TG Top 50 Winter Specials

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Don’t put the clubs into hibernation… take advantage of these green fee deals 

Some golfers pack away their clubs at this time of year – but we think they’re missing out. They’re missing out on gorgeous, crisp mornings… on tons of pre-spring practice… on being warmed up by a bacon roll and a coffee… and, perhaps most importantly, they’re missing on some great deals.

We’re talking Top 100 courses for good money. Before you even consider thinking about putting those clubs into hibernation until next spring, you should see the next few months as an opportunity to play some of the country’s very best courses at a fraction of the normal green fee rates and, very often, with food and drinks included in the deal.

Take your pick from the 50 deals here and you’ll definitely be glad you carried on playing especially considering the vast majority of these quality courses will be in great condition throughout the winter.

England

Aldeburgh, Suffolk 
Packs plenty of Suffolk punch close to the coast so wind is usually a factor. One demanding par 4 follows another and also beware of the thick tangly gorse while in summary every hole presents an examination in shot-making and accuracy.
The deal: Winter Package £40, includes soup and roll after play (an additional £4.50 for coffee & bacon roll on arrival).
Contact: 01728 452890.
www.aldeburghgolfclub.co.uk/

Aldeburgh

Ashridge, Herts 
Arguably Hertfordshire’s nest course sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty, on the edge of the Chiltern Hills and has bags of pedigree – it has hosted many prestigious events, including Open regional qualifying, and Sir Henry Cotton was club pro in the late 1930s.
The deal: Winter package (for 12 or more between Nov 1-Mar 31) £76pp, includes coffee/tea and bacon roll, 18 holes (morning tee-times only, no temp greens or tees) and two-course carvery lunch. Contact: 01442 842244.
www.ashridgegolfclub.ltd.uk/

Blackwell, Worcs 
The pride of the West Midlands is one of the leading inland layouts in the country and is a classic 1923 Herbert Fowler/Tom Simpson parkland creation. Bobby Jones visited in 1930 and modelled the famous par-3 12th at Augusta on Blackwell’s 13th. The deal: Dec 1-Mar 31 (min. of two golfers) – Bacon roll & coffee on arrival, 18 holes, soup & sandwich, £50pp. Contact: 01214 451994.
www.blackwellgolfclub.co.uk/

Brampton Heath, Northants 
Maturing modern and undulating heathland layout with a good combination of short and long holes and was the only course in the county to stay open throughout last winter. Never uses tee mats.
The deal: Society special – packages from £25pp, includes tea/ coffee & bacon bap on arrival and 18 holes.
Contact: 01604 843939.
www.bhgc.co.uk/

Breadsall Priory (Moorland), Derbyshire 
Being sand-based and free-draining, the par-70 Moorland replaces the neighbouring Priory as the main course in winter and boasts a strong variety of holes including the pretty par-3 6th and the testing par-4 12th.
The deal: From £20.
Contact: 01332 836016.
www.marriottgolf.co.uk/club/breadsall-priory

Breadsall Priory

Caldy, Merseyside 
Home of a splendid clifftop/inland layout on England’s Golf Coast and Wirral Peninsula alongside the river Dee, underrated Caldy provides USGA-spec tees and greens and outstanding year-round golf.
The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 (Mon-Thurs) – 18 holes with a full English breakfast for £32.50. Contact: 01516 255660.
www.caldygolfclub.co.uk/

Cambridge Gog Magog, Cambs 
Noted for the quality of golf on offer, this is probably the pick of Cambridgeshire’s crop and features two contrasting 18-hole layouts – the Old course with views over the city of Cambridge and the modern Wandlebury with its USGA-spec greens.
The deal: Winter special (eight or more) available Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri costs £38pp and includes breakfast or post-round meal.
Contact: 01223 247626.
https://www.gogmagog.co.uk/ 

