South East England is home to some of the best and most challenging golf courses in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing round or an intense challenge, there’s something for everyone here. From lush parkland courses to links tests, we’ve rounded up the best golf courses in South East England.
Prince Golf Club
Prince’s Golf Club is renowned for its 27-hole Championship Golf Course, which runs along the beautiful South East coastline.
The Shore Course
The clockwise loop of nine holes, known as the Shore, initially follows the shoreline south towards the Lodge at the entrance to the course. Golfers can expect a decent challenge here, with the opening drive being quite straightforward but still requiring precision to achieve a par 4. In contrast, the drive at the par 5 second requires the longest carry to the fairway of any hole at Prince’s, presenting golfers with a unique challenge.
The Dunes Course
The Dunes, on the other hand, form an anticlockwise loop of nine holes and offer a different set of challenges. The dog-leg first hole is arguably the most difficult on the course, with a narrow green that is tricky to hold even with the shortest approach shots. The par 3-second offers only temporary respite before three testing holes, particularly the fourth and fifth, which are challenging par fours. Prince’s Golf Club truly offers golfers of all levels a unique and memorable experience.
The Himalayas course
Last but not least, the Himalayas course, a favorite among members, has recently undergone a major upgrade by renowned architects Mackenzie & Ebert. The changes are remarkable, with the most prominent found on the newly combined 2nd and 3rd hole, producing a sweeping par 5 around wetlands to the old par 3 green. The architects have also made several other changes to the course, including adding three new bunkers down the left-hand side of the last short par 4 3rd hole. However, the most impressive addition to the course is undoubtedly the new par 3, ‘Bloody Point,’ located at the far end.
Overall, the Prince Golf Club promises to challenge golfers of all skill levels while providing plenty of moments for awe and admiration at the stunning scenery.
Address: Princes Dr, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich CT13 9QB, United Kingdom
Camberley Heath Golf Club
Camberley Heath Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable golf courses in Surrey. The Harry Colt course, marking its centenary year in 2013, is nestled in 135 acres of heath land surrounded by towering pines. The course measures 6,426 yards with par set at 71, making it a true test to any golfer. One of its most notable features is the exceptional set of par-three holes that vary in length from 162 to 235 yards.
However, what sets Camberley apart are the four charming short par-four holes located at 4, 6, 15, and 16, which also contain a water hazard. It is worth noting that the terrain can be challenging in places – especially over the last three holes. One must be prepared for an arduous and demanding golfing challenge that requires precision and thoughtful shot-making.
Address: Camberley Heath Golf Club, Golf Dr, Camberley GU15 1JG, United Kingdom
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Nestled among the trio of famous Open Championship courses in Kent, Cinque Ports is a true gem for golfing enthusiasts. Rich with history, this links course offers breathtaking coastal views that provide a stunning backdrop to a first-class golf experience. While the course layout boasts a classic out and back design, it is the back nine that truly sets it apart from the rest – known as one of the toughest in the UK.
With the prevailing south-westerly wind blowing directly into the last seven holes, players can expect a challenging and exhilarating round of golf. The narrow out-and-back layout, defined only by sandhills and wild dune grasses, provides a stark and cheerless atmosphere, where tight and hanging lies add to the difficulty of stances on the fairways. Cinque Ports is truly a golfer’s delight – a course that will test your skills and leave you feeling inspired by the beauty of your surroundings.
Address: Golf Rd, Deal CT14 6RF, United Kingdom
Manston Golf Centre
Manston Golf Centre. Image Source: www.golfpass.com
Greensole Golf Course’s 9-hole Manston Course is a perfect fit for any golfer interested in a well-rounded and challenging experience. Measuring at 2479 yards with 6 par 4’s and 3 par 3’s, it is ideal for beginners to get a taste of the game while offering experienced golfers the challenge they crave. With its strategically placed bunkers and water on two holes, the course will put even the most accomplished players to the test.
But, what sets Greensole Golf Course apart is its unique build on sand, which ensures exceptional drainage and allows for full tees and greens even during rainy seasons, such as Winter 2020. Whether you are looking for a relaxing round of golf or a competitive challenge, Greensole Golf Course’s 9 Hole Manston Course is not to be missed.
