9 Best Golf Weekend Breaks in the UK for 2025 By Budget

Planning a golf weekend in 2025? Whether you’re hunting for a budget-friendly break or a luxury escape, we’ve rounded up the UK’s best options by price range.

Affordable Golf Weekend Breaks (Under £200)

These trips offer great value without compromising on quality, perfect for a quick and affordable getaway.

1. Cardigan Bay Classics - £168

Photo credit: Aberdovey Golf Club

For under £200, it’s hard to imagine a more rewarding golf trip than Aberdovey and Borth & Ynyslas.

Nestled in against mid-Wales coastline at Cardigan Bay, this trip offers two true links experiences—raw, historic, and unspoilt—at a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. Aberdovey brings architectural pedigree and natural drama; Borth delivers soul and simplicity on Wales’ oldest course.

But the value goes beyond the golf. You’ll play in a setting that feels removed from the world—between the Cambrian mountains and the sea, with empty beaches, passing trains, and the occasional sheep for company.

Accommodation and food in the area remain refreshingly affordable too, making this trip a perfect choice for golfers chasing authenticity without breaking the bank. If you’re after a break that punches well above its weight, this one’s hard to beat.

2. Coastal Gems of Mid Wales - £165

Photo credit: Aberystwyth Golf Club

Few trips deliver contrast and character like Aberdovey and Aberystwyth. Just 40 minutes apart, these two Welsh gems offer strikingly different experiences. Aberdovey is a classic links—low, fast-running, shaped by legends like Colt and Braid, with the estuary on one side and dunes on the other. Aberystwyth, meanwhile, climbs high above town, offering a hilltop layout designed by Harry Vardon and sweeping views across Cardigan Bay. Together, they form a trip that balances tradition and elevation, simplicity and drama.

What makes this combination special is how rooted it feels in the landscape—raw linksland one day, airy coastal parkland the next. There’s charm in the town too, from seafront pubs to locally run B&Bs, all priced well below the norm. For golfers chasing quality, variety, and a real sense of place without a premium price tag, this one is a hidden gem.

3. Refined Rounds in Perthshire - £199

A golf trip through Perthshire offers a blend of championship pedigree and scenic charm. At Blairgowrie’s Rosemount Course, you’ll experience a meticulously maintained, tree-lined heathland layout designed by James Braid, emphasizing strategic play over power. Just a short drive away, Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club provides a picturesque hillside course with stunning views over the River Tay, offering a more relaxed yet equally engaging round.

This combination delivers a diverse golfing experience—pairing the refined challenges of a top inland course with the natural beauty of a Highland gem. Both courses are accessible and welcoming, making this trip ideal for golfers seeking quality play in a tranquil setting.

Mid-Range Golf Weekend Breaks (£200–£400)

With a little more budget, you can unlock some of the UK’s top-ranked courses.

4. The Saunton Links Experience - £300

Saunton Golf Club (West) Photo credit: Saunton Golf Course (West)

A trip to Saunton offers exceptional value for golfers craving proper, championship-level links. Set within a UNESCO-protected dune system on the North Devon coast, the East and West courses at Saunton deliver two distinct tests: the East is a relentless, Fowler-designed classic with serious pedigree; the West is more playful and varied, but no less thoughtful. Together, they form one of the UK’s best two-course experiences outside of the big-name resorts.

The setting elevates the whole trip—vast skies, rolling dunes, and hardly a building in sight. It’s links golf as it should be: natural, demanding, and gloriously uncommercial. With welcoming green fees, affordable nearby stays, and two rounds that easily rival pricier names, this is the kind of break that reminds you why you love the game. For a long weekend on serious turf, Saunton punches well above its weight.

5. New & Castle: The Other St Andrews - £330

St Andrews (New) Photo credit: St Andrews Golf Club

For £330, few trips offer as much heritage, variety, and scenery as this mid-range St Andrews pairing. The New Course—anything but new—delivers classic links strategy just yards from the Old, with rippling fairways, pot bunkers, and a more understated brilliance that rewards patience and precision. The Castle Course, by contrast, is dramatic and modern, perched high above the North Sea with clifftop holes, bold greens, and unforgettable views.

This combo gives you the full St Andrews experience—history underfoot, skyline silhouettes of the Auld Grey Toun, and the buzz of playing in golf’s most storied town—without the Old Course price tag. Add in top-tier maintenance, easy local dining, and walkable convenience, and you’ve got a world-class trip that fits comfortably within a mid-range budget. For those looking to play St Andrews without the lottery, this one’s a no-brainer.

6. Surrey & Hampshire Heaths - £387

Photo credit: Liphook Golf Club

For £387, Hindhead and Liphook offer a refined, low-key escape into some of the finest inland golf in the South of England. Both are classic heathland courses with serious pedigree—Hindhead’s front nine winds through dramatic valleys with sweeping Surrey views, while Liphook offers beautifully natural routing, firm fairways, and subtle architectural brilliance.

This trip is all about rhythm and feel. There’s no sea breeze or grand resort—just heather, pines, and two highly ranked courses that reward imagination and precision. It’s the kind of weekend where every lie, bounce, and putt feels earned, and the setting—peaceful, secluded, and beautifully maintained—makes it all the more memorable.

