There are many reasons to play golf in England such as the famous courses with diverse landscapes, playing links style, and enjoying excellent resorts and hotels. Because of its size, England has more golf courses and famous links that anywhere else in the U.K. There are many great championship courses, both old and new, including inland courses and links courses along the coasts. The Belfrey, seen above, is one of England's most famous venues.
Most recently, the Women's British Open was help at Royal Lytham and St. Annes located in Lancashire, England and was won by Catriona Matthew. This famous club was founded in 1886 and was the site of the first Women's British in 1893. This is a links course which features 198 bunkers and is unusual in the fact that the course opens with a par three.
The week prior to the Women's Open, the Senior British Open was held at Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire, England and was won by Loren Roberts. In the most recent Top 100 Golf Courses of the World poll in 2009, Sunningdale Old Course was ranked #2 in England, #10 in the UK and #19 in the world.
Along the Northwest coastline, the most famous stretch of golf courses includes Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham and St. Annes, and Royal Birkdale. Another famous course is Royal St. Georges, located about two hours south of London, and is also in the Open Rotation. Famous venues closer to London include Wentworth and Walton Heath.
Golf in England should be on every golf traveler's list. There are many famous courses with a mix of landscapes, including century old castles. Getting to play the same courses where history has been made by great champions would make for a fantastic golf vacation.
