41 of the UK’s most scenic courses….

Take your pick from 50 of the most visually stunning, easy-on-the-eye courses around…and only one is over £50!

ENGLAND

*ALNMOUTH VILLAGE, NORTHUMBERLAND

This cracking mini layout is the oldest nine-hole links in England the stunning North Sea coastal views are worth the green fee alone. It’s fun, quirky and provides unbelievable value.

Green fees: £10 till end of Feb. Tel: 01665 830370.

*BATH, SOMERSET

Arguably one of the leading inland layouts in the west, this Colt downland has been entertaining and challenging golfers from near and far since the late 19^th century. Known locally as ‘Sham Castle’ – the name of the neighbouring architectural folly.

Green fees: £44 midweek, £52 weekends.

Tel: 01225 466953.

*BIGBURY, DEVON

Short but sweet – and tricky – layout which guarantees great holiday golf and a severe test if the wind is blowing so you can’t afford to get distracted by the breathtaking panoramic views.

Green fees: £33-£39.

Tel: 01548 810557.

*CARLYON BAY, CORNWALL

Home of a luxury hotel perched high on the clifftops as is the outstanding golf course, an impressive clifftop/parkland layout with a stunning stretch of coastal holes around the turn.

Green fees: £40 in Mar.

Tel: 01726 814228.

 *CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, DERBYS

Majestically plotted on the valley floor between Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge on the edge of Combs Reservoir so you’re afforded majestic views of the surrounding peaks and ridges.

Green fees: £20 for 18 holes.

Tel: 01298 812118.

 *CHURCH STRETTON, SHROPSHIRE

Undoubtedly one of the most scenic courses in the UK, being the third highest course in Britain – the unique, quirky layout sits atop stunning Shropshire Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty – and you can quite literally see forever!

Green fees: £30 midweek, £40 weekends.

Tel: 01694 722281/07973 762510.

*CROWBOROUGH BEACON, SUSSEX

Magical Alistair MacKenzie creation perched 800ft above sea level and though relatively short it is no stroll in the park with most fairways sprinkled with penal heather and waiting to gobble up any wayward strikes.

Green fees: £30-£50.

Contact: 01892 661511.

* ILFRACOMBE, SOMERSET

Short but challenging – owing to the potent combination of the prevailing south-westerly winds and undulating terrain – clifftop layout within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can see the sea from every hole.

Green fees: £30 midweek, £40 weekends.

Contact: 01271 862176.

*ILKLEY, WEST YORKS

The river Wharfe dangerously lurks on the first seven holes of this delightfully scenic and wonderfully rolling parkland layout with views-to-die-for – the world-famous Moor is the backdrop.

Green fees: £28 till end of Mar.

Tel: 01943 607463.

*KIRKBY LONSDALE, CUMBRIA

Situated in the beautiful Lune Valley – part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park – with sensational views of the surrounding fells from all parts of the course, makes Kirkby Lonsdale a special place to play.

Green fees: £20 till Mar 31.

Tel: 01524 276 365.

* LYME REGIS, DORSET

You’ll absolutely adore Lyme Regis which occupies a dramatic clifftop site with coastal views towards Portland Bill and overlooking the historic town and World Heritage Site of Lyme Regis. The course itself is short but testing.

Green fees: £40.

Tel: 01297 442963.

*MENDIP, SOMERSET

An upland course with plenty of ups, downs and highs and simply sumptuous scenery – you can see seven counties and the Bristol Channel from its highest point at nearly 1,000ft.

Green fees: £30 midweek, £35 weekends.

Tel: 01749 840793.

*MULLION, CORNWALL

The most southerly course in the country, Mullion is framed by sandy coves and protected reed beds and is wonderfully plotted on the cliffs of the Lizard Peninsula. The combination of the views, wind and the stunning par-4 10^th will take your breath away!

Green fees: £30 a day till Mar 31.

Tel: 01326 241176.

*SHANKLIN & SANDOWN, ISLE OF WIGHT

An impressive 2-FORE!-1 venue and this one is a mature par-70 layout which has staged a collection of Hampshire County Championships while boasting superb drainage and quality year-round golf.

Green fees: Winter fourball (till Mar 31) – £99, including ferry crossing from Southampton.

