Sunningdale (New)

Being the second course to such an outstanding and famous name as the Old Course is never easy. Sunningdale New does not, however, cower in her sister's glory. This is championship golf of the very highest standard. 

The New is more obviously apparent than the Old on first viewing, with its open expanses and a greater proportion of straight holes. Perhaps it is the respective names that lead you to think this way, but the Old does feel the more mature and established, whereas the New still retains a slightly more youthful feel despite being only 20 years or so junior. 

Although many people who come to Sunningdale do so with the intention of playing the Old Course, the New Course can provide a fierce test of golfing ability, with generous greens and a more open route that allows gorgeous views to return where they were previously hidden by trees.


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

Commissioned after the end of WWI, Sunningdale's New Course opened in 1923 in order to reduce pressure on the Old Course due to golf memberships rising quickly.

In the 1930s, the New Course had major changes due to criticisms for the amount of climbing involved in the middle part of the original layout. From the 6th, you would just keep climbing until you got to the 10th hole.

The New Course at Sunningdale has proven itself to not only be of equal merit to the Old, but one of the best courses in the country, partnering with the Old Course for many years during the Open Championship International Final Qualifying.
 

The New Course at Sunningdale has also seen plenty of championship action and was the venue for Gary Player’s first-ever professional victory, in the 1956 Dunlop Masters. In amateur golf, the Brabazon Trophy has also been competed for here.

 

Winding in and out between one another for the most part, only the horseshoe, as it is known, towards the end of the front nine of the New seems divorced from the rest of the huge estate. On these three holes, the trees give way to an expanse of old-fashioned and wild common where the higher land means the wind is a key factor and suddenly there are expansive views over a swathe of open land that you would swear could not exist so close to London.
 

As far as opening holes go, the New’s is about as tough as it gets: 465 yards across a pronounced left-to-right slope. In fact, the opening half is much the longer of the two and if you can emerge relatively unscathed through, say, the first 11 holes then a good score is a distinct possibility. Highlights include the 9th, which demands a driver over a saddle-shaped brow to a sweeping fairway that will add 40 yards to a straight drive.

It is the start of the New’s Amen Corner. Immediately afterwards comes another of Sunningdale’s exceptional short holes, this time calling for a long iron to a generous green. Miss it at your peril – heather and cavernous bunkers await.
 
Then comes another tough par four, this time a dogleg to the left. Stronger hitters may clear the corner and therefore bring the green into range, but most will be forced to aim well right from the tee and play the hole as a par five.
 
Sunningdale New ends with a gentle par five – it is only three yards longer than the 1st on the card – which offers the chance of a closing birdie. Suitably flushed with success, you will then want to retire to the sumptuous clubhouse for a long, cool drink and reflect on a day spent in golfing nirvana.
 

Where is Sunningdale Golf Club located?
The Sunningdale Old Course is located in Sunningdale, Berkshire, approximately 25 miles west of central London. Sunningdale is located in a picturesque area with a variety of attractions and notable places nearby such as the historic town of Windsor, known for Windsor Castle, the official residence of the British monarch.
 
Located just outside the M25, both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports are within reach of Sunningdale. The pair offer a wide array of flight destinations, including the United States, Ireland and the Middle East. For those that are within reach of Sunningdale, Longcross Station is just a few miles from the entrance to the club. Services run between London Waterloo and Reading on a half-hourly basis.
 
How many courses does Sunningdale have?  
As the name suggests, the New Course is not the only 18-hole layout on the Sunningdale property. The Old Course also takes a place on both the NCG Top 100s: GB&I and NCG Top 100s: England lists.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?  
As well as having two courses of its own, Sunningdale Golf Club is in a great area for golf. Swinley Forest, Camberley Heath, New Zealand, St George's Hill, West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon and both the Red and Blue Courses at The Berkshire are all within 12 miles of Sunningdale, some being within just five. 
 
What golf facilities does Sunningdale offer?  
Along with two fantastic 18-hole layouts, Sunningdale also has some incredible practice facilities. There is a driving range that is available to use before your round, along with a short game area that features both a chipping green and putting green.
  

What are the green fees at Sunningdale?
The price of a green fee at Sunningdale 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 Sunningdale, visit their website here. 
 

 

Check out what our expects had to say about Sunningdale's New Course on the NCG Golf Podcast here.

 

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