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

Golfers in the UK love to describe a course by its type. “Proper links.” “Classic parkland.” “Real heathland.” These labels are not interchangeable. Each one describes a different landscape, so each one asks for different shots.

Knowing the types helps you choose where to play, which shots to practise and what to expect when you book. This guide explains each main type, with UK examples, so you can read a course listing and know what you are getting.

Links golf courses

Links is where golf began. The word comes from the Old English hlinc, meaning a ridge or rising ground. For the full story, read our guide to the best links golf courses in the UK.

What makes a true links?

A true links sits on the sandy strip between coastal dunes and farmland. That land was poor for farming, which is why towns let golfers use it. The sand drains fast, so fairways stay firm even after rain. Meanwhile, the grass is thin and wiry, trees are rare and the wind rarely stops.

Links courses tend to share these traits:

• Firm, fast fairways that let the ball run on landing
• Pot bunkers with steep faces
• Natural humps and hollows that stay in play
• Wiry rough shaped by the wind
• No trees, so low shots matter

Links examples

The Old Course, St Andrews is the classic links, with shared fairways, huge double greens and the Swilcan Bridge. It has hosted the Open 30 times.

Carnoustie has a fearsome name, thanks to the Barry Burn and thick rough. It has hosted the Open eight times, most recently in 2018.

Royal Birkdale sits among tall dunes at Southport. The dunes frame each hole, so it is often called a fair test.

Links or “links-style”?

Some inland courses call themselves “links-style”. They may copy the look, with open fairways and pot bunkers. However, a true links needs sandy coastal ground. So when a listing says “links-style”, expect an inland course with links features.

Parkland golf courses

Parkland is the most common type of course in England. These courses sit on old estates, farmland and parks, and trees shape most holes. Our guide to the best parkland golf courses picks out the finest.

What makes a parkland course?

Mature trees line the fairways, and the soil is often heavy clay. As a result, the turf is soft and the ball stops quickly. Lakes and streams are common, while trees give shelter from the wind. In wet winters, however, parkland can get heavy underfoot. That is why some clubs ask for fairway mats or limit trolleys in winter.

Parkland examples

Wentworth hosts the BMW PGA Championship on its West Course.

The Belfry hosted the Ryder Cup four times, more than any other venue.

Celtic Manor built its Twenty Ten Course for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Heathland golf courses

Heathland may be the UK’s most underrated type of golf. The heathland belt across Surrey and Berkshire holds a famous cluster of fine courses. Our heathland golf guide covers it in depth.

What makes a heathland course?

The soil is sandy, acidic and fast-draining. Heather and gorse line the fairways, while pine and birch give shape without dense shade. Since the ground is firm, the ball runs further than on parkland. In short, heathland plays more like a links than most golfers expect.

Heathland examples

Sunningdale has two heathland courses: the Old, by Willie Park Jr., and the New, by Harry Colt.

Walton Heath has two Herbert Fowler courses on true Surrey heath. It hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup.

Swinley Forest was laid out by Harry Colt in 1909, who called it his “least bad course”.

Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) is a heathland course in Nottinghamshire. It is a good example outside the south-east, and the directory lists golf courses near Nottingham.

Moorland golf courses

Moorland courses sit on high, open ground, mostly in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Pennines. Like heathland, they have firm turf and heather rough. However, the height means more wind and wilder weather.

Moorland examples

Moortown, near Leeds, is an Alister MacKenzie design. It hosted the 1929 Ryder Cup, the first played in Great Britain.

Alwoodley, next door, was MacKenzie’s first design, from 1907.

Downland golf courses

Downland courses sit on the chalk hills of southern England, such as the North and South Downs and the Chilterns. Chalk drains well, so the turf is firm and springy. Since trees are scarce, the views are wide and the wind matters.

Holes often run downhill and back up again. As a result, club selection on downland takes care. Southern England has many downland clubs, and the directory lists golf courses near Oxford for the Chilterns.

Clifftop and coastal golf courses

Not every seaside course is a links. Clifftop courses sit on headlands and cliff edges, where the views are huge but the ground is not true linksland.

Pennard on Gower sits above Three Cliffs Bay, beside the ruins of a Norman castle. Nefyn, on the Llŷn Peninsula, runs out along a narrow headland. Our guide to coastal golf in the UK covers clifftop and links courses together.

Nine-hole, par-3 and short courses

Not every round needs four hours. Short courses come in several forms. A nine-hole course is half a full round, while a par-3 course has only short holes. A pitch and putt is shorter still.

These courses are ideal for beginners and busy players. They are also good practice for iron play and the short game. Our guide to nine-hole golf courses and our par 3 and pitch and putt guide list places to play, and you can browse par 3 golf courses and pitch and putt courses across the UK.

Municipal golf courses

Municipal courses are owned by local councils and open to everyone. You do not need to be a member, so anyone can book and play. Quality varies, yet the best are well kept and good value. Our guide to municipal golf courses explains how they work.

Private, proprietary and public: who can play?

Private members’ clubs are owned by their members. Many take visitors, although some limit the days or ask for a handicap.

Proprietary clubs are owned by a company or a person. They sell memberships, yet most also sell tee times to visitors. Many resorts, such as The Belfry and Celtic Manor, work this way.

Public courses are open to all, with no membership needed. Council courses and the St Andrews links are examples.

Always check a club’s visitor policy before you book, since weekday-only visitor slots are common.

Which type of course suits you?

• You hit the ball high? Parkland rewards a good aerial game.
• You love the bump-and-run? Try links or heathland, since both play firm and fast.
• You are a beginner? Start on a short or municipal course.
• You want scenery? Book a clifftop course or a true links.
• You love course design? The Surrey and Berkshire heathland belt is the place to go.

Find each type near you

Most regions have several types of course within reach. For example, the directory pages for golf courses near London and golf courses near Cambridge mix parkland, heathland and short courses. You can also browse every course we list in England by county.

When adding trolley accessories, our guide covers what to check.