Golf in the Midlands: A visitor’s guide

When it comes to golf in the UK, there are few places with as much variety and choice as the Midlands.  

Stretching from Derbyshire in the north to Northamptonshire in the south, Shropshire in the west to Lincolnshire in the east, it covers a huge swathe of England. 

As you’d expect from such a vast area, there is a large number of courses, with around 250 to choose from. Despite that, it’s not the first place that comes to mind when you think of golf destinations in the UK.  

However, it should definitely figure in your thinking, because the quality of courses on offer is absolutely outstanding. From the world famous Belfry, to hidden gems such as Leamington & County, it’s a veritable feast of great courses – whatever your budget.  

The region contains Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham, and is easily reachable no matter where you are in the country. If you wanted, you could easily split up the region into smaller, more manageable sections, but we’ll keep it simple and keep everything under the one umbrella. Thanks to its location in England, golf courses here are largely parkland and heathland, featuring leafy backdrops and slick playing surfaces, that are usually easy to walk, but still testing and enjoyable to play. 

While they might not have the world famous history of venues such as St Andrews, courses in the Midlands are blessed with great courses and stories to tell… 

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Go-to venues 

The Belfry 

Par 72; Yards 7,255 

It may be the obvious place to start, but there’s a very good reason for that. The Belfry is the Midlands’ standout course, and with good reason. It’s packed with history – four Ryder Cups have been held here, more than any other venue in the world – and it’s a bona fide quality course, as evidenced by the fact it continues to host DP World Tour events in the form of the British Masters. The Brabazon course is complemented by the PGA National and the Derby, and on its own the resort is one of the best golf destinations in the country.

thebelfry.com 

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Glen Gorse 

Par 72; Yards 6,648 

Glen Gorse is one of Leicestershire’s premier offerings when it comes to golf. Set in a leafy suburb, it offers players the chance to experience a layout punctuated by mature woodland, while posing a tricky test with a yardage that stands up to modern technology. The 12th and 13th holes are consecutive par-5s, while the final three holes are all long, tough par-4s, particularly the closing hole, which features a two-tiered green. After your round, head to the clubhouse which is one of the best in the region.   

glengorsegolfclub.co.uk 

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The Warwickshire 

Par 72; Yards 7,108 

The Warwickshire is home to two 18-hole courses, the Earls and the Kings course. The club offers players superb facilities, with a nine-hole short course and a 26-bay driving range available, as well as the 36 holes on offer. The Earls course is the longer of the two, and it starts with a demanding opening par-4. You’ll also certainly remember the par-5 fourth which clocks in at over 600 yards. The Kings course is also a hugely enjoyable round, with plenty water hazards to navigate, including on the stunning signature hole, the par-3 17th. 

thewarwickshire.com 

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Laceby Manor 

Par 72; Yards 6,439 

If you’re looking for somewhere luxurious to stay where you can combine golf and wellness, then look no further than Laceby Manor. This venue beside the Lincolnshire Woods has been around since the early 1990s, and has matured into one of the top venues in Grimsby. Set in 150 acres of woodland, Not only does it feature an enjoyable golf course, but it also features an award-winning spa, described as the ‘best new spa in the north of England,’ and a top-notch gym facility, ideal for relaxing after you come off the golf course. 

lacebymanor.co.uk 

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Ullesthorpe Court 

Par 72; Yards 6,376 

Ullesthorpe Court is ideally located just off the M1, and is a top golf course. The opening two holes have been redesigned, with the short par-4 opener featuring a water hazard that should be played short of from the tee. This sets up a round where accuracy is at a premium, and there’s a great variety of holes on offer. The club is ideal for those looking for a longer break, with the hotel on-site perfect for golfers looking for an overnight or longer stay. After your round, stop in to the clubhouse, which is one of the best in the region. 

ullesthorpegolfclub.co.uk 

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Walmley  

Par 72; Yards 6,598 

Walmley Golf Club is home to a well-manicured parkland course, with a well established abundance of mature trees & shrubbery. It’s a course where attention to detail is key, and that can be seen where tees, fairways, greens and even the cups themselves  are in super condition. After you get off the course, you’ll be able to enjoy a clubhouse which is  state-of-the-art with three well appointed bars and a large balcony which looks out over the course. This is the perfect spot to reflect on your round on one of Birmingham’s best offerings. 

walmleygolfclub.co.uk 

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Notable mentions 

Maxstoke Park  

Blessed with hundreds of mature oak and chestnut trees, this Birmingham club is a great addition to your trip. Visitors can enjoy this excellent course from £30 during the week, a bargain. More info

Leamington & County  

Established in 1908, the course here was redesigned by Hawtree & Son, and is now one of the best layouts in Warwickshire. Green fees start at £40, a great deal to play this top course. More info

Newcastle 

Founded in 1908, Newcastle Golf Club is a Staffordshire venue that is steeped in history and is home to a top- class course. Green fees start at under £40, great value for a top venue. More info

Kilworth Springs  

Overlooking the Avon Valley, Kilworth Springs has been around since 1993. With prices starting from £30, it’s the ideal place for visitors to get a round in, and enjoy the extensive facilities. on offer. More info

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Where to stay 

If you want somewhere convenient to base yourself for a Midlands golf break, you could do much worse than checking into the Moxy Birmingham NEC hotel. It’s ideally located beside the M6, giving you access to all the great courses we’ve mentioned above. While it gives you an affordable place to stay, it also comes with the facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel. You’ll have plenty dining and wellness options for after your golf. 

It’s also worth checking out Belton Woods (beltonwoods.co.uk), where rooms are available for under £100, while the Morley Hayes (morleyhayes.com) near Derby is another exceptional option. 

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Where to eat 

“The best Indian food I’ve ever eaten,” is how one reviewer described Birmingham’s Opheem curry house (opheem.com). The Michelin-starred venue is one of the best-regarded Indians in the entire country. If you’re further north, Iberico (ibericotapas.com) in Nottingham is phenomenal, while Derby’s Wonky Table (wonkytable.com) is also well worth a visit. For fine dining, we recommend Magpies in Horncastle (magpiesrestaurant.co.uk), which is said to be one of the very best restaurants in Lincolnshire. With so many large towns and cities there’s no shortage of places for a drink either, regardless of where in the region you find yourself. 

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Getting about  

For getting between the key towns and cities in the Midlands, hopping on the train is your best bet. There are a number of major stations in Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and the other major settlements. The area is also well-served by motorways and the bus network. 

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Things to see and do 

Tourist attractions are one thing the Midlands has in abundance. For thrillseekers there’s the obvious choice of Alton Towers, while if chocolate is more your thing you’ll want to take a tour of Cadbury World. There’s also Warwick Castle, which is ideal for your fix of history, and Coventry Transport Museum. It’s a sporting hotbed, too – Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City all play in the Premier League while there are numerous other professional outfits if you fancy taking in a game. And if you’re after a night on the tiles, Birmingham is the place to go, with Be At One in Brindley Place and The Loft particularly worth a visit.