London area golf insider tips

[David Davis]

I have a serious golf architecture education week coming up in the London area, 8 days worth. The schedule is set and everything is arranged BUT it's going to be a lot of golf in a little time and definitely sensory overload so I wanted to ask for any insider tips that I might otherwise risk missing. This could be anything from holes to take special note of to dishes not to order during lunch/dinner at any of the clubs. Anything note worthy...and I am taking notes, especially architectural ones and hoping for pearls of wisdom here. I know it's cramming a lot in, trust me I would of loved to spend a week at each course but time and money won't allow that. The good news is it's only a short 1 hour flight to return for anything I might fall in love with.

Day 1 Walton Heath (Old and New)
Day 2 Sunningdale (Old and New)
Day 3 Royal St. Georges and Deal
Day 4 Wentworth (East and West)
Day 5 Queenswood and St. Georges Hill
Day 6 Rye and Swinley Forest
Day 7 Berkshire (Red and Blue)
Day 8 Woking

[Michael Felton]

It's probably a bit late to say this, but Rye is a long way from Swinley Forest. A good 2 hours drive I would think. Would be better to do that the day after RSG and Deal.

That's a heck of a list that you're playing though.

Day 3 - have lunch at Royal St George's and do the carvery. The best golf club lunch I've ever had, although I've heard good things about the Berkshire's too.

Personally, I think your first three days are the best golf. I've played 13 of the 15 courses there and Sunningdale is very special. RSG might well be the best course in England. Deal is very good and I am very fond of Walton indeed.

Holes to note - the 4th green at RSG is epic, as is the fairway bunker on the same hole. The 16th at Deal is very special. The 16th on the Old at Walton is quite possibly the best hole on the property with a wonderful green site.

Wentworth East is pretty good I think and I prefer it to the West, even before the changes.

Swinley is great for the atmosphere almost as much as the golf course (which is excellent itself), which is why it's a bit of a shame that you're playing Rye the same day, so you'll miss the chance to really drink that in.

Above all though, what a trip! Have fun!

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Hope you have a driver for day 6.  That can be a 3 hour drive in the morning with the M 25 being a slow moving parking lot, or maybe stay down on Dover after day 5's rounds.  

[David Davis]

We are driving down to Rye late in the evening and staying in a bed and breakfast 5 minutes from the course. Playing early, first out then driving up with plenty of time. It's not ideal for sure but it shouldn't be too stressful. Day 3 will be tiring with the driving for sure but you can't always pick your schedule perfectly as sometime the clubs have events or sponsor days going on which was the case so we subbed in the day at Deal and RSG. I think that was some good subbing and ended up with an extra day of golf because of it. The rest of the time we are staying in and around Sunningdale so not much driving at all.

[Jason Kang]

Late to the party and I know one can't dictate when visiting clubs, but for what it's worth, I agree, would have been neat from a golfing perspective to do Rye and RSG closer together. 

Sounds like you'll be in a rush on the Rye day, shame.  Try to soak in every hole.  Had heard about the 4th hole from friends who play it often and can confirm that it is fantastic.  If you can't stay for lunch and the treacle tart, at least try to pause for a spell on the porch after your round if it's a sunny day.

I echo another poster's plug for lunch at RSG if you have the option.  Among other things, check out the replica of the Maiden hole in the clubhouse if you get a chance.  For some reason I remember being overwhelmed by the view from the 10th green, and the par 3s were especially fun to play.

Was v grateful for accompanied rounds at the above places, much much appreciated if my UK hosts are reading.       

[Bill_McBride]

Rye and Rye Jubilee is a fun d ay, and Rye / Littlestone is noteworthy. 

David, that schedule sounds a lot like the Buda Holland I was unfortunately unable to attend. 

[Robert Mercer Deruntz]

Before heading home, there are two superb Indian restaurants in West Drayton near the airport hotels,  Zayani and Sipson. Last time I picked up and ate it on the plane--all world food!

