UK Golf Tours - find your hidden gem

As one of the most popular golf holiday options, taking a tour of some of the UK’s top golfing destinations is the choice of many looking to test their game amongst some of the hidden gems dotted along the bountiful golfing landscape of the UK.

With a wide range of destinations to chose from, we’ve decided to put together this brief guide of where we think are the best value golf tour venues in the UK. With a host of hidden gems out there to be found, a golf tour is your perfect break. If you think there is an omission from this list let us know!

Swansea Golf Tour
In no particular order we’re going to start with the fantastic golf on offer in Swansea. With all eyes looking towards the South of Wales with the upcoming Ryder Cup, Wales has a host of top quality golf courses which will still be here long after the European’s have holed the winning putt (fingers crossed!). One of the most popular courses in the area is the Donald Steel designed Gower Golf Club. Despite only opening in 1995, the course is very established and offers great value when golfing in the area. With spectacular views across the Loughor Estuary, combined with some fine USGA greens ensure golfers enjoy this course whatever your score and the weather!

Our best value golf tour is available staying on Sunday Nights at the centrally located Dragon Hotel with one round of golf at Gower and one round at the parkland offering at Fairwood Park for just £88 until the end of 2010 (subject to availability).

Nefyn Golf Tour
Staying in Wales we now travel to the North of the country to look at one of the most breathtaking golf courses in Europe, if not the world. Nefyn and District Golf Club meanders along the Lleyn Peninsula which dramatically drops into the Irish Sea. This setting has an air of golf on the edge about it and is an absolute joy to play. The links offering ensures your game is tested to the full extent of its abilities. When the wind gets up, an emphasis is placed on meticulous course management to take advantage of the subtle bumps and hollows which provide a natural frame for the course. As the original work of master designers J.H Taylor and James Braid, Nefyn is one of the UK’s hidden gems and a trip to this stunning golf course is one that won’t be forgotten.

With golf tour packages including the fast running course of Pwllheli starting from just £129 per person including accommodation at the Fairways Hotel as well as a round at Nefyn and District make this not only a popular one but also unbeatable value.

Cardiff Tour
The buzzing metropolis of Cardiff is a great golf holiday destination. For anyone looking to combine some après golf activities and some great value courses should look no further. The two-course venue of Cottrell Park is a popular option due to its location and also the different layouts on offer. The longer Mackintosh course measures nearly 6,500 yards from its back markers and ensures the natural landscapes of the established estate are used to good effect. The beautiful setting of the Glamorgan countryside ensures even if your golf isn’t up to scratch, you can at least enjoy the scenery! The second course at Cottrell Park is the Button Gwinnett, named after its former 17th century resident, despite being slightly shorter than the Mackintosh provides a tree-lined parkland setting that can be enjoyed whatever your handicap.

Fancy a Cardiff Golf Tour? Breaks including bed & breakfast at the modern Copthorne Hotel and two rounds at Cottrell Park for just £105 per person.

Newquay Tour
Despite golf playing second fiddle to the main sport in Newquay, surfing, the courses within a short distance of the town itself are amongst the finest in England. A must play when in Newquay is the centrally located Newquay Golf Club. Set looking over the famed surfing paradise which is Fistral Beach, the course is a traditional links layout and has fast rolling greens which can prove rather tricky in the Summer (provided you aren’t distracted by the sunbathers on the beach of course!). Another recommendation for a trip to Newquay is the James Braid designed Perranporth Golf Club. This links offering incorporates the natural scenery perfectly offering eye-catching vistas down the shoreline of holes 5 and 14. Despite measuring only 6,200 yards, Perranporth is a worthy test for all calibre of golfers and has a host of top quality amateur golfers who have come through their ranks in recent years.

So if you’ve decided golfing and not surfing for your Newquay break you can take advantage of the superb option we have staying at the Barrowfield Hotel, the one night break including dinner, bed & breakfast and two rounds (Newquay and Perranporth) is just £129 per person. This is a very popular destination, especially in the summer so be quick to book this up!

Bristol Golf Tours
The popular city of Bristol offers a range of golf break options which are perfect for anyone looking to pit their wits on the parkland offerings which are available near to the City. The 27 holes on offer at the Kendleshire is a admired layout, incorporating an island green and good condition which ensure this is a year round golf break destination. Ranked amongst the top 10 new courses in 1999, the Kendleshire has added a further 9 holes which has been created under the guidance of amateur golfing legend, Peter McEvoy. Additions such as this and a 19th hole which is welcoming and friendly make this a very enjoyable popular golfing destination.

