What is the best golf course you have played this season? Hopefully you have had the opportunity to play several, meaning that you have a plethora of options to choose from!
Presenting that same question to the Golfshake Community on Facebook, we were excited to see that golfers have played many outstanding layouts this year, including some of the finest in the UK, Ireland, and beyond.
Ryan Massetti played the exceptional Royal Obidos in Portugal, while John Kyle loved Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus. Taylor Stephenson ticked off both major championship venue Baltusrol, and Pasatiempo in California.
Palheiro in Madeira was enjoyed by Richard Wheat, while Neil Boult raved about Barwon Heads in Victoria, Australia. Murwillumbah was another course in Australia played by one of our respondents, while Marcus Matthews was a fan of Sun Peaks in British Columbia, Canada.
Home of the Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale was played by Tommy Weatherby, while Mark Houghton experienced this year’s Ryder Cup venue, Bethpage Black, with Jim Williams playing 2026’s PGA Championship host Aronimink. Florida’s Seminole is one of the most exclusive courses in the United States, but that didn’t stop Stewart Croll from playing there.
Returning closer to home, Andy Lupton visited Las Americas in Tenerife, while in Portugal, Arthur Campbell played the wonderful Laranjal at Quinta do Lago, with Mick Rankin playing Ombria.
Mainland Spain is a hotbed of majestic layouts too and Paul Bishop played The Lakes at INFINITUM, while Daren Brown had the opportunity to play both courses at Camiral, formerly PGA Catalunya, which was recently announced as the host venue of the 2031 Ryder Cup.
We’re grateful for those responses, hopefully giving you some more places to dream about discovering yourself, but sticking to the UK and Ireland, here is the extensive list of the best courses that golfers told us that they had played so far in 2025.
Let’s see if you have followed in their footsteps and played some of the most majestic layouts that these islands have to offer!
Aldwark Manor
Location: Aldwark, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.53
Review Comment: “This place has greatly improved its facilities and offers three courses on site, including a superb nine-hole course.”
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Location: Ballyliffin, County Donegal
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Review Comment: “Perfection. 36 holes of the highest quality. I have played 452 courses in Ireland and this is the best. I joined as a member although it’s a four hour drive from my house.”
The Belfry
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.85
Review Comment: “The PGA National is a very challenging but also very enjoyable course to play. It has more fairway bunkers than I have seen on any other course and it’s a fun challenge to navigate around or over them. As a 11.7 handicapper I managed to score an 88 (17 over) off the yellow tees but I felt I had to play some of my best golf to achieve this. I would definitely play the course again.”
Blairgowrie Golf Club
Location: Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.90
Review Comment: “The course is just superb, lovely clubhouse, a great welcome from the staff, and the food is exactly what you would want at a golf club, great quality and a good quantity. For those that have not played at Blairgowrie, you are missing out on a golf course that must rank in the top five heathland courses in the UK.”
Bull Bay Golf Club
Location: Amlwch, Anglesey
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: “Played course in cloudy and windy conditions. Course in excellent condition with well manicured fairways and true greens. Challenging tee shots and some interesting holes with fantastic views across the bay.”
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club
Location: Bunclody, County Wexford
Golfshake Rating: 4.29
Review Comment: “This is a long championship course offering multiple tees and exceptional facilities throughout. Remarkable value is offered with both food and green fees given the quality of the layout available. A distractingly beautiful setting, great maintenance and facilities worthy of the greatest US based country clubs. This course is a genuine gem.”
Carnoustie Golf Links
Location: Carnoustie, Angus
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Review Comment: “Fabulous layout, a great challenge with the toughest closing three holes anywhere and a sense of golfing history.”
Carus Green Golf Club
Location: Kendal, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: “It is always immaculate and the clubhouse is beautiful. Very friendly atmosphere.”
Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart)
Location: Inverness, Highlands
Golfshake Rating: 4.95
Review Comment: “Got the chance to play Castle Stuart on a hot sunny day without a breath of wind. Amazing challenge to play a gem of a course.”
Centurion Club
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.37
Review Comment: “It’s always a pleasure to play Centurion! It’s amazing how mature the course is given how young it is, but the condition this time of year is always great. True greens that roll beautifully and that hold when you hit them! The rough is thick and penal, as you would expect, but the fairways are short and lush.”
Close House
Location: Close House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Golfshake Rating: 4.49
Review Comment: “The Filly is a great course, tough in places with some long holes, but fair, with some short par fours as well. Well worth the money.”
Concra Wood Golf & Country Club
Location: Concra, County Monaghan
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: “A wonderful course with lovely views and a course in excellent condition. Well worth playing an exciting challenge. Some great holes, especially the 10th.”
Conwy Golf Club
Location: Conwy, Gwynedd
Golfshake Rating: 4.56
Review Comment: “Awesome. Been wanting to play here for a good few years and finally took the chance. Weather wasn’t great but that didn’t detract from how much I enjoyed playing here and how good the course is.”