Gog Magog

Caversham Heath, Berkshire  
Fast approaching two decades old, this David Williams par-73 design, built to USGA specs, has matured well and has a fine variety of holes, including some tricky par-3s, and guarantees quality year-round golf.
The deal: From £25.
Contact: 01189 478600.
https://www.cavershamgolf.co.uk/

College Pines, Notts  
This heathland venue sits within Clumber Park and is always in good condition, claiming to be the ‘home of year-round golf’ and sure enough it rarely closes because of dodgy weather. The deal: £20 midweek, £26 weekends.
Contact: 01909 501431.
www.collegepinesgolfclub.co.uk/

Crowborough Beacon, East Sussex  
The handiwork of Alistair McKenzie is majestically plotted 800ft above sea level and is undulating heathland golf at its dynamic best and it’s something of a mystery why it doesn’t feature higher in course rankings.
The Deal: Nov 1-Apr 30 from £30 midweek, from £35 weekends.
Contact: 01892 661511.
https://www.cbgc.co.uk/


Dale Hill, East Sussex
A venue with two completely different layouts, but the Woosnam is undoubtedly the chief attraction and involving a terri c combination of holes including a 600-yard opener and classic par-3 16th. You’ve love the stunning High Weald views, too.
The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 – £30 to play the Woosnam.
Contact: 01580 201090.
https://www.dalehill.co.uk/

Delamere Forest, Cheshire 
Highly challenging century old Herbert Fowler heathland gloriously built on sand and with a great set of greens. Widely regarded as Cheshire’s No.1 inland layout though nationally it probably doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
The deal: County card holders, £40 in midweek.
Contact: 01608 883800.
www.delameregolf.co.uk/

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumbs
Lovely, underrated, unheard of even, links even though it has been on its Embleton site since 1900. Highlights include teeing off on top of a giant sand dune at the dramatic par-4 6th and the tiny par-3 13th overlooked by what remains of Dunstanburgh Castle.
The deal: £27 midweek, £31 weekends.
Contact: 01665 576562.
www.dunstanburgh.com/

East Brighton, East Sussex  
Fun par-72 layout which is always playable and in superb condition – it sits on chalk so benefits from wonderful natural drainage and not requiring temp tees or greens. Breathtaking Channel views from the 12th tee.
The deal: Winter fourball, £25pp.
Contact: 01273 604838.
www.ebgc.co.uk/

Gainsborough, Lincs 
Superb all-round venue and the home of two contrasting 18-hole courses (Karsten Lakes and Thonock Park) and Ping’s European Custom Fitting Centre next to the impressive driving range.
The deal: Until Mar 31; Coffee & bacon roll on arrival, 18 holes on either course and pie of the day meal, £25 Mon-Thurs & £30 Fri-Sun & Dec 26-31.
Contact: 01427 613088.
www.gainsboroughgc.co.uk/

Ganton, North Yorks  
This heathland classic with a linksy feel has staged countless major events, including the Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups, and is sat on fast draining springy terrain meaning it’s as in good a shape in January as it is in July!
The deal: Nov 1-Feb 28 – £50pp and £180 per fourball.
Contact: 01944 710329.|
www.gantongolfclub.com/

Great Torrington, Devon  
This fun, friendly nine-holer provides good holiday golf whatever time of the year thanks to excellent natural drainage which ensures it rarely closes. You’ll be done and dusted within 90 minutes, too.
The deal: £15.
Contact: 01805 622229.
www.torringtongolfclub.co.uk/

Isle of Purbeck, Dorset 
Historic club celebrating its 125th anniversary with its chief attraction – the par-70 Purbeck course – bristling with charm and character and breathtakingly plotted within an exquisite heathland/nature reserve setting with awesome views of Poole harbour and beyond.
The deal: Nov 1-Feb 28 – golf, full English breakfast and coffee, costs £25pp Mon-Thurs and £30pp Fri-Sun. Min. of two golfers.
Contact: 01929 450361.
https://www.purbeckgolf.co.uk/

Isle of purbeck

Kendal, Cumbria  
You’ll be blown away by the stunning Lake District views with the course – originally laid out by Old Tom Morris – spectacularly overlooking the historic town of Kendal. Celebrated its 125th anniversary last year and features a memorable par-3 penultimate hole.
The deal: £15 a round or £20 a day, minimum eight players.
Contact: 01539 723499.

