Hadley Wood

Hadley Wood is one of several beautiful courses across England that was designed by the great Dr Alister MacKenzie, opening in 1922.

Located inside the M25, Hadley Wood is only 15 miles from London, and offers up a glorious track flowing among the trees. Sand and water also come into play throughout.

If you’re interested in seeing MacKenzie at his most creative, then this peaceful parkland should definitely be on your radar.

Visit the Hadley Wood website here.

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1922 saw the opening of the golf course at Hadley Wood. It was the great Dr Alister MacKenzie – who would go on to design Augusta National – that was behind the layout at the Hertfordshire venue.

The course was opened by six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon, and the layout has since gone on to host Regional Qualifying for the oldest tournament in professional golf.

The clubhouse building originates from the 18th Century. 1781 saw the construction of Russell Mansion, later known as Beech Hill Park Mansion. The building has served as the clubhouse for Hadley Wood for more than a century now.

Multi-tiered greens, plateaus, and fearsomely bunkered – Hadley Wood may have preceded Augusta National by a decade but many of the design tricks later employed by Dr Alister MacKenzie in his Georgia paradise in this secluded setting in the Hertfordshire countryside. Laid out on an old deer park, the mature trees, undulating landscape, and many water features elicit a feeling of tranquillity from all who visit. That’s reinforced by the open nature of the course off the tee, but don’t be fooled. Hit the right spots or those multi-layered putting surfaces will simply confound you. As you’d expect from MacKenzie, the short holes are standouts on this 6,500-yard, par 72 course.

At only 480 yards, the opening hole is a gentle par 5 to get you underway, and even one that some players might fancy their chances at reaching in two shots. A pair of fairway bunkers down the right side are the trouble off the tee, while anything pulled with you approach could find one of several water hazards on the property. The 2nd tee shot is played over water to a large fairway, where two more bunkers sit on the right side. The green is guarded by four more intimidating traps. The 3rd is the first of those stunning par 3s. It is 200 yards from the tips, played over two large bunkers, with two more on either side of the putting surface.

The 4th might only be 340 yards, but it plays much longer than that due to being uphill and a sharp dog-leg from right to left. Finding the fairway is key, as there are five traps guarding the green. At 440 yards, the par 4 5th is the Stroke Index 1 at Hadley Wood. If you can reach the two fairway bunkers on the right side, then make sure to keep your tee shot down the left. For some, staying short of the bunkers will be useful. A slight draw off the tee at 6 will be helpful, as the hole moves from right to left. One fairway bunker and one greenside bunker add to the danger, with the hole set amongst the trees.

The 7th is guarded on three sides by bunkers and with a lake to the rear, making it play much more difficult than its carded 141 yards. 8 is the longest hole on the property, at more than 520 yards. There is plenty of space off the tee, but the green is well guarded, so if you think about going for it with your second shot, make sure you hit it right in the sweet spot. The final hole on the front nine at Hadley Wood is a short par 4, one of only 340 yards. However, it is not that simple, as there are three large fairway bunkers to avoid off the tee. Another trap looms in front of the putting surface.

The 10th, at 185 yards, demands a long carry over a lake to a green that’s found within a copse of trees. It is a formidable start to the back nine, and it is followed by an uphill par 4 that is played to a two-tiered green. 12 is a tough, dog-leg right par 4 which requires a lengthy drive to cover the bunker on the inside corner of the hole. The green is large, as most are at Hadley Wood, with three bunkers guarding it. The 13th and 14th are both par 5s which swing sharply to the right, and either could come straight out of the Augusta playbook – especially the former with its approach that is played downhill to a green on two levels. 14 is very similar, so try and copy what you did well on the 13th.

The closing stretch begins with a gentle par 4, a definite scoring opportunity. 15 is only 320 yards, the shortest par 4 on the property, and offers up a wide fairway. From there, it should just be a short iron or wedge to a generous green. The 16th is a slight dog-leg left, one where the tee shot must avoid the two fairway traps. Three more bunkers guard the green, before you come to the last of the glorious par 3s. Any shot at the 17th must negotiate a ditch and a swathe of bunkers before finding a green that’s placed on a rise. The closing hole plays as a dog-leg right, and if you can avoid the huge bunker sitting on the left side of the corner. Another two bunkers come into play for your last approach shot of the day, as you make your way back towards the glorious clubhouse.

Where is Hadley Wood located?

Hadley Wood Golf Club sits just north of England’s capital, and inside the M25 – London's Circular Ring Road. The M25 is just a mile or so to the north, with Hadley Wood sitting near Barnet, Cockfosters and Potters Bar. The centre of London is just 15 miles from the golf club, with the A1(M) also in close reach, providing great road links to the venue.

The borough of Hadley Wood has its own train station, less than a mile from the golf club. Trains run between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City on a regular basis. For visitors from further afield, there are four international airports within 40 miles of Hadley Wood. London City is the closest of those, while London Luton, London Stansted and London Heathrow – the latter being the biggest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom – all within an hour’s drive.

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

Hadley Wood’s location in the north of London places it near four venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Ashridge, Berkhamsted, the Centurion Club and The Grove are all within a 30-mile drive from Hadley Wood.

What golf facilities does Hadley Wood offer?

To the side of the course sits a great practice facility for those playing at Hadley Wood. There is a full-length driving range to the left of the opening hole, with both matted and grass tees available. There is also a chipping green and a putting green around the clubhouse, both close to the 1st tee.

What are the green fees at Hadley Wood?

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