It’s no surprise that the picturesque settings for many of the UK’s best golf courses are also home to some wonderful fishing lakes. Both pursuits lend themselves to serving our thirst for fresh air, gentle competition, and a moment of calm. Legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson have all spoken of their joy of fishing, while 2025’s Open Championship winner Scottie Scheffler even owns his own angling team, the Texas Lone Stars.
Increasingly, golfers are on the lookout for combining that passion for the fairway and the riverbank. For those looking for the most challenging courses – those that have hosted major professional PGA events – there are a handful that stand out in the UK.
Warwickshire’s The Belfry, which has hosted the Ryder Cup four times, has the Belfry Coarse Fishery close by. The Forest of Arden, which held the English Open numerous times in the 1990s, has its own lakes, while the Formby Hall Golf Resort, a stop on the Challenge Tour, is a 20-minute drive from the fishing lakes of the Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club.
But above all these, one course deserves the spotlight. Bowood Golf Course in Wiltshire boasts both a championship-standard PGA course and truly elite angling opportunities.
Combining Championship Golf and Elite Angling at Bowood
As the Official PGA Golf Course and Academy for the South West, this Wiltshire gem offers a Dave Thomas-designed par-72 layout that has become a staple of the professional circuit. It most recently hosted the English PGA Championship for the sixth time in 2025 when Ashley Mansell triumphed.
Stretching across 2,000 acres of meticulously sculpted parkland, the course is a masterclass in risk-reward design, featuring USGA-standard greens that remain pristine even in the unpredictable British weather.
The beautiful course, its stunning landscape famously sculpted by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, invites golfers to enjoy highlights such as the 3rd hole’s Cascades or the daunting downhill tee-shot of the 17th Queenwood. Everpresent are the estate’s 26 lakes and ponds, and for those looking to swap their 7-iron for a rod, Bowood provides two distinct, world-class fishing lakes.
The appeal of the estate’s angling offering has never been more prominent. This resurgence of interest isn’t just a local phenomenon; it mirrors a massive national trend which has driven the value of the UK fishing industry over £3 billion annually. Cleaner rivers and healthier fish stocks have driven this growth, while popularity has been bolstered by greater visibility in everything from fashion to entertainment.
The rugged, outdoor wear of Anglercore has grown in prominence, while the BBC’s Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing has won a devoted fanbase and recently broadcast its eighth series to further critical acclaim. Online, fishing-themed slots, including Big Bass Splash and Big Bass Bonanza, have become popular among instant win gaming players, and influencers, such as urban-fishing content creator Snagged Bro, have amassed huge YouTube followings.
As today’s golfers seek both the water and the green, Bowood Lake offers premier coarse fishing from 24 stages, where anglers can target bream, tench and golden rudd in a setting that once hosted the hunting parties of Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son of Edward III. For the fly-fishing purist, the secluded Calstone Lake – a crystal-clear chalk stream lake at the source of the River Marden – provides a highly sought-after syndicate experience for both brown and rainbow trout.
Fairways and Fishing
Whether you are navigating the monstrous 7,300-yard championship course or casting for tench, Bowood offers a rare synergy of professional prestige and tranquil escape. In an era where the fairway and the riverbank have never been more connected, it remains the UK’s gold standard.