Crieff Golf Club
Location: Crieff, Perth & Kinross
Golfshake Rating: 4.43
Review Comment: “Haven’t played Crieff in a few years. What a treat I had. Great layout, course in fantastic condition, greens putting well. A must visit if in the Perthshire area. Food in clubhouse excellent as well. An all round great golf experience.”
Dunbar Golf Club
Location: Dunbar, East Lothian
Golfshake Rating: 4.88
Review Comment: “Always presented in tip top condition. Try to play this course at least three times per year. Staff and members are always most welcoming.”
Elie, The Golf House Club
Location: Elie, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Review Comment: “Another round at this magnificent links course in an amazing setting with kind weather. Course played very well and was in excellent condition.”
Farnham Golf Club
Location: Farnham, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.27
Review Comment: “Charming course with heather in places. On sand so drains well. This was a golf society visit so cannot comment on how it plays all year. The catering we received was first rate, happy to visit again.”
Hazel Grove Golf Club
Location: Stockport, Cheshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.42
Review Comment: “Friendly welcome all round, nice clubhouse, well stocked pro shop. Good practice facilities. Course generally in good condition, a few holes where new drainage repairs are showing but still well playable. Tee boxes a bit worn. Greens very good, rolled really well. Course is fairly flat so easy walk around. Some holes where you have to get thinking cap on especially where the numerous ditches come into play. Overall nice course, well worth playing for sure.”
Hillside Golf Club
Location: Southport, Merseyside
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: “Beautiful links course with stunning views, absolutely love the place.”
The K Club
Location: Straffan, County Kildare
Golfshake Rating: 4.03
Review Comment: “Great condition, fantastic venue and although it’s a Ryder Cup course, was very playable for my handicap.”
Ladybank Golf Club
Location: Ladybank, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.31
Review Comment: “Brilliant golf course. Third trip to Ladybank, always a pleasure. Course in great condition, greens stunning. Lovely mix of holes, tight in places yet a fair test. Luckily got to see some red squirrels this time! Definitely worth a drive to when visiting St Andrews and when compared with some of the local courses, is very reasonably priced.”
Little Aston Golf Club
Location: Sutton Coldfield, Staffordshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.59
Review Comment: “Little Aston Golf Day is a true golfing gem that offers a remarkable experience for players of all skill levels. The course’s stunning landscape is meticulously maintained, with lush fairways and challenging yet fair greens that provide an enjoyable test of golfing prowess. The friendly and professional staff go above and beyond to ensure a memorable day on the course, while the clubhouse boasts a warm and welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you arrive, the attention to detail and dedication to excellence is evident. Little Aston Golf Day is an absolute must-visit for golf enthusiasts seeking a top-notch golfing experience in a picturesque setting.”
Ludlow Golf Club
Location: Ludlow, Shropshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.49
Review Comment: “Very impressed with the condition of this golf course considering the amount of rain that had fallen in the few days before we played. The course was very dry, with all tees in use, trolley allowed and the vast majority of main greens in use. The course is quite flat and boarders the Ludlow racecourse, but has plenty of challenging holes.”
Lundin Golf Club
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.66
Review Comment: “What an absolutely incredible links golf course. Views are stunning, holes are well laid out, and a fantastic mix of par 4s, 5s and tricky par 3s. Condition of course was superb, greens were excellent. Just a delight to play.”
Market Harborough Golf Club
Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Golfshake Rating: 4.30
Review Comment: “Excellent views and a very picturesque course in great condition. Super quick, true and large greens made the round interesting and enjoyable. Some tricky tee shots where accuracy is required and a good up and down walk for the 6,000 yards off the whites. A little water came into play on a few holes, which again had you thinking about club selection. Practice facilities as indeed the clubhouse and shop were very good. Staff were very friendly and welcoming and the catering was of a high standard.”
Nefyn Golf Club
Location: Pwllheli, Gwynedd
Golfshake Rating: 4.57
Review Comment: “Nefyn is a fabulous golf course in amazing condition. The views are unbelievable and the course is playing so well at the moment. If you get a chance I recommend that you get down there and taste the course. They have done some great work at the clubhouse also and sitting outside in the sunshine was an unforgettable experience.”
Newbattle Golf Club
Location: Dalkeith, Midlothian
Golfshake Rating: 4.60
Review Comment: “Great course. I have played Newbattle quite a few times and it is always in good condition with very fast greens. The members are friendly and the food is very good.”
Northamptonshire County Golf Club
Location: Church Brampton, Northamptonshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.63
Review Comment: “Great course! Played twice in two days, a very enjoyable experience in all aspects.”
Northop Golf Club
Location: Northop, Clwyd
Golfshake Rating: 4.02
Review Comment: “Fabulous day out. A great course, well maintained, with some very challenging holes. A fair number of water hazards on the course, with a stream dissecting many of the back nine holes.”
Pannal Golf Club
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.79
Review Comment: “A thoroughly enjoyable course which was tough but fair, and presented in fantastic condition.”
Penrhos Golf & Country Club
Location: Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
Golfshake Rating: 4.34
Review Comment: “An excellent course with some very very interesting holes, and once you get to the top of the hill some of the views are breathtaking. Fairways and greens were in superb condition, thank you to all the greenkeepers.”
