The United Kingdom is the birthplace of golf, and it remains home to some of the greatest courses on earth. From the ancient links of Scotland, where the game began, to the manicured parklands of the Home Counties, the country offers golfers a lifetime of bucket-list rounds within a small area. For a VIP golf trip, whether a special treat, a corporate day or a tour with friends, there is nowhere quite like it, with Open Championship venues, championship parklands and courses steeped in centuries of history all waiting to be played. This guide rounds up the 10 best golf courses in the UK, covering what makes each one special, the kind of challenge it offers and where it sits, so you can plan an unforgettable golfing getaway. It also covers the most relaxed way to travel between them, because a golf trip is far more enjoyable when you can leave the driving to someone else and simply focus on your game. Whether you dream of teeing off at the Home of Golf or testing yourself on a famous links, here are the courses to build your trip around, and how to play them in style.
1. St Andrews, the Old Course
No list of the best golf courses in the UK could begin anywhere but St Andrews. Known the world over as the Home of Golf, the Old Course in Fife has been played for some six centuries and is the most famous course on the planet, revered by every golfer who has ever picked up a club. Playing here is a pilgrimage: crossing the iconic Swilcan Bridge, navigating the vast double greens and the notorious Hell Bunker, and walking up the 18th fairway towards the town is the experience of a lifetime. As a public course, it is remarkably accessible, though tee times are highly sought after and often allocated by ballot, so planning ahead is essential. The town itself, with its ancient university and clifftop setting, adds to the sense of occasion. For any golfer, teeing off where the game was born is the ultimate round, which makes the Old Course at St Andrews the undisputed starting point for the finest golf trip in the country.
2. Muirfield
One of the most respected courses in world golf, Muirfield in East Lothian is a magnificent links and a regular host of the Open Championship. Home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, one of the oldest golf clubs in existence, it is a course of subtle brilliance, its holes laid out so that the wind is met from every direction over the round, testing every club in the bag. Fair but demanding, it is widely regarded by professionals as one of the truest examinations in the game, without hidden tricks or blind shots. The sense of history and tradition here is palpable, and playing it is a privilege for any serious golfer. Its location on the beautiful East Lothian coast, within easy reach of Edinburgh, makes it a natural highlight of a Scottish golf trip. For a classic, strategic links that rewards good golf and has crowned many Open champions, Muirfield is an essential stop on any tour of the UK's finest courses.
3. Carnoustie
Regarded as one of the toughest courses in the world, Carnoustie in Angus has earned the affectionate nickname of Carnasty for the fearsome challenge it presents. This championship links on Scotland's east coast is a regular Open Championship venue, and its closing stretch, with the winding Barry Burn threatening the 17th and 18th holes, is among the most demanding finishes in golf. The wind off the North Sea only adds to the test, making a good score here a genuine achievement to be proud of. For golfers who relish a stern challenge and want to pit themselves against a course that has undone the very best professionals, Carnoustie is unmissable. There is a raw, honest quality to the links that many players love, and the sense of taking on a true championship test is exhilarating. Set in a classic Scottish golfing region close to St Andrews, Carnoustie is a must for anyone building a trip around the greatest and most challenging courses the country has to offer.
4. Royal Troon
On the Ayrshire coast in the west of Scotland, Royal Troon is a superb championship links and another regular Open venue with a character all its own. It is perhaps most famous for the eighth hole, the Postage Stamp, one of the most celebrated short holes in golf, whose tiny green surrounded by deep bunkers has caused drama and disaster in equal measure over the years. The course typically plays out with the wind before turning for a tougher journey home, offering a genuine test of shot-making and nerve. The views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran add to the beauty of the round. Steeped in history and prestige, Royal Troon rewards accurate, thoughtful golf and offers memorable holes throughout. For a classic west-coast links experience with one of the most famous par threes in the world, Royal Troon is a wonderful addition to a VIP golf trip and a course every keen golfer dreams of playing.
5. Turnberry
Few courses can match Turnberry for sheer beauty. Set on the Ayrshire coast with its famous lighthouse standing sentinel over the links, the Ailsa course offers some of the most spectacular scenery in golf, with holes running along the shoreline and views out to the distinctive rock of Ailsa Craig. A former Open Championship venue, it is the scene of some of the game's most memorable moments, and playing it is as much about the setting as the challenge. The coastal holes, with the sea on one side and the lighthouse as a backdrop, are simply breathtaking, making for an unforgettable and highly photogenic round. As a luxury resort, Turnberry pairs its championship links with first-class hospitality, ideal for a VIP golfing break. For a combination of dramatic scenery, championship pedigree and genuine indulgence, Turnberry is one of the most desirable golf destinations in the country, and a jewel of any Scottish golf trip.
