The Underrated East Coast: Uncovering Great Value Golf in Britain and Ireland

While many golfers instinctively turn west when planning a trip to Britain and Ireland, the east coast actually holds some of the best golfing treasures. The allure of prestigious venues and the prestige of The Open Championship, held at renowned coastal courses in areas like Ayrshire, Lancashire, and Merseyside, have traditionally directed golfers towards the west coast.

However, as these popular western destinations gain more attention and consequently higher green fees, there's a strong case to be made for exploring the alternative. Hosts of the NCG Top 100s Podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy, highlighted that the east coast provides high-quality courses at more accessible price points.

"When you consider the established golf hotspots in England, Scotland, and Ireland, they often lean towards England's Golf Coast around Liverpool, where prices are inflated due to The Open venues," Irwin explained. "Similarly, the Kent coast, and of course, the famous Scottish regions of East Lothian and Ayrshire, are all linked to Open venues, holding significant historical importance and attracting many international golfers."

"The east coast remains largely an untapped resource in terms of golfing quality. Even the tourist experience in these areas differs from visiting more upscale, established regions of Scotland."

"For instance, Ganton is considered one of the UK's premier inland courses. Also situated along this coast are Seaton Carew, Aldeburgh, Ipswich, and Purdis Heath," Irwin continued. "These courses alone, in my opinion, represent outstanding value because they are not as heavily frequented by tourists, Americans, and other international visitors."

Murphy further elaborated that the value proposition extends even further north along the coast, pointing to Northumbria as an ideal golf destination. "Another region on the east coast is Northumberland," he stated. "You can find exceptionally good golf there at very reasonable prices."

English Translation:

For many golfers planning a trip in Britain and Ireland, the instinct is to head west. But it is to the east where the true gems lie.

The appeal of high-profile venues and the significant influence of The Open Championship, played at famous coastal courses in areas like Ayrshire, Lancashire, and Merseyside, has helped establish the west coast as the conventional choice for many golfers.

However, while those destinations garner the headlines and, increasingly, the green fees, there's a compelling argument to look in the opposite direction.

Speaking on the NCG Top 100s Podcast, hosts Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy explained their belief that the east coast offers quality courses at more attainable prices.

“If you consider the traditional hotspots around England, Scotland, and Ireland, they tend to be England’s golf coast up and around Liverpool, where there's price inflation due to The Open venues,” Irwin elaborated. “Similarly, on the Kent coast, and of course, all the famed Scottish regions of East Lothian and Ayrshire are somewhat pegged to an Open venue, places of significant historical context and popular with American golfers.

“The east coast remains truly an untapped resource in terms of the quality of golf. Even your experience as a tourist in these sorts of places isn’t the same as going to some of the more upmarket and established areas of Scotland.

“Ganton, for example, is one of the UK’s best inland courses. Also on that coast are Seaton Carew, Aldeburgh, Ipswich, and Purdis Heath.

“Those courses alone, I believe, represent exceptional value because they are not as frequented by tourists, Americans, and other visitors.”

The argument for value extends even further north along the coast, according to Murphy, who highlighted Northumbria as an ideal golf destination.

“Another region (a part of the east coast) is Northumberland,” he said. “There is some exceptionally good golf at very, very good prices in Northumberland.”