I could spend hours there!
You won’t be left disappointed if you make the trip out here.
9. Blackwell Golf Club
📌 Agmore Rd, Bromsgrove B60 1PY
💷 Green Fees from £70
The Blackwell Golf Club is one of the top golf courses in Worcestershire, about a half-hour drive away from Birmingham.
Despite its modest length, the course is not only recognised as not one of the best in the area but also features in England’s Top 100 courses and the UK & Ireland Next 100 list (places 101 – 200).
A traditional parkland course, it boasts 5 different par-3 holes, intricate greens, and deep bunkers that you’ll need to navigate.
10. JCB Golf and Country Club
📌 Hollington Rd, Rocester, Uttoxeter ST14 5HY
The newest golf course in our list, JCB Golf and Country Club, only opened for play in 2019.
The bad news is, it’s one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country and isn’t open to visitors. To play here, you’re going to need to find yourself an invite!
However, it’s still a stunning heathland-parkland golf course (that deserves to make the list) designed by Robin Hiseman. Reaching nearly 6,900 from the back tees, the course features undulating fairways, challenging bunkers, and water hazards that provide a test for golfers of all skill levels.
As you’d expect the club’s facilities are also top notch. It includes a luxurious clubhouse, a pro shop, and a state-of-the-art practice facility.
11. Cavendish Golf Club
💷 Green Fees from £40
Cavendish Golf Club, located in Derbyshire, is another one of the gems in the Midlands.
The picturesque golf course that is situated in the heart of the Peak District National Park. As you can imagine, it offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and a challenging layout that includes narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens.
The course design is the product of famous golf architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, shortly before he went on to conquer the world of golf, designing courses such as August National.
The club also has a historic clubhouse that offers stunning views over the course and a range of amenities and services for golfers and visitors.
12. Coxmoor Golf Club
📌 Coxmoor Rd, Sutton-in-Ashfield NG17 5LF
💷 Green Fees from £70
Coxmoor Golf Club is another beautiful heathland course in the Midlands.
Its 18 holes are filled with heather, undulating greens, and a variety of traps to play around. It presents a classic heathland design that heathland lovers will cherish!
Sitting on a plateau, the course also offers lovely panoramic views as you play through.
The most challenging holes here are the 5th and the 12th, which are almost impossible to hit perfectly on windy days. Golfers of all handicaps will need focus to have a good game here!
13. Sutton Coldfield
📌 110 Thornhill Rd, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B74 3ER
💷 Green Fees from £80
Sitting in the heart of the country, only a few minutes from the city centre of Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield Golf Club is another heathland course full of natural beauty.
It’s largely considered a hidden gem, offering excellent value for money, featuring in the Top 100 courses under £60.
With 18 holes, fast-draining greens, and plenty of bunkers to play around, it’s not hard to see why. Golfers of any skill level will thoroughly enjoy playing a round here.
14. Forest of Arden
📌 Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Birmingham CV7 7HR
💷 Green Fees from £50
Located in the West Midlands countryside, between Birmingham and Coventry, the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club is home to two 18 hole golf courses.
The Championship Arden course was designed by Donald Steele in 1992 and has previously hosted the British Masters and the English Open.
The recently redesigned Aylesford Course is shorter yet includes many of the layout, green, and bunkering designs that make the Arden Course so special.
Coupled with the beautiful hotel, Arden Hotel & Country Club makes the perfect place for a golf break in the UK.
15. Hawkstone Park
💷 Green Fees from £35
Hawkstone Park is located in stunning scenery and a peaceful atmosphere in the Shropshire countryside.
The club features two championship courses,The Hawkstone Course and the Championship Course.
Both parkland courses were designed by professional golfer Brian Huggett and feature a mix of undulating fairways, water hazards, and deep bunkers providing a challenging test for golfers of all abilities.
The club has plenty of facilities on site, including a hotel, restaurants, and a spa, making it a popular destination and one of the country’s best golf resorts. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a weekend getaway with a couple of rounds in the Midlands.
Final Thoughts
Well that summarises the list of our recommended golf courses in the Midlands.
Whilst all of the golf clubs we’ve gone over here are great courses and definitely make our personal favourites list, there plenty of other choices if you haven’t found what you were looking for.
You can check out (and compare) all the golf courses in England from our database. There’s a course out there that’s bound to be just right for you.
However, you can’t go wrong with a round at one of the golf courses below:
- Hollinwell Golf Club
- Sherwood Forest Golf Club
- The Belfry
- Woodhall Spa
- Forest Pines Golf Club
- Beau Desert Golf Club
- Kington Golf Club
- Little Aston Golf Club
- Blackwell Golf Club
- JCB Golf Club
- Cavendish Golf Club
- Coxmoor Golf Club
- Sutton Coldfield
- Forest of Arden
- Hawkstone Park
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