North Hants is a club that seems to get passed by when the Surrey/Berkshire/Hampshire heathland course discussion comes up. We tend to hear its name most in sentences involving Justin Rose but I think it deserves abit more exposure than this, I don’t think anyone can deny it’s a very solid course.
Originally a James Braid design, with changes made by both Harry Colt and Tom Simpson it has some serious pedigree. Three new holes were introduced in 2001 by Donald Steel. The site is dominated by a large ridge that runs through the course and it is the holes around this that offer the most interesting golf. It is perhaps let down by the flatter land nearest to the clubhouse.
A link to Mr Arble’s tour which was the only other real mention I could find on GCA. Unfortunately it no longer has the photo links but is still worth a read;
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30833.0.htmlApologies for a few of the darker pictures, they were taken on a few different late winter afternoons on a phone so they aren’t quite Jon Cavalier standard unfortunately but should show enough to get the idea across.
The Scorecard
The 1st is a tough long par 3, but probably the least interesting of a fairly strong set of par 3’s. It does however provides a nice contrast to the 8th, the other far superior 3 on the front nine.
2 is a longish par 4 heading left to a well protected, undulating and tight green. One of the new ones.
The par 5 3rd is an opportunity for birdie or disaster. A semi-blind drive over the brow the hill leads to this view over the pond to an even more undulating green than the 2nd, another new one.
The short 4th is one of the highlights of the course.
Where does the left side of the green go?
A lot further left than you might think.
The tough drive up the hill on the 5th.
A blind drive over the ridge awaits you on 6.
Cresting the ridge gives you this view to the narrow three tier green falling away from you.
Another obscured drive starts the 7th back around/along the ridge’s edge.
The deceptive fronting bunker.
The cool short 8th with added atmospheric smoke…only 122 yards from the back tees…best hole on the course?
What isn’t obvious at first glance from the tee is the split level nature of the green (photo from the higher left side).
9 takes us back towards the clubhouse in so so fashion.
The back nine starts with an intriguing par 3. The knob at the front left of the green must cause havoc and is the best part about the stretch from 9 through to the 13th hole.
11 and 12 are probably among the duller holes on the course, but still offer some interest.
The 13th gets the good golf going again with a shortish par 4 playing to a very well protected green. A well positioned fairway bunker asks questions.
The par 4 14th tees off blind over the ridge again towards the far corner of the property. It swings right with a ditch pinching the corner of the hole from where the best line to the green is offered.
It appears the 15th tees have been moved at some point, I assume because of H&S boundary issues? An attractive par 3.
The new tees.
16 starts the long stretch home up the hill. The green is perched on the brow of the ridge.
The 17th channels The Road Hole at the green end at least, for better or worse?
A tough par 4 to finish.
All in all North Hants is a very solid golf course as you would expect from Braid, Colt and Simpson. There are some obvious highs and also some fairly humdrum holes. The greens aren’t exceptional interesting but still good and the setting is very pleasant. Definitely worth a quick look if in the area.