Thank you all for the excellent recommendations.
@Tommy: Thank you for the advice. My itinerary is still being finalized over the next couple weeks, but the courses I would like to experience are (links): Deal, Royal St. Georges, Rye; (heathland): St. Georges Hill, Sunningdale, Swinley Forest, Walton Heath, Addington. There are also additional heathland courses such as Woking, Pulborough, Royal Ashdown Forest, Worplesdon among others that interest me. Keep in mind I understand that many of these clubs are very private and they have no obligation to offer a visitor a round, so these are the courses I would like to see. What's impressive is the sheer quantity of quality heathland courses around London, and I assume they all have their own unique character. I am leaning towards staying in the Southeast and hopefully making another trip someday.
@Scott: Thank you for the recommendation of Rye, Huntercombe, Woking and Walton Heath. Huntercombe looks especially interesting. I have played some Willie Park, Jr. courses in the US and they were all good. You make a good point to experience more heathland, and play multiple rounds. That style of golf interests me as it is not available in the western US.
@Pete: Thanks for the information Pete. It's good to hear from you. Have fun on your upcoming trip to Cabot.
@Mark: Thank you for the advice. I really do want to see heathland golf. We simply don't have that style in the states. In the past I have played links in Scotland and Ireland. The golf was amazing but you do raise a good point - driving too much detracts from the overall experience. I will heed your advice regarding lunch and experiencing the club. Thank you
@Sean: Thank you for the advice. I think you are right on the West Country. It will have to be another trip in the future (have to make time for it). Thank you for the more than generous offer of a game at Burnham. From reading your writeup this Colt design is a must play when in the West. I look forward to taking you up on that someday. Per your advice I will stay away from the Lancashire links on this trip. BTW I think the Wings are finally looking up again with the Yzerman hire.
@Thomas: Great point. On our trip to Ireland it was white knuckles driving a stick on the left side of the narrow roads! I hope there are more automatics for hire this time. Per the replies I am leaning on staying around London/Southeast. Thank you
@Pete: Thanks for all the great information Pete. All the courses you mentioned look great. I am leaning toward staying around London at this point and experiencing as much heathland as possible. I hope the King's Putter is doing well in your possession. I am more local to you now so maybe we can put together a GCA outing in the near future. Thank you again for the advice.
@Craig: I will have nine full days available for golf. Unusual for me this is more of a fly by the seat of your pants trip. I'll be finalizing courses over the next couple weeks. Your idea to spend more time at clubs is what I would like to do. If possible to play with a member/local that would afford the opportunity to learn more about the history / architecture / nuance of the club. I would very much like that and mention it on the secretary letters. After all the recommendations against it I am probably not going to Cornwall. Time is better spent at the club than in the car.
@Paul: Thank you kindly for the recommendation Paul. Liphook looks great and is on my list. I will research Hampshire, Blackmoor and Hindhead.
@Mark: Thank you for the advice on courses in the West.
@Stewart: Thank you for the advice. I am leaning toward doing exactly what you described. Those courses all look interesting.
Another thought - are there any overseas memberships that would make sense for a trip like this? It probably doesn't unless you can get across the pond more often. If so please PM me.Thanks again. Brent