The New course at Walton Heath started out as nine holes, laid out by Herbert Fowler in 1907, three years after the opening of the Old. He added an additional nine in1913 to complete today’s layout. The green member’s tees at 6271 yards are little changed from the original layout. As with the Old, significant lengthening has occurred; the back tees measure 7026 yards. The course was surely built to provide a less demanding test than its’ sister course the Old; however it is one of the few multicourse layouts (i.e., Ballybunion, Saunton) where I’ve not wondered during the round, “why am I wasting my time here when I could be on the Old Course”. The makeup is unorthodox with 3 par 5’s, 3 par 3’s and 3 driveable par 4’s. There are many fine holes to be enjoyed and the firm conditions really bring the ground game into play.
The 1st plays as a 286 yard par 4 from all sets of tees, as there is no room to push the teeing ground back; the road separating the clubhouse and Old Course 1st is right behind it. The green is angled from 10 to 4 o’clock and a hard draw off the tee could find the golfer putting for eagle. This is from the 4 o'clock angle.
The 2cnd is a beautiful par3 at 147 yards.
The par 4 3rd plays 425 yards and pinches in the landing area at 257 yard from the tips; the green is long and narrow.
The 4th plays 319 from the tips, 238 from the member’s tees; another great chance for an early birdie.
The 5th is a cunning par 4 at 460 yards. The hole bends to the right with a cluster of bunkers off the tee at 210 yards the golfers needs to stay left, as the green opens up best from that angle.
Here is one of the great hand made features found at Walton Heath. The small mound has surely made the golfer contemplate what shot will work; a putt will surely race 10 feet by the hole. There is ample grass under the ball to hit the L wedge, but even if that is landed perfectly at the top of the mound it will race well by. The author chose a 7 iron into the bank of the mound; the most rewarding up and down of the days 36 holes. Proof the great golf comes from attention to detail and not massive earthmoving!
The par 3 6th is bunkered strongly to the right and plays 171 yards.
The 7th features the ever present cross bunker 50 yards short of the green, and plays 389 yards.
The 3 par 5’s are all within reach of 2 well struck shots. The fairway ends on the 8th, 287 yards off the tee with hummocks. The hole measures 516 yards.
Here’s a shot of the green complex.
The 9th is a stern par 4 at 468 yards. The fairway ends at 280 yards off the tee, leaving every golfer with at least 200 yards in; very democratic.
The 10th plays 202 yards from the tips, just 150 from the member’s tees.
The 11th is a dogleg left measuring 421 yards.
Here’s the second shot into the green.
The 12th is a brute at 485 yards straight away; 223 to clear the bunker off the tee.
Here’s a look at the green.
The par 5 13th offers another great chance for birdie at 506 yards. There is real pressure to hit this sliver of fairway. The bunker is 323 yards from the back tee.
The 14th is one of the finest holes at Walton Heath. The par 4 measures 412 yards and is S-shaped, bending left off the tee down a slope, and then right to the green. The golfer has to carefully place his tee shot; anything left will end up in this sea of heather.
Here’s closer look at the green.
The 15th plays slightly uphill at 413 yards.
The 16th is the last par 5, even at 581 yards it plays down wind and can be reached in two. This is the view from the go zone.
The 17th plays only 310 yards and is within reach. It plays 396 from the tips. The lay of the land encourages a draw, which must avoid the unique landform which guards the right entrance.
Here’s a look from the right of the green.
The 18th is a 429 yard par 4 and is used as the finishing hole for prestigious events in place of the Old’s which runs parallel to it.
The green has a cross bunker like the Old’s 18th, but the double tiered green has more interest.
