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There can be few golfing venues that rival Hawkstone Park's setting; the two championship courses and the academy layout are nestled in a Grade 1 English landscape, next to the ruins of a medieval castle and the stunning cliffs of the Follies. The Hawkstone Course was established in 1920, and the tremendous layout was where a young Sandy Lyle cut his golfing teeth. The manicured fairways are lined with towering oak and birch, and while the awesome surroundings may be a distraction, the 6,497 yard track has some superb holes that require maximum attention. The best are around the turn, where dramatic holes include the 12th, where the moat of the ruined castle has been cleverly incorporated. The Championship Course underlines Hawkstone Park's strength, being one of few golfing resorts in the West Midlands to boast two genuine tests. The 6,763 yard layout was conceived by Ryder Cup veteran Brian Huggett and was formerly known as the Windmill. Since opening in 1995, the course has matured nicely, and is known for its Americanisms, like oval-shaped tees, rolling fairways and most notably the expanses of threatening water. Its best hole is the 10th, a par-5 that dog-legs around the water, testing the bravery of every golfer. The six-hole Academy Course is a delightful experience, one that is especially useful for beginners and learners, but is also a good opportunity for better players to work on that all-important short game. The resort also has a 20-bay driving range, and good putting and chipping practice areas.

The Wiltshire Golf & Country Club, with its 27-hole golf complex, is one of Southern England's best and most comprehensive golf break venue, where the service is excellent, the facilities superb and the accommodation outstanding. Well located for access just a few minutes from Swindon and within a short distance of the M4, The Wiltshire has fantastic golfing possibilities. The star attraction is the 18-hole, par-71 Lakes Course, which was originally designed by Peter Alliss and more recently updated by Howard Swann. At 6,642 yards, the Lakes is a true test for every golfer, and is known for the enviable quality of its greens, which are constructed in accordance with USGA principles. The golf complex also has the nine-hole Garden Course, which is perfect for beginners and also groups looking for 27 holes per day. Superb variety and high quality throughout make The Wiltshire a popular choice for an English golf break.

Upon seeing Meyrick Park's full distance of 5,540 yards, the long hitters will be rubbing their hands with glee, but it is more than likely that Tom Dunn's par-69 layout will have the last laugh; lining the rolling fairways are banks of thick, verdant woodland that will seriously punish any wayward striking from the tee. The course opens with a tough par-3, while one of the best holes on the way home is the par-5 14th. Meyrick Park's charms have helped to establish it as firm Bournemouth tour favourite.Make sure you limber up before tackling Meyrick Park, as the opening hole is a demanding par-3, where the small putting surface is 244 yards away.

Ideally situated in the Heart of England, Best Western Ullesthorpe Court boasts one of the finest golf courses in Leicestershire. An 18 hole, championship length course offers challenging greens, numerous water features & one of the finest finishing holes available on this 6662 yard, par 72. A charming parkland layout with something for everyone, the water hazards offer aesthetic beauty and a challenge which should not be underestimated, with the chance to either make or break a scorecard. Whether you are staying at the hotel while on a golfing holiday or spa break, you are sure to be welcomed to this privately owned 4 star Best Western hotel which is easily accessible from major motorway networks and is ideally located for exploring many of the regions widely diverse places of interest, by friendly and attentive staff.

Despite only coming into existence in 1992, the Whitefields Golf Course has matured well into a testing parkland proposition. At 6,289 yards, length is not the main issue, but there are many holes with little margin for error, and severe penalties are guaranteed for wayward striking. One of the main benefits at Whitefields is the excellent natural drainage, which ensures that the course can remain open throughout the year, and also that the putting surfaces will roll true. The main focal point is Draycote Water, part of the neighbouring Country Park, which has welcomed many a wayward approach shot to the nerve-racking 13th green. The 13th and 15th holes are the favourites of many visitors, although some will find their stock of golf balls somewhat diminished by the time they have negotiated the island green of the par-3 13th. Whitefields also boasts an 18-bay driving range, in addition to the excellent facilities for practicing the short game.

Donnington Grove's excellent parkland layout was designed by Dave Thomas, the esteemed golf course architect and former Ryder Cup player. His trademark can be seen on many of the United Kingdom's top courses, most notably the Brabazon at the Belfry, which helps to explain why Donnington Grove is held in such high regard. At over 7,100 yards from the championship markers, the course represents a stern test for even the most skilled golfers, but the choice of tees ensures that it is playable for everyone. The lush fairways reflect the sweeping undulations of the landscape, while the higher points allow for superb panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. The front nine spans the higher ground and is relatively exposed, while golfers will have to negotiate the woodland and water of the exacting closing stretch. The entertaining and demanding course has staged two PGA Europro Tour events, and is a certain highlight during a golf break at Donnington Grove.

