Essex is a haven for golfers, with many golf courses spread across the county. Essex is almost perfect for golf, with a relatively warm and dry climate, good quality soils for excellent fairways and greens.
It is also very accessible from London by train and car. This makes Essex a great place for a golf weekend for London City dwellers.
Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre
Rivenhall takes pride in being a family friendly golf club. It has two courses, the Oaks and the Acorns, both are built to USPGA specifications. The also have floodlit driving range. They offer student and junior membership deals as well as 5 day and 7 day deals.
- Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre, Forest Road, Witham, Essex CM8 2PS
- Tel: 01376 510222
- www.rivenhalloaksgolf.com
Lords Golf and Country Club, Rayleigh
Just 40 minutes from London, Lords Golf and Country Club in Rayleigh is a perfect course surrounded by lush countryside, hills and lakes. They have two 18 hole courses and professional tuition is available. Their clubhouse is luxurious and modern. They also host weddings.
- Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 9QS
- Tel: 01702 232377
- Fax: 01702 233725
- www.lordscountryclub.com
Ballards Gore Golf & Country Club
Ballards Gore hosts some of the top golfing competitions in Essex. The course was built in 1980 and provides tree lined courses with water and open holes and excellent greens. They also have a 150 guest function room.
- Ballards Gore, Stambridge, Rochford, Essex SS4 2DA
- Tel: 01702 258917
- www.ballardsgore.com/
Blakes Golf Club & Restaurant
Blakes Championship 18 hole inland links course is one of the top courses in north Essex. The course is set in tranquil surroundings and has some stunning views. The Clubhouse offers business events and weddings too. The course was designed by renowned course architect Howard Swan who was a schoolboy at the King Edward grammar school in Chelmsford..
- Epping Rd, North Weald, Epping, Essex CM16 6RZ
- Tel: 01992 525151
- www.blakesgolfclub.com
Essex Golf & Country Club
The Essex Golf & Country Club in Colchester is a great family friendly golf club. As well as having a great gold course they also offer fitness activities such as tennis, aerobics and swimming. They also have a spa with sauna and steam rooms.
- Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex CO6 2NS
- Tel: 01787 22 44 66
- www.theessexgolfandcountryclub.com
Gosfield Lake Golf Club
Wonderful course on 230 acres of rolling Essex parkland to the north of Gosfield Lake. 18 hole championship course par 72 measuring 6,615 yards. Previously one of Queen Elizabeth I holiday homes.
- The Club House, Gosfield, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1SE, England.
- Tel 01787 474747
- www.gosfield-lake-golf-club.co.uk
Ilford Golf Club
Ilford Golf Club is one of the closest of the Essex clubs to London. The club is over 100 years old – it was built in 1907. They have a USGA standard 18 hole golf course and hold weekly competitions. Ilford Golf Club is affiliated with the Essex Golf Union and the English Golf Union. It competes annually in the Essex Golf Union team competitions – The Thornton Cup, The Leslie Woods Trophy and the Norman Plum Trophy.
- 291, Wanstead Park Rd, Ilford, Essex IG1 3TR
- Tel: 0208 5542930
- Tel: 0208 5540094
- www.ilfordgolfclub.com
St. Cleres Hall Golf Club
St. Cleres is an 18 hole parkland course. It is a simple club based in a Grade II listed, 17th Century building.
- St. Cleres Hall, London Road, Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex SS17 0LX
- Tel: 01375 361565
- www.golfcourseessex.co.uk
Stoke by Nayland Hotel and Golf Course
Strictly in Suffolk, not Essex, Stoke by Nayland is on the Essex-Suffolk border and is in stunning Constable country. They have two 18 hole courses and offer golf breaks and golf weekends as well as annual memberships. They also have a function rooms for weddings and a well equipped gym and fitness rooms as well as the Peaek spa. They also have jazz gigs on Friday nights.
- Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex CO6 4PZ
- Tel: 01206 262836
- www.stokebynayland.com
Benton Hall Golf & Country Club
Benton Hall is near Witham. As well as a great gold course it also has modern health and fitness facilities. It has an 18 hole course and a 9 hole Par 3 executive course as well pitch and putting practice areas. Tuition is available and it has golf days throughout the year.
- Whickham Hill, Witham, Essex, CM8 3LH
- Tel: 01376 502 454
- www.bentonhall.co.uk
Canons Brook Golf Club
Canons Brook is on the Herts border in Harlow. The course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton and is one of the best courses in north-west Essex. It is set in 112 acres of mature rolling countryside. There is very little rough but many interesting features and obstacles. The course opened in 1966.
- Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex CM19 5BE
- Tel: 01279 421482
- www.canonsbrook.com
