The Top 10 Best UK Golf Resorts

Last updated: 17th April 2023 Read: 9 mins

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When most of us think about booking a golf break, our first thought is to look abroad. However, with so many fantastic golf resorts at home in the United Kingdom, there’s really no reason to get on plane in order to enjoy a golf holiday.

Whilst Brighton Beach may not compare with Marbella, the quality of UK golf courses certainly do. And that’s what a golfing break is all about, right?

The UK is home to some of the best golf courses in the world. Currently, the UK has a staggering 43 courses in the latest Golf World Top 100 courses in the world, with 5 of the top 10 ranked courses also in the United Kingdom.

This begs us to question why we’re so keen to get off the island when we have all this high quality of the golf on our doorstep.

The best golf resorts in the UK

If you’re convinced that a golfing holiday in the UK is the way forward, below we take a closer look at the 10 best golf resorts in the UK. We begin with one of the most famous venues in the world.

1. The Belfry

The Belfry is home to three fantastic golf courses, The Brabazon, PGA National, and The Derby. Each of the three 18 hole golf courses are maintained to the highest standard.

The Brabazon has seen some of the world’s greatest players including Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance, and Lee Westwood grace the fairways. It is perhaps one of the most famous golf courses in the country and was home to the 1985 Ryder Cup, won by Team Europe.

The PGA National offers an inland links experience and is the only PGA golf course in England. Finally, The Derby is a parkland style course and is arguably the easier of the three, but still 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.

2. St Mellion International Resort

Next we come to the St Mellion International Resort. Situated in Saltash, Cornwall this is one of the top 10 best golf resorts in the UK not only because of the quality of the two golf courses but also the spectacular location, offering access to some of the best beaches and coastal views in the UK.

Ranked as the third best golf resort in the UK and Ireland, St Mellion International is home to the Nicklaus and Kernow Courses. The former was the first European course personally designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The Kernow Course has also had an association with the elite level of the game having previously hosted the Benson & Hedges International Open on the European Tour.

The relaxing health club and spa plus a variety of dining options all add to the tremendous experience at St Mellion International.

3. Celtic Manor

This resort was placed on the international golf map when it hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup tournament. Located in South Wales, Celtic Manor is a five-star resort boasting hotels and lodges, fine dining, a spa, fitness facilities, and three superb championship golf courses.

The aptly named Twenty Ten Course is the most famous golf course at Celtic Manor following the Ryder Cup. Upon completion, it became the first course in history designed specifically to host the Ryder Cup.

However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the Roman Road and Montgomerie courses. Both courses are excellent courses in their own right, ranking in the top 50 courses in Wales.

They also offer something different making for a varied experience if you stay here and play all three courses. The Roaman Road course provides stunning views to Somerset and Devon over the Severn Estuary whilst the Montgomerie offers more of a links style test, featuring deep and penal pot bunkers.

4. Slaley Hall

Slaley Hall is set in 1,000 acres of stunning Northumberland countryside and is home to two fantastic 18 hole championship golf courses.

The Hunting Course some would describe as the ‘Augusta Of the North’. The course has played host to European Tour events in addition to tournaments on the PGA Seniors Tour. Meanwhile, the Priestman Course gives magnificent panoramic views of the Tyne valley and provides a suitable challenge for all levels of golfer.

From contemporary rooms in the New Hall wing to the Suite located in the Edwardian mansion, the choice and quality of accommodation is as good as the golf courses. Coupled with the excellent dining options, it is easy to see why Slaley Hall is one of the 10 best golf resorts in the UK.

5. Fairmont St Andrews

If there is any golfing venue that does not need an introduction it is St Andrews. The Fairmont is the luxury resort that can be seen on top of the cliffs that overlooks the Home of Golf.

When booking a stay at the Fairmont Hotel, you have access to both The Kittocks and Torrance Course. The Torrance course, as the name suggests, is designed by Sam Torrance. It takes advantage of the unique cliff top location and offers some stunning sea views to enjoy on the back nine holes.

The Kittocks Course also has several holes located on top of the cliff, with awesome views and boasts large rolling greens, with undulating fairways. Both courses offer something different to the more traditional flatter links style courses in the main town of St Andrews.

