Hankley Common Golf Club was first opened for play over nine holes in 1897, with the course located in the picturesque Surrey countryside.

In 1922 James Braid advised on the addition of a further nine holes. Bobby Locke described the course as the closest resemblance to a seaside links and the famous course architect, Charles Lawrie, once described the course as "one of the best inland layouts in Britain".

Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Surrey countryside, the golf course offers golfers views of the surrounding heathland and woodlands.

The 7th hole is looked upon as being one of the finest par 3s in the country and the magnificent 18th a superb but challenging finishing hole. The course and surrounding area are classified as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI),  which includes a number of indigenous trees, as well as being the home to a range of bird species.


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Hankley Common Golf Course was founded in 1897, during the early years of golf's popularity in England. It was originally established as a nine-hole course. During this period, the club attracted golf enthusiasts from the surrounding area, and it quickly gained a reputation for its challenging layout.

In the 1920s, the course underwent significant expansions and improvements, becoming an 18-hole course under the counsel of James Braid. This transformation allowed the club to host more prestigious tournaments and events. The course was designed to take full advantage of the natural terrain, including heathland and sand-based soil, making it a unique and challenging golfing experience.

In March of 1933, the committee asked Harry Colt to lengthen the course and improve the balance of its composition with regards to the spacing between the holes.

Like many golf courses in England, Hankley Common faced challenges during World War II. Parts of the course were repurposed for military use, and golf activities were significantly reduced during this period. After the war, the golf course and club underwent a period of recovery and revitalization. Facilities were upgraded, and the course was restored to its pre-war glory.

In the latter part of the 20th century and into the 21st century, Hankley Common Golf Course continued to evolve. It became renowned for its natural beauty and challenging layout. Many golfers considered it a hidden gem in the Surrey heathland. The club has also hosted various regional and national tournaments over the years, further solidifying its reputation in the golfing community.

In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on preserving the ecological and environmental aspects of golf courses. Hankley Common Golf Course has been proactive in adopting sustainable practices and conservation efforts to protect the unique heathland habitat surrounding the course.

Hankley Common Golf Club has undoubtedly played an important role in the history of golf in Surrey, England. Its commitment to maintaining a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience while preserving its natural surroundings has contributed to its enduring popularity among golfers over the years.

Anyone who arrives in this part of the North Downs without prior knowledge would doubtless anticipate Hankley Common to be a traditional Surrey heathland layout of around 6,000 yards.

Designed at a time when a good drive was considered to be anything going further than 200 yards, such delightful layouts designed a century or more ago are commonplace in this part of the world. So it comes as something of a surprise to see the Hankley Common scorecard, which shows that the recent addition of some new back tees has resulted in a near 6,800 yard beast.
 
Make no mistake, even in the 21st century this remains a championship course. And to the great credit of the powers that be, it has been lengthened in such a way that has only added to the quality of the holes and restored the kind of challenges that its famous designers, James Braid and Harry Colt, surely intended.
 
It is easy to build new tees here and there but much harder to do so in such a way that actually makes the course better as well as longer. Dating back to the late 19th century, when there were doubtless far fewer trees than there are now, the course is set on a huge expanse of land, similar to that of Sunningdale.
 
That has given Hankley an opportunity that depressingly few of their peers have had available to them - namely to build new tees where required and combat at least some of the excesses of modern equipment. Take the start of the course, which was considered to be a relatively benign stretch of holes.
 

Now, in addition to the testing 1st, a new tee at the 2nd has meant it is a mid iron rather than a wedge while the 3rd has been transformed. The back tee adds the thick end of 100 yards and suddenly a three wood and a pitch is a very good drive and a decent iron.
 

It has been lengthened in such a way that has only added to the quality of the holes and restored the kind of challenges that its famous designers, James Braid and Harry Colt, surely intended.

If any lingering doubt remains following a couple of more gentle par 4s, the 6th, 7th and 8th measure 587, 183 and 549 yards respectively. The 7th is perhaps the most famous hole here, with views across the open heath it is a point-to-point short hole across a valley to a two-tiered green.
 
The back nine begins with a wonderful and testing trio of holes. The 10th is almost 480 yards and doglegs - eventually - to the right. The next is a long par 3 to a slightly raised green and the 12th turns left and, from another new tee, stretches to over 435 yards.
 
Then comes chance to catch breath before the run for home, with a reachable par 5 and a couple of shorter 4s. The 17th however presents an awkward tee shot, which must be taken across the angle if the approach is not to be from long range. The 18th is then as good a finishing hole as you are ever likely to find.
 
The tee shot is blind and intimidating while the second, likely to be played from the greater part of 200 yards out, must carry a deep grass gully in front of the green. Make four here and you will deserve to have won any match.
 
Throughout, the turf is firm and bouncy, the greens fast and true and the heather a delight so long as you are beside rather than in it. It all adds up to mean Hankley Common can make a genuine case to be the best course in Surrey - and that is no mean boast.

The Hankley Common Golf Club green fees are listed on their website.

To play 18 holes on weekdays costs £145 and on weekends it costs £160. Junior prices are reduced to only £65 on weekdays but weekend junior play is not currently available. All green fees are payable on a confirmed booking.

Hankley Common Golf Club is situated just outside the town of Farnham in Surrey, England.

Both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports are within 40 miles of Hankley Common, providing great access for international visitors.


Visit Hankley Common's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100 Great Britain & Ireland list.