Here at Glencor Golf Holidays, we don’t just provide golf breaks abroad – we can also help you plan the perfect stay and play golf weekend or build the perfect UK tour itinerary.
Whether you’re unwinding in a spa after a day on the fairways or finally teeing off at the iconic links courses of East Lothian to tick off that bucket-list experience, this is the ideal place to begin.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to plan the ultimate UK golf break — along with our expert tips for finding the best-value deals.
Best Golf Resorts In The UK
The Belfry Hotel & Resort
This renowned resort, situated near Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands, boasts three exceptional 18-hole courses — The Brabazon, PGA National, and The Derby.
Beyond the fairways, guests can enjoy a wide range of top-range facilities, including a state-of-the-art spa and fully equipped gym, both recently upgraded to the highest standard.
Celtic Manor Golf Resort
In Newport, Wales, sits Celtic Manor Resort – another iconic venue and former host to the Ryder Cup. There is a choice of accommodation here – stay in the Manor House, the main hotel, or opt for self-catering in the Hunter Lodges.
Here you can play The Twenty Ten – an iconic venue which has played host to the Ryder Cup event in 2010 when Europe claimed victory. There are also two other 18-hole courses to play in Roman Road and Montgomerie.
Slaley Hall Golf Hotel & Spa
Slaley Hall is a 36-hole golf complex in Northumberland, forming part of the Q Hotels Collection. With more than 20 European Tour, European Seniors Tour, PGA Cup, and Asian Tour events hosted here, you can be confident of enjoying a world-class golfing experience.
The Hunting Course is described as the ‘Augusta of the North’ with its very own version of Amen Corner. Meanwhile, the Priestman Course is considered slightly more forgiving but no less enjoyable, offering incredible views of the Tyne Valley from the tee boxes.
Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa
Set within 200 acres of picturesque parkland just 15 miles from Liverpool, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa offers everything you need for the perfect golf getaway with friends. It’s home to a superb 18-hole championship course, a 9-hole par-3 short course, and a top-class golf academy — plus a luxurious spa and health club for when it’s time to unwind.
The Old Course has proudly hosted events from the European Seniors, Challenge Tour, and EuroPro Tours. Set across gently rolling terrain, its standout feature is the picturesque 16th hole – a scenic par 3 made famous as the spot where local legend Tommy Fleetwood scored his very first hole-in-one.
Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa
This place is steeped in golfing history, having hosted the 1999, 2007, and 2018 Open Championships! Tee-off on any of the three links courses and follow in the footsteps of golfing greats both past and present.
The Carnoustie Championship Golf Course, The Carnoustie Burnside Golf Course and the Carnoustie Buddon Golf Course all provide a thrilling round of golf where you test yourself against the elements.
The hotel, adjacent to the 1st tee and 18th green, has incredible spa facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
Prince’s Golf Club
This 27-hole golf complex is situated in Sandwich, on the Kent coastline, offering fantastic links golf on three loops of nine-holes, named Shore, Dunes, and Himalayas.
Positioned at the entrance of Prince’s and adjacent to the 14th tee, The Lodge provides 38 bedrooms with en-suite facilities and is dog-friendly. This was originally the clubhouse but was completely renovated in 2012 to provide accommodation and a brasserie.
St Mellion Estate
Located in Cornwall, St Mellion Estate is the perfect retreat for those looking to play on superb golf courses and unwind in the resort’s excellent facilities. With two 18-hole golf courses – the Nicklaus Signature Course and the Kernow Course – you have variety and challenge. In fact, the designer of the Nicklaus Course, Jack Nicklaus, is quoted as saying, “I knew it was going to be good but not this good”.
The course stretches just over 6,200 yards, so despite its acclaim, it is still an enjoyable experience for the higher handicapper or more social golfer.
Beyond the fairways, rejuvenate in the health club which features indoor swimming pools, fitness suite, as well as a sauna and steam room.
Carden Park Hotel
Set within a 1000-acre estate, Carden Park Hotel is a popular choice for those looking for a golf weekend with multiple championship courses on-site and fantastic spa facilities.
Tee off on either the 18-hole Nicklaus Course or the 18-hole Cheshire Course — both offering an exceptional golfing experience. The Nicklaus Course is one of only four Jack Nicklaus/Golden Bear designs in the UK, while the Cheshire Course treats players to sweeping views of the Welsh Hills and Cheshire countryside. It’s closing 18th hole plays up towards Carden Park’s clubhouse, where fellow golfers can enjoy the view (and your approach shot!) from the inviting balcony.
Rudding Park
This family-owned luxury golf resort on the outskirts of Harrogate is set amongst 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, offering 90 bedrooms and suites, on-site golf via two courses, three restaurants and an absolutely incredible spa facility.
The 18-hole, par-72 championship Hawtree Course offers a great round of golf as it winds through picturesque 19th-century parkland. For a shorter challenge, the 6-hole Repton Course – a USGA-standard par-3 layout – provides a fun and unique warm-up.
Designed to reflect some of golf’s most iconic holes, its standout 5th is modelled on the legendary 17th at Sawgrass, complete with an island green and surrounding water hazard.
