Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Preston

Why Preston Is a Strong Golfing Base

Preston occupies a rare position in English golf. To the west lie the famous links courses of the Fylde coast, to the east the rising ground of the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland, and in between sits a belt of mature parkland golf on well-drained land. That geography means a golfer based in the city can play three genuinely different styles of course in a single week without travelling far.

Local conditions shape the game here. Prevailing westerly wind, a generous annual rainfall and cooler summers mean course management and drainage quality matter enormously. The best clubs in the area invest heavily in greenkeeping, sand-based construction, drainage schemes and winter tee strategies so that play continues in months when less well-prepared courses close.

The Top 10 Golf Courses in Preston

1. Fulwood Golf Club

A mature parkland course in the north of the city, admired for tree-lined fairways, subtle green complexes and consistently excellent putting surfaces. Its layout rewards accurate iron play rather than raw distance, and the clubhouse has a reputation for being friendly to visitors and societies.

2. Ashton and Lea Golf Club

Set on gently undulating land to the west of Preston, this course is defined by water features, well-positioned bunkering and a fair but demanding closing stretch. Good drainage keeps it playable through much of the winter, making it a favourite for year-round members.

3. Preston Golf Club

One of the city's most established clubs, offering a classic parkland test with mature specimen trees and a strong set of par threes. The course is respected for its condition and for a competition calendar that attracts serious club golfers from across Lancashire.

4. Penwortham Golf Club

A shorter, cleverly routed course south of the River Ribble that places a premium on positioning and short-game skill. Its accessibility and welcoming culture make it popular with newer players, seniors and families.

5. Ingol Golf and Squash Club

Combines an interesting undulating layout with wider sporting facilities. The course features generous fairways and elevation changes that make club selection genuinely thoughtful, and the club is often recommended for society days.

6. Longridge Golf Club

Perched on the slopes above Preston with views across the Ribble Valley towards the Bowland fells, Longridge offers exposed, breezy moorland-influenced golf. It plays significantly harder in wind and is prized by golfers who enjoy shaping shots and reading firm greens.

7. Leyland Golf Club

Just south of Preston, this parkland course is known for its excellent turf, strong par fours and a demanding but rewarding back nine. It has a long tradition of competitive amateur golf and well-run visitor arrangements.

8. Broughton Park Golf and Country Club

Offering golf alongside leisure and dining facilities, this venue suits players who want a full club experience. The course itself is a comfortable parkland walk with a mixture of open and tree-framed holes.

9. Ribble Valley Golf and Country Club

Located on rolling ground east of the city, this club blends golf with health and hospitality facilities. The layout uses natural contours and mature woodland to create memorable elevation-change holes.

10. Preston Academy and Driving Range

A practice-focused venue with a floodlit range, short-course provision, launch monitor bays and structured coaching pathways. It has become an important entry point for beginners and juniors in the city, and a year-round practice base for club players.

Choosing the Right Course for Your Game

Parkland courses such as Fulwood, Preston and Leyland suit players who prize condition, shelter and consistent surfaces. Elevated courses including Longridge reward ball-flight control and mental resilience in wind. Shorter layouts like Penwortham are excellent for improving scoring and for players returning to the game. If you are building a handicap, mixing these environments is far more effective than repeating the same test each week.

Trends in Local Golf

Three developments stand out. Participation has broadened, with more women, juniors and casual players joining through flexible membership categories rather than traditional full membership. Technology has become embedded, from launch monitors and simulator bays used in winter to app-based tee booking and digital handicapping. Sustainability is now a live agenda too, with clubs managing water use, reducing pesticide reliance, creating wildflower and rough habitat corridors and converting to more efficient machinery.

Coaching, Practice and Improving Your Handicap

One of the underrated strengths of golf around Preston is the depth of coaching provision. Most clubs retain qualified professionals offering individual lessons, group clinics and junior academies, while dedicated range facilities provide launch monitor analysis and winter practice bays. For improving players, the most efficient approach is to combine short-game practice on the courses you play most often with structured technical work under supervision, rather than hitting volume balls without feedback. Membership categories have also become far more flexible, with off-peak, weekday, intermediate and family options available at several local clubs, which makes regular play considerably more affordable than many newcomers expect.

Practical Guidance for Visitors

Book tee times in advance, particularly at weekends and during society season. Check dress codes and buggy availability, since some undulating local courses restrict ride-on use in wet conditions. Waterproofs are essential kit rather than optional, and a spare glove is always sensible in Lancashire. Many clubs offer competitive visitor green fee packages including food, which makes a golfing day in Preston notably good value compared with better-known coastal destinations nearby.