6. Royal St George's
South of the border, Royal St George's at Sandwich in Kent is one of England's finest links and the regular southern host of the Open Championship. This classic, undulating links spreads across dunes near the Kent coast, with humps, hollows and some of the deepest bunkers in the game creating a stern and characterful test. The rolling terrain means uneven lies and blind shots are part of the challenge, demanding imagination and adaptability from every golfer. As the only current Open venue in the south of England, it holds a special place in the game and offers a genuine championship experience within easy reach of London. The sense of history and the quality of the links make it a highlight for any golfer touring the south. For a taste of classic English links golf at the very highest level, close to the capital, Royal St George's is an outstanding course and a fitting representative of the finest golf England has to offer.
7. Royal Birkdale
Widely considered the best of the famous cluster of links courses on England's north west coast, Royal Birkdale near Southport is a magnificent Open Championship venue. Set among towering sand dunes, its fairways wind through the valleys between them, giving relatively flat and fair landing areas by links standards, which many players feel makes it one of the truest and most enjoyable championship tests in the country. The course has crowned many Open champions and is renowned for its excellent condition and its fair but demanding layout. The surrounding dunes create a sense of seclusion and drama, and the quality of the golf is exceptional throughout. Within easy reach of Liverpool and the north west, it anchors one of the great golfing coastlines in the world. For a superb, fair and prestigious links that professionals and amateurs alike hold in the highest regard, Royal Birkdale is a must-play and one of the crown jewels of English golf.
8. Royal Liverpool (Hoylake)
Another gem of the north west coast, Royal Liverpool, known to golfers simply as Hoylake, is one of the oldest and most historic links in England and a regular Open Championship host. Located on the Wirral peninsula, it is a course of great tradition and subtlety, where the wind and the clever routing provide the main defence rather than dramatic dunes. It has staged some of the game's most memorable championships and remains a firm favourite among those who appreciate classic, strategic links golf. The flat, open aspect can be deceptive, as the course demands precise placement and careful management to score well. Its rich history, dating back to the nineteenth century, adds to the appeal of playing here. Close to Liverpool and easily combined with Royal Birkdale for a superb links tour of the region, Hoylake is a wonderful championship course. For history, tradition and a proper test of links golf, Royal Liverpool is an essential stop on any golf trip in the north.
9. Wentworth
Moving inland, Wentworth in Surrey is one of the finest parkland courses in the country and the long-time home of the BMW PGA Championship, one of the highlights of the European golf calendar. Its celebrated West Course, winding through beautiful wooded, heathland terrain in the exclusive Surrey countryside, offers a very different but equally rewarding experience to the great links, with tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering and a memorable finish. Immaculately presented and steeped in tournament history, it is a course many golfers know well from watching the professionals and dream of playing themselves. Its setting among grand houses and mature woodland gives it an air of prestige and exclusivity, and it sits conveniently close to London. For those who prefer parkland golf or want to balance a links tour with a championship inland course, Wentworth is the standout choice. As one of the most prestigious clubs in the country, close to the capital, it is a superb addition to any VIP golf trip.
10. Gleneagles
Rounding out the list, Gleneagles in Perthshire is a world-renowned golf resort set amid the stunning scenery of the Scottish countryside, offering luxury and championship golf in equal measure. Its famous PGA Centenary Course hosted the Ryder Cup, and alongside its other acclaimed courses it provides some of the finest inland golf in the country, framed by dramatic hills and glens. As a five-star resort, Gleneagles pairs its exceptional golf with outstanding hotels, dining and country pursuits, making it the perfect base for a truly indulgent golfing break. The beauty of the setting, combined with the quality of the courses and the hospitality, creates an experience that goes well beyond the round itself. It is ideal for a VIP trip where comfort and pampering matter as much as the golf. For championship courses, spectacular scenery and genuine luxury all in one place, Gleneagles is a magnificent finale to a tour of the UK's very best golf.
