Looking for the best golf courses in London and the surrounding areas? Below you’ll find the best places for golfing in the British capital, so you can have a break from sightseeing and get down to the courses.
London is always bustling with action. People, traffic, and a steady buzz of noise accompany you wherever you go in the city. So where do you go for a bit of tranquility? The golf course, obviously!
Whether you’re new to the sport or you’ve been swinging the clubs for years, it’s the perfect way to get away from the city and revel in nature for a bit. You’ll also get a bit of exercise, some fresh air, and your daily dose of vitamin D!
Here are the best golf courses in London and the surrounding areas, for when you need to get away from visiting the famous London landmarks, such as the London Eye, and find some peace and quiet in nature. And sports.
Before hitting the golf course, you may want to double check the best time to book a hotel in London. If you want to stay in a cool part of the city, you should consider the hotels in Shoreditch, an area that breathes art and nightlife.
Best Golf Courses In London and Nearby
The Shire London Golf Club, Barnet
Designed by golfing legend Seve Ballesteros, the Shire London Golf Club is a spectacular place for a round. With multiple tee positions, it’s an excellent play for golfers of all levels, but don’t let that make you complacent—no two holes are the same, and by the end of the day, you’ll feel like you’ve played four courses in one!
It’s an extremely varied course, but you’ll be entertained from start to finish. Water comes into play on the first four holes and the course ends with an S (for Seve) shaped lake that makes for a tough approach shot.
The London Golf Club, International Course, Kent
The International Course at the London Golf Club provides a links-style challenge that’s routed through the gently undulating countryside of Kent. There are enough elevation changes to make it subtly tricky, and scattered sand traps and water hazards keep golfers of all levels on their toes.
Signature hole? It’s tough to pick one, but the 555-yard, par-5 lucky 13th is one that you won’t soon forget. Split by a huge bunker and further guarded by a lake, it’s a risk/reward opportunity that will have you using all your critical thinking skills to get a good score.
If you choose to play at a different golf course, you should still consider a day trip to Leeds Castle, also located in Kent.
Walton Heath Golf Course, Old Course, Surrey
The Old Course at Walton Heath has been ranked in the top 100 golf courses in the world every year since its creation in 1938! This beautiful heather-scattered course plays like a seaside links layout, despite being landlocked, and it’s deserving of its top 100 status.
At over 7400 yards from the back tees, the Old Course is a long and challenging one. Surprisingly, you have a par-3 opening hole, but don’t let that fool you into thinking the layout is easy. The holes get progressively more interesting and testing, so keep your wits about you.
With a spectacular back 9 featuring multiple memorable holes, this course is better suited to lower handicapped golfers.
Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, Southwest London
This Southwest London golf course is not for the faint-hearted. Experienced golfers will find it challenging, with narrow, tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy, tricky doglegs, and well-protected greens. Every hole is unique, bringing exciting anticipation to those playing for the first time.
Bunkering is good and adds to the test. The course is a combination parkland and heathland course, with a group of excellent par-3s that vary in distance and creative challenge.
Not far from the golf course, you can visit one of the best Georgian restaurants in London – click here for details.
Coombe Hill Golf Club, Kingston-Upon-Thames
Close to Wimbledon, you’ll find Coombe Hill Golf Club, a stunning tranquil course that’s over a century old. Despite being too far from Central London, it’s quiet and naturally beautiful, and extremely photo-worthy when the rhododendrons are blooming amongst the birch trees and heather.
Golfers will enjoy the challenge here, with speedy, sloped greens, undulating fairways, and a unique layout. Of particular note are the four short holes—the 6th, the 9th, the 12th, and the 17th—strong both in play and in view.
The Addington Golf Club, Croydon
This South London golf course consistently ranks in the top 100 of Britain and Ireland, the Addington is a delightfully intimate course that makes you feel like you’re far from Central London. The heathland landscape is filled with birch trees, pine trees, and pretty flowers, giving the course a real country feeling.
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Strategic bunkering, true greens, and meandering fairways offer a surprisingly great challenge for most golfers. The most notable hole is the signature 13th, which is a tight but visually stunning hole backed by a splash of colorful rhododendron.
Sundridge Park East Course, Kent
Just seven miles away from London Central, the Sundridge Park East Course in Kent has two championship courses open to the public. Both courses meander through woodlands, which provide not only lovely scenery but also a nice bit of challenge.
The East Course is close to 100 years old and plays to a par of 71. Throughout the first nine, the River Quaggy comes into play, adding some challenges to the gameplay. The most challenging hole on the course is reputed to be the 14th, a par-4 with a noticeably sloped fairway.
The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Uxbridge
This is a stunning golf course near London, but you should note that it’s a members-only course. If you want to play a round on this lovely course, we advise finding a member and asking for an official invite!
Buckinghamshire is an interesting course. It’s a parkland course but offers some surprising challenges along the way. You’ll need to be thoughtful and tactical to get a good score here, as it features sizable greens, plenty of water hazards, and so many good holes that it’s impossible to choose a favorite!
Read Also: Main Differences Between The UK and The USA
Ashford Manor Golf Club, Ashford
Situated in the bustling area of Ashford, this course brings some peace to the craziness of everyday life. It’s a great course for almost any golfer, with fairly flat terrain and a mixed bag of challenges.
There are no weak holes at the Ashford Manor Golf Club. It opens with a 400-yarder peppered with bunkers, and the first nine only have one short hole. The 7th is stroke index 1, a 471-yard par-4 that should be handled with calm and strategy.
Finchley Golf Club, Mill Hill
Called the “finest golf challenge in London” and home to one of the best par-3s in England—the 12th, Braid’s Masterpiece, Finchley Golf Club, located in North London, is unique in its design. Built on the grounds of an old Victorian manor, now the clubhouse, it has a stately atmosphere and also offers superb golf.
Beautifully-manicured fairways at this London golf course can be deceivingly narrow, and the greens are fast and slope more than they initially appear. Bring your A-game!
About the Author: Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring others, he’s researching and writing value-packed articles for his website, Golf Influence.