Quick 9 Holes in London?

[Ian_L]

Hi all,


I am taking a family trip to London in October and may have the opportunity to sneak away for a morning of golf. Does anybody have recommendations for a nine-hole course of moderate interest accessible by public transportation from South Kensington? Alternatively, and 18-hole course where I wouldn't feel tortured walking off after 9?


This will be my first time in London, so please pardon my ignorance of London geography and golf scene.


Thank you!


Ian

[David_Tepper]

Ian L -

One problem might be that many 18-hole courses in Britain do not come back to the clubhouse after the 9th hole as many/most 18-hole courses do in the U.S.

DT

[David_Tepper]

A web search for "9-hole courses near London, England" yields the following:

https://www.hole19golf.com/golf-courses/london/9-hole-courses

Not sure how far any of them are from South Kensington or what public transportation is available/helpful.

Among the 18-hole courses I would look at courses in the suburbs of Richmond & Wimbledon, which are not too far from South Kensington. You can get to either Richmond or Wimbledon on the underground from the South Kensington underground station. 

Richmond Park GC, 7 miles from the center of London:

https://www.richmondparkgolfclub.org.uk/

[Scott Warren]

I would enquire with Royal Mid-Surrey about playing nine holes.


It doesn’t have the excellence of the greats in the region but it does have some striking architecture on flat ground and a bit of history and character.


As already noted, it’s also easily accessible from South Ken on the tube.


Wimbledon Common maybe a backup option.


I’d also note that if you get off early, there’s a lot of London courses where you can play 18 in a little more than the time it takes to play 9 elsewhere.

[David_Tepper]

If you bring along a red shirt or red sweater, you could try the London Scottish Golf Club on Wimbledon Common.

https://www.londonscottishgolfclub.com/

[Adam_Messix]

For a 9 hole game, try Reigate Heath, not far from Walton Heath.  The first five holes play down in a valley below the clubhouse and are a challenge.  The 3rd is a strong par 3 and the 5th would play well pretty much anywhere although my guess is that most here would want to see some trees removed.  The finisher is a cute par 3 with the windmill and clubhouse as a backdrop.

[Adam Lawrence]

Reigate Heath is pretty much due south of London.

[Tony_Muldoon]

David the red shirt law has (sadly) been repealed.


Haven't played it but Mark Rowlinson used to mention

https://hampsteadgolfclub.co.uk/visitors/#green-fees

Proper club and a Tom Dunn design should mean some old style features, so could be a good intro to UK golf. Currently closed to visitors but I think that's a peak summer thing. It also offers club hire which is not so common at UK 9's.

Strawberry Hill is another I've heard good things about. JH Taylor design
https://shgolf.co.uk/


There's also a modern 'tribute' course.
https://bigshotsgolfuk.com/northwick-park-playgolf-9-hole/





PS That website of 9 holers is mostly a work of  fiction, lies and omissions . 

[Robin_Hiseman]

You could always get on a train from London Waterloo for a 45-minute journey out to Sunningdale. Then a 5-minute walk to the 3705 yard, Par 58 Sunningdale Heath and get 18-holes played in about 2 hours. The added bonus of a sneak look at some of the best holes on the adjoining Sunningdale Old.

[Sean_A]

You could always get on a train from London Waterloo for a 45-minute journey out to Sunningdale. Then a 5-minute walk to the 3705 yard, Par 58 Sunningdale Heath and get 18-holes played in about 2 hours. The added bonus of a sneak look at some of the best holes on the adjoining Sunningdale Old.

This would be my suggestion, but it’s not a quick 9. It will take half the day.

Ciao

[Adam Lawrence]

It would need a short can ride of just over a mile from Oxted (which is about half an hour’s ride from London Bridge station), but I would try the nine hole Limpsfield Chart club. Founded in 1889, it was the first golf course built on the Surrey heathland, and as such is a very important historical artefact. It flies _a long way_ under the radar now — it has hardly ever been mentioned on here — but I would be fascinated to see what it is like.

[Clyde Johnson]

It would need a short can ride of just over a mile from Oxted (which is about half an hour’s ride from London Bridge station), but I would try the nine hole Limpsfield Chart club. Founded in 1889, it was the first golf course built on the Surrey heathland, and as such is a very important historical artefact. It flies _a long way_ under the radar now — it has hardly ever been mentioned on here — but I would be fascinated to see what it is like.

Limpsfield Chart occupies a pretty unusual space, with a routing to suit! It's interesting golf.

Strawberry Hill is another I've heard good things about. JH Taylor design
https://shgolf.co.uk/
[size=78%].  [/size]

Three 220-plus yard par-3s in a row...ooft!!

[Wayne_Kozun]

If you bring along a red shirt or red sweater, you could try the London Scottish Golf Club on Wimbledon Common.

https://www.londonscottishgolfclub.com/

What's the backstory on this? I bet it is pretty interesting.

[David_Tepper]

Some info on London Scottish Golf Club's red shirts/sweaters  here:

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/PLA01/03/0992

https://www.londonscottishgolfclub.com/dress-code

[Tony_Muldoon]

Some info here:

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/PLA01/03/0992

https://www.londonscottishgolfclub.com/dress-code

Thanks David, apparently I stand corrected.
 It's certianly no longer required at Royal Epping and Royal Mid Slurry etc.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Two other thoughts.
Ian you will need to contact the Clubs, but Mornings (if thats when you are suggesting)  are likely to be the busiest tee times.
Uber could be your friend.

[Ian_L]

Fantastic pointers from all, thanks so much! Will see what I can swing, and if this becomes a reality I will report back.

[Mark Pearce]

Royal Mid Slurry etc.

If you're going to do that, do it properly.  It's Royal Mud Slurry.