Kingswood G&CC, Surrey
A neighbour of Walton Heath, unsung hero Kingswood was created by James Braid in the late 1920s and is probably Braid’s nest parkland piece, though it is still virtually unheard of outside the Home Counties. It has bene ted from a recent Howard Swan re-do.
The deal: Coffee and bacon roll, 18 holes and three-course meal, £60.
Contact: 01737 832334.

Little Aston, West Mids
Classic Harry Vardon par-72 parkland which quite rightly appears in most UK Top 100 lists. It weaves through the former estate of Little Aston Hall and has tons of charm, pedigree and personality.
The deal: Full English breakfast followed by 18 holes, available midweek Nov-Feb and costs £50 (minimum four players).
Contact: 0121 353 2942.

little aston

Littlestone, Kent
Believe us, this quality links is right up there with its better known Kent neighbours Royal St George’s, Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s. Having hosted Open Final Qualifying, it’s a championship links in its own right and has some of the best greens you will find. The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 £50. Contact: 01797 363355.

Littlestone

North Shore, Lincs 
An impressive par-71 links-parkland hybrid overlooked by an on-site Best Western hotel on the outskirts of popular Skegness. A terri c variety of holes including a blind par 3 and short driveable par-4s.
The deal: From £22.
Contact: 01754 763298.

Prince’s, Kent 
Boasts 27 holes of quality links in three nine- hole loops (Shore, Dunes and Himalayas) in the shadow of regular Open host Royal St George’s. Prince’s has been considerably upgraded, on and off the course, in recent times with the Himalayas receiving the latest refurbishment.
The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 – Fourball offer, £160 Mon-Thur & £200 Fri-Sun and including lunch.
Contact: 01304 611118.

Princes

Royal North Devon, Devon 
Fancy a taste of golfing history? Well, this is England’s equivalent of St Andrews – it’s the oldest course in the country and in many ways the revered at, easy walking ancient links with its little intricacies, humps and hollows is very much a chip off the Old Course block.
The deal: Winter special – Coffee & bacon roll, 18 holes and a meal, £40 (min eight players). Contact: 01237 473817.

Royal North Devon

Royston, Herts 
Plotted on fast-draining chalk-based on Therfield Heath, Royston is always playable and plays like an inland links – being exposed, there’s usually a wind factor. You’ll do well to achieve par on the two 200-yard plus par 3s.
The deal: £50 (for two players), including a buggy.
Contact: 01763 243476.

Saunton, Devon  
Home of two fantastic links (East & West) which unfurl across the wildly spectacular 1000-acre linksland of Braunton Burrow, England’s largest sand dune system. The East is the no.1 layout – Sir Nick Faldo once declared it capable of staging an Open – and doesn’t have a weak hole with the demanding dog-leg par-4 16th arguably pick of the classy crop.
The deal: Dec-Feb – a round on either course for £40.
Contact: 01271 812436.

St. Annes Old Links, Lancs 
It’s just down the road/coast from mighty Royal Lytham, but will only set you back a fraction of the price, especially at this time of the year. Top links, great value and the par-3 9th is so good Bobby Jones took its measurements of it so he could recreate it in America!
The deal: Until Mar 27 £46 midweek, £56 Sunday.
Contact: 01253 723597.

Seahouses, Northumberland 
Short but testing layout with an unusual mix of coastal and parkland holes. Aces in the pack are the two short holes on the back nine – the 10th, played from an elevated tee over an inlet, and the dramatic 15th to a green perched beyond a clifftop ravine. Great fun.
The deal: £30 midweek, £35 weekends.
Contact: 01665 720794.

