Surrey has always been known as an excellent golf region, but on browsing through Top 100 Golf Courses, you are reminded of the extraordinary quality of golf courses in this county. Of course, there are the globally reknowned Clubs like Sunningdale, Wentworth and Walton Heath, who have hosted many professional and top class amateur events over the years, but what caught my eye was some less high profile work of one of golf’s historical greats in the world of golf course architecture.
On this particular rating, three excellent Harry Colt courses appear between 18-20, and each one provides a truly memorable challenge, which in most other counties in England, could quite easily be ranked 1, 2 and 3.
Number 18 is the quite heavenly Tandridge Golf Club. Set high in the Surrey Hills the course offers superb views of the surrounding countryside, spectacular cascading holes, and inclines to infinity greens. Colt’s influence is everywhere, with elevation changes, bunkers cut stunningly into the sides of hills and challenging greens; there is breathtaking golf on offer here. The conditioning of the course is outstanding, and the Clubhouse is one of Surrey’s finest with a palpable sense of history and prestige
Royal Wimbledon GC at No. 19 is the third oldest golf club in England established in 1865, although Harry Colt redesigned the current 18 holes in 1924. Situated close to London, it has an impressive Clubhouse, and 18 holes of quality heathland golf. Although not long by modern standards the course is protected by tight fairways and harsh rough in the form of gorse and heather. Darwin commented on the magical nature of a golf course on the doorstep of one of the world’s biggest cities; it is an oasis of tranquility only 8.7 miles from Piccadilly Circus.
Further to the west side of Surrey is another Colt charmer in Camberley Heath Golf Club. A traditional Surrey Heathland, Camberley has tons of character, and just like all the best heathland courses requires great precision and accuracy to thread your ball through fairways guarded by towering pine trees and heather. Measuring just over 6,400 yards with a Par 71, the challenge is not all about power, but just like all three courses mentioned here, you will need a lot of skill and shot making ability to score well.
Golf Tourism England can proudly recommend these three courses to golfers from anywhere in the world, and know without any doubt that you will be hugely impressed, and grateful you took the time to explore work that defines Harry Colt’s mastery.
