Trouble choosing a course in London

[Frank M]

Hello,

I am heading over to the U.K. in early March and I plan to do a day long tour of the Old Course on a Sunday. 

As mentioned previously, I would be willing to make the trek to RSG, but if not playing there I would be looking for other courses in nearby London.

As of right now I am debating between Woking, St. Georges Hill or Walton Heath (old). Being that it's my first time playing golf in the area, does any one have any suggestions?

[Sean_A]

Frank

If its your first time and you want a day's golf, I would suggest Walton Heath.  It has two courses, they are PROPER heathland courses (Woking and St Georges Hill are much more of a hybrid parkland/heathland), it has history of big time golf and the Braid connection, but it will be the most expensive by a wide margin and probably the hardest to get to.  However, being early March, there is more of a chance for harsh weather on the higher, much more exposed Walton Heath.  If you want more charm and far cheaper green fees, Woking is easily the way to go.  St Georges Hill is just as good as Woking, maybe even a tad better.  You will pay a bit more, but it does have three nines.  If you do plop for St Georges Hill be sure to check their winter work program (in fact, ask all the clubs about this).  You really can't go wrong with any choice, its just a matter what is important to you because all three clubs are very different.

Ciao   

[Frank M]

Hey Sean,

I'm actually not looking for a full day of golf, just one round, as I was hoping to be back after lunch. I just found out tonight that Royal St. George is not available on any of the dates I am able to play, so I am definitely going to be playing either Walton, St. George or Woking.

I know you are a big fan of Woking, and it's an easy course to get to, but would you choose St. Georges Hill over Woking if you only had the opportunity to play one? I am heavily favoring Woking because I will have already played a Colt design in Sunningdale New (I've also played Hamilton here in Canada) and I think I will get more in terms of a lesson in golf course architecture and its history if I play Woking, or at least I would assume so. Although Walton Heath is ranked better, judging by what I've seen and heard, I don't think I would necessarily care for it as much as Woking. However, in the same note, what I've read and seen of St. Georges really appeals to me.

Anyway, I am making complete assumptions because as I said, I've never played in England and therefore I might by way off my rocker.

Thanks for the help btw

[Michael Latham]

Assuming you have a car, I would suggest you also consider Hankley Common.(www.hankley.co.uk/) It will take an extra 25 minutes from Central London than say St Georges Hill
Probably the best condition of any course around London in the winter months.

[Sean_A]

Frank

While Woking is comfortably my favourite of the three, it may be for reasons which don't matter to you: ie not as much of a challenge as Walton Heath, more interesting greens, cheaper, more charming/secluded (road noise can be an issue at WH)/homey feel.  There is a certain sense of been there done that with Colt courses, but if you have only seen a few that shouldn't be an issue with St Georges Hill.  The layout from tee to green is more dynamic and varied than Woking and there are a few cracking holes which are among the best in the heathlands, but Woking's greens and sense of place in architectural history even the score.  However, if seeing a heathland course is a priority, than I would still suggest Walton Heath.  Seeing both courses isn't a must because they are similarily austere.  As I say, all three courses are very good and one probably couldn't pick three others to better represent the differences of London Heathland courses with the exception of maybe New Zealand.    

I know this sounds a mixed bag of recos, but at the end of the day go with your gut.  Who knows, maybe access will be a problem and the decision will be made for you - tee hee.  Which day are you planning on playing?   

Ciao

[Kevin Pallier]

Frank

Have you thought of Swinley Forest or either of The Berkshire courses ?

[Ally Mcintosh]

In my opinion, Sean is talking complete sense on this thread... I agree with everything he says...

[Mark Chaplin]

Yet to play Woking, but I'm with Michael on Hankley Common. Not only a great course but by far the most peaceful of the heaths especially if you not a train spotter.

[Scott Warren]

I haven't played St George's Hill, but Woking and Walton Heath (Old) are both spectacular places to spend a morning, with great history and great design, couple with a taste of the posh English club at work.

Both can be accessed by train from London in less than an hour, with a little cab ride from the station to the course.

You can't make a bad call choosing one or the other, and depending on the da of the week I might recommend one or the other as being more worth seeing. They are about as different as heathland courses get!

[Frank M]

It looks like I may be playing Woking.

[Matthew Parish]

If you were willing to head out to Royal St. George, have you looked into playing Deal (Royal Cinque Ports)?

[Frank M]

If you were willing to head out to Royal St. George, have you looked into playing Deal (Royal Cinque Ports)?

I have thought about it, however, I will save alot of time by staying in the London area.

[Kevin Pallier]

It looks like I may be playing Woking. I have contacted the club and although the tee time that is available is about 20 mins past the latest I was looking to play, 20 mins isn't the end of the world.

Everyone here seems to be on the fence about which to play...I guess that is a testament to how great all the courses are.

My brain is turning to mush.