Silloth-On-Solway, Cumbria  
Outstanding links with a superb variety of holes from the Postage Stamp-esque 9th to the long 5th, where you drive from a ridge to a fairway set at an angle that runs parallel to the beach. It winds its way between towering dunesland and you’ll love the sensational panoramic coastal views.
The deal: Until March 11 £30 midweek and £42 weekends.
Contact: 016973 31304.

Silloth on solway

Sunridge Park, Kent 
Top 36-hole venue seven miles from central London with the East an Open qualifying course while the more undulating neighbouring West provides panoramic views of some of the capital’s best-known landmarks.
The deal: Winter fourball (Mon-Fri) costs £140 (West) and £160 (East) and includes coffee and bacon roll and 18 holes.
Contact: 020 8460 0278.

The Lindrick, South Yorks  
A heathland masterpiece which staged the 1957 Ryder Cup and is plotted on relatively at terrain. An absolute delight to play throughout the year and unusually signs off with a par 3. The deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 £50.
Contact: 01909 475820.
www.lindrickgolfclub.co.uk/

The Lindrick

The Shire, Herts 
A sparkling tribute to its creator, the late great Seve Ballesteros, with water featuring on 12 holes including the S-shaped (for Seve) pond on the 18th. There are six par 3s, 4s and 5s and you’ll relish putting out on the USGA-spec greens.
The deal: Mon-Thurs winter (Nov 1 -Mar 31) fourball, £160 includes pre-round hot drinks & bacon rolls and post-round soup.
Contact: 020 8441 7649.

Thorpeness Hotel & GC, Suffolk 
Glorious James Braid heathland course based on sand so it rarely closes and is always in great condition. A memorable round ends with an uphill par 4 with the nal green sitting in front of the House in the Clouds towering over the course. Splendid stay and play venue.
The deal: Winter rate £35 and after midday from £20.
Contact: 01728 454926.
https://www.thorpeness.co.uk/

Thorpeness

Walmer & Kingsdown, Kent  
Another Braid creation though this one is just down the coast from the legendary links of Royal St George’s and perched atop the White Cliffs of Dover, sitting on chalky downland turf so is in great nick all-year round.
The Deal: Nov 1-Mar 31 £80 for a fourball.
Contact: 01304 363017.
www.kingsdowngolf.co.uk/

West Cornwall, Cornwall 
This short old links (it’s a par 69 under 6,000 yards) doesn’t get the credit and attention it deserves even though it is the county’s oldest course and that Peter Alliss is a honorary member. Thanks to being sand-based, it drains well and allows year-round play.
The Deal: £40 (£45 Wed & Sat). £20 for county card holders.
Contact: 01736 753401.
www.westcornwallgolfclub.co.uk/

West Cornwall

West Lancashire, Merseyside 
West Lancs is now finally and deservedly getting the credit its first-class links deserves. There is barely a weak hole – and you can’t always say that at even the most highly- regarded links – but plenty of very good ones with a particularly strong nal trio.
The deal: £60.
Contact: 0151 924 1076.
https://www.westlancashiregolf.co.uk/

Yelverton, Devon 
Fancy playing something different and being surrounded by nature? Then this delightful moorland layout, built around an old mine, provides stunning Dartmoor views while you’ll share the experience with free-roaming ponies and cattle.
The deal: £20 for county card holders (midweek).
Contact: 01822 852824.
www.yelvertongolf.co.uk/

Woodhall Spa, Lincs 
Located in rural Lincolnshire the Hotchkin course is well worth taking the time to visit. It’s a classic heathland, and arguably home of England’s nest – and most challenging – inland layout. It’s a world class Top 100 courses with a green fee that’s arguably the best value in England.
The deal: Nov 1-Apr 30 £57.
Contact: 01526 352511.
www.woodhallspagolf.com/

Woodhall Spa

WALES

Clyne, Swansea  
Designed by Harry Colt in the 1920s, this little known moorland course sits at the entrance to the Gower Peninsula and offers a stern all round examination, year-round grass tees and quality greens plus superb coastal and mountain views.
The deal: 18 holes and one- course meal, £24 Tues-Sun (until March).
Contact: 01792 402094.
www.clynegolfclub.com/

