East Berkshire

The East Berkshire Golf Club offers up a glorious golf course which has both parkland and heathland properties, the best of both worlds.

Having been around for more than 120 years, the original layout was designed by Open Championship runner-up Peter Paxton.

It started life as a heathland course, but has transformed into more of a parkland layout, with tree-lined fairway, plenty of sand traps and even the odd water hazard to keep you on your toes.

Visit the East Berkshire website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 

The history of East Berkshire Golf Club dates all the way back to the start of the 20th Century, with the course officially opened in 1903.

Peter Paxton – runner-up in the 1880 Open Championship – was the man behind the original design of the layout at East Berkshire.

The course began life as a heathland test, but has developed into more of a parkland layout with tree-lined fairways over the years.

‘The Stag’, an elite amateur competition, is held each year at East Berkshire, with Sandy Lyle being a former winner of the tournament.

Having developed into a parkland layout, East Berkshire still has its plumes of heather here and there to distract the eye of both first timers, and those that have played there for years. There are plenty of dog-legs on the layout, while bunkers and water hazards also come into play. It might only be 6,200 yards from the tips, but all of the above will make it feel like a much more difficult challenge. There is just a single par 5, and a quartet of par 3s on the par 69 track at East Berkshire.

Paxton’s design begins with a quartet of par 4s, with the first being the Stroke Index 18 – talk about a gentle start! It is just under the 300-yard mark off the tips, making the tee shot one for position, rather than distance. The 2nd features a decent carry over heather to make it to the fairway, with a ditch then running down the right side and cutting its way across in front of the green. Approaches have to carry all the way to the putting surface. The 3rd is the longest hole in the opening section, at 430 yards, and although there are no bunkers, it is a very difficult challenge. The fairway is narrow, with trees encroaching all the way down the right side. The green is also narrow, but long, so make sure to check the right distance first. There is a split fairway on 4, along with a solitary bunker to the right of the first part of the short grass. From the flat, it plays downhill to a green guarded by both sand and water.

The first of the four short holes comes at the 5th. A ditch, running from next to the tee then cuts itself in two to run alongside the left of the green, and then across the front of the putting surface as well. It is only 150 yards, but there is plenty of trouble on 5. Aim for the right side of the fairway down the 6th, as it slopes severely from right to left. The fairway bunker on the left side is in play. The green is long and narrow, but it shouldn’t be much more than a low iron. The 7th has a brilliantly designed fairway, with trees down the left and water down the right. The green sits above the fairway so make sure to take an extra club for your approach.

The tee shot down the 8th is blind, and it is another fairway that slopes from right to left. The hole winds round to the right, so if your ball does end up on the left side, you are in good position. Water and sand guard the putting surface once more. The final hole on the front nine at East Berkshire is a short par 3 of 145 yards. A large bunker on either side, and one in front of the putting surface, cause the trouble. The 10th is the most difficult hole on the property, the Stroke Index 1. Thanks to the sharp dog-leg left, it plays longer than its yardage of 437. It also plays uphill for the second shot, so take at least one club more. You then get some respite with the only par 5 on the course. The 11th is only 495 yards, so this is reachable in two for some, especially with a good kick down the fairway. The green is narrow, and there is water to the right of it, so laying up might be the safe pay. Work out your distance to the end of the fairway and trust your yardage.

The 12th features another blind tee shot, and it is a hole that winds its way round to the right. The play is down the left side of the fairway, and there is more room than you think on that side. Two bunkers sit in front of the green as the trouble. 13 is the longest of the par 3s, at more than 210 yards from the back tees. Three bunkers and a false front make this hole even more difficult, along with the two-tiered green which has seen many a three-putt in its history. The 14th is a cracking hole, and one that can be played in so many ways. At 425 yards, it is a hole that requires two solid shots to just reach the green, but with the way the hole winds its way round to the right, that is a difficult prospect. The fairway gets narrower the further down you go, and with trees either side, it is easy to find yourself blocked out.

The closing stretch at East Berkshire begins with a generous par 4. It might be 380 yards, but the fairway is wide enough for you to feel comfortable, even with the stream running down its right side. Do not go long of this green, as there is a steep run off behind the dance floor. The last of the par 3s comes at 16. A long and narrow green, some 165 yards away, awaits. A bunker on either side is the danger, but there is a slope that you can feed your ball onto the putting surface with, from short left of the green. Two strong par 4s bring the layout to a close, both of which are longer than 410 yards. The fairway on 17 is split into three sections, first by a road, and then by heather. The green is two-tiered, and has four bunkers surrounding it. The final hole at East Berkshire is a slight dog-leg left, and one where the right side of the fairway must be found to see the green fully. Three bunkers guard the last green, which stands proudly in front of the clubhouse.

Where is East Berkshire located?

The East Berkshire Golf Club is situated just outside the village of Crowthorne, and only a few miles from both Reading and Bracknell. The venue is to the southwest of London, with the centre of the English capital city less than 40 miles away by road. The M3 and M4, along with the A33 and A322 all run close by East Berkshire, providing the golf club with great road links.

Crowthorne Station is the closest to East Berkshire, less than half a mile from the entrance to the golf club. The station sits on the North Downs line, with trains rnuning between Reading and London Gatwick Airport. Gatwick is around 50 miles from East Berkshire via road. Thanks to its positioning to the southwest of London, the country’s biggest and busiest airport – London Heathrow Airport – is also the closest to East Berkshire. Heathrow is 25 miles to the northeast of the golf club.

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

A number of Surrey’s finest, along with some Berkshire gems, are in close order of East Berkshire. Camberley Heath is one of those, along with Swinley Forest, Sunningdale’s Old and New Courses, and both the Blue and Red Courses at The Berkshire.

What golf facilities does East Berkshire offer?

Although the club does not have a fully-fledged driving range, East Berkshire does have a small grass practice area between the 15th and 16th holes. There is also a good short game area with a pitching green and two practice bunkers, along with a putting green that sits next to the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at East Berkshire?

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