Nottingham is home to one of the strongest concentrations of quality golf in the Midlands. Within 30 minutes of the city centre you can access championship heathland layouts ranked among the best in England, long-established private members’ clubs with deep local roots, modern parkland venues suited to society golf, and accessible pay and play facilities ideal for beginners.
If you are researching golf courses in Nottingham, comparing membership options, relocating to the area, or simply deciding where to play next weekend, this guide brings the entire Nottingham golf scene together in one structured resource.
This is not just a list. It is a breakdown of:
- Course style and soil type
- Difficulty and suitability by handicap
- Membership culture and access
- Winter playability
- Who each course is really best for
Whether you are a low handicap player chasing championship tests, a mid handicap golfer seeking the right community, a beginner looking for a welcoming start, or a corporate organiser planning a golf day, this page will help you choose with confidence.
Quick navigation
- Why Nottingham is one of the strongest golf regions in the Midlands
- Championship and elite heathland courses
- Established private members’ clubs
- Public and pay and play courses
- More courses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
- Typical green fee ranges
- Course comparison
- Facilities comparison
- Best courses by category
- Relocating to Nottingham
- Society and corporate golf
- Booking tee times and deals
- Winter golf in Nottingham
- What golfers say
- FAQs
- Final thoughts
Why Nottingham Is One of the Strongest Golf Regions in the Midlands
Few counties combine genuine heathland pedigree with accessible parkland golf in such close proximity. Nottinghamshire benefits from sandy, free draining terrain in the north, particularly around Kirkby in Ashfield and Mansfield, alongside more traditional clay based parkland layouts closer to the city and south.
What defines Nottingham golf
- Heathland heritage with firm turf and strategic architecture
- Competitive amateur culture and county level events
- Strong member communities with active competition calendars
- Accessible public golf for beginners and casual players
- Convenient geography via M1, A52 and surrounding routes
This diversity allows golfers to choose a course that suits both their standard and lifestyle, rather than settling for limited regional options.
Championship and Elite Heathland Courses
Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell)
Often simply called Hollinwell, Notts Golf Club is widely regarded as one of England’s finest inland golf courses. Regularly featured in national top course rankings, it represents the pinnacle of Nottinghamshire golf.
The sandy heathland terrain produces firm, running fairways bordered by expansive heather. The routing uses natural undulation rather than artificial shaping. Green complexes are subtle yet demanding, rewarding precise distance control.
Playing characteristics
- Demanding off the tee
- Strategic positioning over power
- Firm summer conditions
- Strong winter drainage compared to clay courses
Best suited for
- Single figure handicaps
- Competitive amateur golfers
- Players seeking championship conditions
Full guide to Hollinwell → Official website →
Sherwood Forest Golf Club
Sherwood Forest shares the same heathland foundations but presents a subtly different personality. Framed by pine trees and natural heather corridors, the layout rewards strategic thinking and disciplined shot selection.
Its conditioning is consistently praised, and it has hosted high level amateur events including Open Championship qualifying.
Playing characteristics
- Strategic bunkering
- Fair but exacting tee shots
- High quality green complexes
- Good drainage relative to parkland venues
Best suited for
- Competitive club golfers
- Mid to low handicaps
- Members seeking strong internal competition
Established Private Members’ Clubs
Beeston Fields Golf Club
Located close to Nottingham city centre, Beeston Fields provides accessible parkland golf with a mature membership base. The layout is tree lined and gently undulating, offering challenge without overwhelming mid handicap players.
Its location makes it particularly attractive for professionals working in Nottingham or the surrounding university area.
Strengths
- Accessibility
- Balanced difficulty
- Strong social calendar
- Active competition culture
Full guide → Official website →
Ruddington Grange Golf Club
Situated south of the city, Ruddington Grange offers parkland golf with a welcoming atmosphere. The course rewards accuracy rather than brute distance and suits mid handicap players looking for competitive but enjoyable golf.
Full guide → Official website →
Oakmere Park Golf Club
Oakmere offers multiple courses, giving golfers flexibility and variety. It is popular for society golf, corporate events, and golfers seeking wider tee time availability.
Public and Pay and Play Golf in Nottingham
Public golf plays a vital role in Nottingham’s ecosystem. Venues such as Springwater, Norwood Park, Rufford Park and Bulwell Forest provide accessible entry points into the game, plus flexible visitor booking if you are not looking to join.
- Flexible booking
- No joining fee
- Good for beginners
- Suitable for societies
More Golf Courses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
If you are looking beyond the headline venues, Nottingham has a strong spread of additional clubs that suit different budgets, locations, and playing styles. These short profiles help you shortlist quickly. We will expand each into a full supporting page over time.
Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 7 miles (around 15 minutes).
Style: Traditional parkland with a strong competitive history.
Radcliffe-on-Trent is a historic venue with a reputation for serious amateur golf. The course is tree lined and strategic, rewarding accuracy and disciplined course management rather than raw length.