Contact: 01983 403217.

*SCARBOROUGH SOUTH CLIFF, NORTH YORKS

An outstanding clifftop/parkland combo either side the main Scarborough-Filey road with the highlights being the 4^th to 10^th holes dramatically perched high on the cliffs, affording awesome coastal views.

Green fees: £35 midweek, £40 weekends.

Tel: 01723 360522.

*SENE VALLEY, KENT

Nearest course to the Channel Tunnel, overlooking Romney Marsh – it sits quite high on top of an escarpment and as a result every green slopes tantalisingly towards the sea.

Green fees: Nov-Mar – £30 midweek, £40 weekends.

Tel: 01303 262550.

*SILLOTH-ON-SOLWAY, CUMBRIA

Truly outstanding links with a superb variety of holes ranging from the Postage Stamp-esque 9th to the long 5^th with its fairway gloriously running parallel to the beach.

Green fees: Mar 13-26 – £36 a day midweek, £48 a round at weekends.

Tel: 016973 31304.

*STADDON HEIGHTS, DEVON

Located on the outskirts of the historic naval city of Plymouth, Staddon Heights is a dramatic par-70 clifftop layout with wonderful Plymouth views plus along the Devon and Cornwall coastline, Plymouth Sound, and inland over the Dartmoor and Bodmin hills.



Green fees: £22-£40.

Tel: 01752 402475.

* STINCHCOMBE HILL, GLOS

Spectacularly set on the southern edge of the Cotswold Escarpment 700ft above the Severn Valley, Stinchcombe is the combined work of Fred Hawtree and James Braid and has been labelled “among the most scenic courses in Europe.”

Green fees: From £15.

Tel: 01453 543878.

*THE BRISTOL, GLOS

This fast maturing undulating parkland layout sits on 200-years-old parkland and provides stunning views across the Severn Estuary with the elevated par-4 3^rd tee quite literally being the highspot.

Green fees: Till Mar 31 – £25 midweek, £30 weekends.

Tel: 01454 620000.

* THURLESTONE, DEVON

It’s south Devon’s answer to Pebble Beach and sure enough this chiefly unheralded links/clifftop layout runs alongside Bigbury Bay and affords fantastic views as well as a memorable round. It’s always in top condition and playable year-round too.

Green fees: £42 till end of Apr.

Tel: 01548 560405.

 *WALMER & KINGSDOWN, KENT

Perched atop the White Cliffs of Dover, this brilliant Braid clifftop layout provides plenty of drama and sits on chalky downland turf so is in terrific condition whenever you pitch up to play.

Green fees: Mon-Fri £40; Sat-Sun £50. 2-FORE!-1: Mon-Fri.

Tel: 01304 373256.

*WELLS, SOMERSET

Situated on the outskirts historic Wells, from the upper reaches of the course you’re treated to a panoramic splendour which includes the magnificent cathedral, Glastonbury Tor and the Mendip Hills.

Green fees: £16-£25.

Tel: 01749 675005.

 *WHITBY, NORTH YORKS

Wherever you are on this clifftop corker you’re guaranteed a view of the coast between Kettleness and the iconic Whitby Abbey alongside and inland vistas towards the rolling North York Moors.

Green fees: Till Mar 25 – £11-£25.

Tel: 01947 600 660.

*WINDERMERE, CUMBRIA

Short moorland course within the Lake District and therefore blessed with to-die-for views over Windermere and the surrounding fells. No wonder it’s been dubbed

a “miniature Gleneagles.”

Green fees: £40.

Contact: 015394 43123.

SCOTLAND

BRAID HILLS, EDINBURGH

Historic municipal layout towering above Scotland’s capital with outstanding views to the Pentland hills, and across the city to the Firth of Forth. It’s under 6,000-yards but it’s all about hitting shots from one hilly crag to the next.

Green fees: £24.80 midweek, £26.50 weekends.

Tel: 0131 658 1111.

 CALLENDER, THE TROSSACHS

Plotted within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, this is another strong candidate for the ‘most scenic golf course in the UK’ award. Stylish parkland with panoramic views to the foothills of the Highlands.

Green fees: £30 midweek, £40 weekends.

Tel: 01877 330090.

