Ashridge

Ashridge Golf Club is on the border between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, just 40 miles from the centre of England’s capital city. 

Cecil Hutchinson, Guy Campbell and Major Hotchkin were the three men who laid out the course, which remains a part of the Ashridge Estate – a National Trust England site. 

The tree-lined fairways are exactly what you would expect in this part of the world, and don’t be surprised to see a deer or two strolling the fairways as well... 

Visit Ashridge’s website here.

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Once part of the Brownlow family's estate, Ashridge was originally laid out by Cecil Hutchinson, Guy Campbell and Major Hotchkin (of Woodhall Spa fame). It has since been altered by Tom Simpson.  

Ashridge's distinctive clubhouse is curiously its third – the first burned down before the Second World War and this one was opened in 1993. 

The great Henry Cotton – winner of the Open Championship in 1934, 1937 and 1948 – was the club professional at Ashridge for a number of years. 

To this day, the course continues to wind its way around the Ashridge Estate, with tree-lined fairways on what is a fine parkland layout. Ashridge is laid out in an unusual clover-leaf shape around the centrally located clubhouse, from where you can see the 9th, 12th and 18th greens as well as the 1st, 10th and 13th tees. Always interesting and often undulating, the course runs out to almost 6,700 yards from the back tees, playing with a par of 72. 

The first is scarily named ‘Devil’s Den’ but if you can keep it on the fairway, then there is actually a chance of a birdie to kick off your round. The 2nd is one of five par 5s on the course, countered by the five short holes to make it a 72. It is narrow but straight, and at 525 yards, the longer hitters might fancy their chances. The first of those par 3s comes next, with the short 3rd. It is only 165 yards, and played to a green surrounded by large trees, along with three sand traps as well. The 4th is the Stroke Index 1 at Ashridge, thanks to its yardage tipping out at more than 450. 

It is followed by the longest hole on the property. The 5th is 530 yards from the tips, and plays as a dog-leg left par 5 around the trees. The tee shot has to go through a funnel of woodwork before making it out into the open. 6 is the longest par 3, at more than 200 yards, but there is only one bunker guarding the putting surface. The 7th and 9th are both par 4s of less than 400 yards, sandwiching the last par 3 on the front side – the 180-yard 8th. The 9th brings you back to the clubhouse, and to the middle of the clover leaf as such.  

The next section of three holes – from 10 to 12 – goes off on its own little tangent, before returning back to the clubhouse for the second time. Both 10 and 11 could be seen as birdie opportunities, the former being a par 4 of just 350 yards and with a generous fairway. The 11th is the first of two par 3s on the closing side at Ashridge, and it is only 165 yards with a decent-sized green. Avoid the five bunkers and you have a putt for a two. The 12th then brings you back to the centre of the course with a long par 4 before 13 sees you turn and move away once more, but with the easiest hole on the course. It is a short par 5, of just 470 yards, and with a slight dog-leg right that will be easy on the eye for those that fade the ball.  

The closing stretch at Ashridge begins with the tough 14th. The hardest hole on the back nine, 14 is a dog-leg left par 4 of 445 yards from the tips, with a fairway bunker in the landing zone. The green is also guarded by both sand and trees. 15 and 17 are both par 5s and provide chances as you come towards the end of your round. The former is a double dog-leg left, constantly bending around the trees, while 17 moves left then right at the green. Find the fairway on either, and you could reach the greens in two. The 16th is the last par 3, and plays over a small pond to the putting surface. 

The closing hole at Ashridge, named ‘Home’ is a tough par 4 to finish. Reaching past 430 yards from the back tees, it is a dog-leg right. There is a generous fairway, but that narrows the further you hit the ball. The hole moves around the trees, so a fade is the play, before you end up back at the centre of that leaf once more. Make sure you aim at the right green to finish with, as there are four (including the practice putting green) in the vicinity. 

Greg Webber: A design that has stood the test of time. An all-round delightful place to play

Neil Gray: A really beautiful track with some good holes

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Where is Ashridge Golf Club located?  

Ashridge Golf Club is in the heart of England, on the border between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. It is located on the Ashridge Estate, which is a National Trust England site. The golf club is just outside Little Gaddesden, around five miles north of Berkhamsted. Hemel Hempstead and Watford are also close by, and London is 40 miles to the southeast, while the M1 runs just a few miles to the east of Ashridge Golf Club. 

Tring is the nearest train station to Ashridge, just a few miles to the west of the venue. Tring sits on the line that operates trains between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central, with all trains running through Watford Central. Ashridge is less than 20 miles from London Luton Airport – the fifth busiest airport in the United Kingdom (according to 2023 data). London Heathrow, the busiest airport in the country, is only 35 miles to the south of the golf club.  

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

Ashridge is one of four courses on the NCG Top 100s: England within a small radius of Hemel Hempstead and Watford. Berkhamsted, The Grove and the Centurion Club are all within half an hour from Ashridge. 

What golf facilities does Ashridge Golf Club offer?  

Along with the glorious tree-lined golf course, Ashridge Golf Club is also home to its own driving range, which sits at the east of the clubhouse. There are both matted and grass tees to play from, with a short game area behind the range, and a putting green next to the 1st tee.  

What are the green fees at Ashridge Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Ashridge 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 Ashridge, visit their website here.