We dusted down our plus fours and strode out of the office to find the UK’s best courses on which to entertain your clients
Leeds Castle has an historical nine hole course featuring par 34, and 2843 yard of green on the 500 acre Leeds Castle Estate (built in 1931 by Sir Guy Campbell). Intervals of ten minutes between tee-off times mean that the course is rarely congested, which makes it ideal for groups.
Want to follow in James Bond's footsteps? Secret Service Agent 007 played a round on its championship golf course, both in Goldfinger and Tomorrow Never Dies. Built in 1789, Stoke Park became the UK’s first ‘country club’ in 1908 and has offered first-rate hospitality ever since. Nine function rooms offer fine views of its Capability Brown grounds. For special occasions, the Fountain Room looks across a private terrace to a fine water feature.
The scenery’s the star at Carden Park’s two championship courses. Double-option fairways make the Nicklaus a ‘thinking man’s course’. By way of respite, corporate packages offer a day’s golf with lunch and a three-course dinner. Need more? The Carden Aktiv Retreat focuses on fitness and relaxation classes.
The 2010 Ryder Cup venue is a golfing wonderland: its three championship courses flanked by an academy and two large clubhouses. With 400 bedrooms, seven restaurants and a 1,500-capacity conference centre, this is one for the very largest corporate groups.
Closer to the capital, this 500-acre estate has two championship courses. The Melbourne involves a ferry ride to reach its 18th green. Amid ancient woodland, The Palmerston throws up a series of spectacular hazards. Watch out too for the roving drinks buggies. Once clubs have been holstered, there’s overnight accommodation.
There has been golf at Hever Castle since the 1920s. In its historic grounds, the current club offers 27 holes of high-quality golf, top-notch practice facilities and tuition from PGA professionals. Groups can even combine a round with a tour of Anne Boleyn’s old home.
The resort boast no less than three championship golf courses, so this is definitively one for the bucket list. When
Gleneagles opened in 1924 it was described as a ‘riviera in the Highlands’, and its recent refurbishment has seen it being catapulted into the 21st century. The hotel is also ideal for other teambuilding,
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On a stately Jacobean property under an hour from London, this championship course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. After some swing analysis at the on-site Golf Academy, groups can repair to the Games Room, where a simulator lets them play 15 of the world’s finest courses.