COMRIE, PERTHSHIRE

Surely one of the finest and most picturesque nine holers in the UK was founded in 1891and was the handiwork of James Braid. The views of the surrounding Perthshire hills are out of this world.

Green fees: £20 for 18 holes.

Tel: 01764 670055.

 *CRAIL, FIFE

Proud and historic home of two contrasting links layouts  – the ancient Balcomie and modern Craighead –  and Old Tom’s handiwork is still as zesty and exciting as ever, remaining one of the Kingdom’s resolute links.

Green fees: £47 in Mar & for midweek round in Apr.

Tel: 01333 450686.

GIRVAN, AYRSHIRE

1902 James Braid links/parkland layout which enjoys the same stunning views towards Ailsa Craig and Arran as neighbouring Turnberry – but you can experience Girvan for a fraction of the price.

Green fees: £20.

Tel: 01465 714346.

SHISKINE, ISLE OF ARRAN

Of the seven Isle of Arran courses, this quirky little 12-holer is the star, featuring two unforgettable par-3s which both happen to deliver unforgettable Mull of Kintyre views.

Green fees: £25 midweek, £30 weekends.

Tel: 01770 860226.

 *SPEY VALLEY, HIGHLANDS

Among architect Dave Thomas’s finest work, Spey Valley opened in 2006 and is breathtakingly backdropped by the Cairngorms with the river Spey running through it. It’s long and demanding… and will take your breath away.

Green fees: From £55.

Tel: 01479 812920.

 THE GLEN, EAST LOTHIAN

The unsung hero of Scotland’s golf coast may be overlooked by the likes of Muirfield, North Berwick and Gullane but this clifftop classic has the best views with golfers regularly drinking in majestic Firth of Forth views with Bass Rock looming large.

Green fees: From £35.

Tel: 01620 892726.

TRAIGH, WEST HIGHLANDS

A must play if you’re in this remote neck of the woods, the nine-hole links – the most westerly course on the UK mainland – sitting in one of the most beautiful parts of the West Highlands just north of Arisaig.

Green fees: £20.

Tel: 01687 450337.

WALES

BALA, GWYNEDD

Quirky bunkerless ten holer laid out on a plateau nearly 900ft above sea level in Snowdonia National Park with Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, way down below. Starts with a 231-yards par-3 opening hole.

Green fees: £20 midweek, £25 weekends (for 18 holes).

Tel: 01678 520359.

CRADOC, BRECON

Plotted on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park with every mature tree-lined hole enjoying stunning views of the north slopes of the ‘Beacons’ and an abundance of wildlife is on offer too.

Green fees: £36 a day.

You’ll find 26 holes at this thrilling venue but it’s the Old Course holes which steal the limelight – they’re spectacularly perched on a fairly narrow strip of land on a peninsula towering high above the coastline.

Green fees: In Apr – £36 Sun-Thurs, £41 Fri & Sat.

Tel: 01758 720102.

NORTH WALES, GWYNEDD

Great value links overlooking Conway Bay and fittingly the best views can be gleaned from the elevated tees at signature par-3s holes 16 and 17, cryptically named O.L. and L.O. – Oh Hell and Hello!

Green fees: Till Mar 30 – £20 midweek, £23 Sun, £25 Sat.

Tel: 01492 876878.

TENBY, PEMBROKESHIRE

One of the oldest courses in Wales was the handiwork of James Braid, signicasntly aided by Mother Nature. Top links with unique holes, fast and undulating greens and superb views across to Caldey island.

Green fees: From £25.

Tel: 01834 844447.

IRELAND

RATHMORE (VALLEY LINKS), CO.ANTRIM

Harry Colt layout sitting between the giant dunes of the East Strand and Royal Portrush’s  Championship Dunluce links. You’ll love the 5th (a short par 4) and 6th (long par 3) set in their own scenic natural valley.

Green fees: £42.50 midweek, £55 weekends.

Tel: 02870 822996.

 RING OF KERRY, CO. KERRY

Created by the late Eddie Hackett with a helping hand from Mother Nature and

stand on the par-3 13th tee, looking down to Kenmare Bay with the Caha mountains and Macgillicuddy’s Reeks all around you, you’ll be in golfing heaven.