Conwy, Caernarvonshire 
Top links laid out at the mouth of the estuary of the river Conwy, and a good score can be ruined over the ultra-demanding stretch – the last three holes feature gorse bushes and deep pot bunkers aplenty and anything slightly wayward will nd them.
The deal: Till Mar 18 – £30 midweek, £35 weekends.
Contact: 01492 592423.
www.conwygolfclub.com/

Conwy

Southerndown, Bridgend  
A true, natural test of golf with a bit of everything – part sandy links, part acid- heathland and all this with breathtaking panoramic views. But the major plus is that it’s based on limestone it drains rapidly so is in good nick all-year round.
The deal: Tues & Thurs (after 10.30am in winter), 18 holes, bacon roll & tea/coffee or sandwiches & chips for £35pp.
Contact: 01656 880476.
www.southerndowngolfclub.com/

SCOTLAND

Ladybank, Fife 
An exceptional heathland course in the heart of the Kingdom of Fife with views to the Lomond Hills, the course is long and challenging yet at and easy-walking so not too demanding on the legs. Ideal and worthy Open qualifying venue.
The deal: Nov-Mar – £25.
Contact: 01337 830814.
https://www.ladybankgolf.co.uk/

Murcar, Aberdeenshire
Former Open champ Paul Lawrie rates Murcar as one of his favourite courses – it’s that good. Originally designed by Archie Simpson and revised by James Braid, it sits on a classic stretch of linksland with massive sand dunes and rolling fairways, providing magni cent North Sea views.
The deal: Half-price in winter (Nov 1-Mar 31) £52.50 midweek, £65 weekends.
Contact: 01224 704354.
murcarlinks.com/

St Andrews (New Course), Fife 
Laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1895, the New is in many ways a much better and fairer test than its world-famous Old neighbour. It’s certainly more picturesque, with the stretch from the fourth to the seventh, three of the prettiest holes at St Andrews.
The deal: Nov 1-Dec 31 £37.
Contact: 01334 466718.
https://www.standrews.com/

Southerness, Dumfries & Galloway 
McKenzie Ross designed the course in 1947 and being plotted on a low-lying curve of linksland fringing the Mersehead Sands and Solway Firth, heather and bracken abound. With at least eight par-4s over 400 yards it’ll test you every inch of the way.
The deal: To Mar 26 £35 midweek, £40 weekends.
Contact: 01387 880677.
https://southernessgolfclub.com/

The Carrick, Dunbartonshire 
The ‘other’ course at Loch Lomond is a modern classic in its own right and guarantees a round to remember with ‘Tappit Doon’ – a gem of a par 3 – swiftly followed by an equally spectacular par 5 which runs alongside the loch.
The deal: Nov-Feb £50.
Contact: 01389 727679.
www.cameronhouse.co.uk/

IRELAND

Druids Heath, Co Wicklow  
Fine foil and alternative to famous neighbour Druids Glen which is classic parkland while the Heath – also designed by Pat Ruddy – is played out on stunning rolling terrain with marvellous mountain and coastal views.
The deal: Early Nov €40, meal included (booking online).
Contact: 003531 2873600.
https://www.druidsglenresort.com/

Royal County Down, Co Down
An Old Tom Morris links that many consider to be the nest course in the UK – some even say the world. We guarantee that Royal County Down, plotted on the undulating terrain dominated by the Mountains of Mourne, will take your breath away (whether it’s windy or not).
The deal: Nov-Feb £70.
Contact: 028 4372 3314.
https://www.royalcountydown.org/

Royal Portrush, Co Antrim 
The home of major champions Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell and the Dunluce course, a stunning but fair and rewarding links – play well here and you’ll score well as the 2019 Open competitors will no doubt nd out.
The deal: £70 Nov-Mar, excl Sat.
Contact: 028 7082 2311.
www.royalportrushgolfclub.com/

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