If Bristol has ticked the boxes for you, we have a sensational Sunday driver, staying at the Marriott Bristol City with golf at the Kendleshire & The Park for just £94.

Bournemouth Golf Tours
For many years golfers have flocked to the South coast of England in search of golf, beaches and a few beverages. Bournemouth is home to some superb golfing layouts, ranging from the links of the Isle of Purbeck to the heathland  golf offered at Queens Park, there simply is something for everyone! Although the golf and the wide selection on offer is hard to beat, this combined with one of the UK’s premier nightlife offerings and the fantastic sandy beaches make this the perfect accompaniment to your golf tour. If you are looking for a good value golf course in the area Meyrick Park, the par-69 layout is a straight driver’s paradise, with trees lining each of its mature fairways, only the very best of shots will stay on the short grass.

We have found a great value break incorporating two night’s dinner, bed & breakfast and three rounds of golf at Meyrick Park, Queens Park and Bulbury Woods for just £175 per person.

Ayr Golf Tours
The Ayrshire coastline is home to some of the finest links courses in the world. Ranging from the glorious Ailsa course at Turnberry to the famous Royal Troon Golf Club, Ayrshire has some golf course heavyweights in its midst. The popular seaside town of Ayr is home to a wide range of restaurants and hotels, each offering a friendly welcome which is associated with the west coast of Scotland. Golfers looking to experience some reputable courses should look at the likes of Bellisle or Troon Lochgreen, these layouts are just moments from Ayr itself. Bellisle was formed under the guidance of five-time Open Champion James Braid and relies on a selection of long par-4’s to protect par with just two par-4’s measuring under 400 yards, only two fine shots will find the putting surface.

The following special offer includes golf at Bellisle, Troon Lochgreen and Girvan and two night’s dinner, bed & breakfast for just £180 per person which is fantastic value at this popular golfing destination.

St. Andrews Golf Tours
As the traditional Home of Golf, St. Andrews and its association with the great game go back many centuries and as a result a trip to ‘the auld grey toon’ is one which is full of character and memories. Whether its driving into the town with views across the Old Course or the sight of golfers walking around the beautiful town with golf clubs in tow or golf shoes a foot, St. Andrews oozes golf and is a great place to visit. Although the Old Course will always catch the eyes of the golfing purist there are a host of golf courses which are hidden gems and a must visit when in St. Andrews. The likes of the Dukes Course which is a heathland course approximately 10 minutes from the centre of town is a fantastic test of golf. With cavernous bunkers and undulating greens the Dukes isn’t the normal golfing experience expected while in St. Andrews but this course is thoroughly recommended and offers great value.

Golfers can enjoy two night’s accommodation staying at the five-star Fairmont St. Andrews Resort, combined with three rounds of golf on the fantastic Kingsbarns Links, Torrance Course and Dukes for £448 per person.

Southport Golf Tours
This stretch of golfing coast is the proud home of some superb golf courses, whether it is the famous names of Royal Birkdale or Royal Lytham and St. Annes or the great layouts of Hesketh and West Lancs, a trip to Southport is sure to satisfy your golfing tastebuds. The town itself of Southport is the best place to base yourself when visiting the local courses, accommodations are available to suit every budget. The popular Queen Street has a variety of bars and eateries available so whether you are after a social able drink after a round of golf or have some night owls who want to stay out until the early hours everyone will find something to suit.

The golf courses are traditionally links in design which is perfect for anyone wanting to test their game against the wind which whips in from the coast, those looking for a more parkland experience should seek out the nearby Formby Hall Golf Resort which is a great course and offers great value stay and play packages.

If you are looking to embark on a Southport golfing experience, why not look at this great one night break including golf at Southport & Ainsdale and West Lancashire for £225 until the end of December.

Aviemore Golf Tours
Although Inverness and the surrounding area may not immediately spring to mind when looking for your next golf tour, the golf on offer there fits two very important criteria – quality and value for money. As one of the most visually impressive areas of the UK, Aviemore is a year round destination incorporating both skiing in winter and outdoor activities such as golf in the warmer months. In recent years the designing on new courses such as Spey Valley and the spectacular course at Castle Stuart have complimented the layouts of Boat of Garten and Grantown on Spey to ensure that every golfing wish is catered for. Spey Valley is located near the Macdonald resort complex so golfers have a comfortable base when travelling to this area and can benefit from reduced green fees at the course and as part of our packages.