Fairway or driveway? The furious debate over building houses on golf courses.
23 April 2026
The UK hosts around a quarter of Europe’s golf courses at a time when the government is pushing hard to increase housing supply - aiming for 1.5 million new homes in England over five years.
In England alone, golf courses occupy an estimated 270 000 hectares, roughly the same amount used for domestic buildings.
In England alone, golf courses occupy an estimated 270 000 hectares, roughly the same amount used for domestic buildings.