Sunningdale

[Hawkeye77]

Had to cancel a planned round last year because of my shoulder, we were back in London and had arranged to play today - they applied last year’s paid fee I thought was wasted so out of pocket this year - 45 pounds!

 

Was off early on the New as a single. A little issue - even though I’d requested a caddie months ago (which was confirmed) and called the pro shop to double check everything yesterday afternoon so things would go smoothly…..no caddie. Caddie Master had no notice, pro shop disavowed knowledge - so I grabbed a trolley (as was suggested, lol) and was just heading out when the Caddie Master got something sorted out. I was very grateful. Caddie was terrific and I would not have wanted to play the course blind the first time.  
 

Sorry no pics, theirs are great. The property was stunning. Played terrible except for about 100-150 in with the rental and had no swing. But I had a great time. The views and design are fascinating and the caddie had some great insights. Great lunch on the terrace. 
 

At the halfway house I met a woman and her boxer, Manny - had a very nice chat. Found out from my caddie immediately after she is the daughter of Tony Jacklin. 
 

Then …. on the way out I was passing a buggy a gentleman was in getting ready to head to the Old Course - and promptly introduced myself to Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance - he said it’s his home course and he lives not far away. Fun!

 

 

 

[Chanceman]

Great story, Hawky’! Two great courses. Played them both a few years ago and remember locals walking their dogs around. Also in the clubhouse was a sign - Welcome Chanceman. How good was that??!! A member offered me a lift to the railway station too - with his dog in back!

[st1800e]

Yes!!   Played it in early May. Stunning course, well worth the visit. Beautiful day, mid 60’s and partly sunny.     Great caddy, Ollie.  He’d recently caddied for Gary Player.  
We passed Charley Hull on an adjacent fairway.  
 

view of 17 and 18
 

[El Gringo]

My last visit to Sunny Old was a few weeks ago. I was playing Sunny Heath (Sunny Ladies until recently) which is next door. At one point the courses touch and it’s possible to walk through a few trees to have a look at 3, 4 & 5. So I did 😎

Edited June 10 by El Gringo

[Hawkeye77]

4 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Great story, Hawky’! Two great courses. Played them both a few years ago and remember locals walking their dogs around. Also in the clubhouse was a sign - Welcome Chanceman. How good was that??!! A member offered me a lift to the railway station too - with his dog in back!

Yes - we met many wonderful dogs! Great atmosphere and you feel on most holes like you are the only people out there. I was second out (wife walked along) and the guy in front of was on his own and out of sight.  

Edited June 10 by Hawkeye77

[Pleasedwith3putts]

There's a reason Rose and Fleetwood are members and Rory is in the process of joining. I love the attitude towards allowing dogs on the course and even having a special area and menu for them at the halfway hut.

 

New is brutal off the tips on a cold wet winters day though...

Edited June 10 by Pleasedwith3putts

[Hawkeye77]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

My last visit to Sunny Old was a few weeks ago. I was playing Sunny Heath (Sunny Ladies until recently) which is next door. At one point the courses touch and it’s possible to walk through a few trees to have a look at 3, 4 & 5. So I did 😎

I had forgotten until pointed out by the caddie that Wentworth is also next door.  Caddie used to play out of Swinley - seems like a ton of good golf around there. 

[El Gringo]

45 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

I had forgotten until pointed out by the caddie that Wentworth is also next door.  Caddie used to play out of Swinley - seems like a ton of good golf around there. 

Yes, there are loads of good to great courses around London. However, Sunny Heath is what I grew up calling an executive course. A roughly even mix of 3s and 4s. Sunny Heath had several very long short holes though. It’s tough to score to one’s handicap. If in the London area short of money and time give Sunny Heath a go. 
 

I also played Reigate Heath on the trip. A lovely 9 holer that is London cheap. There is even a chapel in the windmill! It was great to return after so many years away. 

Edited June 10 by El Gringo

[TBD203]

Now I am even more excited - I am playing the New on 7/3 and the Old on 7/7!

[mci711]

I've played 19 of the top 20 US public courses (golf digest) and a bunch of the top 100. A decent amount of courses in Scotland. Chicago GC, Butler, Stl CC, Prairie Dunes and a few other top 100 privates. (Not trying to be a ****** and name courses I've played, I know people have better list)But the point I am trying to make is 36 at Sunningdale is maybe my favorite day of golf ever. Played Swinley the day before, which was also an incredible experience.

