We have reached that time of year again when you turn up to play 18 holes and hope you won't be faced with a closed course because of the frost. Some golf courses suffer more than others during the colder months, purely and simply because of the type of land on which they are built on.
If your local course is constructed on sandy or chalky soil, then chances are that the fairways will run firm and true for most of the year. Now, there isn't much you can do when it comes to snow, but chances are that if you regularly play near the coast then any snow which does fall will quickly disappear. This also means that you will be putting on regular greens for the full 12 months of the year.
We know that some people lock the clubs away over the winter, but many of you like to play all year round. Here we take a closer look at 10 of the best winter tracks with their winter green fees included too!
Thorpeness Golf Club, Suffolk
The glorious heathland course that almost never closes, and never uses those pretty awful winter greens. It is very close to the sea on the coast of Suffolk, an area of the country which sees pretty much little to no snow. Thorpeness is built on sandy soil and is located in its own microclimate which means snow is rarely seen, but the weather tends to be warmer than you would initially expect. The winter green going rate fee is £35 plus special winter membership deals too.
Winter green fee £35
Delamere Forest, Cheshire
Delamere Forest is just a tad over 100 years old but don't be fooled by the name as its not a forest course at all. The heathland course is built on sand so it means it drains very well indeed, The greens are amazing and they run true all year round and are firm even after a strong day of rain. It features rolling fairways, heather and gorse. The course is open all year round and its testimony to the quality of the greenkeeping staff during the shorter days over the winter.
Winter green fee: £55
St Annes Old Links, Lancashire
St Annes is a playable course for 12 months of the year and not only that it really is a superb course. Snow is the only thing that stops play in awhile you find yourself snowed off if you were to go a few miles inland. Even on cold and frosty mornings, the salty air quickly helps defrost the course and it is a course that remains an excellent condition throughout the winter.
Winter Green Fee: £40
Lindrick Golf Club: Nottinghamshire
Lindrick has hosted the Ryder Cup as well as several other tournaments and still plays host to many top amateur events but its been in a while since its been in the limelight. The course features plenty of towering trees, gorse, heather and well-protected fairways. It is essentially a heathland course that also drains very well. Lindricks green are sensational and that includes during the winter too.
Winter Green Fee: £120
Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, East Sussex
The old course at Royal Ashdown doesn’t feature any bunkers, yep, you heard us, not a single one. This doesn't mean don’t have to worry about entering water-filled traps over the winter. In any event, heather, trees, narrow fairways, hollows and streams more than make up for the absence of sand, so if you think you are coming here for an easy ride then you better think again. The fairways are never fertilised or watered, so when it comes to the dry periods it is a bit like playing a link, where you will find tight lies. Now, of course, links courses tend to be playable all year round, Royal Ashdown features its fair share of heather and gorse and you will never find temporary tees or greens here either.
Winter Green Fee: £45
East Brighton, Sussex
Located by the sea, the east Brighton course measures 6,426 yards and is a par 72. Like many courses in this part of the world, it is built on chalk subsoil which also means its fantastic when it comes to drainage and no temporary greens or tees either. It is a course that has been the subject of regular improvements, along with salty air which means no frost issues and little to no snow too. On a biting cold winters day, you will really appreciate a cup of something warming at the Halway House beside the 10th tee.
Winter Green Fee: £50
So, if you are feeling a bit down due to the fact you may not get out on the golf course quite as much then visiting any of those courses will hopefully beat the winter blues. Of course, always remember to dress appropriately for the colder weather and bring your
golf umbrella just in case of those sudden showers.
Some of our other umbrella-related articles:
How to Practice Golf in Lockdown?
How to choose the best golf umbrella?
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