Walton Heath Golf Club Key Information
An open heathland setting, offering mile upon glorious mile of expansive golfing vistas from every hole. Superb heathland golf in a beautiful setting and a club with a great heritage. It’s a sandy and firm track protected by heather, an eclectic selection of trees and the notorious, swirling winds. The greens are famously excellent and feature subtle borrows. A delicate touch is essential.
REASONS TO PLAY WALTON HEATH GOLF CLUB OLD COURSE
– Classic heathland course with springy turf and sandy soil
– A club with a great competitive heritage
– Picturesque and peaceful settting
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 33
The Old Course at Walton Heath was opened in 1904 with a match between the great triumvirate: JH Taylor, Harry Vardon and James Braid. The Scot was already the club’s professional and he continued to hold the position right up to his death in 1950.
Walton Heath is one of the best golf courses in Surrey and it has an illustrious history and Braid is by no means the only famous figure to have an association with the club. Prior to the First World War no fewer than 24 MPs were members, including Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George. Legendary cricketer W.G Grace was also a member, it used to be said he compiled as many hundred’s around the Heath as he did at Lords.
Over the years, the club has been the location for numerous competitions both amateur and professional. The Old Course was used for five European Opens and 23 World Matchplay Championships, but perhaps the most spectacular contest hosted at Walton Heath was the Ryder Cup of 1981 when a majestic US side steamrollered GB&I 18.5 - 9.5.
Since 2005 Walton Heath has been used as a venue for the European qualifier for the US Open and, in 2018, it played host to the British Masters won by Eddie Pepperell, where a composite course including two holes from the New Course was used.
Out on the Herbert Fowler designed Old Course, mature pines and silver birches line sandy fairways that become extremely fast running through the summer months. With the protection of heather, gorse and the ever-changeable wind, excellent ball striking is required throughout the round if you’re to score well. The greens are large and many appear flat. But there are some subtle borrows that confuse even the best players.
From the very back tees, the course is dauntingly long but the daily tees offer a more reasonable prospect for the average golfer.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
The hazards on the Old at Walton Heath are superbly positioned and require both strategic decision making and shot execution. There's a great sense of occasion playing the course and lots of history as a host of multiple professional events and the Ryder Cup. Playing more like St Andrews than Sunningdale, Walton Heath Old is a championship ‘links’ course inside the M25!
It's playable for all abilities, however it is a difficult course. Length is not key, hitting fairways and keeping out of the heather is. It's a classic heathland layout where you'll receive a warm and friendly welcome. I don't think there are any weak holes. My favourite is the 17th – a 180 yard par 3 protected by a steep front with two bunkers, one on each side.
Walton Heath Golf Club location
Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course Green Fees
Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course scorecard
Best Courses Near to Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course
For all the best courses near to Walton Heath, check out our best courses in Surrey.
Best Places To Stay near Walton Heath Golf Club
Holiday Inn Express Epsom Downs - Book now at Booking.com
In the grounds of Epsom Downs Racecourse, Holiday Inn Express London Epsom is a convenient and comfortable option - just a couple of miles from Walton Heath.
The Running Horses Inn - Book now at Booking.com
On the outskirts of Dorking just a few miles from Walton Heath, the Running Horses wasonce a coach house servicing the main route from London to the South and has been a traditional English hostelry for some 400 years. It's characterful and cosy.
Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course Gallery
Walton Heath Golf Club Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I
- 2023/24 - 33
- 2021/22 - 29
- 2019/20 – 27
- 2017/18 - 29
- 2015/16 - 27
- 2013/14 - 27
- 2011/12 - 28
- 2009/10 - 34
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Walton Heath?
The courses designer was Herbert Fowler. He liked to test the extent of the golfer’s repertoire of shots so the layout requires versatility. Fowler designed both the Old and New courses at Walton Heath.
Where did Winston Churchill play golf?
Winston Churchill played regularly at Walton Heath. King George VI, King Edward VIII, A.J. Balfour, David Lloyd George and Andrew Bonar Law also played at Walton Heath
