Walton Heath Golf Club

Walton Heath Golf Club

Some photos courtesy of Walton Heath Golf Club

Course Guide

  • Club Founded: 1903
  • Par 72
  • 6786 Yards
  • Designers: Herbert Fowler
  • GOLF U.K. & Ireland Top 100: #32
  • Pro Tip: Just avoid the heather.

Nearby Courses

Course Description

Walton Heath Golf Club is well known throughout England and the kingdom of golf not only for its two magnificent courses, but also for the people associated with it.

 

Very soon after its completion, the Club became a favorite of the press and Parliament who frequently traversed the 20 miles from London to play. Kings Edward VIII and George VI as well as Prime Ministers Lloyd George and Winston Churchill were members. Press baron Rupert Murdoch actually owned the courses until he sold the land to the Club members in 1970. Five times Open champion James Braid served as club professional for 45 years.

Walton Heath Golf Club – Former Ryder Cup Venue

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.

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