Heathland Courses near London

[sabram]

I just got back from a short trip to London. I played some world-class heathland courses in Berkshire and Surrey. While Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Wentworth are the most famous heathland courses in the area, I enjoyed my rounds at the Berkshire Red, Berkshire Blue, Hankley Common and the Addington almost as much and have to say that a 36 hole day at the Berkshire compares to almost any 36 holes I've played anywhere. Almost as great as Sunningdale and better than Wentworth (and much less expensive.) I'm jealous of the abundance of riches that London golfers have.

 

https://www.flickr.c...57632028368729/ Heathland Golf Course pix

 

 

Berkshire Blue #15 from tee P1050406r

 

 

Addington #12 x par 5 second shotP1050605r

 

 

Hankley Common #7 par 3 190 yards uphill P1050515r

 

Berkshire Red #10 200 yard monster par 3 P1050458r

[HitTheStick]

A great trip and photos. You're right, no shortage of beauties around the M25. Sounds like it might be time to head to the Channel Coast next visit!

[sabram]

[quote name='HitTheStick' timestamp='1410870056' post='10125359']
... it might be time to head to the Channel Coast next visit!
[/quote]

Yes, Deal and Sandwich are on the radar for my next visit, but also a lot of great courses in the Northwest of England near Liverpool, so I'm torn.

[jt78129]

They look like great courses, nice pics. I can't imagine courses in the commuter belt in Surrey being particularly cheap but I have no idea.

I grew up 25 minutes from Sandwich, Royal Cinque Ports etc. left 8 years ago, before I took up the game or really had any appreciation of it. Open traffic every 6 years was noticeable, that's about it.

Haven't been back since I started playing but can't wait to play some of the courses I have read about, here and elsewhere.

Worried that my North American obsession with medal play won't translate well though! My brother, who is in the UK and an occasional hacker, simply can't comprehend 4 plus hour rounds and continually makes fun of my apparent obsession with score and handicap.

[67VIP]

I just got back from a short trip to London. I played some world-class heathland courses in Berkshire and Surrey. While Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Wentworth are the most famous heathland courses in the area, I enjoyed my rounds at the Berkshire Red, Berkshire Blue, Hankley Common and the Addington almost as much and have to say that a 36 hole day at the Berkshire compares to almost any 36 holes I've played anywhere. Almost as great as Sunningdale and better than Wentworth (and much less expensive.) I'm jealous of the abundance of riches that London golfers have.

 

https://www.flickr.c...57632028368729/ Heathland Golf Course pix

 

 

Berkshire Blue #15 from tee P1050406r

 

 

Addington #12 x par 5 second shotP1050605r

 

 

Hankley Common #7 par 3 190 yards uphill P1050515r

 

Berkshire Red #10 200 yard monster par 3 P1050458r

 

Those are beautiful...might have to take a crack at those myself. The heathland courses are definitely my favorites over here; Sunningdale Old/New, Walton Heath Old, Woodhall Spa Hotchkins, Luffingham Heath, & definitely Notts. Going to try & play The Dukes of St Andrews next month the day we get there, looks nice and seems to be regarded well enough to be ranked.

[utkochster]

Just played the Berkshire red last weekend, excellent course. Haven't played the blue yet. Addington is great, except the opening par 3...But that is just me. Hankly was great too.

I would highly recommend royal st Georges. Walton Heath is OK. St george's hill is good too. Wentworth is pretty darn good though... Would never pass that up. Haven't played Sunningdale new but heard it is better than the old and liked the old a lot.

I getting out to Woburn soon, which is suppose to be the best around London from what people around here say.

Thanks for sharing the pics, good memories

[thecraw]

Beautiful looking tracks. I've only managed Walton Heath Old myself and absolutely loved it. Would love to play a good few more tracks in that area but way too expensive for my budget.

Doesn't stop me admiring them. Glad you enjoyed and shared.

[67VIP]

[quote name='thecraw' timestamp='1416830000' post='10495557']
Beautiful looking tracks. I've only managed Walton Heath Old myself and absolutely loved it. Would love to play a good few more tracks in that area but way too expensive for my budget.

Doesn't stop me admiring them. Glad you enjoyed and shared.
[/quote]

The Dukes is a fantastic heathland course right there in St Andrews...if I lived there I'd be a member in a New York minute. Some others to look at that are not super expensive are Notts, Luffenham Heath, Woodhall Spa, Ipswich, Woodbridge, & Sherwood Forest, I've played all of them but Sherwood...still trying to crack that one, and The Berkshire, Woking, Worplesdon...

[MarkFromTheUK]

Played Walton Heath Old Course today, and really enjoyed it. Greens were shocking though, and it was playing lonnnnnnnnng due to it being so soft.

 

In the next few weeks I have 36 at Sunningdale lined up, a round at The Grove, and 27 at The Wisley.

 

 

[Dave D]

you picked 4 great courses to play there! love the 2 Berkshire courses, and a huge fan of hankley common! what an awesome track. I would second the nod to st.georges hill, worth a visit for the drive around the estate to look at the houses. Plus the only course ive ever lost a ball on the putting green at :D

 

a little further into surrey are liphook and new Zealand, both superb heathland courses

[Dave D]

I prefer the Edinburgh of the wentworth courses, sure its nice to play the west but for me the Edinburgh is the best, and much cheaper!

[Mac10]

May be a slightly out of that area but I would add Blackmoor, North Hants and Liphook

[sabram]

you picked 4 great courses to play there! love the 2 Berkshire courses, and a huge fan of hankley common! what an awesome track. I would second the nod to st.georges hill, worth a visit for the drive around the estate to look at the houses. Plus the only course ive ever lost a ball on the putting green at :D

 

a little further into surrey are liphook and new Zealand, both superb heathland courses

 

I love New Zealand. It actually makes a great pairing with St Georges Hill as they are only a few miles from one another. Liphook is on my list the next time I visit England