Pub Golf in ChesterRules, Scorecard & Route Planner
Pub golf turns a day out in Chester into a friendly competition. Pick your course, assign drinks at each “hole”, and keep score live on your phone. Chester is ideal for it — the city centre is compact and walkable with dozens of pubs within easy reach of each other.
How to Play Pub Golf
The rules are simple — the execution gets harder as the night goes on.
Each pub is a hole
You visit a set number of pubs in a fixed order. Typically 9 holes (pubs) for a manageable evening, or 18 if you're truly committed.
Assigned drinks
Each hole has a pre-agreed drink. You don't get to choose — the drink for that hole is the drink. No swapping, no negotiating at the bar.
Par = target sips
Par is the number of gulps you're allowed to finish your drink. A par-3 hole means finishing your drink in three gulps. Fewer is better — just like real golf.
Lower score wins
Count every gulp. Add up across all holes. The player with the lowest total score at the end of the course wins.
Penalties
Common penalties: +1 stroke for spilling any drink, +2 for not finishing your drink, +1 for using two hands on a shot glass. House rules vary — agree before hole 1.
Dress code
Traditional pub golf means golf attire — polo shirts, chinos, caps, and the worse the pattern the better. It's optional but strongly recommended for the atmosphere.
Why Use Our Pub Golf Planner?
Planning pub golf on a WhatsApp thread is chaos. Our planner keeps everything in one place.
Real Chester venues
Pick from actual pubs and bars on our venue list. No guessing whether a place is still open or still good.
Estimated cost per person
We pull in real drink prices from our prices database so you can budget the night before you go.
Shareable scorecard link
Generate a link and send it to your group. Everyone sees the same course and can follow along in real time.
Keep score on your phone
No paper scorecard to lose after hole 3. Tap in your scores after each hole — the planner does the maths.
Set par for each hole
Assign a par rating to each hole based on the drink. A shot might be par 1; a pint, par 4. Our planner makes it easy to customise.
Works for any group size
Whether it's 4 people or 40, the planner handles scoring for the whole group. Great for stag dos, birthdays, and work socials.
A Suggested 9-Hole Chester Pub Golf Course
Not sure where to start? Here's a tried-and-tested route through Chester city centre — all venues within easy walking distance of each other, no taxis needed.
| Hole | Venue | Area | Par | Drink | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Brewery Tap | Lower Bridge Street | Par 4 | Pint of lager | Good starting point with plenty of room. Sets a solid pace. |
| 2 | Ye Olde King's Head | Lower Bridge Street | Par 3 | Half of bitter | One of Chester's oldest pubs — great atmosphere, tight quarters. |
| 3 | The Slug and Lettuce | St Werburgh Street | Par 5 | Cocktail of your choice | Par 5 for a cocktail — savour it, you're still early doors. |
| 4 | Rosie's Bar | Northgate Street | Par 3 | Shot + mixer | Quick stop. Par 3 for something short — keep moving. |
| 5 | The Architect | Northgate Street | Par 4 | Craft beer | Midway point — reassess your scorecard here. |
| 6 | Live Lounge | Northgate Street | Par 4 | Pint of lager | Good music, friendly bar staff, and a great halfway vibe. |
| 7 | The Bear & Billet | Lower Bridge Street | Par 3 | Gin & tonic | Historic grade-listed pub. Par 3 — no dawdling. |
| 8 | Kuckoo | Eastgate Street | Par 4 | Cocktail | Energy ramps up here. Trickier par after a long night — manage your sips. |
| 9 | Telford's Warehouse | Tower Wharf | Par 5 | Pint of your choice | Finish line. Canalside views, live music most nights. Celebrate here. |
Venues and opening hours can change. Check our venue listings or browse today's deals before you set off.
Tips for Pub Golf in Chester
Make the most of your night with a bit of planning up front.
Dress the part
Pub golf has a dress code tradition: golf attire. Polo shirts, chinos, and a cap are the minimum — the more ridiculous the outfit, the better. Venues love it and it keeps the group's spirits high.
Eat before you start
Chester's city centre has loads of good food options. Get a proper meal in before hole one — you'll thank yourself by hole six.
Keep the group together
Stragglers cause chaos. Set a 'tee-off' time at each venue and stick to it. Our planner lets you share the schedule with the whole group in advance.
Pre-assign the drinks
Don't negotiate drink choices at the bar — decide before you go. Our planner lets you set a specific drink for each hole so there's no debate on the night.
Walk, don't taxi
Chester's city centre is tiny — everything is within 15 minutes on foot. Walking keeps the pacing right and saves money for drinks.
Check opening times
Some Chester pubs close earlier than you'd expect, especially midweek. Our venue listings show opening hours so you don't arrive at a closed door on hole 7.
Planning a pub crawl instead? Check our Chester pub crawl guide for a relaxed route with no scoring pressure. Or browse Chester pub deals to cut costs on the night.
Pub Golf Chester — FAQ
What is pub golf?
Pub golf is a drinking game played across multiple pubs. Each pub is a 'hole', and players are assigned a specific drink to finish there. The number of sips or gulps to finish the drink is your score — just like real golf, fewer is better. You add up your score across all holes and the lowest total wins.
How many holes in pub golf?
Most pub golf games run 9 holes (9 pubs), though ambitious groups play 18. For a first game or a casual outing in Chester, 9 holes is the right call — it keeps things manageable and leaves room to actually enjoy each venue.
What are the rules of pub golf?
The basic rules: (1) Each pub is a hole with a par (target number of sips). (2) You're assigned a specific drink at each hole. (3) Count how many sips it takes you to finish. (4) Common penalties include +1 for spilling, +2 for not finishing, and +1 for using both hands. (5) Lowest total score across all holes wins.
Where can I play pub golf in Chester?
Chester is one of the best cities in the UK for pub golf. The city centre is compact and walkable, with dozens of pubs and bars within easy walking distance of each other. Popular areas include Northgate Street, Eastgate Street, and the Rows. Our free planner lets you pick from real Chester venues, set drink assignments, and share a scorecard with your group.
Ready to tee off?
Build your Chester pub golf course, set drink assignments and par ratings, then share the scorecard with your group. Free, no sign-up required.