Address: Manston Rd, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5BE, United Kingdom
London Golf Club
London Golf Club is home to two exceptional Championship golf courses, The Heritage and The International.
The Heritage, designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, offers a challenging yet enjoyable game with dramatic tee shots and daunting approaches that require careful consideration for every shot. This classic course has hosted the European Open in 2008 and 2009 and is meticulously maintained to the highest standards all-year round.
Meanwhile, The International boasts some of the most fast and undulating fairways in Europe, perfect for those looking to chase the ball into position. This resort/private course is punctuated with exciting risk and reward tee shots over water, which is sure to get the heart pumping.
Regardless of which course you choose to play on, a round at London Golf Club is sure to be a memorable and unforgettable experience.
Address: Stansted Lane, Ash Nr Brands Hatch TN15 7EH, United Kingdom
Woburn Golf Club
Woburn Golf Club offers the ultimate golfing experience, with their 3 impressive courses: The Dukes, Duchess, and Marquess.
The Dukes course
The Dukes course, designed by Charles Lawrie and constructed in 1976, is a true gem that stands out with its stunning pine, silver birch, and chestnut trees lining its fairways. The course’s natural beauty is further enhanced by heather, bracken, and gorse, adding to the charm of each hole while simultaneously providing natural hazards for all golfers’ abilities. What makes the Dukes course a real challenge is its impressive Par 4’s, where playing exceptionally well will allow for an opportunity to play to handicap. However, players’ scores will truly flourish in the Par 5’s, and each hole presents a unique challenge that will help players test their skills to the limit.
The Duchess’ Course
The Duchess’ Course, which opened its gates two years after the Duke’s Course, is a marvel of design by Charles Lawrie – with a particularly interesting touch. The 5th and 11th fairways encompass an ancient Danish settlement, adding an intriguing historical aspect to the already stunning course. Don’t be fooled by its slightly shorter length – the Duchess Course offers a different test to golfers with its narrow fairways and challenging approaches to greens – requiring accuracy and precision with every shot.
The Marquess Course
Those who have played the course are in agreement that the layout is one that demands respect on par with the adjacent Duke’s and Marquess courses. Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark of European Golf Design, the Marquess Course is named after the then Marquess of Tavistock. The course offers rolling and undulating terrain, takes players on a challenging journey through mixed woodland areas, and even crosses the county boundary dividing Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
So, golf fanatics looking for a professional challenge in marvellous surroundings should look no further than Woburn Golf Club’s.
Address: Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes MK17 9LJ, United Kingdom
Jungle Paradise & Oceans Paradise Adventure Golf
Jungle Paradise Adventure Golf is sure to delight anyone seeking a fun and challenging adventure. With its outdoor and brand new indoor courses, this golfing paradise promises an unforgettable experience for all ages. The outdoor course offers an exciting journey through desert islands, lagoons, caves and waterfalls. Discover hidden treasures, a gorilla lurking in the jungle and even brave a raft ride to complete your journey.
Meanwhile, the indoor course features a glow-in-the-dark pirate and underwater paradise where you can putt your way past skeletons and sharks, all in search of the hidden treasure. Whether you’re escaping the rain or simply seeking a new thrill, Adventure Golf is the perfect choice. So why not come have a round and enjoy all that Jungle Paradise Adventure Golf has to offer!
Address: Hunston, Village, Chichester PO20 1AX, United Kingdom
Royal North Devon Golf Club
Royal North Devon Golf Club is a beacon of golfing excellence and history. Founded in 1864, this exceptional links layout is the oldest golf course outside of Scotland. Designed originally by Old Tom Morris and later modified by Herbert Fowler, it has been touched by two of the game’s most historic designers, and their influence is evident throughout the course. From the numerous protective bunkers and runaway areas to the unique local lifetime members, the many sheep and horses, the course is full of character and challenges.
