Best beach destinations for a UK golf trip

Located along England’s famous South Coast, a golf trip to the resort town of Bournemouth is a must. Its long sandy beaches, lively town centre and enviable warm climate make it the perfect destination to play golf and check out the countless bars and restaurants. From gastro-pubs to seafront bars and great nightclubs, there is plenty to choose from. And whether you’re here with your family or a group of mates, you'll enjoy the fantastic evening atmosphere.

Plus, with seven miles of sandy beaches, you can play a range of beach sports and activities when you're not on the course.

The town is also home to fantastic hotels like The Suncliff Hotel and some of our favourite courses in England, including the heathland layouts of Broadstone, Parkstone and the Isle of Purbeck. These are some of the most scenic courses on the South coast, so if you’re looking to play top-quality golf courses in glorious surroundings, Bournemouth is the destination for you.

And, if you're after a full-cooked English breakfast before heading onto the course, you are in luck, Cafe Gardenia is perfect if you're playing at Broadstone.

A stunning haven of English countryside and coastline, Kent is rightly known as the Garden of England. Golf combined with world-famous landscapes like the White Cliffs of Dover, quintessential towns and award-winning beaches, make it a top holiday hotspot, that is just brimming with great bars and pubs. We recommend going to Tankerton Beach.

Some of England’s must-visit towns can be found in Kent, which is why we recommend extending your stay so you can explore a few of them. Sandwich, a preserved medieval English gem and the seaside town of Deal are great for visiting lively bars and age-old pubs along cobblestone streets. Just a stone's throw from the harbour in Deal you'll find The Ship Inn pub as well as the popular Deal Hoy pub which is just a short walk north of the town centre.

Plus, the neighbouring town of Sandwich home to Royal St George’s Golf Club. Laid out along Sandwich Bay, a round or two on this championship course is reason enough to visit the town.

For a delicious, full-cooked English breakfast before you get started, The Beach Hut Cafe is perfect and just a 5-minute drive from the course.

From classic links courses to parkland, golfers are spoilt for choice when deciding where to play in Kent. Aside from Royal St Georges, some of the most notable designs are Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s Golf Club, two former Open venues offering golfers two of the best links challenges in the country. And it doesn’t end there, Kent is also home to Tudor Park and Cave Hotel & Golf Resort, both great value stay and play resorts. Does it get any better?

Home to the highest concentration of championship links courses in the UK, Southport is perfect for an all-encompassing golf holiday. With unbelievable beaches and lots to see it’s worth staying an extra day or two, especially with the vibrant city of Liverpool just 15 mins away on a train. The capital city of culture, Liverpool is known for its unbelievable night scene, so you’ll have a great time with your group and make memories that will last a lifetime.

With exceptional views of the coast, Southport beach is a great sunny spot. It’s also just a short walk away from the buzzing town centre, so you’re not far from the bars, clubs, hotels and top attractions. Some of the most popular bars and clubs include Taps and Bottles, and Zodiac Nightclub. Southport also proudly boasts a huge number of independent pubs and restaurants, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Nearby Churchtown and Birkdale also have lots of bars and pubs where you can enjoy a few beers after a day on the course.

No matter what your handicap, Southport is the perfect base to explore England's Golf Coast, home to some of the best courses in the world including Royal Birkdale and Hillside Golf Club. And of course we have to mention the outstanding courses of Royal Liverpool Golf Club, and Royal Lytham & St Anne’s which are in the neighbouring towns of Liverpool and Blackpool. So, if you’re looking to enjoy some of the best links golf in the world – where else would you go but the golfing capital of England, Southport!

Renowned for its medieval streets, traditional buildings and rustic villages, the seaside town of St Andrews on Scotland’s East coast is a fantastic destination for a well-rounded golf break. From historic wonders to beautiful beaches and old-fashioned pubs, you won’t be short of things to do here.

Visit the famous West Sands Beach for a chance to escape, discover the fascinating medieval St Andrew’s Cathedral and Castle, or savour lowland single malt Scotch whiskey at Kingsbarns whiskey distillery. You can even go on a food tour which visits five locations where you’ll taste mouth-watering locally sourced food and drink.

If you’re looking for one of the best golfing experiences you can have, you’ll find it here in St Andrews. There are a number of world-class links in the area including Kingsbarns, the Castle Course, and of course the Old Course where the game of golf first began 600 years ago. It’s a course steeped in history that every golfer aspires take on at least once in their lifetime. So why not walk in the footsteps of golfing legends? You can stay at the Old Course Hotel which overlooks the course or the Fairmont St Andrews just a few miles away.

Why not add some surf to your golf break by taking your pick of two of England’s most popular counties. The magnificent coastal settings coupled with sandy beaches and a fantastic nightlife make Cornwall and Devon ideal for golfers looking to stay for a long weekend.

While it is a hotbed of British golf, your stay in Cornwall is not complete before trying a mouth-watering Cornish pasty!

Devon boasts an unspoilt coastline, amazing bars, beaches and restaurants. So if your idea of a great trip includes unbelievable nightlife alongside soaking up some fantastic scenery, this is the perfect place for you. A day spent in the vibrant waterfront city of Plymouth is a must, as is a visit to one of the many old-fashioned pubs serving artisan ales, local ciders and home-cooked food.

Whether you’re looking for a classic links encounter or a challenging inland layout, Cornwall and Devon provide a plethora of options. In Cornwall, you can challenge the top 100 courses of St Enodoc and Trevose, or alternatively enjoy a luxury stay & play experience at St Mellion or Bowood Park. And as for Devon, a celebrated hub for iconic golf tours, we’d highly recommend building a tour with Saunton Golf Club and Royal North Devon in mind.

Situated on Scotland’s famous golf coast, not far from Edinburgh, this picturesque region is dotted with beautiful towns and quaint villages that must be explored during your golf trip. With over 40 miles of coastline, you can visit the smooth pristine beaches including those at Yellowcraig, Dunbar, and Gullane, and test your taste buds on some delicious local cuisine and locally brewed whiskey.

East Lothian is also a great place to celebrate Scotland’s fascinating heritage and unique culture. The National Museum of Flight at East Fortune and the 14th century Tantallon Castle are must-see attractions.

Home to some of the world’s most popular coastal golf courses, East Lothian is a true golfing haven with 22 spectacular courses you can play, all scattered along the coastline. From the championship courses of Gullane and North Berwick to Craigielaw and Muirfield, the options are endless!