England’s Best Golf Courses

 

Royal Lytham
Royal Lytham

England is certainly not in short supply of golf courses, being home to more courses than Scotland, Wales and Ireland put together! As well as a huge choice of courses to play on, topographical variations across English golf courses are possibly the most unique in the world.

But what courses are the cream of the crop? There are plenty to choose from and we’re not going to cover them all, but here are some of the golf courses in England which are worth a closer look:

Royal Birkdale Suitable for amateurs and pros alike, flat fairways and lack of blind holes make this course the number one course in England.

Par 70

7,173 yards

Green Fees range from £175-£205

Sunningdale Old One of the most visually pleasing courses in England, with heather and tree-lined fairways. Elevated drive on hole 10 is one of the finest.

Par 70

6,627 yards

Green Fee £195

Woodhill Spa Hotchkin Bunker heaven, this course is built on sand and is in fantastic condition. Springy turf makes for good walking across this excellent value for money Lincolnshire golf course.

Par 73

7,080 yards

Green Fee £85 (£71 for EGU members)

Royal Lytham and St Annes Most northerly of Championship linked English courses with relatively even ground and firm, fast green.

Par 71

6,882 yards

Green Fees range from £150-£225

 

Walton Heath
Walton Heath

Royal Liverpool A fine course with views of the Dee Estuary, built on flat land with no dunes.

Par 72

7,218 yards

Green Fees range from £150 -£180

Royal St George’s Situated in Sandwich, Kent, this course was the first English golf course to host The Open.

Par 70

7,204 yards

Green Fee £150

Walton Heath Old A beautiful course that flowers with heather during the summer, but can be challenge to play on. Favours the lower handicap player.

Par 72

7,462 yards

Green Fees range from £115-£145

Saunton East Situated on the North Devon coast, this unspoilt course has held many important events, except for The Open of which it would be a worthy candidate.

Par 71

6,779 yards

Green Fees range from £74-£79

Wentworth West One of the best inland tests in England, this American-feel course has deep bunkers and greenside swales. Excellent value for money golf course.

Par 73

7,302 yards

Green Fee £360

Sunningdale New Designed in 1923 with only minor tweaks since, this course provides classy heathland golf with few weak holes and a hint of links turf.

Par 70

6,729 yards

Green Fee £160

With some of England’s finest golf courses on the doorstep and many coming hand-in-hand fantastic hotels and resorts, why not pick up your golf clubs and treat yourself to a great game of golf today?

Volunteer for the 2014 Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup

Every second year, talented golfing teams from Europe and America compete for a chance to win the Ryder Cup and next year, it will be Scotland’s turn to have the honour of hosting the competition at the fabulous Gleneagles in Perthshire.

The Ryder Cup officially began in 1927 but six years previously, the first American golf team travelled to Gleneagles to take part in the International Challenge, the forerunner of the Ryder Cup. So, with the Ryder Cup effectively coming home, Gleneagles is going to need your help!

Gleneagles, a five-star luxury spa and golf hotel, is looking for 1,800 keen volunteers to assist them in various roles affiliated with the tournament, due to be held from the 26th to the 28th September 2014. Roles include scoreboard carriers, crowd safety marshals and buggy shuttle drivers to name but a few.

Paul McGinley, who will be the European captain next year, commented: “We are always appreciative of anyone who gives their time to volunteer and support golf and there are not many countries in the world better than Scotland for producing volunteers and marshals whose golf knowledge is second to none.

“We will be looking for volunteers who have a knowledge of the game but also people who will enjoy the experience and help to make The Ryder Cup an unforgettable event for the fans who will have a vital role to play in trying to help The European Team retain the trophy at Gleneagles.”

The match director for the 2014 Ryder Cup will be Edward Kitson, who knows just how valuable enthusiastic volunteers really are: “The volunteers at The 2014 Ryder Cup will be the public face of the match: they will be the first and last people our spectators see.

“Naturally some of the roles require specialist experience, and while some knowledge of golf would help, in most cases the main criteria is a positive attitude and genuine desire to be involved in one of the world’s great sporting events.

“Ideally our volunteers will be friendly, out-going, good-humoured and will enjoy helping others.”

With more than 250,000 spectators estimated to attend, help from volunteers could ensure the safety and smooth running of the tournament. Successful candidates will be a required to pay a registration fee of £75 for this fantastic opportunity. Clothing, food and beverages will be provided.

If you would like to be part of this sporting history, you need to register your interest on the Ryder Cup website.