Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course Key Information
A heathland masterpiece. A joy from start to finish, played across springy turf and rolling terrain.
The course delivers a classic test of heathland golf, where placement and strategy must be to the fore. The greens and surrounds are always immaculate.
The Old Course is a majestic layout set amidst the pines, playing past heather and gorse to superb, sprawling putting surfaces.
REASONS TO PLAY THE COURSE
– It's the number 1 inland course on the GM Top 100 ranking.
– A perfect example of the heathland track
– Tremendous competitive history
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 10
Sunningdale’s Old Course is one of the great layouts in all of golf and always vies with its younger brother to be top inland track in our Top 100 golf courses UK&I. Playing up the 18th towards the clubhouse and the famous old oak tree will cause the hairs to stand proud on the necks of all golf lovers.
The course dates from 1901 and is a Willie Park Jnr design. Set across undulating heathland, its fairways are lined by pines and heather. The Old has a slightly more rugged feel than its younger brother, but the presentation is equally superb. There’s great attention to detail. The greens are famously fast and true with some perplexing borrows to negotiate.
There’s tremendous variety to be found on the Old Course with brilliant par-3s, a number of classic short par-4s, together with some testing longer holes. The front nine begins gently with a straightforward par-5 but the challenge ramps up with the long and difficult right-to-left 2nd.
There follows a succession of truly memorable holes from the short, uphill par-3 4th to the downhill par-4 5th and then the majestic par-4 7th, with a blind drive and a visual treat when you get over the crest of the hill, and the picturesque par-3 8th.
Then, after the turn, I always think the 10th tee provides the golfer with tremendous views, with the fairway sweeping away towards Sunningdale’s excellent and always much-anticipated halfway hut.
The Old is a course that demands precision and clear strategy. There are a number of tees from which the temptation is to hit the driver, but I often feel the prudent play is to favour positioning over length. It’s a track where you’ll likely use every club in the bag over the 18 holes.
Walking up the final hole towards the striking clubhouse and the iconic old oak tree, I always get a sense of the golfing gravitas exuded by the place. Sunningdale Golf Club occupies an important place within the sport.
Sunningdale enjoys a rich competitive history and the club has played host to numerous significant events over the years. As early as 1903, Sunningdale welcomed the world’s best players for the News of the World Match Play, an event won by James Braid. In 1926, Bobby Jones qualified for The Open Championship over the Old Course at Sunningdale with two incredible rounds of 66 and 68.
The club has hosted professional tournaments on the European Tour plus, the Walker Cup of 1987, the Women’s British Open on four occasions, the Senior Open three times.
Sunningdale Golf Club is home to two of the best golf courses in England, and a day at this stunning venue is about as good as it gets as a golfer.
What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said…
More constrained than its younger sibling, it offers a full set of challenges and hazards. A lot of elevation changes, the trees seem more dense and closer, it feels tighter. Greens were silky smooth, consistent and true, a pleasure to putt on. The condition of the turf was outstanding.
The golfing challenge is there from start to finish, the rising, sloping route to the 18th green from its tee is no pushover even with the end in sight. The topography is more varied than on the New, more rises and falls, which brings in more blind shots than on the New.
The meticulous care and attention to detail by the maintenance team is evident in every blade of grass. The Old Course is not just in excellent condition; it's a canvas of perfection that enhances the entire golfing experience.
Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course Location
Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course
Best Courses near to Sunnindale Golf Club Old Course
For more great courses near Sunningdale, check out our guide to the best golf courses in Berkshire.
Best Places to Stay Near Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course
Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa - Book now at Booking.com
Styled like a French chateau, this historical manor is 1.5 miles from Ascot Racecourse and just over a mile from Sunningdale GC. It has a relaxing spa with swimming pool and gym, and boasts an AA Rosette-rated restaurant.
Royal Berkshire - Book now at Booking.com
An elegant country house hotel in the Berkshire countryside, just over a mile from Sunningdale GC. The buidling dates from the early 18th century and offers a traditional vibe. They do a famously good breakfast.
SUNNINGDALE Golf Club OLD COURSE GALLERY
Tournaments hosted at Sunningdale
- News of the World Matchplay
- The Walker Cup
- The European Open
- The Open Championship Qualifying
- The Women's British Open
- The Senior Open
SUNNINGDALE Golf club OLD COURSE TOP 100 RANKING UK&I
- 2025/26 - 10
- 2023/24 - 9
- 2021/22 - 9
- 2019/20 – 11
- 2017/18 - 12
- 2015/16 - 13
- 2013/14 - 14
- 2011/12 - 20
- 2009/10 - 21
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I PLAY SUNNINGDALE GOLF CLUB?
Sunningdale is a private members club but both the Old and New courses are available to play for visitors between Monday to Thursday. Getting a tee time can prove difficult so make sure to book well in advance - email the club for more. You can also book on the Sunningdale website.
