Lingfield Park Golf Club

Golf and horse racing don’t always go hand in hand, but there are several layouts in the United Kingdom with successful links to racecourses. Lingfield Park is one of them. This mid-length course (it measures 6,487 yards from the tips), which is renowned for its excellent year-round condition, runs right alongside Lingfield racecourse and is at its closest on the 17th, where the track is an out-of-bounds hazard on the left. The course is home to several other hazards and natural obstacles that are cleverly placed to catch you out and spoil your scorecard.  There are ponds, tree-lined fairways and even a river that dissects the impressive par-5 15th. The result is a test of your game that has been recognised by the EuroPro Tour, who are running an event this August at Lingfield.  A variety of tees allow players of all skill levels to enjoy this superb course, while an impressive, 116-bedroom Marriott hotel offers great play-and-stay deals. And even if you don’t have the round of your life, you can drown your sorrows in the clubhouse and combine your visit with a trip to the racecourse, which hosts up to 11 meetings a month.

The course runs right alongside Lingfield racecourse and is at its closest on the 17th, where the track is an out-of-bounds hazard on the left.

Top Holes by Chris Morley, director of golf:

3rd, 362 yards, par 4 Often the short, straight holes are the toughest on a course and this is a good example of that scenario. The fairway is tree-lined and narrow, so a hybrid is the best bet off the tee. It is also important to judge your approach well as both short and long are no-go areas. 15th, 539 yards, par 5 A tough par 5 that is intersected by a river. The final 200 yards is played uphill, too, so it plays much longer than the yardage suggests.  There are seven bunkers, a lake and a stream as well as a huge oak tree in the middle of the fairway. A two-tier green means no putt is a formality. 17th, 345 yards, par 4 This hole runs alongside the racecourse and is another short four that demands accuracy off the tee. The out of bounds left is joined by the remainder of the river down the right.  The entrance to the green is a bottleneck, so your approach must land softly and be controlled skilfully.