Luffenham Heath

Harry Colt, James Braid, CK Cotton, Donald Steel, Martin Hawtree. These five names are very well known when it comes to golf course architecture, and they all have had their hand on the design of Luffenham Heath.

It was Colt that designed the original layout when the course first opened in 1911, shortly before the First World War. Braid then made big changes, with the other trio providing superficial changes, or extensions with new tees.

Today, the course is tough, and tree-lined, with plenty of bunkers to catch you out if you are offline at any point. Play it well, and a good score is available!

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The history of Luffenham Heath can date back to shortly before the First World War – with the club officially opening in 1911. 

Harry Colt was the original designer of the course, one that has since been modified by James Braid. Cameron Sinclair, Donald Steel and CK Cotton have all made superficial changes as well. 

Most recently, Martin Hawtree was called in to add new tees, rebuild the bunkers and extend a couple of greens, to continue the course’s improvements.

Renowned for its firm fairways and quick greens, Luffenham Heath is a real thinking-man’s course and requires accuracy and good ball striking throughout the round. The rough is thick and hard to escape from, and only shots from the short stuff are likely to hold the greens, which puts a premium on straight hitting. ‘Multum in parvo’, or much contained in a small package, is the motto of England’s smallest county, Rutland. The same description works perfectly with Luffenham Heath, by some distance its finest course. The result of the work of some of the finest designers in golfing history is that ‘little’ Luffenham Heath is actually quite meaty these days: it measures 6,560 yards to a miserly par of 70. 

Luffenham’s strengths are its style and its variety: very few holes are flat, and the run for home is a riot. The course begins with a quartet of par 4s, the opening hole being the shortest of those. At just 360 yards, and with a generous fairway, this is a great birdie opportunity to get your round underway. The 2nd is an early stand-out, climbing gently, traversing a dip and then eventually settling on a very speedy green that slopes from back left to front right. 3 is a slight dog-leg to the left, with both sides of the fairway being tree-lined. The 4th fairway has a solitary bunker to avoid, but if you can find the short stuff, it is another good birdie opportunity early on. 

The first short hole at Luffenham comes at the 5th. It plays just 154 yards off the Blues, making it the shortest challenge on the property. Three bunkers flank the putting surface, which is small and narrow. You then face the opening par 5, a slight dog-leg left, playing just over 500 yards. Seven bunkers are dotted down the hole, including those in reach off the tee, and some in the lay up area, as well as by the green. The final few holes of the front nine might seem like they will throw up some more scoring opportunities, but don’t be fooled. The 7th, with its raised green built into the slope, is tricky, but if your approach is the right distance, there is a putt for birdie. The 8th is only 320 yards in length, requiring a long iron or hybrid at most off the tee. The front nine ends with the second par 3, with a tee shot played to a large, round green. Three bunkers do sit short of the green.  

The back nine at Luffenham Heath begins with a tricky stretch of holes – three of the hardest four holes coming early on. A bunker sits in the middle of the 10th fairway, while there is out of bounds behind the green. OOB continues to hassle you on 11, down the right side of the hole, along with thick trees. The 12th is a tough little par 3, despite its Stroke Index of 17. It is 170 yards from the tips and has three large bunkers surrounding the putting surface.  

The Stroke Index 1 follows, with the 13th being the hardest hole on the property. The drive on this dog-leg left is aimed out towards the out of bounds on the right side of the hole. If you can hit a high draw with your driver, then this is the hole for you! Three bunkers by the green add to the difficulties of 13. Your tee short on 14 has to be down the left side, otherwise you will be blocked out by the thick trees that encroach down the right side of the fairway. 15 and 16 are tough par 4s, both of more than 400 yards in length. The former features six bunkers, including two in the landing zone for your tee shot.  

The 16th plays down the hill with bunkers right to catch the fading drive. If you can miss them, and your ball takes a good bounce, you could get withi 100 yards of the green, making this hole seem easier than it actually is! From an elevated tee, the 17th unfurls below you. It’s a tough, long par 3 – well bunkered and at the mercy of the wind. Finally, Luffenham closes with a fine par 5 that has decided many a match over the years. Better players will fancy their chances of a closing four but at over 570 yards it is a hole that must be respected.  

Where is Luffenham Heath located?

Luffenham Heath is in the East Midlands of England, halfway between Leicester to its west and Peterborough to its east. Stamford is the nearest town, a couple of miles to the northeast of the golf club. Both North Luffenham and South Luffenham are within half a mile of the venue. The club sits off the A6121, while the A1, A43 and A47 all run close by.

East Midlands Airport is the closest major international airport to Luffenham Heath for those coming from further afield, sitting just over an hour from the golf club. Birmingham Airport, London Stansted and London Luton are within two hours as well. Stamford is the home of the nearest train station to Luffenham Heath, with services operating from Birmingham New Street via Stamford to Cambridge and London Stansted Airport.

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

Luffenham Heath is somewhat in its own little region when it comes to the other venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list. Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell), Royal Worlington & Newmarket and the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa are the nearest, but all three are over an hour’s drive.

What golf facilities does Luffenham Heath offer?

Along with the 18-hole golf course, Luffenham Heath is also the home of a full-length driving range, which sits parallel to the 18th. There are both matted and grass bays at the north end of the range. There is a short game area which features an undulating green, two bunkers and swales to practice from – located on the opposite side of the 18th to the driving range. The practice putting green is in front of the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Luffenham Heath?

The price of a green fee at Luffenham Heath 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 Luffenham Heath visit their website here.