Top 10 Best Golf Courses in North Somerset

Why North Somerset Is a Rewarding Golf Destination

Golf in North Somerset benefits from a genuinely unusual range of terrain within a short drive. On the coast around Weston-super-Mare and Berrow, sandy soil and estuary wind create true links and links-influenced conditions that drain well and play firm for much of the year. Inland, the Mendip escarpment provides elevated downland golf with dramatic views over the Somerset Levels and across the Severn Estuary to Wales. In between sit mature parkland courses with established trees, water features and softer, more strategic layouts.

That variety means a golfer can play three distinctly different styles of course in a single weekend. It also means preparation matters. Wind management is essential on the coast, uphill and downhill club selection dominates on the Mendip courses, and accuracy off the tee is the priority on tree-lined parkland tracks.

The Top 10 Golf Courses in and Around North Somerset

1. Weston-super-Mare Golf Club

A classic seaside links laid out on sandy ground near the coast, and the district's most historically significant course. Firm fast fairways, natural undulation, wind exposure and well-protected greens make it a genuine test of ball flight control. Excellent drainage means it plays well through winter when inland courses soften.

2. Mendip Spring Golf Club, Congresbury

A well-regarded complex offering two contrasting layouts, including a longer championship-style course and a shorter, tighter test with significant water features. The island green is the standout hole, and the practice facilities and academy provision are among the best in the area.

3. Clevedon Golf Club

A spectacular clifftop parkland course above the Severn Estuary, offering some of the finest views in Somerset golf. The layout uses elevation changes intelligently, and coastal breezes add difficulty to holes that look benign on the card. Its condition and presentation are consistently praised.

4. Tall Pines Golf Club, Backwell

Located close to Bristol Airport, this mature course threads through pine and mixed woodland with narrow tree-lined corridors that reward straight driving. Well drained on higher ground and playable year-round, it is popular with golfers seeking a strategic rather than purely long test.

5. Worlebury Golf Club, Weston-super-Mare

Set on Worlebury Hill above the town, this course combines woodland and downland characteristics with panoramic views across Sand Bay and the estuary. Elevated tees, sloping fairways and firm greens demand accurate approach play and careful club selection.

6. Long Ashton Golf Club

A long-established downland and parkland course on the northern edge of the district, offering elevated views towards Bristol and the Mendips. Generous fairways combine with subtle green complexes, making it enjoyable for mid-handicap players while still challenging low handicappers.

7. Burnham and Berrow Golf Club

Just south of the district boundary but essential to any regional golf list, this is one of England's most celebrated championship links. Towering dunes, revetted bunkering, blind shots and pure fescue turf create a genuinely world-class experience, and the club regularly hosts significant amateur championships.

8. Wrington Vale and Mendip Foothills Courses

The cluster of courses on the Mendip fringe near Wrington, Blagdon and Churchill offers rolling countryside golf with limestone-influenced free-draining soil. Layouts here are typically less manicured than championship venues but reward creative shot making and offer excellent value.

9. Portishead and Gordano Golf Facilities

Serving the growing Portishead population, courses and practice facilities in the Gordano area combine accessible layouts with strong coaching provision. They function as an important entry point for new golfers and as a convenient option for Bristol commuters.

10. Puxton and Banwell Pay-and-Play Courses

The district's pay-and-play and short-course venues around Puxton, Banwell and Hewish deliver flexible, low-commitment golf. Nine-hole loops, driving ranges, adventure and footgolf variants make them ideal for beginners, families and players squeezing a round into a limited window.

Playing Conditions Through the Year

Coastal links courses in the district are the most weather-resilient, staying playable when inland tracks are saturated. Spring brings firm, fast conditions and strong prevailing winds. Summer favours the Mendip courses, where elevation moderates heat and views are at their best. Autumn produces some of the finest turf conditions of the year. Winter golf is genuinely viable on sandy coastal ground, though estuary wind can be severe, and temporary greens are more common on heavier parkland soil.

Trends in the Golf Industry

Participation has broadened considerably, helped by shorter formats, nine-hole competitions and flexible membership categories that appeal to time-poor players. Simulator and indoor practice provision has grown rapidly, extending the season and improving coaching quality through launch-monitor data.

Sustainability has become central to course management. Reduced irrigation, drought-tolerant fescue turf, wildflower rough, habitat corridors and reduced chemical inputs are now standard practice, and in a district containing sensitive coastal and limestone habitats this environmental stewardship carries genuine weight. Clubs are also diversifying revenue through food and beverage offerings, corporate days, weddings and non-golf events to reduce dependence on subscriptions.

Advice for Visiting Golfers

Book coastal courses early in settled weather, since they attract visitors from across the region. Bring lower-lofted options and practise controlled ball flight for links play. On Mendip courses, allow at least one extra club uphill and expect longer carries downhill. Check dress codes and buggy availability, particularly on hilly layouts where walking is demanding. Many clubs offer visitor packages combining green fees with catering, which represent excellent value midweek.

Final Thoughts

Few districts of this size offer such genuine golfing range. North Somerset delivers authentic seaside links, elevated downland golf with estuary views, mature woodland parkland and accessible short-course options, with one of England's great championship links immediately to the south. For golfers who value variety, condition and value together, this stretch of the West Country is difficult to beat.