The best golf courses in the UK

The UK is a great place to be a golf fan. Not only is there a surplus of exciting events to take part in and watch, it also has some of the best golf courses in the world. Below we have listed some of our favourite resorts. How many have you played at?

10. Sunningdale

Where: Berkshire, UK

This quintessential golf resort is a short distance from London, but far enough away that it makes the perfect place to escape and relax over a game. Dozens of famous championships have been held on the grounds, including the Walker Cup, Women's British Open, British Masters and The Senior Open Championship. To sweeten the deal further, Sunningdale has two world class courses surrounded by lush, scenic countryside.

9. Royal Portrush

Where: County Antrim, Northern Ireland

This fantastic course is the only course outside of mainland Britain to host the Open Championship, which is due to return in 2019. The course is filled with memorable holes and should absolutely be added to the to-do-list of any golfer looking for championship golfing experiences.

8. Royal Birkdale

Where: Southport, England

Though Royal Portrush will be receiving the Open Championship in 2019, Royal Birkdale is getting it even earlier. The renowned coastal resort is also a great place for female golfing championships, having hosted the women’s tournament six times. Playing can be tough when the coastal wind picks up the oceanic spray, but that can be an experience in itself. In short, the beautiful course is filled to the brim with personality - making for a great game.

7. Royal St George

Where: Kent, England

Kent is known for its fantastic countryside, and Royal St George's in Sandwich really lives up to the hype. The prestigious course is filled with vast sand dunes, expansive scenic views and holes which are all unique and exciting. Since its establishment in 1887 the course has continued to wow golfing enthusiasts the world over.

6. Trump Turnberry

Where: South Ayrshire, Scotland

For those politically minded don’t let the name put you off. The luxury resort is nestled on Scotland's scenic coast, and provides golfers 45 holes across all of its courses. Recently the resort was host to the Women’s British Open in 2015.

5. Royal Lytham

Where: Lancashire, England

Royal Lytham was established in 1886 and has changed very little since then. This is a mark of quality for the course, which carries an enormous amount of charm despite its unusual surroundings, including; a housing district and a train line. The course is notoriously difficult, and is best for those looking for a challenge.

4. Muirfield

Where: East Lothian, Scotland

Despite recent controversy involving the course failing to repeal its policies of denying female memberships, Muirfield remains one of the best courses in the country - and one of the more popular resorts for spectators and players alike. The resort is thought to be the oldest in world, with records on the organised membership club dating back to 1744. Though the surrounding views are excellent, the course is most well known for its masterful layout. The first 9 holes run clockwise around the outside of the course, with the second set running anticlockwise on the inside. There is a reason why the Open Championship has been hosted on the course 16 times!

3. Royal Dornoch

Where: Sutherland, Scotland

David Brice of Golf International once called this course the "king of Scottish links courses". Despite the fact that none of the modern Major golfing championships have been hosted here, the Royal Dornoch continues to be one of the most popular resorts in the UK and is a regular occurrence on many golfer’s top 10 lists. Though it can be quite a pilgrimage to get to the course, which is right at the north of Scotland, the pristine fairways, coastal views and pristine surrounding wilderness make it absolutely worth the trip.

2. St Andrews

Where: Fife, Scotland

When it comes to world renowned golf courses, few can top that of the Old Course in St Andrews. Widely considered to be one of the finest and oldest courses in the world, St Andrews’ 7-linking course offers enormous variety, and some of the best golfing experiences you will ever have. The Old Course itself is a definite standout, allowing golfers to play in natural, remarkably beautiful landscapes, with history dating back to play in the early 15th century. The course is chockablock with iconic golfing sights, and offers one of the best gaming experiences in the world.

1. Royal County Down

Where: County Down, Northern Ireland

Though Scotland may be generally considered to be the ‘home of golf’ it didn't take long for the sport to set up its roots in the rest of the UK, causing a number of classic, beautiful courses to spring forth. Royal County Down is one of our favourites. The coastal course offers unparalleled levels of naturally beautiful and challenging obstacles, so perfectly placed that it was almost as if the God’s themselves sculpted them for the purpose of uncomparable golf games. Recently named the best course in the world by Golf Digest, this is a resort which needs to be played by every enthusiastic golfer.

Photos by  Maatman / Shutterstock, Ales Micola / Shutterstock, karenfoleyphotography / Shutterstock, Julietphotography / Shutterstock