Winter golf

Do you consider ‘winter golf’ as purely good exercise rather than ‘serious/competitive’ play?

The climate conditions are a major factor but are you fed-up playing on ‘soggy-pudding’ greens and squelchy fairways?

Going abroad may capture the heat but it is unlikely that places like Spain or Portugal’s ‘target-style’ golf courses will give you firm greens or the ability to ‘bump-and-run the ball.

The best winter golf is to be found in GB&I on courses maintained for all-year-round play.

The overall wetness of a course obviously depends on how much rain has fallen but clubs mentioned below have draining soil, dry out quickly and give you firmer turf from which to play from and to.

These courses, grouped by region, have a high proportion of fine fescue/bent turf which will give firmer, truer surfaces and more reliable and enjoyable winter golf. They welcome winter visitors and usually give special green-fee offers.

South East England

Aldeburgh, Crowborough Beacon, Hankley Common, Hayling, Hunstanton, Littlehampton, Littlestone, Prince’s, Royal Ashdown Forest, Royal Cinque Ports, Royal West Norfolk, Royal Worlington, Temple, Walton Heath, West Sussex.

The West Country

Broadstone, Burnham & Berrow, Freshwater Bay, High Post, Perran Porth, Royal North Devon, Saunton, Trevose, West Cornwall, Yelverton.

Wales

Aberdovey, Ashburnham, Bull Bay, Conwy, Pennard, Prestatyn, Pyle & Kenfig, Royal Porthcawl, Royal St David, Southerndown, Tenby.

North West England

Castletown, Delamere Forest, Formby, Hillside, Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, Seascale, Silloth-on-Solway, Southport & Ainsdale, St Annes Old Links, Wallasey, West Lancashire.

Midlands

Enville, Kington, Luffenham Heath, Northamptonshire County, Notts(Holinwell), Seacroft, TadmartonHeath, Woodhall Spa,

North East England

Bamburgh Castle, Cleveland, Ganton, Goswick, Seaton Carew.

East Scotland

Carnoustie, Crail, Dunbar, Elie, Gullane, Ladybank, Luffness New, Monifieth, Montrose, Muirfield, North Berwick, Panmure, Scotscraig, St Andrews, The Renaissance.

West Scotland

Dundonald Links, Gailes Links, Lanark, Machrahanish Dunes,  Machrie, Prestwick, Shiskine, Southerness, Turnberry, Western Gailes.

North Scotland

Askernish, Boat of Garten, Brora, Cruden Bay, Fortrose & Rosemarkie, Fraserburgh, Golspie, Hopeman,   Royal Dornoch, Tain.

Ireland

Ballyliffin, Carne, Castlerock, Connemara, County Louth, Donegal, Dooks, Enniscrone, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Portmarnock Hotel & Links, Port Stewart, Rosslare, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, The Island, Waterville.

Some courses like Castle Stuart and Kingsbarns are closed , others do not encourage visitors in the winter.

FineGolf is always interested in advice on which courses should or should not be listed for winter golf.