Over the past few months, I have built a comprehensive database of membership pricing from more than 800 golf clubs across 48 English counties. Using this dataset, I have identified the ten counties where a Full Adult membership is, on average, the least expensive. To ensure each area is represented fairly, I have used the median (50th percentile) price in each county, which helps to reduce the impact of unusually high or low outliers.
Figure 1 below shows a choropleth map of England shaded by the median annual cost of Full Adult membership in each county. A clear pattern emerges: in general, the further you travel from London, the more affordable golf club membership becomes.
The table below lists the ten English counties where golf club membership is, on average, the most affordable, alongside the number of clubs contributing data to each county’s median:
| # | County | Median Full Adult membership | Clubs counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumbria | £695 | 22 clubs |
| 2 | Northumberland | £703 | 21 clubs |
| 3 | Herefordshire | £770 | 5 clubs |
| 4 | Cornwall | £814 | 18 clubs |
| 5 | Tyne & Wear | £823 | 12 clubs |
| 6 | Durham | £840 | 20 clubs |
| 7 | East Riding of Yorkshire | £856 | 12 clubs |
| 8 | Derbyshire | £935 | 15 clubs |
| 9 | Norfolk | £945 | 16 clubs |
| 10 | West Yorkshire | £950 | 46 clubs |
It will surprise few golfers that this list is dominated by northern counties, long known for combining spectacular landscapes with excellent value for money. At the very top sits Cumbria, where the median cost of a Full Adult membership is just £695 per year.
Cumbria: England’s cheapest county for golf membership
Leading the ranking, Cumbria offers a mix of links, fellside and parkland courses that pair championship pedigree with modest pricing. For golfers willing to travel north, it is hard to find a county that delivers more variety and value.
Silloth on Solway Golf Club
Among Cumbria’s clubs, Silloth on Solway Golf Club arguably provides the best value-for-money membership anywhere in Britain. Ranked 47th in Great Britain & Ireland and 19th in England by top100golfcourses.com, Silloth is a course of rare character and visual drama. When I played there in 2025, I walked off the 18th genuinely stunned by the variety, beauty and originality of the design. A Full Adult Membership is priced at just £685, supported by a £500 joining fee - a remarkably modest outlay for a course of true championship calibre.
View memberships at Silloth on SolwayBrampton Golf Club
Another Cumbrian highlight is Brampton Golf Club, a charming James Braid heathland layout. The opening hole - a 175-yard par 3 played gently downhill towards the clubhouse - sets the tone for a course that climbs steadily to reveal sweeping views over the Pennine Fells and the Lake District peaks. Full Membership costs £809, placing it towards the upper end of the Cumbrian price range, but Brampton offers something Silloth does not: a convenient, well-maintained practice range, ideal for honing your game or warming up before a round.
View memberships at BramptonNorthumberland: quality and heritage at a modest price
Second on the list is Northumberland, where the median annual cost of a Full Adult membership is £703. The county is home to a broad mix of links and inland courses, offering plenty of variety while retaining a strong sense of value.
Goswick Links Golf Club
A standout in Northumberland is Goswick Links Golf Club, a classic championship links located just ten minutes south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. With an annual fee of £740, it offers excellent value for a course consistently ranked among the top 75 in England. Expansive fairways, strategic bunkering and ever-present coastal winds combine to create a demanding but rewarding test of links golf. Prospective members should note that Goswick currently operates a waiting list of around 130 applicants - a clear sign of its growing popularity.
View memberships at GoswickAlnmouth Village Golf Club
At a significantly lower price point, but every bit as worthy of attention, is Alnmouth Village Golf Club - one of Northumberland’s true hidden gems. Founded in 1869, it is recognised as England’s oldest 9-hole links course. Perched above the sweeping curve of Alnmouth Bay, the course is kept in excellent condition year-round and offers spectacular coastal views from multiple holes. A Full Adult Membership costs just £402 per year, making it one of the most affordable high-quality links memberships anywhere in the country.
View memberships at Alnmouth VillageConclusion
Taken together, the data and the map in Figure 1 point to a clear geographical story: the north of England remains the best region for golfers seeking high-quality, affordable membership options. Cumbria and Northumberland, in particular, stand out for the strength of their courses and the modest cost of joining them - whether you are drawn by championship links, historic charm or simply outstanding scenery at a reasonable annual fee.