3 Days of Golf Near London

[RobYakes]

Wife and I just booked a last minute trip to London towards end of August. Will be there for a week but the lady was gracious enough to allow me 3 days of golf. Staying in the Peckham area and have a car. Looking to get 36 in at least one of the days. No budget, but it’ll just be myself as a single. Where should I play?

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, RobYakes said:

Wife and I just booked a last minute trip to London towards end of August. Will be there for a week but the lady was gracious enough to allow me 3 days of golf. Staying in the Peckham area and have a car. Looking to get 36 in at least one of the days. No budget, but it’ll just be myself as a single. Where should I play?

The first thing I would do is try to book an early time at Swinley Forest. They let singles out for a short bit prior to groups. 

 

You can try 36 at Sunningdale. 

 

Walton Heath Old would be the other place I would suggest. 

 

Failing any of these three, try Woking. In fact if Sunningdale doesn't work out for 36 Worplesdon is just down the road. Both Worpy and Woking are often overlooked. 

 

If you are feeling like you want to spread your wings...Sandwich, Deal and Rye are doable. In fact, I bet your Mrs would enjoy some time in Rye, its a lovely town. 

 

Finally, it too requires more driving, but West Sussex is terrific. 

 

You are spoiled for choice. 

Edited August 2, 2022 by El Gringo
Not complete

[Chanceman]

The Berkshire also has two highly rated courses (Red and Blue) you can play in one day. 
Peckham is closer in to London so might also look at The Addington for a round.

[El Gringo]

3 hours ago, Chanceman said:

The Berkshire also has two highly rated courses (Red and Blue) you can play in one day. 
Peckham is closer in to London so might also look at The Addington for a round.

Addy is a cool course. It may be worthwhile to hold off playing until the current upgrades are complete. The course is radically improving. Like Addy, if you are short of time, Royal Blackheath can be option. The course isn't in the class of those already mentioned, but if the weather has been dry it's pretty good. Be sure to tour their museum if you go! 

[Frank_Kasule]

Three days of golf without a budget in that area sounds incredible. 

If you can manage 36 3 days running then this is what I would do:

Sunningdale New and Old

Swinley Forest and Berkshire Red

St George's Hill and Waltham Heath Old

I have not played Sunningdale Old or Waltham Heath Old but all of the others were highly memorable for me and definitely recommended. 

If you only managed one day I'd try for Sunningdale New and Old. 

If two days then I'd be tempted to add Swinley Forest and St George's Hill on the second day, they are about half an hour max from each other. 

 

[RobYakes]

Thanks all for the recommendations. Ending up reaching out to roughly 25 different clubs and here’s the itinerary based on what was available (and who got back to me):

 

Monday:

AM - Walton Heath Old

PM - West Sussex

 

Tuesday:

Prince’s Shore/Dunes

 

Wednesday:

AM - Woking

PM - Wordplesdon

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, RobYakes said:

Thanks all for the recommendations. Ending up reaching out to roughly 25 different clubs and here’s the itinerary based on what was available (and who got back to me):

 

Monday:

AM - Walton Heath Old

PM - West Sussex

 

Tuesday:

Prince’s Shore/Dunes

 

Wednesday:

AM - Woking

PM - Wordplesdon

It's a shame a Colt course didn't respond. It would be good to see at least one of his while in London. But you are playing some excellent courses. 

Edited August 10, 2022 by El Gringo

[Frank_Kasule]

9 hours ago, RobYakes said:

Thanks all for the recommendations. Ending up reaching out to roughly 25 different clubs and here’s the itinerary based on what was available (and who got back to me):

 

Monday:

AM - Walton Heath Old

PM - West Sussex

 

Tuesday:

Prince’s Shore/Dunes

 

Wednesday:

AM - Woking

PM - Wordplesdon

Omg you are in for a treat. Share some pictures and thoughts when you have played them! 

[Oh Hi Carl]

What is required to play these UK courses (other than clubs!)?  Do you have to have an official handicap and belong to a club? 

[El Gringo]

13 hours ago, Oh Hi Carl said:

What is required to play these UK courses (other than clubs!)?  Do you have to have an official handicap and belong to a club? 

Technically many clubs may require a certain level of play as demonstrated by the handicap. In practice a handicap is rarely demanded, except in the cases of St Enodoc and St Andrews. I don't recall other clubs asking to prove a handicap. 

[Oh Hi Carl]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

Technically many clubs may require a certain level of play as demonstrated by the handicap. In practice a handicap is rarely demanded, except in the cases of St Enodoc and St Andrews. I don't recall other clubs asking to prove a handicap. 

So you don't have to be a member of a club in your home country and bring a letter from your pro or anything like that? I have a handicap through a local public course where I don't know anyone's name but the two kids who run the cash register.  

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, Oh Hi Carl said:

So you don't have to be a member of a club in your home country and bring a letter from your pro or anything like that? I have a handicap through a local public course where I don't know anyone's name but the two kids who run the cash register.  

A handicap is a handicap. There is no obligation to belong to a private club. 

[Chanceman]

Playing these courses you will feel like a member. They are always very welcoming. And it’s great to have a pint in the clubhouse after your round.

[RobYakes]

Many months late but here's some of the photos from my rounds. Just for background, I am not a member of a club in US but it was very easy booking tee times. I simply emailed all of the courses I was trying to play with my availability and included a screenshot of my GHIN card. 95% of the courses got back to me (even the ones that had no avail) and everyone I spoke with was very helpful. I was a single, and I was never paired with anyone (most private clubs over there frown upon pairing strangers, and others are twosome tee times only). My longest round took 3.5 hours, and a few were closer to 3 without waiting on groups ahead of me.

 

Walton Heath (Old Course): Good start to the trip but very overpriced ($270)

 

West Sussex: Great fun heathland course. Highly recommend

 

Prince's Golf Club: My first links experience and it did not disappoint. Don't sleep on this track if you can't get on its more famous neighbors

 

Woking Golf Club: Another solid heathland course

 

Edited December 1, 2022 by RobYakes

[El Gringo]

Princes is seriously under ranked and overlooked. Its tough neighbourhood places it third of three, but that is no shame given Deal and Sandwich are two of the very best in GB&I. 

 

Looks like you caught Woking on a great day. 

 

I have a lot of time for Walton Heath Old. But yes, like most heathland greats, it's over priced. Pulborough is a notable exception. 

Edited December 12, 2022 by El Gringo