Final Open Qualifying here in 2018 used a combination of the two golf courses, so there is plenty of pedigree and the name ‘Fairmont’ tells you everything you need to know in terms of the quality of the accommodation.

The resort itself has some amazing accommodation on offer with an onsite spa, gym and several dining options. It’s well worth taking advantage of the location here and combining a longer stay with playing some other golf courses in St Andrews.

6. The Gleneagles Resort

Those looking for a luxurious, five-star hotel, spa, and golf break need look no further than Gleneagles Resort.

Having recently hosted the Ryder and Solheim Cup, Gleneagles continues to excel at the top of the world game and boasts three championship golf courses and one 9-hole course.

Voted number one in the Golf World Top 100 UK and Ireland Resorts, Gleneagles is home to the PGA National Academy for Scotland. And in the world of Lee Trevino, “If Heaven is as good as this, I sure hope they have some tee times left.”

Set in 850 acres of countryside, there’s also plenty on offer at Gleneagles if you fancy a break from the golf or not all of your group are golfers. Horse Riding, hiking and cycling are just some of the options available alongside the onsite spa and gym.

7. Adare Manor (Ireland)

We now cross over to Ireland for another of the best golf resorts. Adare Manor is absolutely stunning and if you book a stay here not only will you find a magnificent golf course, you’ll also discover Limerick’s first Michelin Star restaurant, 840 acres of pristine parkland and a relaxing spa.

The Golf Course at Adare Manor is set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup and now is probably the best time to sample the glorious fairways of this parkland course before it becomes even more famous around the world – and the prices inevitably go up!

There’s also plenty on offer besides the golf with an onsite gym, swimming pool, spa alongside other activities such as padel courts, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing and more!

8. Trump Turnberry

Featured as a Luxury Collection Resort Scotland, Trump Turnberry is comfortably one of the 10 best golf resorts in the UK (and probably my personal favourite on the list)!

Located on the spectacular Ayrshire coastline in Scotland, there are two golf courses on offer alongside first class accommodation options and restaurants.

The Ailsa course has played host to four Open Championships and is the perfect challenge for skilled golfers. Despite the course having undergone some changes since it last hosted The Open Championship, they have only improved the layout. With breathtaking views, the course has also consistently ranked inside the world’s top 20, telling you everything you need to know about the venue.

The King Robert the Bruce Course re-opened in 2017 with a revamped design and features superb views of the castle ruins, lighthouse, and Turnberry coastline.

If that were not enough to tempt you, in 2018 Turnberry was named Scottish Hotel of the Year at the Scottish Hotel Awards. The restaurant is probably one of the best I’ve eaten in at any golf club too.

9. East Sussex National

Returning to England and we come to the East Sussex National, set in lush green English countryside.

Home to two top golf courses, East Sussex National has a history with the top tiers of the game, having hosted the European Open in 1993 and 1994, 5 European Challenge Tour Events, 4 PGA European Tour Qualifying Schools, plus many more leading tournaments.

Both the West Course and East Course have remained mostly unchanged since they were first created in the late 1908’s which is testament to the original design.

In addition to the two excellent golf courses, the East Sussex National hotel has over 100 rooms, award-winning restaurants, plus a health club and spa.

10. Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club

Marriott Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club

Last but certainly not least in our 10 best golf resorts in the UK, we come to the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club.

Situated between Birmingham and Coventry in the West Midlands countryside, the Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club is home to two 18 hole golf courses. The championship Arden Course, designed by Donald Steele in 1992, is one of the best golf courses in the Midlands 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 is a great place for a golf break in the UK.

Final Thoughts

Well that summarises our favourite golf resorts for an unforgettable golf break in the UK.

If you’re still not convinced, or want to do some further research, you can use our golf course directory to compare all the golf courses in the UK.

Look out for the hotel icon on our golf courses listings which acknowledges all top 100 golf resorts in the UK and Ireland according to the Golf World list.

Otherwise, we’ll leave you with our recommendations below:

The Belfry
St Mellion International Resort
Celtic Manor
Slaley Hall
Fairmont St Andrews
The Gleneagles Resort
Adare Manor (Ireland)
Trump Turnberry
East Sussex National
Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club