The four best value golf courses to play in England and Wales as Spring blooms
There’s something about this time of year for a golfer.
The sun starts beeping out.
The grass begins to smell enticing as its cut.
Flowers bloom.
The Masters is around the corner.
And golf courses start to play like they should.
If you want an early golf trip this Spring here are four tremendous options in England and Wales that marry great value, good golf and something special regarding the test or the views.
4. Borth & Ynyslas, West Wales
Across the Dovey estuary from its more esteemed neighbour Aberdovey and tremendous value in comparison.
At one end of the course is the slightly underwhelming town of Borth – a straight line of houses that sit facing the Irish Sea and look a bit tired by the effort.
But the course journeys away from them to the remarkable Ynyslas Dunes which are simply sensational (take a walk on them afterwards and imagine building more holes there – these are sandhills born to host golf).
The clubhouse is a short stroll from the railway station which has a direct line to the West Midlands which makes for a superb day out with the green fee £48.
3. Painswick, Gloucestershire
Some will be infuriated by this course, others will just accept that they’ve had an exceptionally good value afternoon.
It’s not a million miles away from Cheltenham, home of the Festival, and this course somewhat resembles a golfing version of the mayhem of the Cross Country race.
It climbs up and over not only a hill, but up and over (and through) a Roman hill fort.
A bit mad but great fun and outrageous value at £20 in the week.
2. Cardigan, West Wales
There are some who call Cardigan the Pebble Beach of West Wales.
Others prefer the idea that Pebble Beach is the Cardigan of California.
The course sits high on the coastline at the end of the Teifi estuary with the wide beach of Poppit Sands on the far side.
The 15th, 16th and 17th holes are a trio of terrific tests – two short par-4s that offer significant risk but tempting reward with a par-3 in the middle that has a green any golf course on the Open rota would be proud of with Poppit in the background.
£30 very well spent.
1. Church Stretton, Shropshire
This one is a little bit bonkers but a little bit brilliant at the same time.
Think of it as a links course in the sky.
Not that the first three holes feel very links like – they’re a hat trick of par-3s that feel more like mountaineering.
But once you’re on the top level you’re playing on fast, bouncy turf, faced by an intriguing test, with views that might just be among the best in all of England.
It’s only a bit linksy, it’s also a bit other-worldly. Currently available for £15 on Thursdays which is remarkable.
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