When taking in the view from the stunning clubhouse, the skill and vision that went into designing the course become apparent. The holes blend effortlessly into the surroundings, with no trees or hedges, except for the occasional bramble alongside some of the fairways, and the potential hazard of the reeds and rushes scattered around. Royal North Devon Golf Club is a course that demands respect and rewards skill, and is a true testament to the timeless nature of the sport.
Address: Golf Links Rd, Westward Ho!, Northam, Bideford EX39 1HD, United Kingdom
Harleyford Golf Club
Harleyford Golf Club in Buckinghamshire has established itself as one of the top ten courses in the county. Its reputation is well deserved, having been designed by one of the world’s leading golf course architects, Donald Steel. The Par 72, 6903 yard course offers an outstanding challenge to golfers of all abilities. The course boasts USGA specification greens and is playable all year.
Notable holes include the right doglegged par four 7th, known as “Ratty’s Retreat,” which plays every inch of its 467-yard measurement from the back markers. Back-to-back par fives at holes nine and ten, both capable of yielding a welcome birdie, lead to the signature hole, “Chalkpit,” an unforgettable 176-yard downhill par three. The severe slope of the green and protecting bunkers positioned short right and left of the putting surface make this hole a unique and unforgettable experience. If you want a challenge, Harleyford Golf Club is the course for you.
Address: Harleyford Estate Harleyford, Henley Rd, Marlow SL7 2SP, United Kingdom
Woldingham Golf Club
Set in the picturesque countryside of Surrey, Woldingham golf club offers golfers a chance to experience a course designed by the renowned American course architect, Bradford Benz. With over 6,000 yards of beautifully rolling terrain, the course makes the most of the contours of the valley in which it sits, providing a spectacular view whilst you play. The chalk base of the course, coupled with USGA specification greens, means that golfers can enjoy year-round play with excellent drainage.
While the golfers will decide for themselves their favourite holes, the 4th and 7th holes are undoubtedly the most stunning, situated at the far end of the course in the bowl of the valley. The double green featured on the 9th and 18th holes is also not to be missed. With a par 71 championship standard, Woldingham golf club offers a challenge to golfers of all levels whilst providing a relaxed game that has yet to be experienced.
Address: Halliloo Valley Rd, Woldingham, Caterham CR3 7HA, United Kingdom
Kingswood Golf & Country Club
KingdomKingswood Golf & Country Club, a semi private/resort course in Surrey, was designed in the 1920s by James Braid, the five-time Open champion. This course offers an impressive 6,900 yards of golfing experience and is recognized as one of the leading courses in Surrey. Kingswood boasts of its recent extensive redesign and construction under the guidance of Howard Swan, a recognized course architect for James Braid designed courses.
The gently undulating fairways of this 18-hole course are flanked by a wide variety of stately trees, which combine with ideal topography to create an attractive landscape for golf. It is described as “Braid’s finest parkland course in England,” and has hosted multiple important championships over the years, including three Ladies European Opens.
The course requires accuracy as well as length since numerous well-positioned bunkers surround it, and every single one was overhauled as part of Howard Swan’s renovation work. Kingswood Golf & Country Club is undeniably a golfing enthusiast’s dream come true.
Address: Sandy Ln, Kingswood, Tadworth KT20 6NE, United Kingdom
Pine Ridge
Pine Ridge Golf Club offers a quality golf experience that is hard to come by. The superb 18-hole course alone ranks among the top 10 public courses in the country, and that’s just the beginning. Since its opening in 1993, Pine Ridge’s course has become known for its wonderful setting, complete with gently undulating pine forest and sandy soil that drains so well that the course remains in excellent playing condition throughout the year.
At a length of 6,458 yards from the championship tees, golfers of all abilities can take on this challenging yet accessible course. Golfing enthusiasts who have played here already know that Pine Ridge Golf Club offers just the right blend of quality and value, making it a must-visit venue on the golfing circuit.
Address: Old Bisley Rd, Frimley, Camberley GU16 9NX, United Kingdom
Old Thorns Hotel & Resort
Old Thorns 18-hole golf course is a challenging yet enjoyable course that stands out from traditional hotel courses. Designed by noteworthy architects Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas in 1982, it boasts a par 72 and a length of 6471 yards. The fairways weave through a heavily wooded and undulating landscape with natural springs and ponds scattered throughout.
