The Ten Best Golf courses

1 Goodwood, West Sussex

Owner Lord March introduced a new system last year where you pay only for what you play. The result is more than 700 new members. The course is an up-and-down links that plays with difficulty. Fees from £40; 01243 755130; www.goodwood.co.uk/golf

2 The Old Course, St Andrews Fife

Golfing Mecca. The feeling standing on the first tee is like nothing else in golf.It does not matter whether you are playing like Tiger Woods or it's your first-ever round, and that's what makes this so special. From £59; 01334 477036; www.standrews.org.uk

3 Royal North Devon, Westward Ho!

England's oldest course is so inclusive that you feel like a member at once. The clubhouse is full of history, and the shadows cast by the bumps and hillocks gives it a dreamlike feel. From £38; 01237 477598; www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk

4 Nefyn & District, North Wales

There is no hype surrounding this course on the Llyn Peninsula. But when the wind blows it is the closest you will get to an adrenalin sport on a golf course; we wondered if we were going to get back safely. From £33; 01758 720218; www.nefyn-golf-club.com

5 Kingsbarns, Fife

This course, a few miles from St Andrews, is one of the most beautiful spots to play golf. It's a proper links course, with waves crashing on the rocks below, and the hospitality is second to none. From £125; 01334 460860; www.kingsbarns.com

6 Wynyard, Cleveland

The course stands up well enough, and in the clubhouse you'll find everyone from judges to bricklayers. The only golf club we've ever been where they played Dizzee Rascal. From £50; 01740 644399; www.wynyardgolfclub.co.uk

7 Beacon Park, Skelmersdale, Lancs

The beauty of this course, which is perched on the side of a hill, is breathtaking. On a clear day you can look out over Liverpool to the hills of North Wales - and it's fantastic value. From £11; 01695 622700; www.beacon parkgolf.com

8 Doonbeg, Co Clare, Ireland

The great links course, designed by Greg Norman, almost didn't get built - it was home to a rare snail. There is homely accommodation and comfort food to savour after a windswept day. From €185 (£125); 00 353 65 9055 602; www.doonbeggolfclub.com

9 Machrie Hotel & Golf Links, Islay

The Hotel and Golf Club looks like a dream cottage and the staff are very friendly. Thelinks course has hills to one side and Laggan Bay to the other. One hotel, one golf course, one island - a different experience. From £8; 01496 302310; www.machrie.com

10 Royal Birkdale, Southport, Lancs

If I had to pick one club to play every day for the rest of my life this would be it. The clubhouse is great and the sandbanks are so high you can't see the next hole until you get to the tee. From £80;01704 563071; www.royal birkdale.com