Best golf courses in & around London

Location: Sunningdale | Architect: Willie Park Jr. | Par: 70 | Founded: 1900

A timeless heathland masterpiece just outside London, Sunningdale Old Course is revered for its charm, beauty, and strategic brilliance. Designed by Willie Park Jr. and later refined by Harry Colt, the course winds through rolling terrain framed by purple heather and towering pines.

It offers a pure and traditional golf experience without the intrusion of water hazards, emphasising precision, creativity, and course management.

Key features

• Ranked the no.2 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses
• Host to prestigious events like the Walker Cup, Senior Open, and Open Championship qualifying
• There are no water hazards - strategy and subtlety define the challenge

Travel tips Sunningdale is conveniently located just 45 minutes from London. Stay nearby and make time to play the New course on-site - a top 100 layout in its own right.

Location: Sunningdale | Architect: Harry Colt | Par: 70 | Founded: 1923

Built as a bold complement to its older sibling, Sunningdale New Course offers a more rugged and dramatic heathland test while retaining the elegance and charm that define the club.

Designed by Harry Colt in 1923, the New Course features tighter driving corridors, more pronounced elevation changes, and a slightly sterner challenge, making it a perfect pairing with the Old Course.

Key features

• Ranked the no.3 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses
• More undulating and demanding than the Old Course
• Narrower fairways frame by dense heather and pine

Travel tips Play both courses at Sunningdale to tick off two world-class layouts in one stop - a true bucket-list golf experience.

Key features:

• Ranked the no.9 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses
• Striking clubhouse view overlooking the opening and closing holes
• 27-hole layout, with the Red and Blue nines forming the main course

Travel tips Located just under an hour from central London, St George’s Hill fits seamlessly into a Surrey golf itinerary. Pair it with Sunningdale Old & New, Swinley Forest, Walton Heath, and The Addington to explore the heart of the UK’s finest inland golf.

Location: Surrey | Architect: Herbet Fowler | Par: 72 | Founded: 1904

A historic venue with championship pedigree, Walton Heath Old Course is one of England’s great heathland layouts. Designed by Herbert Fowler and opened in 1904, it has hosted the Ryder Cup, multiple British Masters, and Open Championship qualifying.

With its wide, firm fairways, strategic bunkering, and open expanses of heather, the course delivers a pure and challenging test of traditional golf.

Key features

• Ranked the no.15 course in England by Top 100 Golf Courses
• Site of the 1981 Ryder Cup and many other major events
• Expansive layout with strong winds often a factor

Travel tips Just 45 minutes south of London, Walton Heath is easy to combine with other classics in the area. Don’t miss the New Course, which is nearly as revered as the Old.

Location: Croydon | Architect: J.F. Abercromby | Par: 69 | Founded: 1913

Dramatic, quirky, and endlessly captivating, The Addington is one of England’s most distinctive heathland courses. Set across undulating, forested terrain on the southern edge of London, it was designed by J.F. Abercromby and opened in 1913.

The course offers a thrilling mix of elevated tees, ravine carries, and bold hole designs that challenge and delight in equal measure.

Key features

• Recently restored to reclaim the original Abercromby brilliance
• Famous for its one-of-a-kind par 3s
• Offers breathtaking views of London's skyline from the high points

Travel tips Just 12 miles from central London, The Addington is ideal for a quick golf escape. Tee times are more accessible than some other Surrey classics, but early booking is still recommended.

Location: Surrey | Architect: Herbet Fowler | Par:72 | Founded: 1907

Often overshadowed by its older sibling, the Walton Heath New Course is a world-class layout in its own right. Also designed by Herbert Fowler, and opened in 1907, the New shares the same expansive heathland character, fast-running fairways, and bold bunkering as the Old Course.

It offers a slightly narrower and more strategic test with equally stunning views and firm, sandy turf underfoot.

Key features

• Designed just three years at the Old Course by the same architect
• Often preferred by purists for its subtle strategy and more intimate routing
• Host to major amateur and professional events, including Open Championship qualifying

Travel tips Play the New Course as part of a full-day experience at Walton Heath - it’s rare to find two courses of such equal pedigree at one club.

Location: Hertfordshire | Architect: Kyle Philips | Par: 72 | Founded: 2003

Modern, polished, and immaculately presented, The Grove is one of England’s top luxury golf destinations. Opened in 2003 and designed by Kyle Phillips, it blends parkland and heathland elements into a championship layout that has quickly earned international acclaim.

Known for its five-star service and pristine conditioning, The Grove hosted the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship, won by Tiger Woods.

Key features

• Lush parkland setting with dramatic bunkering and water features
• Impressive year-round course conditions and elite-level service
• Part of a luxury resort with a five-star hotel, spa, and fine dining

Travel tips Stay on-site to enjoy the full resort experience including spa treatments, gourmet restaurants, and scenic countryside views.

Location: Kent | Architect: Jack Nicklaus | Par: 72 | Founded: 1993

A modern championship venue with two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, the London Golf Club is one of England’s premier golfing facilities. The course is a stern but fair test of parkland golf, combining generous landing areas with deep bunkering and slick greens.

The club has hosted multiple professional events, including the European Open and Volvo World Match Play.

Key features

• Hosted the European Open and other DP World Tour events
• American-style conditioning with manicured fairways and tournament-ready greens
• Full-service clubhouse and practice facilities

Travel tips Located just 25 miles southeast of London, the club is easily accessible via the M20. Ideal for those wanting to experience top-tier parkland golf with modern amenities.

Location: Surrey | Architect: Fred Hawtree | Par: 72 | Founded: 1975

Tucked into the wooded Surrey countryside, the Longcross Course at Foxhills Club & Resort offers a scenic and challenging parkland-heathland hybrid layout. Known for its tree-lined fairways and undulating terrain, it has become one of southern England’s most popular championship venues. The course combines beauty and strategy, rewarding accuracy over power.

Key features

• Host to PGA and European Tour qualifying events
• Part of a full-service resort with hotel, spa, and second course (Bernard Hunt Course)
• Strong finishing stretch, particularly the par-5 18th

Travel tips Located just 25 minutes from Heathrow and under an hour from London, Foxhills is an ideal base for a golf-and-leisure escape. Stay on-site to enjoy the resort facilities.

Best Time to Visit: Golf season runs from April to October, with May to September offering prime conditions - long days, mild weather, and courses at their best. Early spring and late autumn are ideal for lower green fees and quieter tee sheets.

Where to Play: The South East is home to some of England’s finest inland golf, especially west and south of London: Sunningdale & St George’s Hill – Iconic heathland masterpieces, revered worldwide. Walton Heath & The Addington – Historic layouts with character and challenge. Prince’s & Royal St George’s – Championship-level links within easy reach.

Getting There: London is a central hub, with Heathrow, Gatwick, and City airports offering quick access to top courses in Surrey, Berkshire, Kent, and beyond - all within 30–90 minutes of the capital.

Booking Tips: Book ahead for elite clubs - many require advance reservations for visitor tee times. Midweek rounds offer better value and availability. Golf travel packages can simplify logistics and boost savings.

Is this region good for beginners? Yes, many clubs offer forward tees and welcoming atmospheres.

Are rentals available? Most courses provide high-quality hire sets.

What’s the dress code? Traditional golf attire - collared shirts, tailored shorts/trousers, golf shoes. Check ahead for clubhouse rules.

Do I need a handicap certificate? Some top clubs may ask, especially for premier tee times.

Why Go: With world-class courses, excellent travel links, and a mix of heathland, parkland, and links golf, London and its surrounds offer one of the richest golfing landscapes in Europe - all within reach of the capital’s energy and history.