published: Jan 15, 2025

Which courses are the best to play in the winter? We reveal our 14 favourites across the UK

Looking to get out on the golf course through the winter? Here’s our list of the best courses for winter golf in the UK!

Plenty of us in the UK have to deal with our club being closed in the winter, so we have put together a list of the best courses to go and visit for a round!

Especially through the week, with the dark winter nights, and the sunset coming in at 4pm, we all wait for the weekend to play golf.

But then, we find out that our course is closed due to the conditions – whether that is snow and frost, waterlogged soil or even fog.

So where should you look to visit as a one-off if you really want to play golf on a January afternoon? Our team have put together a list of courses that stand up best to the ravages of the British winter.

As you might expect, there are plenty of links courses on this list, but there is also the odd inland layout as well…

Which are the best courses in the UK to play during the winter?

Hunstanton

Not only one of Norfolk‘s finest, but also one of the finest links courses in the United Kingdom – Hunstanton is a delight throughout the winter months. Even in the worst of conditions, Hunstanton seems to remain open and provide a great test.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Singles – £120
Foursomes – £50

The Belfry (Brabazon)

“Prides itself on its conditioning for all 12 months of the year – exceptionally good out of season.”

The Brabazon Course is well known for its history, thanks to hosting the Ryder Cup on multiple occasions, as well as being the host of an annual DP World Tour event. Playing through the winter, thanks to a stay-and-play offer, might be your best chance of recreating THAT moment on the 10th hole…

Stay and Play offers (Winter 2024-2025):
1 night + 1 round – from £159

Seacroft

Tucked away on the Lincolnshire coastline, Seacroft is possibly the best course you might never have heard of. A traditional links layout with fast-draining soil, the course remains open year round without a drop in quality.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Weekdays – £60
Weekends – £75

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Seacroft

Kilmacolm

“Moorland golf has so much to recommend it. The naturally firm, hardy turf is one thing, then the laws of gravity do the rest.”

One of several Scottish courses that our team have named, Kilmacolm is one of few courses in Ayrshire not to sit on the coastline. With James Braid behind the design, one of less than 6,000 yards, you know you are in for a round of high quality.

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Kilmacolm

What are the most underrated golf courses in Scotland?

Seaton Carew

One of the gems of the North East, Seaton Carew remains one of the cheapest golf courses that you can play in the United Kingdom, especially as a course on the NCG Top 100s: England list. It is also one of the finest throughout the winter, staying open barring the worst of conditions.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Weekdays – £55
Weekends – £65

Formby

“Had my captain’s weekend here – days after the Beast from the East swept through the UK. When you can produce great conditions after that you can handle anything.”

When to take that into account, it is pretty safe to say that Formby will be in great nick no matter what time of year. One of several stunning courses on the North West Coast of England, a trip to Formby in the winter will certainly see you coming back in the summer…

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Jan-Feb – £135 / £150
March – £175 / £195

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Formby

Formby Ladies

“Whenever even coastal courses in the area are suffering from waterlogged bunkers, Formby Ladies remains firm underfoot and perfectly playable. A completely squelch-free experience regardless of the time of year.”

On the same piece of land as the neighbouring Formby, Formby Ladies is another stunning links golf course that seems to play exactly the same throughout the year. Yes, there might not be as much roll on the fairways, but it remains a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Weekdays – £75
Weekends – £85

Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)

“Great greens, great turf, and seemingly great all year round. I’ve played it in the height of summer and the depths of winter and the quality remains constant.”

Woodhall Spa is the home of England Golf, and the home of one of the finest inland courses that the country has to offer. The Hotchkin Course is the championship offering at Woodhall Spa, and it is picture-perfect.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Jan-Feb – from £85
Mar-Apr – from £105

Woodhall Spa Hotchkin golf course review

Cleveland

“A quality links course that won’t blow the budget”

The only true championship links course in Yorkshire, Cleveland sits on the coast near Redcar. Thanks to Morris, Colt and Steel, it is a course of sheer quality, and one that holds up brilliantly through the winter.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
From £60

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Cleveland

Burnham & Berrow

“If I had to go and play one course in January, this would be it.”

There is praise, and then there is praise! Burnham & Berrow is the southwest’s finest links course, and offers up incredible views of the Severn Estuary. Add in a quick round on the 9-hole Channel Course for a cracking day out.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Nov-Feb – £110pp, £340 fourball
March – £150

Ganton

Not only is Ganton one of the nicest courses to play in Yorkshire through the summer, but it also retains that quality through the winter months. Walk through history, at a host of the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup…

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Dec-Feb – £110pp, £400 fourball
March – £140

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Ganton

The Grove

“Somehow, you can go here in February and experience mid-summer conditions in terms of the turf.”

Another inland course, and one that has played host to the World Golf Championships in its past. The Grove is a glorious track all year round, and offers great stay-and-play opportunities through the winter as well.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Golf Only – £125 / £159
1 night + 1 round – £145pp (Mon-Wed)

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – The Grove

North Berwick

“This has been on my must-play winter list for the last few years. The turf is exceptional and the greens are always in superb nick. Always worth a shoulder season trip.”

Venture to East Lothian and you will find several layouts that are worthy of this list. Arguably, there are none more so than North Berwick, though you should wrap up warm to deal with the sea breeze you will encounter throughout.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
March – £185

Muirfield

“Never seen greens play like this in December in Britain. They were actually quick and had a full covering of grass.”

This statement is perhaps unsurprising. After all, Muirfield is an Open Championship venue and one of the best courses in the UK. Pristine links turf and gorgeous greens can still be found throughout the winter months on the east coast of Scotland.

Green Fees (Winter 2024-2025):
Nov-Feb – £150
March – £180

READ MORE: NCG Top 100s – Muirfield

National Club Golfer and National Club Golfer magazine

Now have your say

What do you make of our list of the best golf courses to play in the UK during the winter? Is your favourite golf course on there? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!

About the author

Matt Coles

Mention a European country, and Matt will tell you which resorts make the National Club Golfer Top 100s: European Resorts list. He might even throw in who designed the golf course and how many rooms the hotel has got at each one…

Matt got into the game of golf from a young age, following his old man to the local golf club. He fell for the sport, and now can’t seem to go a day without thinking about how to improve his game (Thanks Dad!). Matt has been a member of Howley Hall GC in Leeds since 2020, and is just about managing to maintain a single-figure handicap. He likes to remind people that he once broke 75, but won’t tell people that it was on a shortened course during the winter.

He moved to Leeds after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class Honours degree in Sports Journalism. Matt joined NCG after almost five years travelling the world with the Professional Squash Association, working on events in all four corners of the globe.

Matt currently plays a Cobra King LTDx driver and RadSpeed 3-wood. TaylorMade monopolise the rest of his bag, with a SIM UDI, M5 irons and both Milled Grind and HI-TOE wedges, along with a Monza Redline putter. He uses a Vice Pro Plus golf ball, because he’s a bit different…

Away from golf, Matt is a Manchester United fan, and a keen runner, having ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (his first and possibly last), in May 2023.

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