[Tony_Muldoon]

David Unless your travelling companion has played before, get a Strokesaver at Deal.  I do know of first time viistors who have found the lines off the tee as difficult to understand as at TOC and lack of direction meant it was not until they played with a member that the began to enjoy the course.

Pah! a man of your age should be doing 54 a day, so add the third course at Wentworth, Littlestone and with the long summer evenings complete the 3w's in a day! Enjoy

[David Davis]

Tony,

I kid you not, I had to fight off my traveling companion from day 4 on as he happily do the 100 hole hike everyday if the courses would shut down for us, and then he'd be ready for more and probably not shoot above par anywhere.

He does have about 15 years on me.

We will get a stroke saver at Deal, good one as neither of us have played it before.

David

[Mark Chaplin]

Paying full green fees this is a crazy trip, if it's a rating trip what happens when the secretary at Sandwich, Rye or Queenwood has planned lunch and an afternoon trip around with the superintendent? Would it be considered rude to bail out on a host whose subbed you to assess their course then rightly expects sometime with the raters to gauge their opinions and experiences?

[David Davis]

Paying full green fees this is a crazy trip, if it's a rating trip what happens when the secretary at Sandwich, Rye or Queenwood has planned lunch and an afternoon trip around with the superintendent? Would it be considered rude to bail out on a host whose subbed you to assess their course then rightly expects sometime with the raters to gauge their opinions and experiences?

Mark, good question. 99.9% of these things have already been planned and accounted for. With a couple exceptions the schedule is really not that tight. Sandwich for example is an early afternoon round and there is time after. Rye an early morning round as is Queenwood both with ample time after should these things or other opportunities arise.

The one thing that may be lacking in the trip is ample sleep time assuming relatively late and long dinners are enjoyed.

[Scott Warren]

Rushing Rye and Swinley in a single day is lunacy.

Save Berkshire for next time and dedicate a day each to Rye and Swinley so you can do them right.

[Frank Pont]

Rushing Rye and Swinley in a single day is lunacy.

Save Berkshire for next time and dedicate a day each to Rye and Swinley so you can do them right.

Agree, and then next time also play Broadstone, Camberley Heath, New Zealand, Tandridge, West Sussex, Addington, Thorndon Park etc etc

[Ally Mcintosh]

I am knackered just looking at that list.

I'm worried about two 36 hole days in a row (with no driving) up in Dornoch in a fortnight.

[Scott Warren]

trust me I would of loved to spend a week at each course but time and money won't allow that. The good news is it's only a short 1 hour flight to return for anything I might fall in love with.

Day 1 Walton Heath (Old and New)
Day 2 Sunningdale (Old and New)
Day 3 Royal St. Georges and Deal
Day 4 Wentworth (East and West)
Day 5 Queenswood and St. Georges Hill
Day 6 Rye and Swinley Forest
Day 7 Berkshire (Red and Blue)
Day 8 Woking

I've thought about this, and you're in luck!

The places you're visiting aren't cheap, so I understand focusing on value. Some great value to be had at the courses you're going to by taking the day rate.

Here's an alternate option that changes your movements only minimally, but gives you a lot more time to really enjoy and appreciate the courses you play (which is even more important if this is a rating trip):


Day 1 Walton Heath (Old and New) NO CHANGE
Day 2 Sunningdale (Old and New) NO CHANGE
Day 3 Royal St. Georges and Deal 36 AT ONE OF THEM, FOLLOWED BY...
Day 4 Wentworth (East and West) 36 AT THE OTHER (I CAN ASSIST GETTING THIS LOCKED IN FOR YOU IF VISITOR TIMES ARE SCARCE)
Day 5 Queenswood and St. Georges Hill 27 AT SGH? OR WOKING AFTERWARD ON ITS GREAT TWILIGHT RATE
Day 6 Rye and Swinley Forest PICK ONE AND SPEND THE DAY, FOLLOWED BY...
Day 7 Berkshire (Red and Blue) ... THE OTHER
Day 8 Woking OMFG I JUST SAVED YOU A DAY! NZGC IS ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCES ON THE HEATHBELT,THOUGH RATERS TEND TO BYPASS IT.

