London and Vicinity

Some photos courtesy of Sunningdale, St. George's Hill, Walton Heath, and The Berkshire

Experience Golf Near London

Although any mention of London will draw thoughts of Big Ben and guards in funny hats outside of Buckingham Palace, His Majesty’s backyard is a superb destination for golf trips to England. The offerings include some of the most historic and exclusive clubs in England, all within a stone’s throw of one of the great cities of the world and the exceptional Good Life that comes with it.

A blanket of sandy soil has gifted suburban London with at least a dozen outstanding heathland courses which resemble the parkland variety but play like a seaside links. There are four members of the GOLF World Top 100 in this region, two of which are found at the same club: Sunningdale. The Old and New Courses at Sunningdale Golf Club are two of the finest examples of heathland golf, served alongside a lunch that could rival Muirfield.

Nearby, Swinley Forest was dubbed by Harry Colt to be his “least bad” course. High praise from the designer who gave us Royal County Down, Royal Liverpool, and the previously mentioned Muirfield.

Speaking of Harry Colt, his layout at St. George's Hill is another Top 100 course that's laid over some of the most interesting terrain in the London Heathland. The course sits in the shadow of one of the best clubhouses in Britain – no visit is complete without a little time on the patio savoring the view.

Finally, Walton Heath and The Berkshire may fly under the radar for some golf travelers, at least when compared to the courses above, but the golf-hungry visitor will find 36-holes of thoroughly enjoyable golf at both clubs.

Unlike England’s Golf Coast, London and the surrounding area is an ideal destination for golfers and tourists alike. From the famous sites and shopping to theater and award-winning dining, the Good Life in London is a veritable paradise. The city itself is best enjoyed, however, on an excursion either before or after the golf portion of your expedition. Closer to the golf, tourists will find a number of enjoyable sites, most notably the palaces at Windsor and Hampton Court.