Best for: Low to mid handicaps, competitive golfers, traditional club culture.
Full guide → Official website →
Springwater Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 8 miles north (Calverton area).
Style: Parkland, generally accessible for a wide handicap range.
Springwater is a solid local option for flexible rounds and society golf. It is often chosen by golfers who want a straightforward booking experience and a relaxed environment.
Best for: Mid to higher handicaps, society days, weekend casual rounds.
Full guide → Official website →
Mapperley Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 5 miles.
Style: Undulating parkland with elevation and sloping lies.
Mapperley’s terrain creates a different kind of challenge. It plays shorter than championship venues but demands control, particularly if you struggle with side slope lies and distance control into greens.
Best for: Accurate ball strikers, local convenience, golfers who enjoy variety in lies.
Full guide → Official website →
Bulwell Forest Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 4 miles.
Style: Accessible parkland, popular for value golf.
Bulwell Forest is often associated with straightforward visitor access and a strong local golfing culture. It is a good option if you want regular golf without the feel of a destination club.
Best for: Beginners, casual rounds, budget-friendly golf, societies.
Full guide → Official website →
Norwood Park Golf Centre
Distance from Nottingham: About 14 miles.
Style: Parkland with practice focus.
Norwood Park suits golfers who want to play and practice in one place. It is a good option if you are building your game and want easy access to range sessions alongside rounds.
Best for: Practice-focused golfers, mixed ability groups, casual golf days.
Full guide → Official website →
Rufford Park Golf and Country Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 20 miles north.
Style: Parkland, visitor-friendly.
Rufford Park is popular for relaxed rounds and group golf. It often appeals to players who want a straightforward day out without the formality of a traditional members’ club.
Best for: Visitor rounds, societies, mixed ability groups.
Full guide → Official website →
Bondhay Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: Around 30 miles (north).
Style: Modern parkland with strong facilities.
Bondhay is a good alternative if you are closer to the north of the county or want a modern venue with consistent conditioning and visitor access.
Best for: Societies, mixed ability golf, regular visitor play.
Full guide → Official website →
Brierley Forest Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: Around 15 miles (north west).
Style: Shorter and accessible.
Brierley Forest tends to suit newer golfers and players who want a relaxed round. It can also be a useful option if you want to play more often without committing to long travel.
Best for: Beginners, higher handicaps, relaxed golf.
Full guide → Official website →
Chilwell Manor Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 5 miles (west).
Style: Convenient parkland close to Beeston and the A52 corridor.
Chilwell Manor is well located for west Nottingham residents. It suits golfers who want a practical local club with straightforward access.
Best for: Convenience, regular rounds, local membership.
Full guide → Official website →
Southwell Golf Club
Distance from Nottingham: About 15 miles.
Style: Parkland with two contrasting nines.
Southwell is a strong option if you value shot placement over pure length. It often appeals to golfers who enjoy shaping shots and managing a course carefully.
Best for: Strategic golfers, mid handicaps, relaxed visitor rounds.
Typical Green Fee Ranges in Nottingham
Green fees vary depending on course status, season, and day of the week. As a broad guide:
- Championship venues tend to have premium visitor rates and may have more restrictions on peak times.
- Private parkland clubs often sit in the mid range, with weekday rates typically lower than weekends.
- Public and visitor-friendly venues are generally the most accessible and often run twilight or off peak offers.
Always check individual club websites for up to date pricing and visitor booking policies.
Nottingham Golf Course Comparison
| Course | Type | Visitor access | Price band | Drive time | Vibe | Drainage | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollinwell | Heathland | Limited | £££ | 20–35 mins | Prestige, traditional | Strong | High | Low handicaps and championship tests |
| Sherwood Forest | Heathland | Limited | £££ | 25–40 mins | Competitive, serious | Strong | High | Competitive club golfers |
| Beeston Fields | Parkland | Yes | ££ | 10–20 mins | Traditional, social | Moderate | Medium | City-based members and regular rounds |
| Ruddington Grange | Parkland | Yes | ££ | 10–25 mins | Friendly, community | Moderate | Medium | Community culture and mid handicap play |
| Oakmere Park | Heathland | Yes | ££ | 25–40 mins | Flexible, society-friendly | Strong | Medium | Variety, availability, groups |
| Norwood Park | Parkland | Yes | ££ | 25–40 mins | Modern, practice-led | Moderate | Medium | Play plus practice with range access |
Note: The “visitor access”, “price band”, and “drive time” columns are intended as quick decision helpers. Always confirm visitor booking rules and pricing on the club website.
Facilities Comparison Across Nottingham Golf Courses
| Course | Visitor access | Price band | Drive time | Driving range | Practice area | Society friendly | Strong winter drainage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollinwell | Limited | £££ | 20–35 mins | Limited | Yes | Selective | Yes |
| Sherwood Forest | Limited | £££ | 25–40 mins | No | Yes | Moderate | Yes |
| Oakmere Park | Yes | ££ | 25–40 mins | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Norwood Park | Yes | ££ | 25–40 mins | Yes | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Springwater | Yes | ££ | 15–30 mins | Yes | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Beeston Fields | Yes | ££ | 10–20 mins | Varies | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
Facilities vary and can change over time, so treat this as a guide and confirm details directly with each club if facilities are critical to your decision.