You can thank me later.

[Mark Pearce]

PLaying Rye and Swinley on the same day and having to drive between them is a mistake.  Both are clubs worth spending time at and getting a feel for. 

[Scott Warren]

Wentworth is the primary offender here but I understand they have some commitments there that can't be gotten out of.

I don't follow. Wentworth has unavoidable commitments or DD has unavoidable commitments?

[Scott Warren]

Odd. Usually when I travel I get to decide who I spend my money with!

Or is this trip sponsored? If so that changes everything. If someone is paying for them (or even paying them), I guess they just play where they are told to when they are told to, rate it appropriately and try to take in as much as possible in one lap.

[David Davis]

Yes, Brian is in the know in this case. Unfortunately no changing up the schedule. Wentworth is for a work related commitment. If I survived Woodhall Spa then I'm sure I'll survive that day and night staying there and even enjoy it.

We know it's not ideal to combine two great courses like Swinley and Rye in one day. Trust me I'd love to play 36 at both and very possibly will one day. As mentioned for me it doesn't have to be a one off. However, my playing partner is traveling from US in this case so even though he will likely return we are pretty much etched in stone here.

Here we are only talking about one two hour drive that is inconvenient. It's arguably less of a drive considering how I drive, traffic permitting. Plus we are in very good hands at both clubs so I'm certain that will be a brilliant day in spite of the seeming logistic inconvenience. We will not be rushed at all in either round and the days are extremely long so we will have relax time at both clubs. Remember at Rye in the morning we have no driving so are getting off nice and early, first out.

I appreciate the logistic advice though, I know you guys are spot on right and speaking from experience so not a word to debate it. It's a luxury problem and we will just have to deal this time.

[Thomas Dai]

Out of curiosity, what would be some London area courses that are still distinctly nice, either classic or quirky but not new, but are more in the £50-£75 full greenfee range?

atb

[Michael Felton]

Hankley Common and Hindhead are both pretty decent and I'd guess their fee is in that range, though I don't know. The three W's would fit in that too. The Addington is good. A quick vote for Effingham GC as well. Colt course in between Epsom and Guildford and it is my home club.

[Michael Felton]

Hankley Common and Hindhead are both pretty decent and I'd guess their fee is in that range, though I don't know. The three W's would fit in that too. The Addington is good. A quick vote for Effingham GC as well. Colt course in between Epsom and Guildford and it is my home club.

Add Camberley Heath and Liphook to that list. Most of these are closer to 75/80 than 50 though...

Prices have gone up in the last few years!

[Sean_A]

Out of curiosity, what would be some London area courses that are still distinctly nice, either classic or quirky but not new, but are more in the £50-£75 full greenfee range?

atb

The London area is expensive!  The best "normal" priced course I know is Camberley Heath.  I think you quickly get into £60+ per round after that and Knole Park is good - and takes the co card.  Liphook cranks the pricing up a bit more at about £70 a game, but they too take the co card.  I am told Blackmoor, quite neaar Liphook is good and not too bad for a green fee.  Woking can be had for £55 twilight - if you are interested I am game for a go.  Same for West Hill, though I am less keen to make the trip than for Woking.  Berkhamsted is good and they do a good co card rate - I would go back there.  Places like Denham and Beaconsfield are meant to be good, but they are slightly pricey and I am not sure about co card. 

Ciao

[Paul Gray]

Out of curiosity, what would be some London area courses that are still distinctly nice, either classic or quirky but not new, but are more in the £50-£75 full greenfee range?

atb

The Addington comes in at £60 on a Monday and £65 for the rest of the week. I seem to recall they quoted me the £35 members rate for county card holders.

We've never met, Thomas, but your posts give me a sneaking suspicion that you'd be a Camberley fan.

[Mark Chaplin]

Hankley is now £90 round / £110 a day with a twilight of £60.

Unfortunately you can buy a village in Yorkshire for the price of a two bed flat in Surrey.