Hunley Hall boasts an impressive location on the beautiful coastline east of Middlesbrough, and its 29 holes can be manipulated to offer four different 18-hole tests. Morgan's Course The Morgan's Course is named so after its designer, John Morgan, and is the longest course on Hunley Hall's rotation. Tricky doglegs, plateau greens and fearsome water hazards are characateristic of Morgan's layout, while the signature hole offers fantastic views over the entire golf course as players fire the ball downhill. Millenium Course The Millennium is the shortest of Hunley Hall's compilations, but it is not without danger. An array of ponds and streams are to be negotiated, while banks of gorse threaten the fairways and greens. Jubilee Course The Jubilee may be the easiest of Hunley's courses to score on, but it is also extremely exciting. With a more than average number of par-3s and par-5s, there are many opportunities to make or break a round. Imperial Course The Imperial is arguably the most challenging layout here, utilising the most difficult holes from the 29. It may also be the most spectacular, as it affords unrivalled views across the bay to the Boulby Cliffs. One of the most entertaining holes is surely the 8th, named ‘Dicken's Dilemma', which is a short par-3 over a threatening water hazard. Hunley Hall also boasts superb practice facilities at which to hone your game, including large chipping and putting greens.

Boston West Hotel and Golf Club is modern, well equipped facility that is perfectly suited to offering comprehensive residential golf breaks. The par-72 course is a strong test, but is one that can be enjoyed but golfers of any ability. Charming water features and threatening lakes are among the highlights of this Lincolnshire golf break gem. The course is an ever-maturing parkland layout, with two halves with somewhat differing characteristics. On the outward half, visiting golfers will have the opportunity to take advantage of the more open holes, while the closing stretch is more mature and tighter from the tee. Boston West also has a good driving range and a 6-hole academy course which is ideal for beginners or those looking to sharpen the short game skills.

The original 9 holes at Owston Hall were first established in 1922, but the journey was completed with the development of the second loop in the late 1990s. The resultant championship course has been well-received, and from 2002-2004 it played host to televised Europro Tour events. Close to 7,000 yards at is fullest length, Owston Hall is a stern test of golf, encountering mature oak trees and treacherous water hazards. The tenth hole is the star of the course, where golfers must only travel 284 yards, but must negotiate two strategically positioned lakes. Owston Hall is a terrific example of ‘risk/reward' golf, and is characteristic of the enjoyable challenges at this South Yorkshire classic.

Despite only coming into existence in 1992, the Whitefields Golf Course has matured well into a testing parkland proposition. At 6,289 yards, length is not the main issue, but there are many holes with little margin for error, and severe penalties are guaranteed for wayward striking. One of the main benefits at Whitefields is the excellent natural drainage, which ensures that the course can remain open throughout the year, and also that the putting surfaces will roll true. The main focal point is Draycote Water, part of the neighbouring Country Park, which has welcomed many a wayward approach shot to the nerve-racking 13th green. The 13th and 15th holes are the favourites of many visitors, although some will find their stock of golf balls somewhat diminished by the time they have negotiated the island green of the par-3 13th. Whitefields also boasts an 18-bay driving range, in addition to the excellent facilities for practicing the short game.

The Celtic Manor is at the forefront of the recent rise to prominence of Welsh golf. The resort's reputation will continue to rise with the opening of the Ryder Cup Course, which will stage the matches in 2010, catapulting the Celtic Manor onto the world stage. The Roman Road was the resort's first, opened in 1995, and was then ranked as Wales' best inland layout. Since then, intensive investment has drastically improved the drainage, ensuring that the course can handle the demands of resort golf. Robert Trent Jones had to build around the many ancient Roman roads that traverse the land, and his work was so good that it played host to the Welsh Open in 2005 and 2006. The recently opened Montgomerie Course has been built using the land that formerly hosted the Coldra academy course, and Monty has used some of the original holes from the former Wentwood Hills Course, which played host to the Welsh Open from 2000 to 2004. The hilly layout will be a challenge for the best ball-strikers, and is a welcome addition to the Celtic Manor's golfing repertoire. The impending Ryder Cup Course has been built at the bottom of the valley, and as a result the surrounding hills serve as natural amphitheatres; the atmosphere at the 2010 matches promises to be scintillating. Early predictions estimate that 50,000 people will follow each encounter when the Europeans and Americans lock horns around the 7,469-yard stadium course. Early visitors will have a chance to experience a slice of Ryder Cup action when the course opens in late 2007.

Since its inception in 1994, the creation of two superb golf courses at The Vale have helped establish it as one of the premier golfing venues in both Wales and beyond. The Wales National is one of the best new golf courses in the United Kingdom, and having already hosted Europro, Challenge and Seniors Tour events, it seems destined to be one of the country's foremost tournament venues. When stretched to its fullest, the course measures over 7,400 yards, and as such it is a consistent test of ball-striking. Highlights certainly include the monstrous 2nd hole, which is the longest par-5 in all of Wales. The neighbouring Lake Course is under 6,500 yards, but that may be just the ticket after a long slog around the brutal Wales National. Although it is smaller, there is no shortage of entertainment, and the challenge is considerable enough to have hosted national PGA events. As the name suggests, the main obstacle for visiting golfers are the numerous water hazards. The main feature is a 20-acre lake, which influences many holes, not least the signature 12th, which boasts an island green, and is ranked as one of the best in the UK.