Frank

Have fun at Woking and I think you've said it right yourself - a nice problem to have - choosing a course on the Heathbelt

[JNC Lyon]

Frank,

Woking is a great choice for heathland golf.  It has an absolutely phenomenal set of greens, which range from subtle to outrageous.  The course has a tremendous variety of holes and is a great walk in the park.  Woking is also one of the most important courses in architecture history, mostly because of the brilliant par-four 4th.  As Sean pointed out, Woking is a very quaint and charming club, and you should have no problem getting around the course in three hours.  I teed off at 3:30 one April afternoon and played 33 holes before dark.

Additionally, the course is very convenient from London.  If you take the right train from Waterloo Station, it is a 25-minute non-stop trip to Woking Station, and another 5-10 minutes in a taxi gets you to the course.

Enjoy Woking--it is my favorite inland course around London.

[Mark Chaplin]

If you were willing to head out to Royal St. George, have you looked into playing Deal (Royal Cinque Ports)?

I have thought about it, however, I don't think it's wroth the extra effort considering the amount of really good courses in the London area.

Frank - you've done it now!

Enjoy the trains 1 every 136 seconds

[Frank M]

Oh oh...I didn't realize there was such a strong following. I'm not saying it isn't good, I just need to conserve time. Hope nobody took it the wrong way.

[JNC Lyon]

Oh oh...I didn't realize there was such a strong following. I'm not saying it isn't good, I just need to conserve time. Hope nobody took it the wrong way.

Nobody's going to kill you for it, but...Deal is at the same level as or ahead of the top London courses.  I'm totally biased, but I enjoy Deal more than I enjoy Sandwich.  If you have the opportunity to play Deal, go for it, especially since trains leave early from St. Pancras and a day trip is very do-able.  Honestly, Deal and Woking would both be great choices.

[Frank M]

The only thing about Deal is that I will not have a car. As much as I want to play there, I just don't have that kind of time.

I will have to save Deal and Sandwich for next time.

[John Mayhugh]

Frank,
The reason people were suggesting Deal if Sandwich didn't work out is that the courses are pretty much neighbors. I cannot see how the logistics of going to Sandwich would be workable but not the logistics of Deal.  It's not as if Sandwich is a major metropolitan area.  Royal Cinque Ports is probably about a mile from the Deal train station, so a cab would be pretty quick and easy.  I don't know anything about the train ride from London, but from what others have said 3.5 hours sounds extreme.

Include me amongst the Deal fan club.  It's great fun and a really underrated course IMO, though if you go there you may not be satisfied with playing just one round and then hustling back to London.  Then I couldn't see being pleased about just one trip around Walton Heath or Woking either.  I think any of the choices mentioned would be good, but the best depends on what sort of course you want to see. 

My advice: if one of the London area guys happens to be available to play with you (whether it's Deal, Woking, Hankley, etc), go there.  You won't be sorry.

[Frank M]

Sandwich I would have to take the very first morning train out of London and it would arrive exactly 7 mins prior to my tee time (not including getting to the course) and that is cutting it way too close.

[Matthew Parish]

Would rate Deal as one of my single best golf experiences, and that is the reason I suggested it.  Of course, we had a car.  Given the logistics, it sounds like Woking is the way to go.

[JNC Lyon]

Frank,

Usually, Deal is only 1.5 hours from St. Pancras with the high speed rail.  With the early train from Charing Cross, you would leave London at 5:30 and get there around 8:05.  Though it would be possible to get there in time to play (and the high-speed back is only an hour and a half, meaning you would realistically be back in London by 13:30-14:00), it sounds like this would be cutting it close.

Like I said before, Woking is a great choice for golf, and it is certainly much closer to center London.  Nevertheless, the trip from London to Sandwich/Deal is fairly brisk by high-speed train and will be great for a future trip.

P.S. If you are indeed headed to Woking, make sure you get the train from London Waterloo to either Portsmouth Harbor or Weymouth.  Woking is the first stop on this train, meaning it is the fastest possible time (around 25 minutes) from center London.  The Waterloo to PH train should run about every 10-15 minutes.

[Mark Chaplin]

Frank - the first train from St Pancras is actually from Charing Cross in reality you'd tube to London Bridge and pick it up around 0535 still a bit early as it's a dog of a train stopping for 10 mins in Ashford and 20 in Dover to time with the school run. I should know I get it all the time, the scheduling office needs a links golfer it there!! For your next trip RCP is 5 mins from the station in pre-bookable cab 01304 374001 and the Dormy House. Trundle down the previous night, have breakfast and set off for your round, for £45 it's far cheaper than a Londinium hotel.

All that said the heaths are wonderful.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Leave the guy alone and let him play Woking...

Rushing kills all enjoyment of everything...

[Mark Chaplin]

Ally - I had a gentle rib early doors as Frank was looking at travelling to Sandwich but didn't think it worth the "extra effort" to go to Deal even though it's a few minutes less travel. He hadn't realised Deal has a good GCA following hence the rib. On saying that Laura has a contract out on him!!

Playing a heath and having a short trip from London is very sensible, only JNC considers a 600 mile day trip but then that's all part of student life.