Best places to play some golf with your mates or loved ones after work

With the nights drawing in and winter fast approaching, heading to the local golf course to squeeze in even nine holes for us '9 to 5s' is a tough task. 

But just because it's getting darker and colder out there doesn't mean we have to stick the clubs away after work.

Thankfully there are plenty of awesome places to play golf under cover and under the lights, allowing us to still enjoy our great sport with friends or loved ones. 

Here are nine of our favourite spots to play some golf after a tiring day's work, or even on a Saturday night if that's what you fancy.

The majority of our chosen locations are in and around London (as that is where we are based), but no matter your standard or interest level when it comes to golf, we have got recommendations for just about everyone in the following list.

Some serve up cocktails and party fun, others serve a launch monitor to help you improve fast...

#1 - URBAN GOLF 

What is it: Urban Golf provides the best indoor golf simulator experience at the world’s coolest clubhouse. Visitors can drink great craft beer, spirits and cocktails as they play, while also listening to a live DJ, and they can play 18 holes at some of golf's greatest courses such as the Old Course at St Andrews and Pebble Beach in the United States. Lots of other games are also available to cater for everyone's interest levels. 

Location: Farringdon

GolfMagic verdict: Just an awesome venue if you're looking for a reliable golf simulator that makes you feel as though you're actually playing a golf course in real life. Always a good vibe and atmosphere from the moment you step foot inside the venue. Great bar service, big tunes, sofas, and TVs to watch sport. Premium golf clubs available for both men and women at no extra cost, so no need to bring your own. You will need to book to guarantee your booth. 10/10.

Price: varies from £20 to £60 per hour depending on the time you book.

Website: urbangolf.co.uk

#2 - JUNKYARD GOLF

What is it: When crazy golf - and we mean CRAZY golf - mixes with the bar and big tunes. Get excited on four mashed-up 9-hole crazy golf courses designed by Junkyard's in-house team, with each course offering bizarre holes and random shizzle made from pre-loved junk. Think bathtubs, dodgems and scrapyard slides! There are plenty of glow-in-the-dark holes, too. 

Locations: London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford

​GolfMagic verdict: The place to go if you want a real party atmosphere with your crazy golf. The cocktails here are something else! Friendly and helpful staff add to the experience. Each course poses a unique challenge, but all of them are great fun. Well worth experiencing with your pals or loved ones. 9/10.

Price: £10.50 (Sunday-Wednesday), £12.50 (Thursday-Saturday)

Website: www.junkyardgolfclub.co.uk

#3 - TOPGOLF

What is it: No golfing ability? No problem! Topgolf is a game that anyone can play (and win). Score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets on an outfield. The closer you get your ball to the centre or ‘bullseye’ and the further the distance, the more points earned. The fun and games don’t stop there; you can even indulge in delicious food and drinks brought to you while you play. What could be better? 

Locations: Surrey, Chigwell, Watford

GolfMagic verdict: We always think of Topgolf as a bit like bowling, but for golfers. Always a lively atmosphere from the moment you hit the range. In the main Topgolf game, you want to aim for more than six points on each shot as your next shot then doubles, which builds plenty of pressure. The idea is to hit your ball closest to the flag, but you get points as long as you get your ball in any of the gaping holes awaiting your ball. Watch your scores rack up on the board in front of you and compete with your mates, and everyone else that day on the live leaderboard. Loads of different games available, such as snooker (where you go for a red flag, then a coloured flag). Bays come with a heated option, perfect if it's really cold out there. It also has top floor and bottom floor bays - we definitely prefer going upstairs. Friendly and helpful staff, good bar options and lots of food available. Good tunes, too. Well worth a visit - just a shame there are only three venues in the UK. 9/10. 

Price: £5 per game (juniors), £6 per game (adults), membership packages available.

Website: topgolf.com/uk/what-is-topgolf/

#4 - PUTTSHACK

What is it: The 'world's first' social entertainment concept, using ground-breaking patented technology to catapult the traditional game of mini golf into a cutting edge gaming phenomenon. With technology facilitating automatic point scoring, leader-boards, and intuitive gameplay, Puttshack is quite simply, the most incredible mini golf concept in the world.

Locations: White City, Lakeside, Bank (coming soon)

GolfMagic verdict: Great fun and decent value for money. Puttshack uses Trackaball technology, developed by the same guys who came up with Topgolf. No need for a pencil and scorecard, there's automated scores on this one to allow you to concentrate on your putting, and your drink(s). Bonus scores along the way to help improve a player's score. A brand revolutionising the mini putt experience, and we applaud it. 9/10.

