Army

Army Golf Club has been around for more than 140 years, making it one of the oldest clubs in the southern county of Hampshire. 

Dating back to 1883, the club has always been a part of the Army’s history, and each of the 18 holes has a name that represents something in that long and storied history. 

The course is tricky, with tree-lined fairways, raised greens and plenty of bunkers, along with several ditches and streams to catch you out.  

Visit Army’s website here. 

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The history of Army Golf Club is a lengthy one, dating back more than 140 years – making the venue the third oldest club in the county of Hampshire. 

1883 saw the founding of the Aldershot Divisional Golf Club, by members of the 1st Battalion, The Cameronians in the Army. A number of names, including the Aldershot Command Golf Club, would be used over the next few decades.  

1974 saw big changes at the venue. Firstly, the name was changed to Army Golf Club. Secondly, the course was redesigned, with Frank Pennink coming in to make the course what it is today. 

The course at Army Golf Club is one of the longest in the region, pushing past 6,600 yards from the Purple tees, and with it only being a par 71, it means that are several long par 4s to deal with. Low, undulating woodland is the name of the game at Army, with tree-lined fairways and plenty of rhododendrons bordering the short stuff as well to give the course some amazing colour in the spring. The trio of par 3s are sublime, and it is a great test for all that come and take it on. 

The opening hole at Army is the first of just two par 5s on the layout. At 505 yards, it is not the longest par 5 you will ever encounter, but with a narrow tee shot for your first shot of the day, that can always spell danger. The 2nd has a generous fairway, and plays as a slight dog-leg right. From the tips, it is 300 yards to the ditch that runs across the hole, so the longer hitters may have to take a club less. 3 also turns slightly right, but it is narrower than the 2nd. Though there are no bunkers by the green, the putting surface is raised, with run-offs in all directions for any shot that doesn’t find the middle of the green. The hardest hole on the front nine comes at the 4th, the Stroke Index 2. It is more than 430 yards from the tips, playing as a dog-leg left, with another raised green. This one, compared to the 3rd, is much shallower, so distance control is crucial. 

The first of the trio of par 3s at Army comes at the 5th. At 220 yards, it is the longest of the three, but a run of fairway arcing diagonally to the right from the green is the bail out. Short is better than long on the 5th. A pair of medium-length par 4s follow next, with the 6th having OOB down its right side, while the 7th moves slightly to the left. It might be tempting to try and cut the corner, but that is not the safe play down 7. The 8th is a 170-yard par 3 that features three greenside bunkers and a ditch running around the right and back of the green. The last hole on the front nine is an arrow-straight par 4 with two fairway bunkers that will be in the landing zone for most. Avoid them, and you will have a clear shot at the green, but do not be long as there are runoffs behind the putting surface. 

The back nine begins with a tough par 4, one that features a ditch running down the right side of the fairway. Two bunkers on the left of the fairway are also a danger, but better there than in the water. Like several before it, the green is raised, and tricky to hold with anything more than a mid-iron. The 11th is the Stroke Index 1 at Army, a 455-yard par 4 that moves to the right. Like the previous hole, a ditch runs down the right side of the fairway to begin with, along with a row of trees which might hide the hazard from the tee box. The aim is at the solitary tree on the left of the fairway, but make sure to stay short of that to ensure a view of the green with your second shot.  

If you come through 11 unscathed, then you reach the final par 5 on the course. The 12th is 520 yards, and for most, it is a three-shotter. There is water on both sides at times, while the hole winds its way round to the right, making it a difficult prospect. At just 325 yards, the 13th looks easy, but it is anything but. The tee shot has to be played through a narrow gap to a small fairway, while four bunkers guard the putting surface. 14 is another relatively short par 4, but this time, a ditch runs across the fairway, 80 yards from the hole. Avoid that, and you’re in good shape to find the putting surface with your second and to have a shot at making birdie.  

The closing stretch at Army begins with the tricky 15th. Another par 4, and another with a stream in front of the green. This time, is it within 20 yards of the putting surface, but the drive still needs to be accurate. Longer hitters might make the top of the ridge at the 290-yard mark, but for most, it will be a drive short of that, before a longer second shot. 16 is a sharp dog-leg left, a par 4 of more than 430 yards. Water comes into play on both sides of the fairway in the landing zone, so it all depends how far you want to hit your tee shot. Two greenside bunkers, and a false front, are the difficulties as you get to the surface. 17 is a 200-yard par 3 with three greenside bunkers protecting it (along with its sheer distance), before you come to the closing hole. With out of bounds down the entirety of the right side, the drive should be aimed down the left side of the fairway. There are no bunkers on 18, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult. 

Where is Army Golf Club located?  

Army Golf Club is located just outside Aldershot and Farnborough in the English county of Hampshire. The club sits to the southwest of London, with the centre of the English capital around 40 miles away. Army Golf Club is just to the south of Farnborough Airport, while the M3, A31 and A331 all run close to the venue. 

The golf club is equidistant from both Aldershot and Farnborough Train Stations. The latter sits on the line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour, while Aldershot also sees trains run to London Waterloo, but instead coming from Guildford or Farnham. Farnborough Airport is almost next door to Army Golf Club, but it is a private airport for executive travel. Instead, visitors to the region are best placed landing at London Heathrow – the busiest airport in the United Kingdom – which is only 25 miles from the venue. London Gatwick is also within 50 miles of Army. 

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?  

Army Golf Club is in a hotbed for English golf, with Hampshire and Surrey’s best all close by. The 3 W’s of West Hill, Worplesdon, and Woking are all in close order, along with the likes of Camberley Heath, Hankley Common, Hindhead and New Zealand, to name just a few. 

What golf facilities does Army Golf Club offer?  

Along with the 18-hole golf course, Army Golf Club is also home to a driving range and a putting green, making up the club’s practice facilities for those who want to warm up prior to taking to the course.  

What are the green fees at Army Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Army Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

For more information on current green fees at Army, visit their website here.