Great Golf Courses of Surrey, England
Our favourite courses in Surrey – rated using a classic system
It would be hard to imagine over 110 golf courses in an area the size of a large city, but that would be about the size of the home county of Surrey, England, which boasts a history of golf going back over 150 years. Part of the reason for the explosion of golf around London in late Victorian England was the extraordinary geography of the region, which has ample sandy soils much like the heather clad courses so prevalent in Scotland, as well as the unique chalk landscape of the North and South Downs. The chalk is free draining and is as playable as any sand based course in mid winter.
Although all these clubs are private, only The Wisley will not take bookings from the public. Private clubs always set aside tee times for visitors, sometimes every day, but often on certain days of the week. This prudent approach ensures that joining fees and member dues are kept to a minimum. £1000 is probably an average member joining fee, although there are a few exceptions like Wentworth which ask for stratospheric sums of money.
Green fees shouldn’t run more than about £80 for a walking round of golf, although there are a couple of exceptions like Walton Heath which will be at least £125. Often this will allow you to golf all day if you wish. Some of the clubs charge less than £30 for a weekday afternoon. My rating system takes into account the quality of the course (none of which make the list unless they are already very good) and significantly, whether you should go out of the way to play the venue. I admit copying the Michelin restaurant review system, which assigns up to 5 knives and forks for a great meal, but also up to 3 rosettes for those locations where you simply must play, even if you have to detour for up to an hour’s drive!
Betchworth ↑
Burhill ↑↑
Camberley Heath ↑↑
Epsom ↑↑
Effingham ↑↑↑
Farnham ↑↑
Guildford ↑↑
Hankley Common ↑↑↑↑↑ ***
Hindhead ↑↑↑ *
Merrist Wood ↑
New Zealand Club ↑↑↑
Reigate Heath ↑↑↑ * (One of the best 9 hole courses in the country)
Richmond (Sudbrook Park) ↑↑
RAC ↑↑ The Old Course)
Royal Mid-Surrey ↑↑↑
Royal Wimbledon ↑↑↑
St Georges Hill ↑↑↑↑ *
Tandridge ↑↑
Tyrells Wood ↑
Walton Heath, ↑↑↑↑ * (The New course is slightly superior to the Old)
West Surrey ↑↑↑
Wentworth (East course, not the West) ↑↑↑↑↑ ***
Worplesdon, ↑↑↑
Woking, ↑↑↑↑ **
West Hill ↑↑
The Wisley ↑↑↑↑ (all 27 holes)
To plan a Surrey golf holiday, or enjoy a Jenahura Golf Experience Tour to the region with a Jenahura staff CPGA professional, visit our website at www.jenahura.ca or call us on 1 800 488 1857.