Fancy a weekend on a windswept, difficult course honing your handicap swing by swing? Us neither. We love a bit of golf of course, but if we can have a nice dram of an 18 year old between holes all the better. So, should you find yourself stuck between needing some pure relaxation and wanting a bit of light exercise, here are the most luxurious and best golf courses in the UK, all within a short distance of the capital.

Queenwood

Want to rub shoulders with the elite of sport and screen with every swing? Surrey’s Queenwood is the one for you. The club accepts anyone that seriously excels in their field, and caters to them as such; on the fairway or the in the clubhouse, you’ll want for nothing. Well, what do you expect when joining fees are over £200,000?

The Wisley

One of the only golf clubs to actually be owned by its members; it’s run like a members’ club too with strict caps on numbers. It does mean that there’s always space to play which given the beautiful fairways and impeccable clubhouse (especially the bar) it’s worth getting your name on the waiting list. There is a playing interview to be accepted though, so best brush up on your short game; www.thewisley.com

London Golf Club

The pair of exceptional, European tour courses are just the start at London’s local golf club. Everything gets better when there’s a golf buggy full of booze making its way around the holes, quenching thirst as they go. If you’re up for as much of a good time as a competitive one, this is the one for you; www.londongolf.co.uk

Swinley Forest

Very few competitions, informal handicaps and only a cursory acceptance of scorecards, Swinley Forest isn’t exactly a competitive golf club. It is however beautiful, a favourite of Dukes and the Oxbridge set that prefer a relaxed game in good company. Drinks at the clubhouse afterwards are an experience; swinley.cvdev.co.uk

Wentworth Club

In recent years this Surrey golf club has had some serious investment pumped into it. The famous West Course has been given a £5m overhaul ensuring great, updated play, while the clubhouse has been revamped for £20m, ensuring… well, just about everything else. It’s invite only so be ready to grease some palms; www.wentworthclub.com