Types of Golf Courses in the UK — Links, Parkland, Heathland Explained

Walk into any clubhouse in Britain and you’ll hear golfers dissecting the course they’ve just played. “Brilliant links, that.” “Classic parkland — soft underfoot all the way.” “Heathland, proper heathland.” These aren’t interchangeable labels. Each term describes a distinct landscape, a different kind of challenge, and a playing experience that’s shaped by centuries of geography and golf tradition.

Understanding the types of golf courses in the UK isn’t just trivia. It changes how you approach a round, which clubs you select, what shots you practise, and ultimately which courses you’ll enjoy most. This guide breaks down every major category — with real named examples — so you can read a listing and know exactly what you’re booking.

Links Golf Courses

No type of golf course carries more weight in the UK than the links. This is where the game was born, and the word itself is older than modern golf — derived from the Old English hlinc, meaning a ridge or bank of land.

What Makes a Genuine Links?

A true links course occupies a very specific geography: the narrow strip of sandy, undulating ground that connects coastal dunes to inland farmland. This land was historically useless for agriculture — too sandy, too exposed, too prone to salt winds — which is precisely why Scottish towns allowed it to be used for golf. The soil drains so rapidly that fairways remain firm and fast even in wet conditions. Grass grows thin and wiry. There are no trees to speak of. The wind is constant, and it changes direction.

The defining playing characteristics of a links are:

Firm, fast fairways — the ball runs and runs after landing, rewarding bump-and-run approaches
Pot bunkers — deep, steep-faced, often with railway sleeper revetting, positioned to catch the prevailing wind drift
Natural undulation — humps, hollows, swales and ridges that aren’t manicured away but built into play
Rough that punishes severely — deep fescue or marram grass that the wind has shaped
No overhead obstacles — tree-free means the low punch shot is essential, not optional
Greens that release and run — approach from the ground as much as the air

Named Examples of Genuine Links Courses

St Andrews Old Course (Fife) is the archetype — a shared fairway layout stretched out and back on the Eden Estuary, with enormous double greens, the Valley of Sin at the 18th, and the Swilcan Bridge that every golfer wants to cross. The Old Course looks deceptively open from the tee but is riddled with hidden bunkers, including the infamous Hell Bunker at the 14th.

Carnoustie Golf Links (Angus) is widely regarded as the toughest links in Scotland. The Barry Burn winds through the closing holes, the rough is savage, and the prevailing south-westerly turns the front nine into a brute. It has hosted the Open Championship ten times.

Royal Birkdale (Lancashire) sits among the Southport sand dunes and is often cited as the fairest test on the Open rota — undulating fairways between high dunes, with greens sheltered in natural amphitheatres. The willow scrub in the rough is as penal as any rough in golf.

Turnberry Ailsa (Ayrshire) wraps around Ailsa Craig on the Firth of Clyde. The lighthouse holes — particularly the 9th and 10th — are among the most photographed in golf. The Ailsa Course was famously the site of the “Duel in the Sun” between Watson and Nicklaus in 1977.

Brora Golf Club (Sutherland) is a remote gem on the north-east coast, laid out by James Braid in 1923. Sheep still graze the course under a local arrangement, and stone dykes cross several fairways. Electric fences protect some greens from cattle. This is links golf in its most unmanicured form.

Machrihanish (Argyll) on the Kintyre peninsula has one of the greatest opening holes in golf — a drive across the beach from the first tee, with Machrihanish Bay to your left. Remote, raw, and spectacular.

Links vs Links-Style: An Important Distinction

The term “links-style” is used loosely by many clubs — and it’s worth understanding the difference. A genuine links must sit on linksland: coastal, sandy, treeless ground formed by ancient sea-level changes. A links-style course may share some aesthetic features — open fairways, pot bunkers, undulating greens — but it sits inland on different soil. Some inland courses do this brilliantly (Notts Golf Club at Hollinwell is often cited as the best inland links-style layout), but it isn’t a true links. When a listing says “links-style,” manage your expectations accordingly.

Parkland Golf Courses

Parkland is by far the most common type of golf course in the UK. If you’ve played golf in England, the odds are you’ve played parkland. These courses occupy former country estates, agricultural land, and urban parks, and they’re defined by a fundamentally different relationship with trees and water.