Price: 2 games for £12.50

Website: https://www.puttshack.com/

#5 - N1 GOLF LONDON

What is it: Possibly one of the best driving ranges in Europe. N1 Golf offers a 60-bay, two-tier range with a 3,000 sq ft American Golf shop with all the top brands. It also has a fantastic Vinotech Compass Restaurant with fine wine and dining, as well as an N1 Golf Academy with eight full time PGA golf coaches. Every bay has a sofa and coffee table with bar service to order from the range menu. Along with a roof terrace looking over the River Thames this is also the ideal location to host an event.

Location: Greenwich Peninsula 

GolfMagic verdict: Just incredible in the evening when the whole of London is lit up in the background. A terrific driving range positioned right next to the O2. If you're looking for a professional golf range experience, with decent food and drinks to add to your experience, look no further than this one. WATCH the video above to see more of N1 Golf. 9/10.

Price: 120 balls for £12

Website: www.n1golf.com/london

#6 - PITCH GOLF

What is it: Pitch is an intimate service driven, modern golf club. Members and their guests can enjoy eight private golf bays, a new clubhouse and changing rooms as well as an extensive food and beverage menu. From the first welcome at reception, through to your last wedge shot into the heart of the 18th green, at Pitch you will feel part of something unique in the City of London. The five bays in the lower ground floor have a private feel and have two cameras, Swing Catalyst and GC2 HMT in every bay, making this an unbeatable option in central London for game improvement. The new clubhouse, opened by Jon Rahm, is for members, their guests and visitors and is a great space for a corporate or social event with many games including Pitch n Putt available to enable complete novices to enjoy our very welcoming club.

Location: Hasilwood House, 60-64 Bishopsgate, London

GolfMagic verdict: Very good location to reach after work (if you're London based). Cosy setting and friendly staff. Certainly somewhere you can rapidly improve your golf game, especially during these upcoming cold months. It has all the latest technology on hand to help you improve fast. Games on the simulator add to the experience. Lessons are also available. You will need to book in advance and the maximum booking is up to three hours. Well worth a look if you want a PGA coach to get your game back on track in 2020. 9/10.

Price: £40 off peak, £60 peak

Website: www.pitchgolf.london

#7 - SWINGERS 

What is it: Swingers features two bespoke nine hole crazy golf courses at each of its venues. It has five cocktail drenched bars, three of London's best street-food vendors, a two story clubhouse with a gin terrace and nightly DJs. 

Locations: The City (8 Brown's Buildings, EC3A 8AL), West End (15 John Prince's St, WIG 0AB)

GolfMagic verdict: Another party golf atmosphere, similar to that of Junkyard with its bar, but also with the add-on of a street-food area. You can rock up to play here but we recommend you book - in fact you'll have very little chance of playing without booking on a Thursday to Saturday evening. It's always been heaving in here when we've been there. Two courses - the Lighthouse and the Windmill - both awesome tracks. Some easy holes, some tricky ones. Fantastic bar with fast service, great food, party tunes. A little pricey but well worth a visit. Good value, a very classy crazy golf experience, and a top night in general. 10/10.

Price: from £10

Website: swingersldn.com/home

#8 - SILVERMERE, TOPTRACER RANGE

What is it: Silvermere has firmly established itself as one of the leading and most innovative practice facilities in the South East with its 52 bays, 2 tiered driving range. Its driving range features FREE to use Toptracer technology, available in 40 bays. Toptracer at Silvermere gives you accurate yardages on every shot, shows the shot trajectory and lets you get competitive with points games. Something for everyone to get involved in with nearest the pin games, longest drives, rounds of golf at famous courses and more. 

Location: Surrey

GolfMagic verdict: We loved every second of our first in-depth look at Toptracer Range at Silvermere Golf Club in Surrey, one of 30 locations offering the service in the UK right now. The range was absolutely packed, and little wonder when you consider its full package today. Yes, Silvermere offers one of the best golf stores and driving ranges in the country, but the addition of Toptracer takes it to the next level. The beauty of Toptracer Range – which has increased its number of worldwide bays by 87% since the 2018 PGA Show – is that anyone can get involved, no matter their age and ability and we very much applaud that. The virtual golf feature was probably our favourite aspect of it, just because it made every shot count and also made things more competitive! 10/10 - READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

Price: £8.40 (60 balls), £10.80 (100 balls) - full price list here.

Website: www.silvermere-golf.co.uk/golf/driving-range

#9 - MR MULLIGANS

What is it: Crazy golf venue with a bar and restaurant. Each venue has a different theme, which adds to the experience. 

Locations: Basildon, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Castleford, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sidcup, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Woking

GolfMagic verdict: Great fun - definitely one of the best crazy golf venues in the country. Every course we've played has offered a different experience, but all with the same end feeling - a great crazy golf experience with smooth, well maintained playing surfaces, and lots of fun holes. Nice atmosphere, lively vibe and a good mix of holes - some short ones offering hole-in-one chances, but there are also some card wreckers! Good value for money, and plenty of fun for the whole family. 9/10.

Price: under £10 - click on venue to find each of the price lists

Website: mrmulligan.com