From courses overlooking the picturesque Cotswolds to clubhouses with top class facilities and fantastic dining opportunities, SoGlos rounds up 10 of the best golf courses in Gloucestershire.
Westonbirt Golf Course
Set in a sprawling 210 acres of stunning green and peaceful countryside, Westonbirt Golf Course is perfect for golfers of all abilities and skill levels.
With the historic Westonbirt School creating an impressive backdrop as you tee off, nine holes await across the course — and for £12.50 per person, it's an affordable way to take up a new outdoor hobby.
Open to all and available on a pay-to-play basis, keen golfers are also invited to book lessons from one of Westonbirt's PGA qualified professionals, so you can really take your skills to the next level. Lessons can be booked by emailing golflessons@westonbirtschool.uk, while golfing sessions can be booked online via westonbirt.org.
Please note that although there is no strict dress code, trainers or golf shoes must be worn.
Brickhampton Court Golf Complex
The two tree-lined golf courses that make up Brickhampton Court Golf Complex feature rolling hills within 200 acres of Gloucestershire countryside.
Located in Churchdown, it has both a 9-hole course and an 18-hole course, giving golfers the flexibility to decide how long to be out on the green. It also offers the option to play with the TrackMan technology available at its floodlit 28-bay driving range, allowing players to digitally oversee their progress using state-of-the-art golf ball tracking technology.
The complex also features excellent bar and restaurant facilities for post-golf refuelling.
Cleeve Hill Golf Club
Providing players with a challenging course for all levels, the rugged green of Cleeve Hill Golf Club has been praised by golfing legend Old Tom Morris and overlooks an incredible view of an area of outstanding natural beauty as it encompasses the highest point of the Cotswolds.
With its undulating fairways, consistent windy conditions and tight lies all contributing to its reputation as an inland links, the course is well respected by golfers across Gloucestershire and beyond.
Visitors are welcomed alongside valued regular members, with clubs and trollies available to hire upon request.
Painswick Golf Club
Rated number two on English amateur golfer Peter McEvoy's list of the 'Top Five Classic Holes,' Painswick Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience for putters far and wide.
Built on the site of a 3,000 year old Iron Age fort, the course features several blind spots that serve as valued additions to the challenging aspect of the course. A real highlight is the multiple embankments of earth and stone that surround all or part of many of the holes, adding that extra layer of character.
As the golf club is situated on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), due to the rare limestone grassland that supports plant and insect ecosystems, it prides itself on being part of local conservation efforts to maintain the natural beauty and protect the wildlife — so players can rest assured that their hobby is also helping the planet.
Forest Hills Golf Club
Set within the splendid scenery of the Forest of Dean, Forest Hills Golf Club is an institution for local residents as well as golfing enthusiasts.
With its manicured green, mapped out as a par 72 course, the club is renowned for its excellent drainage that allows for a full year-round playing capability.
While welcoming visitors and members to take on its nine to 18 holes, the clubhouse is also open to everyone. Offering fabulous food and drink choices from its two bars and professional-grade kitchen. A popular venue for corporate events, private parties and weddings, the club's themed dining evenings also set it apart as a go-to destination for entertainment, even away from the putting green.
Minchinhampton Golf Club
Showcasing not one, not two, but three exceptional golf courses, Minchinhampton Golf Club is renowned for its immaculate presentation and excellent drainage.
Both its Avening Course and Cherington Course have played host to National Championships and county events, including the Open Championship regional qualifiers between 2002 to 2007 and 2018 to the upcoming qualifying rounds in 2024.
The Old Course, established in 1889, is the original Minchinhampton golf course, found within the rolling grassland of Minchinhampton Common in Stroud. Providing players with natural contours and stunning panoramic views to put their golf skills to the test.
Tewkesbury Park Golf Club
The wide-ranging golfing facilities at Tewkesbury Park have been awarded accolades from National Club Golfer and Golf World, with both publications awarding its course with a spot in their lists of the top 100 golf resorts in Great Britain and Ireland.
Placed within a gorgeous parkland setting with water features, cross-cut fairways and panoramic views, The Deerpark — its 6,554 yard, par 72 course — is as impressive as it is stimulating. Whether you're a seasoned golfing veteran or a part-time putter, the welcoming team at the club provide opportunities for interclub competitions and casual play.
Plus, delicious dining is par for the course at the Tewkesbury Park resort, with its in-house chef recently scooping the SGGLA award for Chef of the Year 2023.
Star Golf
Part of the National Star college and recently affiliated with the Gloucestershire Golf Union, the course at Star Golf is located within the grounds of Ullenwood Manor in Cheltenham and offers a wonderful opportunity for young golfers of all ages and abilities to engage in an accessible outdoor sport.
The 18-hole course, with its gradients and Cotswolds backdrop, is open everyday of the week and is accredited by England Golf.
Memberships are available with visitors also welcome, but tee times must be booked and paid for in advance.
Cotswold Edge Golf Club
With some of the most photogenic scenery in the county, Cotswold Edge Golf Club sits on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, overlooking the quaint market town of Wotton-Under-Edge in Stroud.
Coming in at just over 6,000 yards in total, members and guests alike can buggy around the site as they take on the par 71 course, with its traditional parkland layout and a back nine challenging every golfer's iron play.
Be sure to pay a visit to its Pro Shop for kit and equipment, with everything from a new set of irons, a pack of fresh balls or a brand-new shirt to add to the sporting wardrobe.
Cirencester Golf Club
With winter golfing a specialty thanks to its amazing drainage, the course at Cirencester Golf Club has plenty to offer keen golfers all year round.
Its 18-hole course is fit for every grade of golfer, with 51 bunkers and a testing mix of undulations — particularly on the first green, which will challenge many putting strokes.
Making sustainable golfing a priority and giving back to the glorious natural environment that surrounds it, Cirencester Golf Club was awarded the Environmental Project of the Year prize at the Golf Environment Awards in 2022. With the very rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly calling the course home, the club improved the habitat for the insect in a project that has since seen a successful rise in sightings across the green, contributing to the overall ecology of the area.