What Makes a Parkland Course?

Parkland courses are tree-lined, often with mature oaks, beeches, chestnuts, and conifers framing every hole. The soil is typically clay-heavy, which means softer fairways that hold their shape. The aerial game is rewarded — approach shots are expected to land and stop rather than run. Water features (lakes, streams, ponds) are common design elements, as is manicured rough that’s penal but not savage.

The playing experience is visually stunning in autumn and sheltered in wind. But on a wet winter’s day, a parkland course can become very heavy underfoot — which is why you’ll find “trolleys only” or “fairway mats” policies from November through March at many clubs.

Named Examples of Parkland Courses

Wentworth Club (Surrey) — the West Course is the Cathedral in the Trees, home of the BMW PGA Championship. Long, demanding, with a closing stretch (15th through 18th) that has ended many European Tour events.

The Belfry (Warwickshire) — famous for hosting the Ryder Cup four times. The Brabazon Course is a resort parkland layout with deliberate drama: the short par-4 10th with its lake, and the iconic 18th where Seve Ballesteros played out of the water to set up a birdie.

Celtic Manor Resort (Newport) — host of the 2010 Ryder Cup. The Twenty Ten Course was purpose-built for match play, with wide fairways, risk-reward par 4s and a watery finish.

Gleneagles King’s Course (Perthshire) — often incorrectly called heathland or moorland, Gleneagles sits on parkland terrain. The King’s Course was designed by James Braid in 1919 and combines superb views of the Ochil Hills with classically manicured parkland holes. Gleneagles hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary Course.

Heathland Golf Courses

Heathland is Britain’s most underappreciated course type, and arguably where you’ll find some of the country’s best-kept secrets. The heathland belt stretching through Surrey and Berkshire — roughly a crescent from Weybridge south and west through Bagshot, Camberley and Ascot — contains a concentration of world-class golf that rivals anything in Scotland.

What Makes a Heathland Course?

The defining feature is the soil: sandy, acidic, and fast-draining. Heather and gorse line the fairways (and your ball, if you miss them). Scots pine and silver birch provide structure without the canopy density of parkland. The fairways drain rapidly and play firm and fast — much closer to a links in playing character than the soft parkland most English golfers are accustomed to.

Heathland courses are often confused with parkland because they’re inland and tree-lined. But play one and the difference is immediately apparent: the ball runs further, the rough penalises differently, and the firm greens reward precise approach angles rather than brute backspin.

Named Examples of Heathland Courses

Sunningdale Golf Club (Berkshire) — the Old Course (Willie Park Jnr, 1900) and New Course (Harry Colt, 1923) are the twin benchmarks of heathland golf. The Old Course’s 18th hole — uphill to a green framed by Scots pine — is one of the great approach shots in English golf.

Walton Heath Golf Club (Surrey) — two courses on classic Surrey heath. The Old Course has hosted the Ryder Cup and multiple European Opens. The heather is genuine, deep, and merciless.

Woking Golf Club (Surrey) — the grandfather of English heathland courses, laid out in 1893. Less famous than Sunningdale or Walton Heath but a beautiful, classic layout.

Swinley Forest Golf Club (Berkshire) — semi-private and notoriously difficult to get onto. Designed by Harry Colt in 1909 and largely unchanged, Swinley Forest is regularly listed among the top ten courses in England. Understated, immaculate, and steeped in atmosphere.

Moorland Golf Courses

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Moorland courses occupy exposed upland terrain, most commonly in the Pennines, Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Peak District. They share some characteristics with heathland — firm ground, heather rough, limited trees — but the key difference is elevation and bleakness. Moorland golf is played high up, often above the treeline, on terrain that rewards patience and punishes ambition.

What Makes a Moorland Course?

Elevation means wind exposure that goes beyond coastal. The rough is typically rough heather, bilberry and wiry moorland grasses. Greens can sit in natural hollows or on exposed plateaus. The views are often extraordinary. The weather is not.

Named Examples of Moorland Courses

Alwoodley Golf Club (Leeds) — designed by Alister MacKenzie (who later created Augusta National and Cypress Point) and Harry Colt. A masterpiece of moorland design where the routing appears effortless but every hole works with the terrain.

