Your usual golf getaway feeling a bit stale? The UK’s course scene is far richer than most realise, and if you’re willing to venture beyond your local, you’ll discover some truly exceptional destinations.
Image: Man in White T Shirt Playing Golf Rights: Pexels
The golf betting experts at BoyleSports understand what makes a golf destination truly special, and they’ve identified the cream of the crop when it comes to UK golf holidays that deliver both on and off the course.
“British golf courses offer something you simply can’t find anywhere else in the world,” explains a spokesperson for BoyleSports. “These aren’t just places to play golf – they’re living pieces of sporting history where legends have been made and broken.”
They added: “What sets UK golf holidays apart is the incredible variety. You can play a course that’s hosted The Open Championship in the morning, then spend the afternoon exploring centuries-old castles, enjoying local hospitality, or enjoying some of the finest coastal scenery in Europe.”
Britain’s Top 5 Golf Gems You Need to Play
Royal County Down Golf Club Championship Course
Perched dramatically against the Mountains of Mourne with Dundrum Bay stretching alongside, Royal County Down isn’t just Northern Ireland’s crown jewel – it’s consistently ranked the UK and Ireland’s number one course. This links masterpiece, crafted by legends like Old Tom Morris and Harry Colt, delivers an intoxicating blend of natural beauty and brutal challenge.
“The moment you stand on that first tee with the Mournes towering behind you, you know you’re somewhere truly special,” explains the BoyleSports golf expert. “It’s a course that demands respect; those famous ‘bearded’ bunkers and blind drives will punish any complacency.”
From the iconic par-3 4th with its panoramic vistas to the photographed 9th hole’s dramatic reveal, every shot here tells a story worth travelling for.
ST Andrews Links Old Course
There’s nowhere quite like the Old Course, golf’s original cathedral, where the sport has been played since the 15th century. This isn’t just Scotland’s most famous links; it’s the template from which all golf courses evolved, the venue that gave us the standard 18-hole round and hosted The Open Championship a record 30 times.
“Playing St Andrews is like stepping into golf’s DNA,” says BoyleSports. “From that nerve-wracking first tee beside the Royal & Ancient clubhouse to crossing the iconic Swilcan Bridge on 18, every step connects you to six centuries of golf history.”
The legendary Road Hole 17th and treacherous Hell Bunker await, but it’s the unique accessibility that sets St Andrews apart – any golfer can walk in the footsteps of legends.
Muirfield Golf Course
Step into golf’s most exclusive examination room, where The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers penned the sport’s original 13 rules in 1744. Muirfield’s genius lies in its unique dual-loop design – the front nine winds clockwise around the perimeter while the back nine spirals counterclockwise inside, ensuring you face shifting winds on every hole.
“Muirfield doesn’t just test your golf swing; it tests your mind,” reveal the golf experts. “That dual-loop routing means no two consecutive holes play in the same wind direction.”
With visitor access limited to just Tuesdays and Thursdays, securing a tee time here can be a little harder.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
England’s championship stage-master has witnessed more Open drama than any other English venue, hosting ten editions that delivered legends. From Arnold Palmer’s heroic rough escape in 1961 to Jordan Spieth’s miraculous recovery in 2017, Birkdale specialises in creating folklore.
Each hole nestles in its own natural amphitheatre between towering sand dunes, whilst the iconic white Art Deco clubhouse and its distinctive clock tower create a stunning architectural backdrop visible from every fairway.
“Birkdale has this incredible ability to bring out the best and worst in champions,” notes the expert. “Those valley fairways between the dunes create perfect natural galleries for spectators, but they also intensify the pressure. Every shot feels like it’s being performed on a stage.”
The course rewards precision while punishing wayward shots, honest golf at its finest.
Royal Portrush Golf Club: Dunluce Course
Northern Ireland’s coastal masterpiece holds a unique distinction: it’s the only venue to host The Open Championship outside Great Britain. Harry Colt’s 1933 redesign carved fairways through towering Atlantic dunes, creating what many consider his architectural masterpiece, with medieval Dunluce Castle providing a haunting backdrop.
The infamous “Calamity Corner” 16th, a 236-yard par-3 with a chasm awaiting short shots, has broken hearts and crushed dreams for decades. Yet it was Shane Lowry’s emotional 2019 Open triumph that truly captured Portrush’s magic.
“There’s something special about the welcome at Portrush,” said BoyleSports. “They make you feel like family while serving up one of golf’s sternest examinations. That closing stretch can make or break any round.”
Pure drama meets Northern Irish hospitality.
