The 10 best golf courses in Manchester

Manchester might not be renowned for its golf courses, but there is some outstanding golf to be had in a city better known for its football and music.

The North West is never far away from the golfing headlines with plenty of world-class links just beyond the Greater Manchester limits including, of course, 2026 Open venue Royal Birkdale. Indeed, it may be the most blessed area for golf in England outside of the Surrey sand belt, which is saying something.

But what about Manchester itself and its surrounds? Whether you live in the city or are just visiting, you may be surprised to learn that it boasts some pretty special tracks as well. Five courses within 20 miles of the city centre rest inside the top 200 courses in England. One is Top 100 track, and the others are similarly ranked so it's down to what your tastes are. The leader in the clubhouse, though is a links that's far less known than it ought to be. As such, it's only right we start there.

Got a favourite local course you think we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

The best golf courses in Manchester

Prestbury Golf Club

Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire

Green fees (weekday): From £80

An unheralded parkland gem sat in the picturesque Cheshire countryside, Prestbury is the work of Harry Colt and is a thing of rare beauty given how little land it uses. Three greens sit alongside one another, four holes depart from one large teeing area but you would hardly spot either in the playing of them. Sat over less than 100 acres, Prestbury nonetheless ranks as one of the best inland courses in England. 

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Stockport Golf Club

Location: Stockport, Cheshire

Green fees (weekday): £85-£130

Another Harry Colt classic, Stockport begins with a brutish par 4 and there isn't much let up in the early holes but then it develops into a strategic test with some fantastic short par 4s. Not long by any means, slightly undulating and always in great condition.

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The Manchester Golf Club

Location: Middleton, Lancashire

Green fees (weekday): £50-£90

Manchester is very different to the other courses on this list. It's a vast piece of land and might be the biggest anywhere in the UK.

The head pro Brian Connor describes it as 'not moorland, not moorland, it's just as it is..' Which is to say a sweeping landscape where you get three par 5s on the front nine before holding on over some excellent holes.

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The Wilmslow Golf Club

Location: Knutsford, Cheshire

Green fees (weekday): £75-£150

Readers of a certain vintage might recall Wilmslow as a regular European Tour pit-stop and it's another brilliant addition from the Cheshire ranks. The likes of Faldo have won here and it's likely to feature on more golfers' radars in the coming years. Two par 3s on the back nine, both over the same ravine, are your signature holes here.

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Reddish Vale Golf Club

Location: Stockport, Cheshire

Green fees (weekday): From £35-£50

Reddish Vale is Alister MacKenzie's third design, after Alwoodley and Moortown, which is an incredible boast to have. Two of his holes no longer exist but they were designed by James Braid. Reddish Vale's is a remarkable story and a few will enjoy this more than any of the others.

As someone online commented: 'If you replaced the 18th, you'd have an £1800 golf course'.

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The Mere Golf Resort & Spa

Location: Knutsford, Cheshire

Green fees (weekday): From £65

Cheshire's leading Luxury golf destination, The Mere rests just southwest of the Manchester city and is exactly the kind of place you'd imagine thriving in an area so replete with wealth. The perfect place for a local stay and play, the accommodation and spa facilities are excellent, while the resort-style parkland course is challenging and pristinely manicured.

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Bolton Old Links

Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester

Green fees (weekday): From £45

A unique layout in an area typically dominated by lush parkland tracks, Bolton Old Links rests on open moorland and offers something of an inland links vibe (hence the name), once again conceived by the genius mind of Alistair Mackenzie. The regular home of the Lancashire PGA Open, it's a challenging track where conquering the wind is as vital to success as navigating the course itself.

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Worsley Golf Club

Location: Eccles, Salford

Green fees (weekday): From £35-£50

Worsley is another Manchester close that quickly springs to mind thanks to its outstanding James Braid layout and proximity to the Salford city centre. The first half dozen holes of this pretty parkland course are a particular standout, while the final nine moseys its way back towards its historic mock Tudor clubhouse, framed in the distance by the stunning spire of St Mark's Church.

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Sale Golf Club

Location: Sale, Greater Manchester

Green fees (weekday): From £45

Sale might be our favourite course in the the South Manchester area – a gently undulating parkland course that winds its way through the greenery next to Trafford Sports Centre. Green fees are reasonable and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

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Heaton Park

Location: Prestwich, Manchester

Green fees (weekday): From £23

Heaton Park is best known for its manner and gardens, as well as hosting a truly historic Oasis gig, but the short course that runs through the grounds of the estate remains very enjoyable 18 holes. A public course designed by five-times Open champion JH Taylor, it’s ridiculous value.

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