Scotland and Ireland own the conversation, and for good reason. St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush again Ballybunion they are as good as advertised – maybe better. The difficulty is that everyone knows. Tee times open 18 months in advance, and the most desirable ones are gone within hours. A trip that once felt like a rite of passage now requires the planning of a military operation.
The answer is hiding in plain sight. In England. Are you crazy? Stay with me.
London may be the greatest golf city in the world. Melbourne is in the discussion, but no other city comes close. Within 45 minutes of Heathrow there are four courses in GOLF’s World Top 100 list, and unlike New York, Chicago or San Fran, where golf of this type lives behind private gates, they are all open to the visiting golfer.
On the outskirts of the capital, the Surrey Sandbelt takes five days to play. Stay with the courses – Sunningdale Old again New, St. George’s Hill, Swinley Forest – are 30 minutes apart. The least respected of those is ranked number 57 on our World List. Walton Heath (Senior) lives within an hour, along with his siblings A New Study rewards those who squeeze it into their itinerary. Six world-class circuits, located within easy reach of the airport. For a golfer to have a tee time, the three W’s –Worplesdon, It works again West Hill – they are games worth playing again.
For those traveling as a couple, Central London has it all. The hotels are among the best anywhere. The restaurant has long earned its place among the best in the world. World-famous art galleries, shopping, theater and live performances abound. A non-golfer partner will not be kept in demand while playing England’s best.
Two hours from London, the southeast coast will reset your preconceived notions about English golf. Royal St. George’s, The Royal Cinque Ports again Prince’s sit beside linksland in the same conversation as any in the british isles. Add Rye and, for many, the Southeast becomes the whole reason for the trip.
The South may have glamour, but it doesn’t have all the golf. Four hours north of London, Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham again Royal Birkdale there is no introduction. Hillside, Wallasey again Formby complete a part that would be universally celebrated if it were found elsewhere.
The pages are open, the courses are in good shape and the golfer who takes the trip to England leaves asking the same question: What took me so long?
Book your dream vacation for 2027 (and beyond) with 8AM Golf by contacting discovery@8amtravel.com.
