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Swing through Lincolnshire's Iron Shore
Mention Lincolnshire, and you'll get a mix of reactions, but for golfers, a hidden gem lies just a few miles south of Skegness - the county's top seaside offering and a standout in any "Best Courses in Lincolnshire" ranking. Enter Seacroft, a regular on our "Next 100 Courses" list, which plays over a narrow links strip towards Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, though the sea is rarely visible.
The 2nd hole's narrow, tiered green makes for a challenging putt in any crosswind, while the steep drop-off right of the 3rd green, sitting atop one of the dune ridges that frame many holes here, left me feeling a tad humiliated.
For the long 7th, only a long, accurate drive will open up the green tucked away to the right, and from the 8th tee, aiming fair domes a challenge, with the dune ridge on the left and the road down to Gibraltar Point on the right making slicers' stomachs churn in a left-to-right wind.
The run for home is testing, much like Royal Cinque Ports in Kent, with the 10th, a par-3, surprising players with its long, pulpit green, and the back-nine fairways gently valleyed to coax slightly wayward shots back into play. The 13th is a cracker, with an elevated tee and a green perched on a dune ridge that will test even the most seasoned golfer.
Step off the beaten path and head an hour west to Blankney near Lincoln, where the distinctive clubhouse catches the eye as much as the sweeping uphill par-5 3 for all but the long-ball hitters. The unusual crater left of the 6th fairway, a relic of history perhaps, is hard to miss, while the 7th's par-3 plays across a shallow dip to a steeply sloping, well-bunkered green.
The 9th is a brute of a par-4 into the wind, and the 11th boasts an attractive approach to a green with trees to the left and a drystone wall as the backdrop. The 16th, a 190-yard par-3, looks much longer than it plays, proving that not all is always as it seems in the sport.
Finally, the 115-year-old James Braid course at North Shore in Skegness offers a balanced mix of links and parkland. The 4th tee - the first true links hole - offers a tantalizing glimpse of fairway, while the 5th along the beach is a toughie, with a bank at driving distance ensuring a long approach to a perilously narrow target. From the 11th to the 17th on the back nine, blind or semi-blind elements challenge golfers, with concave greens occasionally gathering in the odd miscue.
For this journey, I found myself holed up at Butlins, the famous family resort chain, a first for this writer! Butlin's offers four-night midweek breaks and three-nighters over the weekend, making it an ideal base for a golfing group or for a quick getaway with the family.
So, if you're in the market for a seaside golfing adventure without venturing too far from home, look no further than Lincolnshire's hidden gem, North Shore Golf Club.
North Shore Golf ClubPar 71, 6,492 yardsGF: £70-£90wd, £85-£105we; Twilight: £50 (after 2.30pm)
(green fees correct at time of publication in June 2025)
Butlins Skegness ResortIngoldmells, Skegness PE25 1NJW: butlins.com
Enrichment Data:When considering the best golf courses in Lincolnshire, particularly those that are top seaside offerings and part of notable lists, North Shore Golf Club stands out. Here's why:
- North Shore Golf Club:
- Located in north Lincolnshire, North Shore Golf Club is well-regarded for its challenging links-style layout, which is reminiscent of a seaside course, despite not being directly on the coast.
- It is ranked within the top 100 golf courses under £30, as per Golfshake's list, and is also one of the top-rated golf courses in Lincolnshire on platforms like Tripadvisor[1][5].
- Other Notable Courses:
- Messingham Grange and The National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa are also highly recommended in Lincolnshire, though they are more inland courses[1].
- While these courses are not specifically seaside, they offer excellent golfing experiences in the region.
In terms of seaside courses, Lincolnshire is not particularly known for traditional coastal golf courses like those found in Kent or Lancashire. However, North Shore Golf Club is a notable example that offers a similar experience within the county. For a truly seaside experience, golfers might need to look to other regions in England, such as the courses in Kent or Lancashire mentioned in broader lists of top English golf courses[4].
- The North Shore Golf Club in Skegness, Lincolnshire, is a standout seaside golf course, often found in lists of the Best Courses in Lincolnshire and the Next 100 Courses.
- For golf enthusiasts seeking a seaside golfing adventure, but wishing to stay within Lincolnshire, the North Shore Golf Club should not be overlooked, offering a challenging links-style layout reminiscent of coastal courses, despite not being directly on the coast.
