Best golf courses in and around Bristol

The historic city of Bristol attracts visitors from the world over. Stradling the River Avon, Bristol is easily accessible from across the UK, via road and rail. With so much to do from sightseeing to great nightlife, and some fantastic courses to boot, it’s easy to see why the city is becoming increasingly popular for golf trips.

The highest-rated course in Somerset, Burnham & Berrow Golf Club offers a challenging yet picturesque experience for golfers. With its stunning coastal views and fantastic conditioning, it provides a true test of skill for players of all levels.

The layout incorporates natural dunes and undulating fairways, creating an authentic links experience, which has been enjoyed since 1891. The club's rich history adds to its allure, with more than 40 notable championships hosted here, including; the English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, and numerous international matches.

Golfers can expect fast greens, strategic bunkering, and ever-changing wind conditions, making each round here truly memorable and certainly one to build an itinerary around.

Burnham & Berrow facts

• Length: front tees – 5,701 yards, back tees – 7,023 yards
• Par: 71
• Architect: Charles Gibson, Harry Colt (1913)
• Founded: 1891
• Course type: Links

The Kendleshire Golf Club boasts three fantastic 9-hole parkland courses, with the Hollows and Ruffet loops joining to make the championship routing. This pair are no pushover, with frequent water hazards and well-placed bunkering ensuring you stay alert throughout the round.

The Badminton Course is a slightly shorter and more forgiving layout, and is an ideal addition for those looking for a 27-hole day – perhaps playing this 9 after a great lunch in the clubhouse!

The Kendleshire (Hollows & Ruffet) facts

• Length: front tees – 5,426 yards, back tees – 6,599 yards
• Par: 71/72
• Architect: Adrian Stiff
• Founded: 1997
• Course type: Parkland

The Players Golf Club at Codrington stands out for its championship-standard facilities and challenging courses. The pick of the three layouts here is the Codrington Course which has previously been used by the DP World Tour as a qualifying venue, testament to its quality. It’s one of the tougher courses in the region, although a range of tee boxes can make this playable for all.

The Stranhan Course is much shorter, and at a total par of 68, has been created with visiting golfers in mind, allowing them to get round quickly, without the stresses that may come from trying to score well on its bigger brother! Shorter still is the more recently added Watergarden Course. This Par-3 only layout is ideal for first timers, or those bringing along a non-playing companion on a trip. Holes range from 50-120 yards, making this eminently enjoyable for all levels of golfer.

The Players Golf Club facts

• Length: front tees – 5,539 yards, back tees – 7,022 yards
• Par: 72/73
• Architect: Adrian Stiff
• Founded: 2002
• Course type: Parkland

Weston Super Mare Golf Club offers a classic links experience with stunning views of the Bristol Channel and the Welsh coastline. The club is a bit of an unsung hero, despite sharing an architect with the likes of Woking, Royal Wimbledon, and Royal Worlington & Newmarket when founded in the 1890s.

It was even adapted by the great Dr Alister MacKenzie in the 1920s, adding some of his own design philosophies to a piece of land that is simply perfect for golf. Its coastal location means players must contend with ever-changing wind conditions, adding an extra layer of challenge throughout the round, with Dr MacKenzie’s insistence of top-quality conditioning remaining to this day.

Weston Super Mare facts

• Length: front tees – 5,543 yards, back tees – 6,169 yards
• Par: 70/72
• Architect: Dr Alister MacKenzie
• Founded: 1892
• Course type: Links

Mendip Springs facts

• Length: front tees – 5,796 yards, back tees – 6,620 yards
• Par: 71/75
• Architect: Terry Murray
• Founded: 1991
• Course type: Parkland