See all undefinedWe cannot guarantee that the following list of cars will do anything to improve your approach shots to that tricky fourth dogleg; nor can we even suggest that they might cure a case of the yips. But these are most definitely the best cars both for carrying your clubs and for being seen and admired around the clubhouse…
1. Skoda Octavia Estate
OK, so perhaps the Octavia isn’t the most stylish car around, but it does have an absolutely cavernous boot, into which you can cram as much as 605 litres of clubs, buggies, bags, shoes and various other golf-y items. Plus, mechanically, it’s the same as a Volkswagen Golf, which is nice and it’s also the most affordable car on this list.
2. Honda CR-V
Not, perhaps an obvious choice, but the Honda has its charms, not least of which is the huge boot, which really puts the U (for utility) into SUV, and which should easily take two big bags of clubs, possibly three if you squeeze up a bit. Plus, the fact that it’s not a showy car means you’ll be able to slink out of the gate without getting caught for a round of drinks.
3. Volvo V90
If you’re looking for the most attractive estate car around, this is it. Not the most spacious, though, which is odd for a Volvo estate, In fact, at 560 litres it’s actually a packet of Slazenger Number 1s short of the new BMW 5 Series Touring, traditionally a smaller car. But the Volvo V90 oozes style, has a gorgeous interior, is incredibly safe, quite frugal and can even drive itself on the motorway. Which makes it probably the most useful ‘driver’ in your selection (sorry, not sorry).
5. Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Sadly out of production at the moment. There is a new one coming, but you can pick up the old-shape one for a song, and it’s such a gorgeous car that no-one will notice the older number plate. Plus, by slinky Jag standards, it’s really very practical with a 550-litre boot. Jaguar originally demonstrated it to us by loading a fridge into the back and having us drive it around a race track, which means we’re confident it’ll cope happily with a bag of Callaways.
6. Volkswagen California
Not cheap (you can spend as much as €90k on one) and not that good to drive, but the California has one major advantage — it’s a camper van that fits into normal car parks, so you never have to leave the golf club. Just imagine the vistas of early tee-times that could be yours by waking up already at the club. Just remember to nip into the members' area for a shower and a trip to the toilet as the California doesn’t have an on-board bathroom.
7. Volkswagen Passat Estate
It is, of course, possible to spend a huge amount of money on a prestige German estate car, but the Passat shows you the folly of such things. Here is a car, with a circa €30,000 price tag (depending on how you spec it), that can hold pretty much as many clubs as you’ll need, and is better built, more refined and more comfortable than cars costing twice as much. Which leaves you more to spend on important things, such as that new Titleist seven-iron…
8. Lexus RX 450h
Lexus has really pulled its brand image up by the bootstraps in the past few years, so instead of looking as if you’ve bought a posh Toyota, you now look as if you’ve actually bought a canny alternative to one of the big German brands. Plus, the RX 450h is a fuel-sipping hybrid, so by protecting the environment, you must be looking after green things. Greens? Golf? Greens? See, it’s all coming together nicely.
9. Land Rover Discovery
The new Land Rover Discovery looks every bit as classy as its more expensive Range Rover brother, yet thanks to a new 2.0-litre diesel it’s significantly cheaper (save your money for better clubs, remember?). The boot is unbelievably massive, taking care of all club transport needs, and there’s also a flip-out seat on the edge of the boot, making it easier to change in and out of your studded Nikes.
10. 1964 Aston Martin DB5
Let’s face it; whenever we take to the course, we’re imagining ourselves as Sean Connery in Goldfinger. Packing a Penfold Hearts, a bar of Nazi gold and a mission to beat villainous Goldfinger himself at golf, no car has ever looked classier parked on the raked gravel of the Stoke Poges club where Bond’s golfing sequences were filmed. You’ll just have to find a spare €600,000 or so for a good one, plus another million or two for maintenance and restoration to keep it running. Still, worth it. Strict rules of golf? But of course…