Walton Heath Golf Club

Several features make the courses among the most difficult inland tests of golf in Britain. First, there is an abundance of thick heather and dense gorse, which architect Herbert Fowler weaved throughout the course. Second, at nearly 700 feet above sea level, the courses are higher than Gleneagles on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. This characteristic makes the wind as constant a companion as it would be for any seaside course.

Perhaps recognizing the difficultly of these features, Fowler provided some relief: fairways of considerably generous width. Fourth, the greens have reasonable entrances which will accept the running approach shot, but those that stray may skitter off the sloping sides into savagely deep greenside bunkers. Finally, Fowler displayed a penchant for cross-hazards throughout both courses. No where is this more evident than on the 17th hole of the Old, a 165 yard par-3, where the golfer must carry his tee ball over wasteland to a green completely surrounded by a moat bunker.

A considerable compliment was given Walton Heath in 1981 when a composite of its two courses was selected as the venue for that year's Ryder Cup matches. One of the strongest United States contingents ever assembled won the match 17 to 8. Few other American players visiting on golf trips to London seem to do quite so well on their first visit to these oh so formidable fairways.