The best golf hotels in the UK for a stay-and-play break in spring

These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Note that our writers visited these hotels prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Golf season is almost upon us and in a few weeks’ time – from March 29 – golf courses in England will start welcoming day guests and members back. At the same time people will be able to mix outdoors in groups of six or in two households and, all being well, from April 12 self-catering stays and spa days should resume. Hotel stays remain off the cards until May 17, but with things booking up fast, now is a good time to start looking at the stay and play holidays we hope to enjoy very soon. Here’s our pick of the best golf hotels in the UK and top hotels for British golf breaks, including the best for world-class golf courses, comfy rooms, Michelin-starred dining and sumptuous spas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

ENGLAND

• The best hotels in England

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• The best hotels with gardens in England

• The best spa hotels in the south of England

• The best hotels in the UK

SCOTLAND

Hotels with golf courses are a staple of the Scottish countryside; there are no fewer than 560 clubs across the country, apparently. On January 5, Scotland was told to stay at home as much as possible, but examples of “reasonable excuses to go out”, as stated on the government website, include “local outdoor informal exercise such as walking, cycling, golf, or running (in groups of up to two people, plus any children under 12, from no more than two households)”. Overnight stays in hotels and b&bs are currently banned until further notice, but we’ve picked out some of the best luxury golf hotels for when we can travel to Scotland again, below.  

• The best hotels for spa breaks in Scotland

• The best hotels in Scotland

• The best country house hotels in Britain

• Fun things you can do at hotels before they open in May

Wales

Wales is currently under lockdown pending a review on March 12, but First Minister Mark Drakeford said the timetable for easing restrictions would “not be very different” to elsewhere in the UK. Golf and outdoor sports are currently banned and there is no word on hotels reopening yet, though up to four people from two different households can exercise together outdoors and Mr Drakeford suggested that self-catering accommodation could reopen in April. Here are some of the best golfing hotels for when we can travel to Wales again.

• The best hotels in Wales

Northern Ireland

People in Northern Ireland are required to stay at home and only go out for essential reasons. According to the government’s website, sports facilities such as leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools, tennis courts and golf courses must remain closed. These rules are in place until at least April 1, following a review on March 16. Hotel stays are also banned, with May 1 touted as the earliest date you may be able to stay in a hotel or b&b. In any case, here are some of the best golfing hotels for when we can travel to Northern Ireland.

• The best hotels in Northern Ireland

Contributions by Gavin Bell, Suzy Bennett, Martin Dunford, Shilpa Ganatra, Hattie Garlick, Geoff Hill, Janice Hopper, Sherelle Jacobs, Charlotte Johnstone, Suzanne King, Linda Macdonald, Helen Pickles, Kerry Walker & Fiona Ward

Read more: When can I stay at a hotel in Britain?