Moortown Golf Club (Leeds) — hosted the 1929 Ryder Cup, the first ever held in Britain. Classic Yorkshire moorland: exposed, heather-flanked, demanding.

Ilkley Golf Club (West Yorkshire) — sits on the edge of Ilkley Moor, with characteristic heather, firm turf, and the brooding Cow and Calf rocks visible from several holes.

Downland Golf Courses

Downland courses occupy the chalk hills of southern England — the North and South Downs, the Chilterns, and the coastal slopes of East Sussex and Kent. Chalk drains beautifully, creating firm, fast-running turf that rewards the ground game almost as much as links does. The turf has a springy, close-cropped quality that’s unique to downland terrain.

What Makes a Downland Course?

Rolling terrain, short grass, firm ground, and open skies are the hallmarks. Chalk downland doesn’t support the dense tree cover of parkland, so views tend to be expansive. The wind matters more than on a sheltered parkland layout. Holes often tumble downhill and climb back up, demanding accurate club selection.

Named Examples of Downland Courses

Goodwood Golf Club (West Sussex) — perched on the South Downs above Goodwood Racecourse, with sweeping views over the Weald. A short but beautifully positioned downland layout.

Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club (Kent) — Deal is often considered the best kept secret on the Open rota. Technically a links (it’s coastal), but the chalk downland influence is felt inland of the dunes.

East Sussex National (East Sussex) — two parkland-influenced courses on the Downs above Uckfield, with downland-firm turf and wide open fairways.

Clifftop and Coastal Courses

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Not every dramatic coastal course is a true links. A growing and spectacular category is the clifftop or coastal course — layouts built on headlands, cliff edges, and coastal promontories where the sea views are extraordinary but the ground underfoot is not true linksland.

What Distinguishes a Clifftop Course?

Clifftop courses tend to sit on harder rock or clay-based coastal ground rather than sandy linksland. The drama comes from elevation and exposure rather than the running game. Ocean views from the tees and greens are the defining experience. These are often the most photographed courses in the world.

Named Examples

Old Head of Kinsale (Co. Cork, Ireland) — built on a narrow peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, with sheer cliffs on three sides. Thirteen holes have ocean views. Not a links in the traditional sense, but one of the world’s most dramatic golf experiences.

Pennard Golf Club (Gower, Wales) — known as “the links on the cliff,” Pennard occupies a clifftop above Three Cliffs Bay. Ancient castle ruins adjoin the course. It combines genuine links characteristics (sandy soil, natural rough) with clifftop elevation.

Trevose Golf Club (Cornwall) — a Cornish coastal classic near Padstow. The Championship Course wraps around the headland with sea views on multiple holes and the firm, open turf that Cornwall’s coastal golf is known for.

Executive and Par-3 Courses

Not every round of golf needs to take four and a half hours. Executive courses (sometimes called par-3 courses or short courses) are a vital part of the UK’s golfing landscape, providing entry points for beginners, quick rounds for time-pressed players, and short-game practice for low handicappers.

What Is an Executive Course?

An executive course typically plays between par 27 (nine par-3s) and par 54 (18 par-3s or a mixture of short par 4s). They’re shorter, quicker, and cheaper. Many driving ranges have par-3 courses attached. Some stand-alone short courses are beautifully designed in their own right. They’re the ideal starting point for anyone learning the game, and a useful test of iron accuracy and short-game control for experienced players.

Municipal Golf Courses

Municipal courses are council-owned and operated, open to all without membership. They’re a cornerstone of accessible golf in Britain — the places where many professionals started, and where golf connects with communities that might not otherwise engage with the sport.

Municipal courses vary enormously in quality, from well-maintained layouts on good terrain to worn-out tracks on the edge of town. But they serve an essential purpose: anyone can walk up, pay a green fee, and play. No membership required, no introduction needed, no joining fee. Courses like Sefton Park Golf Course in Liverpool or Hilly Fields in Lewisham represent genuine public goods.

Private vs Public: Understanding Access

UK golf courses broadly split into two access categories, and it’s worth understanding before you book.