East Sussex National Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
Close to Brighton, East Sussex National is home to two stunning golf courses with wonderful grounds surrounding them, as well as a spa and private health club. This 1100-acre estate provides 104 well-designed bedrooms and is the perfect place for those looking for a golf resort which has everything!
The 18-hole East Course stretches 7,081 yards in a stadium layout that has been designed for tournament play – it’s previously hosted the European Open Championship on two occasions, amongst other UK and international events.
The 18-hole West Course is 7,154 yards and weaves past old oak trees, pools and streams making it a very visually appealing round of golf.
Other Things to Do on a UK Golf Break
- Spa / Wellness Day: Lots of golf resorts have dedicated spa and gym facilities so you can relax and unwind after a round of golf and ensure you have a great recovery. Browse our golf and spa breaks.
- Scenic Walks & Explore The Countryside: Many golf resorts are located in the countryside, so head out to stretch your legs whilst taking in the local scenery. A popular option is the walk in Northumberland from Dunstanburgh Golf Club along the coast. past the castle, and down to Craster.
- Cultural / Historical Attractions: There are so many places to see around the UK – make sure you investigate what’s in the local area before you travel so you can tick off the local attractions and plan your golf days accordingly.
- Experience Local Food & Drink: If you are staying at a golf resort you will often have dinner included in your package, but it’s still worth heading out to the pubs and bars to soak up the local atmosphere – especially if you are in Scotland and close to a whiskey distillery.
For those doing a golf tour and opting for a hotel that doesn’t have golf on-site, check out the top restaurants before you travel and book in advance – especially if travelling on a weekend and/or you are part of a larger group.
- Adventure & Outdoor Activities: Some top resorts like Gleneagles Hotel organise loads of other activities that can be done on-site too, such as shooting, fishing, off-road driving, horse riding and cycling!
Top 5 Travel Tips For Your UK Golf Break
- Consider Distance: Most people will be driving to their preferred golf break destination, so consider how long you will be willing to travel for. If it’s a weekend break, most people will travel up to two hours from where they live – much more than this can really eat into your time on the course and cause fatigue. Also note that if you are putting together a golf tour where you are playing multiple courses in different locations, that they are all within a reasonable drive from your chosen accommodation.
- Make a Reservation For Your Evening Meal: For most stay & play golf resorts, they often come with an evening meal included, either from a set menu or credit towards their main menu. Let us know what time you want to eat and we can take care of the reservation for you with the hotel – this avoids large groups having to wait to be accommodated in the restaurant, which can be frustrating.
- Travel Sunday or Midweek For Best Value: Many stay & play resorts offer a ‘Sunday Driver’ deal to stay Sunday night at a much improved rate compared to Friday and Saturday. Also, if that isn’t an option then mid-week is generally cheaper than weekends and will often have better tee-time availability.
- Book Early For Prime Tee Times: Popular resorts like The Belfry, Celtic Manor and Slaley Hall will have the best weekend tee times booked up well in advance. if you want to play in the summer months, we would advise booking at least six months in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Consider Off-Course Activities: If you are travelling with a partner and want to relax away from the fairways, then consider a golf & spa break. This way you can hit the course as well as the sauna! Many golf resorts have superb spa facilities such as Carden Park Hotel, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, and Rudding Park to name a few. Alternatively, if nightlife is important, then ensure there are plenty of bars and pubs within a taxi ride or walking distance from your chosen accommodation.
Top 10 Deals Golf Break Deals: Play Some of the UK’s Most Popular Golf Courses
- The Belfry Hotel & Resort (Midlands)
- Celtic Manor Golf Resort (Wales)
- Slaley Hall Golf Hotel & Spa (Northumberland)
- Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa (Lancashire)
- Carnoustie Golf Hotel & Spa (Scotland)
- Prince’s Golf Club (Kent)
- St Mellion Estate (Cornwall)
- Carden Park Hotel (Cheshire)
- Rudding Park (Yorkshire)
- East Sussex National Golf Hotel & Spa (South of England)
Top 5 Golf Tour Destinations
We have handpicked the top destinations around the UK where you can play on some incredible bucket list golf courses!
- Ayrshire – Over 50 world-class courses in one of Scotland’s richest golfing regions.
- East Lothian – Known as Scotland’s ‘Golf Coast’, offering a mix of historic courses, championship links and breathtaking seaside views.
- Lytham – A beautiful seaside town with top courses like Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club.
- Southport– Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Formby are sensational and steeped in history.
- Northumberland – play some stunning links courses like Bamburgh, Goswick and Dunstanburgh!
And of course, because we are based in Yorkshire with loads of first-hand experience of playing golf in the region, we can highly recommend York, Harrogate and Leeds as we have some fantastic courses in the region, such as Ganton, Moortown, and Pannal.
About Glencor Golf
If you are considering a UK golf break, whether it is a stay and play deal or a golf tour in a specific region, give us a call on 01904 406550 or email info@glencorgolf.com – our friendly team would love to help you by providing first-hand experience. We take care of all the hard work by booking tee times and rooms so you can focus on your game and not worry about the admin!