With easy access from London, great value for two Top 100-level courses, and none of the noise of more hyped destinations, Hindhead and Liphook deliver elegant golf in its purest inland form.

Luxury Golf Weekend Breaks (Over £500)

For those ready to splurge, these luxury golf breaks combine iconic courses with world-class service.

7. St Andrews: Old & Kingsbarns - £788

St. Andrews Old Course Photo credit: St. Andrews Golf Club

At £788, this is a premium weekend golf trip—but when it includes Kingsbarns and the Old Course, it’s worth every penny. The Old Course is hallowed ground—an unmatched walk through golf’s history, where every bunker has a name and every tee shot carries weight. Kingsbarns, meanwhile, offers a soaring modern contrast: wide, fast fairways carved into clifftops, with ocean views on nearly every hole. It’s dramatic, exhilarating, and immaculately conditioned.

This pairing isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about playing two world-class courses that complement one another perfectly. One timeless, one contemporary. Both unforgettable. Factor in the setting—St Andrews itself, with its pubs, history, and quiet energy—and you’ve got a trip that’s more than just golf. It’s a pilgrimage done right.

If you’re going to splurge on one trip in your golfing life, this is the one.

8. Heathland Icons: Sunningdale & Swinley Forest - £615

Photo credit: Sunningdale Old Course

A weekend trip to Sunningdale and Swinley Forest offers a taste of British golf at its most refined. Sunningdale’s Old Course is a timeless classic—flowing over heather-lined fairways with effortless charm and strategic depth. Designed in 1901, it’s one of the UK’s most revered inland layouts and a true test of shotmaking. Swinley Forest, meanwhile, is famously understated. With no tee times, no handicap requirements, and minimal signage, it’s golf in its purest, most peaceful form.

Together, these courses offer a rare blend of prestige and calm—heathland perfection just outside London, where every step feels steeped in tradition. The experience is quiet, beautifully conditioned, and unmistakably elite. For golfers looking to play two of the most exclusive and enchanting inland courses in the country, this is a trip that delivers on every level.

9. Dunluce & Valley: The Portrush Pairing- £570

Dunluce Links Course, Royal Portrush Golf Club Photo credit: Royal Portrush Golf Club

Playing both the Dunluce and Valley Links at Royal Portrush offers a world-class golf experience. The Dunluce Links, designed by Harry Colt and enhanced by Martin Ebert for the 2019 Open Championship, is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning coastal views. Notable holes include the par-4 5th, offering panoramic vistas of White Rocks Beach, and the infamous par-3 16th, “Calamity Corner,” which demands precision over a deep chasm.

The Valley Links, often overshadowed by its illustrious sibling, provides a complementary experience. Also a Colt design, it winds through natural dunes and offers a more sheltered round, with fewer bunkers but equally challenging undulations. Recent enhancements have improved its playability, making it a worthy companion to the Dunluce.

Together, these courses deliver a blend of championship pedigree and authentic links golf, set against the dramatic backdrop of Northern Ireland’s coastline.

Bonus Tips for Booking the Best Golf Weekend

Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list links or a hidden inland gem, a bit of planning can go a long way toward making your golf weekend smoother—and more affordable.

Book early, especially for premium courses or trips that include the likes of Kingsbarns, Sunningdale, or the Old Course. Tee times at top venues are limited and often snapped up months in advance. If you’ve got your eye on a luxury trip, lock it in as soon as your dates are firm.
Traveling in the shoulder season—typically April or October—can offer significant savings. Courses are usually in excellent condition, crowds are thinner, and accommodation is often cheaper than in peak summer months.
Stay-and-play deals are also worth looking out for. Some courses or local hotels offer packages that combine golf, accommodation, and meals at a reduced rate—particularly useful for short, two-round weekends.
If you’re going away with friends, check whether clubs or hotels offer group incentives. Some venues run “4th player stays free” promotions or discounted group packages that bring the per-person price down without compromising the experience.
Don't forget to factor in travel time, local dining, and even non-golf extras like spa access or coastal walks—especially if you’re travelling with non-golfers. The best weekends aren’t just about the golf—they’re about where the game takes you.

Summary

Whether you’re spending under £200 or splashing out on a luxury links weekend, the UK has a golf trip to match your budget—and your ambitions. From raw coastal classics in Wales to iconic names in St Andrews, the variety on offer is unmatched. Some trips are about ticking off bucket-list venues; others are about slowing down and soaking up the scenery. All of them offer something that goes beyond just great golf.

Wherever you are in your journey—first trip or fiftieth—there’s always another fairway to walk, another view to take in, another round to remember.

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FAQs

What is the best time of year for a golf weekend break in the UK? May to September offers the best weather and longest days, but April and October are excellent value, with quieter courses and better availability—especially for mid-range or luxury trips.

How much should I budget for a UK golf trip? It depends on your goals. You can enjoy a great weekend for under £200, especially in Wales or Northumberland. Mid-range trips with top 100 courses usually sit between £250–£400, while luxury breaks (e.g. Kingsbarns, Sunningdale) can reach £600+.

What’s the best region for affordable golf? Wales and the North East consistently deliver excellent value, with quality links and inland courses often half the price of better-known regions. Look to Aberdovey, Borth, or Alnmouth Village for authentic experiences that won’t break the bank.