Just 30 miles to the southwest of London, Hindhead offers up a stunning heathland venue inglorious surroundings.

J.H. Taylor was the man who designed the course, which sits beautifully in the natural terrain of its surroundings. Heather and tall pine trees line the fairways of the course. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famed author of Sherlock Holmes, was part of the group of golf enthusiasts that founded the club back in 1904.

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Hindhead Golf Club was founded in 1904 by a group which included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes stories. The area was leased from Lord Ashcombe and known as ‘Little Switzerland’ due to its clean air.

Designed by JH Taylor, five-time, winner of the Open Championship, the course was originally 12 holes. A one-acre plot was bought to develop the clubhouse. Doyle became the club’s first President, and James Braid and JH Taylor played a match in 1907 to open the full 18-hole layout at Hindhead. 

David Lloyd George, who was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1916 to 1922, was elected as an Honorary Life Member. Dai Rees, the four-time World Match Play Champion and Ryder Cup captain in 1957, was the club professional during the Second World War.

In 2000, Hindhead was a venue for Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship. It then remained a venue for Regional Qualifying for the first six years of the 21st Century. 2004 was the Centenary of Hindhead Golf Club, with Peter Alliss opening a refurbished clubhouse at the end of the decade.

Hindhead is a par-70 18-hole layout which measures at just over 6,300 yards. The two nines are just two yards different, with the course having five par-3s and three par-3s.

The opening hole provides a challenging start to the round. At over 400 yards from the tips, and with plenty of heather on the right hand side, a good first tee shot is required. The 2nd hole is the opening par-5 on the property and, at 456 yards, provides a birdie chance. Blind from the tee, aim down the right to allow the ball to drop back into the middle. 

Bunkers on either side of the 3rd green, with no run-off areas, means trouble surrounds the opening par 3.

The 535 yard par-5 4th is another birdie opportunity, which will be provided by two straight shots. Longer hitters can definitely reach in two. The 5th fades from left to right with bunkers in a catchment area down the right side, before the front nine moves to a par-3 from an elevated tee. It plays shorter than the 156 yards on the card, but it is fraught with danger. 

The 7th is the tightest driving hole before a 234 yard par-3, just to make things even trickier on the front side. An uphill, 420 yard par-4 brings the opening nine to a close.

Heather banks line the 10th green, the opening par-3 on the back side, before a lengthy par-4 11th provides another chance of shooting a high number. 12 is a quirky dog-leg right, with the fairway running out shorter than you think. The green is below ground level, which requires distance control on the approach.

The 13th offers up a birdie opportunity for the accurate hitter. The driveable par-4 is only 270 yards in length, but there are bunkers, heather, and trees all around it. 

Seven bunkers line the 14th, with three of those dissecting the fairway. Four more are greenside, where players will be happy to walk away with par. The last of the par-3s is only 130 yards, but 15 has a small green and five bunkers surrounding it. A great finishing trio of holes lie in wait at Hindhead. The par-5 16th is followed by a bunkerless 17th. The closing hole has the clubhouse in view, and usually plays into the wind to provide a stern test to finish the round.

Hindhead Golf Club is situated near Guildford, a town 30 miles south west of London. 

For international visitors, London Heathrow Airport is located just 45 minutes from Hindhead Golf Club, and welcomes flights from all over the world daily. The club is also located within 90 minutes of several ferry crossings.

The most expensive green fee at Hindhead Golf Club is £170. That is the price for a summer round on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. During the week, the price of an 18-hole round at Hindhead drops down to £135. 

Head Professional Ian Benson and his team are on hand in the pro shop to provide you with everything you require ahead of your round at Hindhead. 

There are several PGA Qualified Professionals who can offer lessons and tuition to help you improve your game. They also offer a “Plan for Success”, which is a six month programme to help your game in a structured way.

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