hankley common

Hankley Common

Hankley Common Golf Club | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

Rankings

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3rd

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21st

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49th

Hankley Common Golf Club was founded in December 1896, with the course opening just six months later. The original design of the course was just nine holes when the club was founded.

A quarter of a century after the course was first opened, five-time Open Champion James Braid was brought in to design a new lay-out, extending Hankley Common to the 18-hole course that is played on to this day. 

Harry Colt was also a man to have a hand in the design of Hankley Common. Colt was brought in to space the par 3s a bit better, and thanks to his new design, the 7th hole became one of the finest short holes in the country. 

The course's surroundings are one of the key reasons why Hankley Common is such a sought-after round of golf for travellers to the region. Located in a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI), the heathland venue provides a glorious walk.


Visit Hankley Common's website here.
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A Brief History of Hankley Common

December 1986 saw the foundation meeting to set up the Hankley Common Golf Club. Within six months, a nine-hole golf course had been designed and constructed, opening in May 1897.

James Braid, a five-time winner of the Open Championship, first visited the golf club in 1921, and within the space of three years, the course was extended to 18 holes, with the majority of the new holes forming the middle part of a round.

Nine years later, the club's committee asked Harry Colt to lengthen the golf course. They also asked him to balance the spacing of the par-3s on the course. Three new holes, which are now 10, 11 and 12, were opened in 1935.

The original clubhouse at Hankley Common was built a year after the course opened, and was used through to the start of the 1960s. The brand new clubhouse was erected in 1985, with that then being extended around the turn of the millennium.

Over the years, Hankley Common has played host to a number of prestigious events. Both the Men's and Boys Home International are among the list of tournaments that have been played at Hankley Common, with the Men's taking place in 2021.
 

Hankley Common Golf Club Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses

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Hankley Common is a great test of golf for players of all abilities, showing off its heathland qualities and charms. The Purple tees are the longest at Hankley Common, with the par 71 layout measuring almost 7,000 yards from the tips.

The course begins with a demanding opener. At more than 420 yards, it is a strong par 4 to kick things off at Hankley Common. The first par 3 follows, where golfers must take enough club to cover the deep bunker that lies in front of the green. A long par 4 3rd is followed by a short par 4 4th, which provides the first real birdie opportunity. A good drive should leave nothing more than a wedge into a decent-sized green. Just watch out for the big oak tree to the left of the green. 

The 6th is the longest hole at Hankley Common, measuring more than 580 yards. This par 5 dog-legs to the left and is a proper three-shotter for all bar the longest of hitters. The 7th is the course's signature hole. The uphill par 3 plays more than its carded 183 yards. 8 is the second par 5 on the front side, which comes to a close with another dog-leg. The 9th is a tricky little par-4 which can trip you up if you play it wrong.

The back nine at Hankley Common opens up with the hardest hole on the property. The 477 yard par 4 is a dog-leg right, and its length means that a good drive is imperative. 11 then follows and it is a brute of a par 3, measuring at 225 yards from the back tees. There is some room for error, but not too much considering the distance of the hole.

The 13th is a short par 5, at less than 500 yards, and it is sandwiched between two strong par 4s, both of which have the ability to wreck a card. The 16th is a short par 3, the last on the card, before two final par 4s to finish. The closing hole plays all of it's 432 yards, as there is a deep gully running across the front of the green. 
 

Our Panellists Notes for 2025

Dan Murphy: The presentation is phenomenally good and Mackenzie Ebert’s subtle changes can lift Hankley even higher.

 

Joss Powick: You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere

 

Greg Webber: The recently completed bunker refurbishment programme has further enhanced this magnificent course. It is a sheer delight to play

 

David Walker: Magnificent heathland course set in glorious isolation. Heather stretches as far as the eye can see and bunkers stretch out just into the fairways which ensure that errant shots are punished but are easily avoided with good strategy and course management. This course is capped with a wonderful risk-reward second shot into the 18th. A truly outstanding course.

 

Read more about our panellists here.

 

FAQs about Hankley Common

Where is Hankley Common located?

Hankley Common Golf Club is located to the south of the village of Tilford in the English county of Surrey. The town of Farnham is just a couple of miles to the north of the venue, while the cities of Reading, Crawley and Southampton are all within 40 miles. The centre of England’s capital is only 45 miles to the northeast of Hankley Common. The A3, A31 and M3 all run close by the golf club, providing good road links.

 

For those visiting by rail, Farnham Station is the closest to Hankley Common. Trains run from London Waterloo through to either Guildford or Aston, all calling at Farnham on a regular basis. International visitors are blessed with the option of flying into either London Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick Airport – the two busiest international airports in the United Kingdom. Both are within 40 miles of the venue.

 

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

Hankley Common is in a hotbed for golf to the southwest of London, with several other NCG Top 100s: England venues in close order. The likes of Liphook, Hindhead, Blackmoor, West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon, Camberley Heath and North Hants are all within a half-hour drive of the golf club.

 

What golf facilities does Hankley Common offer?

Along with the glorious golf course, Hankley Common is also blessed to have some great practice facilities. There is a full-length driving range with both matted and grass tees, along with a short game area and a practice putting green for those final touches before taking to the course.

 

What are the green fees at Hankley Common?

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



Visit Hankley Common's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
 

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