There are more than 2,500 golf courses in the United Kingdom, and none of them delivers the same golfing experience. Many courses cater to only serious players, which can scare off those looking for a more laid-back day on the fairway.
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We’ve compiled a list of the eight most exciting golf courses to play across the UK. Their excitement is attributed to their location, novelty and difficulty levels. Whichever of these eight courses you tee off from, you’re sure to have a really fun time.
1. The Inspiration Club, North West London, England
The Inspiration Club is the newest course on this list as it only opened in June 2024. With views of central London, visitors can enjoy this 18-hole urban course.
It has been 10 years in the making, and today it offers a fun course in a really bizarre location. It is not the usual links course but gives golfers who don’t want to travel too far from the city a hint of a traditional links experience. The course is of the highest quality, family-owned, and simply a really enjoyable experience.
Players have to navigate rolling fairways, deep bunkers, and slightly bumpy greens—all adding to the enjoyable experience.
2. St Enodoc Golf Club, Cornwall, England
There are a handful of wonderful courses in the southwest, but St Enodoc stands out above the rest, especially the Church Course. This links course features lots of rolling dunes and is a true testament to the unpredictable coastal terrain.
What makes the Church Course so exciting is that players have to navigate around the holes on the course due to the shifting dunes. The course also offers stunning views of the nearby fishing villages, complete with colourful fishing boats heading out to sea.
Just keep an eye on the bunker on the sixth hole. The Himalaya bunker is an infamous sand trap set deep into the side of a hill, poised to ruin your game and day.
3. Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Sutherland, Scotland
Scotland is home to many courses that attract golfers from across the world. And although the Royal Dornoch’s Championship Course is a draw for some of the most serious golfers, it is also a really fun course. Plus, the seriousness of the course is not due to its difficulty levels, but due to its location north of Inverness.
This links course is a little bit out of the way, which is why only serious players make the journey. But should you dare take on the trek, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views and a testing course with raised greens and a lot of wind.
4. Royal West Norfolk, Brancaster, England
Royal West Norfolk has been dubbed one of the most fun courses in England. Each of the holes gives players a completely different experience, from the wonderous shot over the fourth hole to the quirky tee-off shot on the fifth that will have you questioning your nerves as the ball soars towards far-off dunes.
Large parts of the course are played near the salt marsh which is gorgeous to look at if you don’t mind the salty smell.
The course stretches across a varied terrain, from simple holes on level land to ones that will have you scratching your head about where to land the ball.
5. St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
The Old Course at St Andrews is a must for any golfer in the UK. Although many view it as a course for the pros, it is actually quite playable and very exciting. Amateurs will be able to figure out a successful strategy as soon as they hit the first hole, and from there the game’s enjoyment levels will only increase.
There are many famous features on the course, like the Road Hole, Hell Bunker and Swilcan Bridge. Most golfers leave the final hole with a big smile on their faces, saying it is some of the most fun they’ve ever had on a golf course.
6. North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland
North Berwick is a highly competitive course with iconic holes that are as exciting as they are tough.
This course is quite extraordinary and has hosted Open qualifying games. The first nine holes are lumpy, full of character, and a bit of a puzzle. The back nine, however, are much more plain and easier to navigate. However, even these holes are fascinating to behold. There is a drystone dyke on the 13th, the 16th stretches past the Marine Hotel, and the 14th is named “Perfection” because that is what you would have to achieve to make a success of it.
7. Royal Porthcawl, Bridgend, Wales
Royal Porthcawl is the only Welsh course on this list and is considered one of the best courses in the country. It is not too far from Cardiff, about 45 minutes, making it a great destination for those visiting the region.
The course offers unparalleled views of the Bristol Channel from each hole. This openness means the wind can also come through forcefully, making it quite tricky but adding to the excitement.
Many view the first three holes as the course’s highlight as you are basically playing on the shore. Golfers also adore the old-school wooden clubhouse that looks a little bit like an ancient ship that has settled on the shore.
8. Royal County Down, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Finally, we have a Northern Irish course. Royal County Down has been around for more than a century but continues to attract golfers looking for an exciting round.
The course has plenty of challenges that players must navigate, like blind tee shots, an oddly-shaped 13th hole, and wind funnelling through the valley.
