Lincolnshire’s Top 10
On the east coast of England, Lincolnshire spans over two and a half thousand square miles of land, stretching from the fens to the northern Humber Estuary near Grimsby, you can’t miss it! Take a look at our top 10 golf courses in Lincolnshire, to start you on the right path of the best courses to play.
10. Stoke Rochford
Stoke Rochford is an S V Hotchkin designed, 18 hole parkland course enclosed by dense woodland, it holds sloping and rolling terrain with large oak trees flanking most fairways. It may be bordering the A1 but you won’t notice the noise when taking in the countryside atmosphere from the grand clubhouse.
Most famous for its tough narrow greens, surrounded by tight lies and challenging rough which all become a bigger problem when the wind is in play, this will really test the dimensions and bravery of your game.
The most challenging hole on offer is the fourth, Hibbert’s Slab, a 473 par-4 which in truth plays as a par-5.. Just pray that the wind is not at its strongest. The sixth, Church View, is dubbed the course’s signature hole, which can also get you in a whole lot of trouble.
9. Louth Golf Club
Surrounded by the stunning sight of Hubbard’s Hills whilst also providing any lucky golfer with marvelous views of the surrounding Lincolnshire Wolds.
Founded in 1965 the golf club is situated in a place of outstanding natural beauty which offers a challenging 6,430 well-groomed yard 18 hole parkland course, with par playing at 72, which winds through rolling woodland hills. Much like other courses in the area, slopes are a feature of this course with the 1st hole boasting an uphill edge, it’s not to be messed with.
An extra bonus to please all golfers who play the course, is that temporary greens are non-existent allowing you to test your skills on maintained greens all year round.
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8. Kenwick Park
Kenwick Park showcases a mix of parkland and woodland. The 18 hole course was opened in 1982 and is situated on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds and if you’re looking views look no further as Kenwick Park has plenty of panoramic views on offer.
Many tee shots around Kenwick favour the brave who take on the numerous water hazards and every golfer must beware of the large oak trees which hug both sides of the fairways, accurate tee shots are required in order to navigate through the avenue of trees!
7. Woodhall Spa (Bracken)
This Donald Steel design, officially opened in 1999, is a refined parkland layout that makes full use of the mature trees sprinkled around its fairways. The Hotchkin is the more popular with visitors, but its younger sibling offers new and outstanding challenges in its own right.
With greens that are firm, fast and rarely flat, the Bracken is a fine parkland that makes full use of the mature trees.
It boasts fast, firm greens which are rarely flat and holds two ‘risk and reward’ par 5s which both offer high-risk shots if they are taken on successfully you will be rewarded with an eagle putt. Water features sporadically, as do short par 4s, which is always nice to see on a contemporary design. Many of the par 3s are isolated around deep.
The par 72 measures at 6171 yards and offers plenty of testing bunkers which are not to be taken lightly, simply a course that can be enjoyed every day by golfers of all abilities.
6. Belton Park
Situated just off the busy A1, near Grantham, Belton Park is one of the true hidden jewels of the Lincolnshire golf landscape.
Founded in 1890, Belton Park holds the reputation as one of the oldest golf clubs in the East Midlands and its beauty is kept within the historic grounds of Lord Brownlow’s country estate, Belton House.
A true feature of the course are its fast-paced and challenging greens, nevertheless giving golfers the truest role. As a well-maintained course, the scenic backdrop of Lincolnshire just adds to the beauty on offer to any visiting player, giving them one very memorable round.
The course offers 27 holes of attractive parkland holes, with its most famous course the Belmont course taking over holes 10-27, covering 240 acres of parkland you may spot the odd deer.
5. Market Rasen
Established in 1910 Market Rasen is regarded as one of Lincolnshire’s finest courses. Simply a quite beautiful heathland course it weaves its way through pine forests, heather, and gorse to boast its picturesque features.
Measuring in at 6,239 yards this parkland/heathland course is renowned known for the quality of its greens and difficulty faced whilst putting on them. The course is maintained to a very high standard, you need to look no further than the fairways to recognise this.
One feature hard not to miss are the narrow fairways lined with rows of pine trees, making finding the fairway very crucial indeed. Similarly the numerous water hazards make it a great test of golf for players of all standards.
4. Lincoln
The J. H. Taylor designed course optimises one of the true tests of Lincolnshire golf, measuring at 6,438 yards it is one of the longer courses in the region.
However, its harder tests lie around the greens with water and sand being the biggest hazards on display. The fairways are smooth rolling and are littered with mature trees all around, the course really does offer a true test of golf, with a different on each hole it is a delight for any golfer to play.
3. Forest Pines
Famed for holding the reputation of one of the best new courses to emerge in England over the past two decades’, Forest Pines is a true testament to English golf and the beauty of its outstanding inland courses.
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Designed by John Morgan the 27-hole course was opened in 2006 its three tasteful loops of nine, Forest, Pines and Beeches, begin and finish at the magnificent clubhouse, taking you on a turning route through the pines along the way.
The more challenging of the loops measures at 6,859 yards showing hints of both Wentworth and Woburn, it prides itself on the well protected and highly challenging greens.
Forest Pines is not only regarded as an exquisite treasure to the Lincolnshire region but also a treasure to the region.
2. Seacroft
England’s east coast is a terrific locations some of the most challenging links golf courses on offer, one of which being the delightful Seacroft.
Willie Fernie, the 1883 champion, extended the course to its full 18 holes in 1900 and now the course is a permanent part of the picturesque Lincolnshire backdrop
One key tip that should be taken ever so seriously is that an accurate drive is the only to ensure you have the chance at making a good score. The rough is fatal and virtually impossible to make a perfect recovery out of, this alongside the narrow fairways and fast greens put Seacroft on the map as one of Lincolnshire’s top golfing destinations.
A traditional links course founded just moments away the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve it holds 75 bunkers and has the most magnificent views. Both its back and front nines are very distinct as they occupy distinct levels, with a central ridge of dunes contrasting one from the other.
1. Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin)
Today’s matured course was designed and modified by S.V. Hotchkin in the 1920s, which led to the English Golf Union making Woodhall their home base in 1995.
The beating heart of Lincolnshire golf is a perfect par 73 heathland, measuring at 7080 yards. Gorse and broom are prominent, as is the colourful but unforgiving heather, and beyond that trees, trees and more trees, mainly oak, fir and silver birches littering the fairways. But unlike other courses in the region – there is no escaping the fact – the land is flat.
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If you recognise a truly great course needs to be relentless in the quality of its 18 holes, Woodhall Spa is our ‘best inland course’.
If you are partial to bunkers then you’re in luck, Woodhall Spa is littered with them as protection to difficult greens or charming hazards on the fairways. Known for their notorious lingering depths that many golfers struggle to get out of, you’re either in bunker heaven or hell.
Ranked as one of the top-5 courses in England and inside the world’s top-100 by numerous judges, it is a true testament for any golfer who loves a true challenge and appreciates the beauty of English golf.
Hotchkin course restoration
Tom Doak is currently coordinating the Woodhall Spa restoration, with it becoming one of the most significant architectural events we have seen in Britain in recent years.
The famous modern day coursed designer, begins his challenge his winter, working on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 13th. Six more holes will be tackled in late 2017 with the remainder completed the following year. The project will be finished by early 2019.
Don’t agree with our top-10 choice? Have your say in the comments below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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