Raglan Golf Club
Location: Raglan, Gwent
Golfshake Rating: 4.07
Review Comment: “Hugely improved. Massive spend on clubhouse and course is paying off. Greens now very good and course attractive and varied experience.”
Ripon City Golf Club
Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.97
Review Comment: “This is my home course and the condition was fabulous. Greens very true and fairways in good order.”
Rockmount Golf Club
Location: Carryduff, Belfast
Golfshake Rating: 4.57
Review Comment: “Course was in excellent condition. Very quiet and enjoyable.”
Roseberry Grange Golf Club
Location: Chester-le-Street, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.22
Review Comment: “The greens are absolutely brilliant, the new greenkeeper has done a marvellous job and he and his staff are a credit to the golf club.”
Royal Cromer Golf Club
Location: Cromer, Norfolk
Golfshake Rating: 4.78
Review Comment: “One of my favourite courses and the amount of work going on here means it should get better. It’s a top 100 course for some very good reason and you should get along here and find out why. Some excellent holes, some fabulous views. Lovely people make it work too.”
Ryburn Golf Club
Location: Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.91
Review Comment: “The course and greens were in really good condition. Pace of play was perfect. At the 9th, fantastic bacon sandwiches were on offer.”
Seacroft Golf Club
Location: Skegness, Lincolnshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.28
Review Comment: “A great links course. Greens have been immaculate when visited in May and June. Long rough and deep bunkers add to the difficulty.”
Seaton Carew Golf Club
Location: Hartlepool, County Durham
Golfshake Rating: 4.33
Review Comment: “Great links course with superb green complexes. Wonderful conditioning.”
Silloth-on-Solway Golf Club
Location: Silloth, Cumbria
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
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.”
Slaley Hall
Location: Hexham, Northumberland
Golfshake Rating: 3.97
Review Comment: “Beautiful countryside, good course, nice hotel with good facilities and decent food.”
St Andrews Links
Location: St Andrews, Fife
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Review Comment: “Just love playing The Old Course. Played off mats because of the winter rules, but personally that doesn’t take away from the experience. Everything about the place brings me so much joy. Following the footsteps of the golfing greats. Out and back and aiming everything left, the condition was superb and the sun made it an even better experience.”
St George’s Hill Golf Club
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Location: Weybridge, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Review Comment: “Being in the top 10 courses in England, it lived up to its rating. The whole course was in fantastic condition, tees, bunkers, fairways and greens. You must play the Red and Blue if you can.”
St Mellion
Location: Saltash, Cornwall
Golfshake Rating: 4.52
Review Comment: “A really beautifully-designed and maintained course, but a beast of a challenge for high-handicappers like me!”
Sunningdale Golf Club
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Location: Sunningdale, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.95
Review Comment: “Simply stunning, I can see the attraction. A beautiful evening’s golf with company to suit. Nice to play well also which always helps.”
Swinley Forest Golf Club
Location: Ascot, Berkshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.96
Review Comment: “Awesome course. Beautiful setting with excellent greens and friendly staff and members. I will definitely be back.”
Tandridge Golf Club
Location: Oxted, Surrey
Golfshake Rating: 4.71
Review Comment: “Awesome experience. Whilst most courses are suffering at the hands of the weather, Tandridge is like an oasis in a desert of courses. Lush green fairways, receptive fast and tricky greens and all this enjoyed on a hot sunny day.”
Teesside Golf Club
Location: Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire
Golfshake Rating: 3.77
Review Comment: “Course in great condition and getting better every year. What’s not to like, will definitely play again soon. Loved it!”
Trump International Golf Links, Scotland
Location: Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.92
Review Comment: “Best of the best. Amazing quality, playability, overall experience and architecture.”
Turnberry
Location: Turnberry, Ayrshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.97
Review Comment: “A real treat. Lived up to all the hype. Amazing place. Course just immaculate and testing but fair. People make this also. The staff are just brill!”
Turriff Golf Club
Location: Turriff, Aberdeenshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.20
Review Comment: “Fantastic layout of course with some very aesthetically beautiful holes. Very testing for all level of golfers. Special mention for the catering staff, food was excellent and staff were very welcoming and accommodating.”
Weald of Kent Golf Club
Location: Headcorn, Kent
Golfshake Rating: 4.16
Review Comment: “The course was in good condition considering the extended dry spell prior to playing. The greens were in particularly good condition. Overall an enjoyable, trouble free round.”
Woburn Golf Club
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.94
Review Comment: “What a course! Must be one of the best courses in the UK. So beautiful, and a great challenge (probably a bit too much for a high handicapper!).”
Worksop Golf Club
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Golfshake Rating: 4.40
Review Comment: “An excellent course which was in great condition throughout. The greens were immaculate! I couldn’t fault the visit and the food and drink were also good value for money. There is a lot of history on display in the clubhouse and we enjoyed viewing this. The green staff need applauding for their good work on the course. Well done everyone, we look forward to returning soon.”
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