Best Courses by Category
Best Championship Test
Hollinwell is the strongest all round championship challenge in Nottinghamshire.
Best for Competitive Golf
Sherwood Forest is a top option if you want a strong competitive membership culture.
Best for Mid Handicaps
Beeston Fields and Ruddington Grange offer balanced parkland tests that suit a wide range of players.
Best for Winter Drainage
Heathland venues on sandy soils typically drain more effectively than clay based parkland courses, although weather can still impact playability.
Best for Flexible Access
Oakmere Park is a strong option for availability thanks to multiple courses and a flexible venue style.
Best for Practice Facilities
Norwood Park is a strong choice if you want range sessions and practice alongside your rounds.
Best for Beginners
Visitor-friendly and pay and play venues are often the most relaxed entry point into the game.
Relocating to Nottingham and Choosing a Golf Club
If you are moving to Nottingham, proximity matters more than most golfers expect. A club that looks perfect on paper can become a poor fit if the travel time stops you playing midweek.
Consider commute routes, weekend traffic, and summer evening accessibility. Joining a club close to your daily routine usually increases the amount you play, which matters more than chasing a perfect course that you rarely visit.
It is also worth experiencing the club culture before joining. Have a coffee in the clubhouse. Watch the first tee. Ask about competitions, roll ups, and how easy it is to find a regular group.
Society and Corporate Golf in Nottingham
Nottingham has strong options for societies and corporate golf days. Parkland venues are often best for mixed ability groups because they are more forgiving and typically offer more flexibility with tee times.
If you are organising a corporate day, it is usually best to contact the club directly. You will often secure better package value than booking individual tee times, especially if catering is included.
For prestige occasions or competitive society events, the top heathland venues offer memorable golf, but availability may be more limited.
Booking Tee Times and Finding Deals
Many Nottingham courses allow visitor booking online through their websites. Visitor-friendly venues often offer good value twilight tee times in summer, plus off peak deals during quieter days.
- For the best availability, book earlier for weekend mornings.
- If you want better value, look for midweek afternoons or twilight times.
- For groups, contact the club directly to discuss society packages and catering.
If you are planning to play multiple different courses, keep an eye on seasonal open days and visitor times when clubs are most welcoming to non members.
Winter Golf in Nottingham
Winter conditions are a defining factor in Nottingham golf. Clay based parkland courses can become saturated, leading to temporary greens, mats on tees, and occasional closures to protect the course.
Heathland venues on sandy soils often drain more effectively, although no course is immune to prolonged rainfall.
Many committed golfers complement outdoor play with structured indoor practice during winter months to maintain performance and sharpen distance control.
What Golfers Say About Nottingham Courses
- Hollinwell: Frequently praised for elite conditioning, true heathland character, and championship level challenge.
- Sherwood Forest: Known for fairness, strategic design, and a strong competitive feel.
- Oakmere Park: Often valued for variety, flexibility, and society friendly facilities.
- Visitor-friendly venues: Appreciated for accessibility, relaxed booking, and good value for casual golf.
Every golfer values something different, so use these themes as guidance and prioritise what matters most to your game and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Nottingham?
For championship pedigree, Hollinwell and Sherwood Forest are widely regarded as the strongest tests. For convenience and a balanced parkland experience, several city accessible clubs offer excellent options.
Are there public golf courses in Nottingham?
Yes. Nottingham has several visitor-friendly venues that provide flexible booking without membership commitment.
Which courses tend to drain best in winter?
Heathland courses on sandy soil typically drain more effectively than clay based parkland courses, although weather can still impact playability.
Which courses are best for beginners?
Visitor-friendly venues are often the easiest place to start. Some private clubs also offer welcoming pathways for new golfers.
Is Nottingham good for society and corporate golf?
Yes. Parkland venues are often well suited to mixed ability groups and can offer good value packages when booked directly with the club.
How far do you need to travel for top golf in Nottinghamshire?
Most of the county’s best courses are within 15 to 40 minutes of Nottingham, depending on traffic and time of day.
Should I join a club close to home or choose the best course?
For most golfers, convenience wins. A good local club you can play regularly will usually improve your golf faster than an elite course you rarely visit.
What is the best way to decide where to join?
Play the course, visit the clubhouse, and ask about competition formats, roll ups, and how easy it is to find a regular group.
Final Thoughts: Nottingham’s Golf Scene in 2026
Nottingham offers rare balance. Championship pedigree. Community golf. Accessible entry points. Competitive amateur depth. Strong regional identity.
If you are choosing where to play or join, explore the detailed course guides linked throughout this page and select the club that aligns with your ambitions, schedule, and lifestyle.