Private clubs require membership or, for visitors, an advance booking and often proof of handicap. Some of the UK’s finest courses — Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, Muirfield — are private and very selective about visitor access. Some permit visitors on specific days or through introductions from members.

Public (pay and play) courses are open to all without membership. Green fees are paid on the day or in advance. Many of the UK’s best resort courses — Gleneagles, Carnoustie, Turnberry — operate on a pay-and-play basis, meaning anyone can book a tee time.

Proprietary clubs are privately owned but operate commercially, offering both membership and visitor tee times. Celtic Manor, The Belfry, and most resort courses fall into this category.

When booking, always check the club’s visitor policy — particularly for private clubs where weekday-only visitor slots are common.

Which Type of Course Is Right for You?

Here’s a quick summary to help match course type to playing style:

High-ball player who favours the aerial game? Parkland suits you perfectly.
Links convert who loves the bump-and-run? Seek out heathland, which plays fast and rewards the same creativity.
Beginner wanting an accessible first experience? A municipal or executive course removes the barriers.
Adventurous golfer chasing bucket-list scenery? Book a clifftop or genuine links on the coast.
Strategic player who values course architecture? The heathland belt (Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Swinley Forest) is the destination.

The variety of types of golf courses across the UK is extraordinary — and each category rewards different skills and mindsets.

FAQ

What exactly is a links golf course?

A links is a golf course built on linksland — the sandy, coastal ground that connects the shoreline to inland farmland. The term comes from the Old English hlinc. Genuine links courses require this specific geography: fast-draining sandy soil, minimal tree cover, coastal wind exposure, and natural terrain features like dunes and hollows. They’re almost exclusively found on the coasts of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales. St Andrews, Carnoustie and Royal Birkdale are examples of authentic links courses.

What is the best type of golf course for beginners?

For beginners, an executive or par-3 course is the most accessible starting point — shorter distances, quicker rounds, and no pressure from experienced golfers behind you. Municipal courses are the next step up: open to all, no membership required, typically lower green fees. Parkland courses are also good for beginners because the defined corridors between trees make the fairway clear, and softer greens forgive a less-than-perfect approach. Links courses are generally the most challenging because the wind and running ground add variables that beginners struggle to manage.

What does “heathland” mean in golf?

Heathland refers to courses built on sandy, acidic soil in areas where heather and gorse grow naturally — primarily the Surrey and Berkshire belt south-west of London. Heathland courses play firm and fast, like a links, because the sandy soil drains rapidly. They’re framed by heather, pine and silver birch rather than parkland trees. Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Swinley Forest are the benchmark heathland courses. They’re often confused with parkland because they’re inland and wooded, but the playing experience is very different — faster, firmer, and more demanding of a low, running game.

Why do parkland fairways play softer than links fairways?

Parkland courses typically sit on clay-heavy soil, which retains moisture and produces lush, soft turf. Shots land and stop rather than running forward. Links courses, by contrast, sit on sandy soil that drains almost instantly — even heavy rain passes through quickly — producing firm, fast fairways where the ball runs considerably after landing. This fundamental soil difference explains why the same drive travels much further at a links than a wet parkland course in winter, and why completely different approach strategies are required.

What’s the difference between a links and a links-style course?

A genuine links requires coastal linksland: sandy soil, no trees, natural dune terrain, and coastal wind exposure. A “links-style” course mimics some of these features — open fairways, pot bunkers, minimal tree cover — but it sits inland on different soil. Links-style courses may play faster than parkland but won’t replicate the fully running ground of a coastal links. When a UK course describes itself as “links-style,” check whether it’s truly coastal before expecting an authentic links experience.

Are all Scottish golf courses links courses?

No. Scotland has many parkland, heathland and moorland courses alongside its famous links. Gleneagles, for example, is widely (if incorrectly) associated with links golf but is actually parkland. The links courses that Scotland is famous for — St Andrews, Carnoustie, Turnberry, Brora, Machrihanish — are all coastal. Inland Scottish courses like Blairgowrie (Rosemount) or Gleneagles are parkland/moorland. The concentration of truly great links courses on Scotland’s coastline is exceptional, which is why the association between Scotland and links golf is so strong, but it doesn’t mean every Scottish course is a links.

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