The host of the 2021 Open Championship and a permanent fixture on the Open rota, Royal St George’s is a quintessential British links course defined by wild dunes and treacherous bunkers. It is famously home to the “Himalaya” bunker, one of the deepest and most intimidating in golf. For a stay that matches the town’s medieval charm, the The Bell Hotel in Sandwich is a historic coaching inn that serves as a popular hub for visiting golfers just two miles from the course.

This highly exclusive club features a dramatic, undulating layout that winds through some of the most expensive real estate in the UK. The course is carved out of heather and woodland, providing a feeling of total seclusion despite being so close to London. The club specifically recommends the Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, a modern boutique hotel located on the site of the historic racing circuit, offering a sleek contrast to the traditional golf club atmosphere.

Designed by Harry Colt, Swinley Forest is often called “the least known of the great courses” due to its quiet, understated nature. It is a masterpiece of balance and routing, set in a private royal forest where the only sounds are the wind in the pines. For a convenient and comfortable stay, the Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa is located just over a mile away, offering a French chateau-style manor experience with excellent thermal suites.

Rye is a traditional, quirky, and incredibly challenging links course located at the end of a winding coastal road. It is the permanent home of the Oxford & Cambridge Golfing Society and is famous for its blind shots and lightning-fast greens. The ideal lodging is The George in Rye, a refined 16th-century hotel on the town’s high street that offers individually designed rooms and a cosy, high-end gastropub atmosphere.

New Zealand is a private, low-profile club that prides itself on a relaxed atmosphere and a layout that feels like a walk through a private park. The course is lined with dense rhododendrons and pines, creating a sense of total intimacy on every hole. A great nearby option is the Oatlands Park Hotel in Weybridge, an elegant four-star property set on the site of a former royal palace once used by Henry VIII.

Sunningdale is often cited as the most beautiful inland club in the world, with the Old Course providing a masterclass in heathland architecture through corridors of towering pines. Its turf is legendary, and the halfway house is arguably the most famous in the sport. To complete the elite experience, stay at Coworth Park, a Dorchester Collection property located less than 10 minutes away, which offers five-star country house luxury and a world-class spa.

A former Ryder Cup venue, Walton Heath offers a rugged, expansive heathland experience that feels like a trip back in time to the origins of the game. It is situated on a high plateau and is often exposed to the wind, making it play more like a links course than its neighbours. For a truly indulgent retreat, stay at Beaverbrook, a stunning Victorian estate turned luxury hotel that provides an atmosphere of Gatsby-esque glamour just a short drive from the fairways.

Regularly ranked as one of the best inland courses in the UK, West Sussex is a visual delight of heather and sand-based fairways that stay in perfect condition year-round. It is a shorter course that demands accuracy over power, rewarding the strategic golfer. For a memorable night’s sleep, book into Amberley Castle, a 900-year-old medieval castle enclosed by a curtain wall, located only four miles from the first tee.

The Berkshire is unique for having six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s on its Red Course, making it one of the most varied and enjoyable rounds in the region. The course is deeply immersed in forest and heather, offering a peaceful, natural escape. For a luxurious and convenient base, the Fairmont Windsor Park is a nearby grand estate hotel that provides palatial rooms and one of the most comprehensive wellness centers in the country.

Sitting right on the boundary of Royal St George’s, Prince’s is a 27-hole links facility that has undergone a massive modern renovation, including the stunning “Himalayas” loop. It offers a more contemporary feel than the older clubs in the area. You should stay on-site at The Lodge at Prince’s, which provides sleek, modern suites and a dedicated “Smugglers” bar, allowing you to walk straight from the 18th green to your room.

The honest answer is that it depends on what kind of golf you prefer. For links golf, Royal St George’s in Sandwich is the obvious headline course, and Royal Cinque Ports at Deal is arguably even more characterful for the visiting golfer. Prince’s Golf Club at Sandwich Bay offers a more accessible links experience.

For UK travellers, road and rail connections are excellent throughout the region. The M25 orbital motorway gives access to Surrey, Berkshire and into Kent and Sussex without needing to go through central London. Gatwick Airport is well positioned for the Sussex and Surrey courses, while Heathrow is better suited for Berkshire and the western parts of the region.

The South East has England’s warmest and driest climate, which sets it apart from golf destinations in Scotland or Wales. Annual rainfall is lower here than in most other parts of the UK, and the region benefits from longer dry spells through spring and summer.

The combination of accessibility, course variety and sheer concentration of quality is what genuinely sets the South East apart. Scotland might claim the home of golf, and Ireland has its coastal links, but neither offers the same density of top-tier courses within such a compact area as South East England. You can play heathland, parkland, downland and genuine links golf all within a relatively small geographic footprint.