Playing them in style
A great golf trip is about more than the courses; it is about enjoying the whole experience without the hassle, and that begins with the travel. The best courses are spread across the country, often down winding rural roads in Scotland, Kent or the north west, and hauling clubs and luggage between them on public transport is impractical, while long drives eat into your energy for the golf. Being driven changes everything. A car with a professional driver carries your group and your clubs from course to course and hotel to hotel in comfort, so you arrive fresh and ready to play, and you can enjoy a drink at the nineteenth hole without worrying about driving. For a multi-course golf trip, a chauffeur-driven tour lets you link the great courses at your own pace, with a driver who handles the routes and the timings. For a corporate golf day or client entertaining, a corporate chauffeur service keeps everything professional and effortless, moving your guests in style. You can choose the right vehicle for your group and their clubs from the luxury fleet, from an executive saloon to a spacious people carrier. Sort the travel, and a VIP golf trip becomes as relaxing off the course as it is rewarding on it.
What are the best golf courses in the UK?
The best golf courses in the UK include St Andrews (the Old Course), Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Turnberry, Royal St George's, Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, Wentworth and Gleneagles. Together they cover the greatest Open Championship links and the finest championship parkland courses in the country.
What is the Old Course at St Andrews?
The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous golf course in the world and the Home of Golf, played for around six centuries in Fife, Scotland. A public course, it features iconic landmarks like the Swilcan Bridge and vast double greens. Teeing off here is considered the ultimate experience in the game.
Which UK golf courses host the Open Championship?
Several courses on this list host the Open, including St Andrews, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, Royal St George's, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool. The Open rotates around a select group of championship links, so playing these venues lets you test yourself on the same courses as the world's best professionals.
Can members of the public play these top UK golf courses?
Yes, many of the best courses welcome visitors, though access varies. St Andrews is a public course, and resorts like Turnberry and Gleneagles welcome guests, while some prestigious clubs have more limited visitor access and require advance arrangements. Booking well ahead is essential, as tee times at the top courses are highly sought after.
Which is the most beautiful golf course in the UK?
Turnberry is often named the most beautiful, with its coastal links and famous lighthouse. Its Ailsa course runs along the Ayrshire shoreline with spectacular sea views. Gleneagles, set amid the Scottish hills, and the dune-lined links of the coasts are also breathtaking, so the UK offers stunning settings for every taste.
What is the difference between links and parkland golf?
Links courses are coastal, on sandy dune land with firm turf and wind, while parkland courses are inland, with trees and softer ground. Most of the UK's famous Open venues are links, like St Andrews and Carnoustie, whereas courses like Wentworth are classic parkland, offering a very different but equally rewarding challenge.
How do I plan a UK golf trip across several courses?
Book tee times well in advance and plan the travel around them. Group courses by region, such as the Ayrshire or St Andrews links, allow travel time between them, and arrange transport that carries your clubs and luggage. A chauffeur-driven trip links the courses effortlessly, so you can focus on the golf rather than the logistics.
Which UK golf courses are best for a corporate day?
Resort courses like Gleneagles and Turnberry, and prestigious clubs near cities like Wentworth, suit corporate golf well. They offer championship courses, excellent hospitality and the facilities to host groups. Pairing the day with a chauffeur service to move guests in comfort adds a professional, VIP touch to client entertaining.
When is the best time for a golf trip in the UK?
Late spring to early autumn offers the best conditions. May through September brings the longest days and the kindest weather, ideal for links golf, though courses are busiest then. The famous links are playable much of the year, but the summer months give the most reliable conditions for a memorable trip.
Is a chauffeur worth it for a golf trip?
Yes, for a multi-course golf trip a chauffeur is well worth it. It carries your group and clubs between courses and hotels in comfort, lets everyone enjoy a drink after the round, and removes the tiring drives on unfamiliar rural roads. It keeps the group together and makes the whole trip relaxed and enjoyable.
Can a car carry my group and golf clubs?
Yes, choosing the right vehicle ensures room for players and equipment. A people carrier or larger vehicle comfortably carries a group of golfers along with their clubs and luggage, keeping everyone together between courses. It is far more practical than splitting across cars or struggling with clubs on public transport during a golf trip.
Can a chauffeur take us to St Andrews or Gleneagles?
Yes. A chauffeur-driven trip can take your group to the great Scottish courses and beyond, handling the routes, the timings and the luggage while you relax. It is ideal for a golfing tour that links several courses, letting you enjoy the golf and the hospitality without a thought for the driving between venues.