 

Anyone reading this thread and learning a bit about London heathland golf, it is the most undertalked about golf destination in the world. I highly recommend taking a golf trip to the area. Also, London is an amazing city. 

Edited June 10 by mci711

[TBD203]

We're currently trying to add a morning round prior to the New on 7/3, but Swinley was booked solid when we reached out a few months ago, and St Georges Hill is full as well. Going to circle back with Swinley and if not try for Wentworth. 

 

Any other suggestions if not? Probably wouldn't change our flight without it being pretty special.

[El Gringo]

42 minutes ago, TBD203 said:

We're currently trying to add a morning round prior to the New on 7/3, but Swinley was booked solid when we reached out a few months ago, and St Georges Hill is full as well. Going to circle back with Swinley and if not try for Wentworth. 

 

Any other suggestions if not? Probably wouldn't change our flight without it being pretty special.

Walton Heath, Woking and if adventurous Pulborough or Addington. 

[Pleasedwith3putts]

1 hour ago, TBD203 said:

We're currently trying to add a morning round prior to the New on 7/3, but Swinley was booked solid when we reached out a few months ago, and St Georges Hill is full as well. Going to circle back with Swinley and if not try for Wentworth. 

 

Any other suggestions if not? Probably wouldn't change our flight without it being pretty special.

Most of the better courses like Walton Heath will be an hour away allowing for usual traffic. Camberley Heath is very nice but not at the same level, Wentworth is normally doable but big $$ and tee times on the West course are limited to retain condition so they may offer you one of the other two, both are fine. The "special" club around there is Queenwood, but you'd need serious connections to get to play, generally member hosted guests only but think caddies in boiler suits and a modern take on Sunningdale.  Or courses like West Hill or Worplesdon are fairly local and typical Surrey courses that should be accessible. Maybe take a look at a few of those to see whether any tick the "special" box for you.

[TBD203]

Well now you've piqued my interest, had not heard of Queenwood before this. My golf partner and I will see if we can't find some way to finagle our way in there. A morning round at Queenwood, and an afternoon at Sunningdale sounds like a pretty legendary day of golf. Thanks!

[Pleasedwith3putts]

21 hours ago, TBD203 said:

Well now you've piqued my interest, had not heard of Queenwood before this. My golf partner and I will see if we can't find some way to finagle our way in there. A morning round at Queenwood, and an afternoon at Sunningdale sounds like a pretty legendary day of golf. Thanks!

No problem - they host the equivalent of the Seminole member guest around Open time when Rory and others play with members. It's currently the most expensive course in the UK to join and real 6 star service.

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, Pleasedwith3putts said:

No problem - they host the equivalent of the Seminole member guest around Open time when Rory and others play with members. It's currently the most expensive course in the UK to join and real 6 star service.

Good for them. But unlike most UK clubs do not welcome outside play. I have no interest in ever playing such a snobby joint. In any case why bother when there are so many superb courses nearby which most likely are much better.

[Ty_Webb]

On 6/10/2025 at 10:20 AM, mci711 said:

I've played 19 of the top 20 US public courses (golf digest) and a bunch of the top 100. A decent amount of courses in Scotland. Chicago GC, Butler, Stl CC, Prairie Dunes and a few other top 100 privates. (Not trying to be a ****** and name courses I've played, I know people have better list)But the point I am trying to make is 36 at Sunningdale is maybe my favorite day of golf ever. Played Swinley the day before, which was also an incredible experience.

 

Anyone reading this thread and learning a bit about London heathland golf, it is the most undertalked about golf destination in the world. I highly recommend taking a golf trip to the area. Also, London is an amazing city. 

 

To compare with a 36 hole day at Sunningdale, if you stick to one club, then it's really just Royal Melbourne and maybe Winged Foot that are in the same tier. I think the only way to beat it is to play two different clubs - Shinnecock and NGLA or it's a bit more of a trek between them, but Pine Valley and Merion would be doable in one day.

 

Golf around London is top notch and most of the top end stuff (with the exception of Queenwood and a couple of others) is accessible for the public. Compare that with the New York area, there's some amazing golf, but you need to know people to get on 90% of it.

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Good for them. But unlike most UK clubs do not welcome outside play. I have no interest in ever playing such a snobby joint. In any case why bother when there are so many superb courses nearby which most likely are much better.

