Handsworth Golf Course

Handsworth Golf Club sits in the western suburbs of Birmingham and if you like your golf traditional, friendly and refreshingly straightforward, it's well worth a look. Founded in 1895, the club moved to its current home a year later and the place still carries that genuine members' club character, the kind where you're welcomed warmly but nobody's making a fuss.

The big headline is the design pedigree. In 1920, Harry Colt reworked the layout. His routing has stood up brilliantly, staying largely unchanged for decades, which shows in the way the holes ask you to position the ball rather than simply lash driver on every tee. It's an enjoyable, well-balanced parkland test that suits a wide range of abilities. Better players can plot their way around and chase a score, while mid-to-high handicappers will find plenty to enjoy without feeling beaten up.

The course flows nicely through mature parkland, with enough tree-lined fairways and green complexes to keep you thinking, but nothing that's going to ruin your day if you're carrying a 15 handicap. It's the kind of layout where local knowledge helps, but you won't feel lost on a first visit.

It's also a great option for a society day or a quick round when you're in the Birmingham area, with a welcoming clubhouse that's ideal for a post-round drink and a bit of match-play debate. If you're building a short UK break, Handsworth works nicely as the kind of course that keeps everyone in the group engaged, whatever their handicap. It pairs well with other West Midlands venues if you're looking to tick off a few quality parkland tests in one trip.

Who is this for?
Golfers who want a traditional Birmingham parkland round with real design heritage, societies after a welcoming club atmosphere and anyone keen to tick off a Colt layout in the West Midlands.

Who is it best for?
Mid-handicappers and mixed-ability groups who enjoy strategic golf, plus visitors looking for an easy-going, characterful members' club experience.