Top 10 cars to take to the golf course
Be a big shot in the club car park
MOST of the time, a car’s boot space matters little. Any remotely sensible motor can handle the weekly food shop and we all find a way to muddle through on the annual family holiday.
However, to any golfer, it couldn’t be more important: there’s nothing worse than having to stick your trusty (and often muddy) irons in the passenger seat.
Kings of the car park … best cars for the golf course
With this in mind, we have scoured our listings to find the best used cars to get you, the rest of your foursome and their golf bags to the club, and look the part when you get there...
Jaguar XF Sportbrake – used from £24,450 Read full road test
Club pro … Jaguar XF Sportbrake
They say that making the right impression in the club car park is almost as important as your swing — one loose swing here and you could be out of there quicker than you can shout "fore right". Thankfully, you will have no such problems if you turn up in one of these. Estate cars don’t come better looking than the XF, making this a surefire way to impress the club pro. 550-litres of luggage space with all seats in place will get you, your pals and all your gear to the first tee with ease and built-in cubby box in the boot means your halfway sandwiches will stay in-tact too.
Audi A6 Avant – used from £5,989Read full road test
Stylish swinger … Audi A6 Avant
This car is so stylish Audi couldn’t face calling it an estate. The A6 Avant is as classy as they come and, with those four rings on the front, it will fit right in parked outside the clubhouse. With a whopping 1,680 litres of boot space you’ll be able to fit clubs, trolleys, umbrellas, you name it, inside with acres of room to spare. If you’re prone to the occasional “power-fade”, opt for a model with Audi’s famed 4x4 Quattro system, which will get you out of any type of rough.
Porsche Panamera - used from £39,990 Read full road test
Mega drive … Porsche Panamera
The ultimate golfing sports car; the Panamera is the perfect motor for any hotshot golfer. Legendary Porsche performance combined with all the space of a modern saloon means your mates will be desperate for a lift to the course in one of these. With four spacious seats and 450-litres of room in the back, it won’t even be too much of a squeeze. And, with the 300 bhp, 3.6-litre V6 base model you'll never be late for your early-morning tee-off again. Rory McIlroy, take note.
BMW 5 Series Touring – used from £2,250 Read full road test
Big dog … BMW 5 Series Touring
The 5 Series is the motoring king of the executive world, and it’s easy to see why. This car just oozes character. Imposing, masculine styling, plush armchair-esque seats and a peerless driving performance make the 5 Series the big car for a big dog at the golf course. Everybody in the clubhouse bar will be desperate to share a drink with the driver of one of these. But you won’t mind missing out on a trip to the 19th if you get to drive this mini-limousine home.
more motors
Chrysler 300C – used from £7,499 Read full road test
American muscle … Chrysler 300C
Celebrated American writer Mark Twain once said: "Golf is a good walk spoiled." After a soggy afternoon trudging in vain through the long stuff, many a golfer can relate. However, all the lost balls in the world couldn’t dampen your mood if you turned up in one of these. Brash, full-bodied American styling and swanky interior mean you’re sure to make a splash. Stroll up to the tee, take out the big stick and let rip. Get in the hole!
Ford Kuga – used from 7,747 Read full road test
Plucky underdog … Ford Kuga
It may not sound as glamorous as some of the names on this list, but the Kuga might just be your perfect golfing motor. Despite years of technological advances, the longest drive ever recorded was a 515-yard bomb way back in 1974 (albeit on a 450 yard par 4) and this Ford is further proof that you don’t need all the fancy gear to be a big hitter. We think this might just be the best-looking 4x4 on the market and, with Ford’s famous reliability, you’ll never be stuck at home when a mate suggests a cheeky 9 holes.
Land Rover Discovery – used from £2,989 Read full road test
Indestructible … Land Rover Discovery
If, like me, the majority of your round sees you plodding though knee-high grass, traversing sand traps, wading through streams or navigating dense woodland, then this might be the car for you. The indestructible Discovery is the best all-round vehicle in the world and can tackle any type of terrain. Remove the row of seats in its upmarket cabin and you’re left with a massive 1,260-litre boot for your clubs. That’s so big you could stand your woods and irons upright back there, or even take a few sneaky practice swings.
Skoda Superb – used from £3,790
Tour rookie … Skoda Superb
Not so long ago, any respectable golfer would rather have parked his Skoda around the corner and walked than be seen arriving in one at the course. Oh, how times have changed. Stylish, executive and economical motors are now par for the course for the Czech firm - and the Superb really is exactly what it says on the tin. Even with the seats in place, the estate version will hold half a club shop and all models come with a secret umbrella hidden in the rear door, so you can golf all year round.
Renault Captur – used from £10,979 Read full road test
Great value … Renault Captur
If, for whatever reason, golf isn’t your number one priority, you might want something a bit more practical for everyday use. This is where the distinctive Captur comes in. Renault’s practical new crossover is one of the top-selling family cars on the market right now, and it ticks all the golfing boxes too. Sliding rear seats mean you’ll never be short of space for all your gear and the incredible 75mpg delivered by 1.5-litre diesels means you’ll have the cash for an extra green fee or two.
Volkswagen Passat – used from £795 Read full road test
Links legend … Volkswagen Passat
If executive styling on a shoestring budget is what you’re after, then the Passat is the car for you. Sleek bodywork, loads of kit and a luxury finish mean you won’t look out of place parked outside the clubhouse. Plus, its huge boot will swallow your golf bag whole, meaning no fiddling about with your driver. But the big selling point here is economy. Bluemotion models boast a range of almost 900miles, which means one tank will get you from London to the home of golf and back so you can test yourself on the links!