Queenwood is a good course. It doesn’t make my top 5 around London though…maybe just makes top 10. It’s a tough neighbourhood. 

[Pleasedwith3putts]

15 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Queenwood is a good course. It doesn’t make my top 5 around London though…maybe just makes top 10. It’s a tough neighbourhood. 

Personal choice. For me Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Swinley then I'd take Queenwood over Wentworth, Beaverbrook, Wisley, St Georges Hill, having played all of them a lot. You mentioned Sunny Heath earlier, still got my name on the honours board there for a mixed open so maybe that should make my top 5!

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, Pleasedwith3putts said:

Personal choice. For me Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Swinley then I'd take Queenwood over Wentworth, Beaverbrook, Wisley, St Georges Hill, having played all of them a lot. You mentioned Sunny Heath earlier, still got my name on the honours board there for a mixed open so maybe that should make my top 5!

I would definitely have Sunny Old, WHO, SGH, Woking, Addington, Worpy and if Pulborough is considered nearish London than it’s included ahead of Queenwood.

[Schley]

So many good options, they are all in the class cabinet of a jewelry store.  However, I'd put Sunningdale 36 in the safe secured in the back vault.

[TBD203]

The patio alone makes 18, lunch, another 18 so desirable. What a perfect place to hang out and watch people finish rounds between your 36 holes. I hope to go back some day!

[Hawkeye77]

6 hours ago, TBD203 said:

The patio alone makes 18, lunch, another 18 so desirable. What a perfect place to hang out and watch people finish rounds between your 36 holes. I hope to go back some day!

Enjoyed a nice club sandwich and just some people watching - great atmosphere.

[Chanceman]

22 hours ago, Schley said:

So many good options, they are all in the class cabinet of a jewelry store.  However, I'd put Sunningdale 36 in the safe secured in the back vault.

Nicely put.

[gopack7777]

This might be a silly question, but the club website mentions that all visitors must play the course from around 6000 yards.. Is this correct, or just a rule that isn't truly followed? thanks!

[Hawkeye77]

21 hours ago, gopack7777 said:

This might be a silly question, but the club website mentions that all visitors must play the course from around 6000 yards.. Is this correct, or just a rule that isn't truly followed? thanks!

My caddie would have let me play the white tees and they were out that morning, but I was a single and second out, no way you are playing the tips. My take is it is situational and you should plan on what the website says. 

[gopack7777]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

My caddie would have let me play the white tees and they were out that morning, but I was a single and second out, no way you are playing the tips. My take is it is situational and you should plan on what the website says. 

Thanks for the info. Definitely want to be challenged to the fullest extent and play all the way back when I play so I may go elsewhere. Only going to get one round in on the trip so I want it to be memorable. 

[El Gringo]

8 hours ago, gopack7777 said:

Thanks for the info. Definitely want to be challenged to the fullest extent and play all the way back when I play so I may go elsewhere. Only going to get one round in on the trip so I want it to be memorable. 

I am not sure you will be able to play any champ tees at a true champ course. My club doesn’t even put out champ tees unless an event calls for them. More like the medal tees…which has been happening more in the past 15 years.

[Hawkeye77]

20 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

I am not sure you will be able to play any champ tees at a true champ course. My club doesn’t even put out champ tees unless an event calls for them. More like the medal tees…which has been happening more in the past 15 years.

The championship courses I've been lucky to visit on trips aren't letting folks show up and play the tips whether they make a point of stating that on their site (many do) or not.  Championship tees not even necessarily placed on the tee boxes.

 

Plenty of salty players at Sunningdale who I imagine find the member's tees plenty of a challenge, but I guess people have different preferences.  I've never been a long, long hitter, but don't understand the mindset of "tips or nothing".

[gopack7777]

On 7/18/2025 at 9:32 PM, El Gringo said:

I am not sure you will be able to play any champ tees at a true champ course. My club doesn’t even put out champ tees unless an event calls for them. More like the medal tees…which has been happening more in the past 15 years.

doesn't have to be 7500 yards for me to have fun of course, but 6000 yards seems a bit short to really experience the course the way the designer intended. hitting driver over every bunker and not having to thoughtfully play different types of shots off the tee just doesn't appeal to me. Rather play from 6700-7200 where the trouble off the tee is in play and forces you to think your way around.