Bath’s spectacular hilly surroundings make it a popular place for walkers, thanks to the sweeping views and abundance of natural beauty. And, guess what, these attributes are also desirable for golfers looking for a picturesque location to tee off in!
Despite Entry Hill Golf Course being designated to become Bath Bike Park, Bath and the nearby area are still home to a range of rolling courses from smaller city ones to country resorts.
So, grab your clubs and get going to one of these six stunning golf courses near Bath.
1. Bath Golf Club
Get ready for some hills at Bath Golf Club, which is a more technical 18-hole, 6505-yard course that has plenty of challenging variety, including natural hilltop contours.
Established in 1880, it’s one of England’s oldest courses and you get to play next to the scenic Sham Castle as an added bonus.
The historic course was re-designed 85 years ago by Harry Colt and has stood the test of time as Golf Monthly recently named the course as one of its 100 Hidden Gems in 2022. Visitors can book seven days in advance to secure a tee time.
2. Lansdown Golf Club
Do you want views without playing on hills? Established in 1894, Lansdown Golf Club was originally designed by Harry Colt and it sits on a plateau (actually the southern edge of the Cotswold escarpment if you’re into geology) on the outskirts of Bath.
This 18-hole, 6,445-yard, par 71 course has amazing views on a clear day, taking in a vista that stretches as far as the Bristol Channel and even the Brecon Beacons in Wales.
3. Bowood Golf Resort
Make a weekend, or midweek, break out of it and stay at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, just 18 miles east of Bath, to play the award-winning course at your leisure.
Bowood has been voted one of the UK’s Top 50 Stay and Play resorts by Golf Monthly and it’s easy to see why; surrounded by 2,000 acres of rolling parkland designed by famous landscaper ‘Capability’ Brown, Bowood’s 7,309 yard, par 72 golf course has a spectacular location.
Facilities-wise it is also the official PGA Golf Course and Golf Academy for the South West, so it has plenty of opportunities to improve your swing!
Stay in the hotel, or one of these country hotels near Bath, to have a fully immersive golf retreat.
4. Kingsdown Golf Club
Swing by Kingsdown Golf Club, just five miles east of Bath, to play at the oldest Club in Wiltshire. Founded in 1880, the downland 18 hole course has beautiful fairways with views across the valley towards Bath.
There are two tee options – ‘Men’s’ White Tees, which is a par 72 that measures 6,501 yards in length and the ‘Ladies’’ Red Tees, which is 5,744 yards and a par 73.
Visitors can play here and also use the driving range, and the PGA specification short game area, which covers 1800 square metres but includes all the playing surfaces encountered on the 18-hole course.
Get a drink afterwards at the ’19th hole’ aka the clubhouse!
Our founder Brandon heads here regularly and he stated “it’s a pleasant, well kept golf course, with a great shop, a perfect driving range which you can get lessons at, and a good mix of holes on the course for beginners and experts”.
4. Cumberwell Park
If 18 holes are not enough, head outside Bath to Cumberwell Park near Bradford-on-Avon (around eight miles from Bath) for a whopping 45 holes to play.
All five of the nine hole courses start from the clubhouse, so you can choose how many to experience on your visit. The latest addition is a par three nine hole course for those who enjoy a challenge.
Younger than other courses (the first Cumberwell one opened in 1994), the landscape varies from rolling countryside to woodland, nine lakes, and streams. Grab a bite to eat in the Wraxall Bar and Cafe, or practice your swing in the driving range!
6. Victoria Falls Adventure Golf
Here’s one for all you fun golfers! While the full size Approach golf course in Victoria Park has been closed since the pandemic, the Victoria Falls Adventure Golf is open for a round of 18 holes of crazy golf.
During the festive season you can even play Glow Golf and enjoy an illuminated course in the evenings.
Warm up with a coffee afterwards at one of Bath’s best cafes!
Amy is an award-winning travel writer born and bred in Bath. She has written for national newspapers and magazines from the Guardian and Mail on Sunday to Conde Nast Traveller and Good Housekeeping. Now she’s helping travellers explore Bath, one story at a time.
