Creating the Perfect English Course: 18 Holes Across England’s Finest Golf Courses

England is home to some of the world’s most storied and architecturally brilliant golf courses. From the windswept links of the south coast to the heathland classics of Surrey and the rugged outposts of the north west, England’s golfing landscape is as rich in variety as it is in heritage.

In this article, we build the ultimate English fantasy golf course—an 18-hole masterpiece composed of the most iconic, scenic, and challenging holes from across the nation. Thoughtfully arranged for rhythm, variety, par balance, and visual drama, this dream layout reflects the depth and character of English golf.

Why England Is a World-Class Golf Destination

With over 1,800 golf courses, England has a wider variety than almost anywhere in the world. It’s the home of Harry Colt, James Braid, Herbert Fowler, and Donald Steel, and features legendary clubs like Royal Birkdale, Sunningdale, Royal St George’s, and Woodhall Spa.

Whether you favour coastal links, inland heathland, or lush parkland, England delivers world-class golf wrapped in history, strategy, and natural elegance. Our fantasy course celebrates the best of all three.

The Ultimate English Golf Course: Hole-by-Hole

This course is constructed for ideal playing flow—balancing par-3s, -4s, and -5s to provide a challenging but rewarding journey through the essence of English golf.

Opening Hole – Royal St George’s (1st Hole)

A famously tricky opener that sets the tone with a blind tee shot over a vast dune, sloping fairways, and a subtly contoured green. The perfect links-style introduction.

Heathland Par-4 – Sunningdale Old Course (2nd Hole)

One of the most beautiful inland holes in England. Towering pines, firm turf, and strategic bunkering make this a textbook Colt par-4.

Scenic Par-3 – Royal West Norfolk (4th Hole)

A picturesque one-shotter, exposed to the wind and backed by tidal marshland. This par-3 represents the quiet isolation and raw links charm of the Norfolk coast.

Risk-Reward Par-5 – Royal Birkdale (5th Hole)

Wide but demanding, this par-5 rewards clever lay-ups and precise approach play into a large, sloping green. Birkdale’s subtle difficulty is on full display.

Short Par-4 – St Enodoc Church Course (6th Hole)

A wildly quirky, drivable par-4 played over the towering Himalaya bunker. This hole is as unique as it is thrilling—a nod to England’s traditional architectural boldness.

Parkland Par-4 – Wentworth West Course (8th Hole)

A classic two-shotter through tight tree lines with a guarded green. Strategy is everything, and it’s a great example of English parkland design.

Long Par-3 – Ganton Golf Club (10th Hole)

Set inland on sandy soil, Ganton’s 10th is one of the best long par-3s in the country. Flanked by thick rough and punishing bunkers, it’s a formidable one-shot test.

Seaside Par-4 – Saunton East (11th Hole)

Cut through dunes on Devon’s north coast, this hole plays tight with elevated tee views, a twisting fairway, and a raised green. Wind and bounce add to the challenge.

Challenging Par-5 – Woodhall Spa (12th Hole, Hotchkin Course)

With its famously deep bunkers and narrow corridors of heath, this par-5 is a standout of inland English golf. A brutal but brilliant test of decision-making.

Back Nine Start – Walton Heath Old (10th Hole)

A classic heathland par-4 with wide-open skies, heather, and sweeping views. Long and exposed, it demands your full focus after the turn.

Short Par-3 – Rye Golf Club (7th Hole)

Deceptively simple, this hole requires a mid-iron to a firm, sloping green with little margin for error. A hidden gem of a par-3, often overlooked but utterly memorable.

Bold Par-4 – Alwoodley Golf Club (13th Hole)

Designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, this hole curves left through open moorland with cunning bunkering. Subtle slopes on the green make this one tough to conquer.

Signature Par-5 – Royal Liverpool (18th Hole)

Though often a par-4 in championships, we use it here in its member’s par-5 setup. It’s historic, strategic, and a fitting Open Championship hole to build drama.

Clifftop Par-3 – Whitby Golf Club (6th Hole)

One of the most scenic holes in northern England. Played over a cliff edge with the ruins of Whitby Abbey in view. Beauty and danger in one unforgettable swing.

Tree-Lined Par-4 – Hollinwell (16th Hole)

Long, rolling and framed by oaks and silver birch, this Nottinghamshire gem offers pure inland golf, combining elevation changes and firm approaches.

Penultimate Drama – Liphook Golf Club (17th Hole)

One of England’s finest penultimate holes, this dogleg par-4 blends heather, elevation, and risk-reward strategy in a stunning natural amphitheatre.

Finishing Hole – Sunningdale New Course (18th Hole)

This par-4 finishes in style, rising gently toward the clubhouse with a sloped green and heather-covered bunkers. A subtle, strategic closing hole in classic heathland fashion.

Course Overview: English Golf, Distilled

• Par Breakdown: 4 par-3s, 10 par-4s, 4 par-5s
• Course Flow: Opens links-style, transitions into inland heathland and parkland, closes with classic Colt design
• Visual Range: Coastline cliffs, dunes, pine-lined fairways, rolling moorland, and tidy parkland settings
• Architectural Mix: A celebration of Colt, Fowler, MacKenzie, Braid, and modern refinements

England’s Golfing Soul in 18 Holes

This fantasy course is a tribute to the diversity, history, and quiet genius of English golf. From quirky Cornish bunkering to the precision of Surrey’s heathlands, and from Open Championship legends to hidden inland gems, each hole adds a unique layer to this elegant, strategic, and deeply enjoyable round.

It’s a course that doesn’t just test your game—it tells a story of England’s golfing past and future.

Plan Your English Golf Tour

While this exact course doesn’t exist, every hole here is real and ready to be played. Whether you’re planning a heathland pilgrimage, a coastal championship trail, or a tour of hidden classics, England offers unmatched variety and access to greatness.

Ready to walk the fairways that shaped the game? Plan your English golf holiday and experience the timeless character of one of the world’s most complete golf nations.