The longest hole on the scorecard, the par five 6th, has a large tree in the fairway that leads to a dogleg right to the green. On the back nine, the 268-yard 15th offers a delightful short par four playing up to a raised green that slopes markedly from back to front. With its water hazards, woodland, and deceptive greens, Old Thorns poses an exciting challenge to golf enthusiasts.
Address: Longmoor Road, Liphook GU30 7PE, United Kingdom
Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxfordshire
Frilford Heath Golf Club boasts three remarkable courses, the Red, Blue and Green courses. Designed by J.H.
The Red Course
Taylor in 1908, the Red course underwent modifications in the early 1920s by the Frilford club professional, J.H. Turner. Spanning over 7,000 yards from the tips, the Red course is a challenging par 72 layout, with the front nine being exceptionally balanced and more demanding than the back nine. The par fours- the fifth, seventh and eighth holes, are notable for measuring well over 400 yards from the medal tees. The ninth hole, a pretty par three, is the Signature hole, where precision and skill is required to carry the pond, ensuring avoiding the out-of-bounds behind the elevated green. With the back nine opening up with the longest hole on the course, it finishes with seven consecutive par fours, ensuring an extraordinary experience.
The Green Course
The Green course has a fascinating history that dates back to the late 1960s when C.K. Cotton and Frank Pennink managed to remodel the 9-hole layout and added another nine to create the 18-hole course that we know and love today. While the modern-day course measures just over 6,000 yards, it’s unique in its own right. The golfers who play it are treated to a plethora of breathtaking sights, including the only par five that’s played at the right doglegged 495-yard 1st hole, and four par threes that are beautifully spread out at holes 2, 6, 10, and 17. The loop from the 5th to the 13th, which takes place in the midst of gorse and birch trees, also adds to the course’s charm. Despite its relatively short length, the Green course stands as a testament to the incredible craftsmanship and passion of its designers.
The Blue Course
Frilford Heath has been expanding its golf complex since securing a parcel of farmland adjacent to its existing Red course in the early 1990s. Architect Simon Gidman was tasked with crafting a third 18-hole course, the Blue, which required the redesign of four holes on the Red. Although the redesign caused some disruption at the time, it was a reasonable sacrifice for the club’s ambitious expansion to a 54-hole golf complex. The Blue is a challenging course that highlights the importance of accurate driving and approach play, with contoured greens and hard-to-ignore wetlands. There is an overlap between modern and traditional golf designs, with short par fours on the front nine at the 2nd and 5th holes. Indeed, the Blue exemplifies Frilford Heath’s commitment to establishing a diversified golfing environment.
Address: Heath, Abingdon OX13 5NW, United Kingdom
St George’s Hill Golf Club
St George’s Hill stands out among the heathland layouts in the area due to its distinctive terrain. The rolling hills and undulating valleys offer a unique golfing experience that is unlike anything else in the region. Harry Colt, the mastermind behind the course design, utilized these dramatic elevation changes fantastically, resulting in a layout that is both challenging and exciting.
It’s important to note that the course is divided into three loops of nine holes- the Red, Blue, and Green. Sadly, the Green nine is relatively shorter, and St George’s Hill is no longer a 36-hole complex. The opening hole is a spectacular 384-yard par four played from an elevated tee, providing golfers with a picturesque panoramic view of the course. The second hole is even better, a tough 458-yard par 4 with a blind drive over the brow of a hill followed by a challenging approach shot from a hanging lie. Overall, the terrain and layout of St George’s Hill make it one of the most exciting and challenging golf courses in the area.
Address: Golf Club Rd, Weybridge KT13 0NL, United Kingdom
Conclusion
Golfers of all levels can find something to enjoy in the courses discussed above. These diverse layouts offer a range of challenges, from short par fours and long par threes, to wide fairways and heavily wooded landscapes. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to be rewarded with an unforgettable golfing experience! So put on your best golfing gear and hit the links on your next trip to Surrey.
