Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course
Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course
The Marquess’ is the youngest and most varied of Woburn’s three Top 100 courses. It offers a tremendous expedition through mature woodland over an expansive site where you feel as though your group is the only one on the course. There is an very well crafted mix of traditional, through-the-trees golf along with elements that are new and modern.
Reasons To Play The Marquess’
– Enjoy this visually sumptuous, recent host of the Women’s British Open
– Test every department of your game at this friendly club
– Decide which of Woburn’s three Top 100 courses is your favourite
Rankings
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 73
The Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course is both the youngest of the three Top 100 courses at Woburn and also the most senior in terms of the rankings. Since opening in 2000, it has hosted the British Masters four times as well as the Women’s British Open twice. It tops the list of the best golf courses in Buckinghamshire.
Its design was a collaboration that involved Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, Peter Alliss, Clive Clark who recently designed Dumbarnie Links, and the man who was synonymous with Woburn, Alex Hay.
This is a larger-than-life golf course, winding its way through a vast acreage of glorious countryside on the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire borders. With dense woodland between the holes, a look from the air suggests that it covers as much land as the other two courses combined. Never too tightly, the meandering fairways of the Marquess’ are flanked by magnificent trees all the way.
The first hole offers a false sense of security being one of the less demanding par 4s. Immediately after this, the course bursts into action on the next two, each of which works its way from right to left and has been designed to counter aggressive play. Large greens, subtly shaped holes and thought-provoking approaches are very much the order of the day. The long 7th is a really interesting hole, while the 9th is also a very memorable with an approach down over a shallow ravine to a green that stares back invitingly.
There are plenty of good holes on the back nine with the 12th being a real thriller; a risk-and-reward short par 4. There is an island fairway surrounded by water and which offers three options; a super-conservative lay-up short, a well-placed drive onto it, or a let’s-have-fun go for the green. Three more conventional pars 4s are mixed in with two par 3s and a long par 5 to complete a terrific design that demands concentration all the way. It is one of the best golf courses in England.
With the Duke's Course and the Duchess' Course each having its own charms, there will always be differing personal views about which is the most enjoyable of Woburn’s three tree-lined courses. However, using Golf Monthly’s tried and highly trusted criteria, the Marquess’ leads the way.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
A very beautiful course, never boring and very suitable for both low and mid-range handicap women. In my opinion, this is the best course by far at Woburn, especially for women, and not surprisingly has been the venue for the Women’s Open. Can’t wait to go back and play it again!
Parkland doesn’t do it for me, but this is clearly one of the best examples. What it may lack in old-world character, it makes up for with conditioning and some stunning approaches.
The Marquess’ offers a wonderfully tranquil and beautifully isolating, golfing experience. Most of the holes feel like individual events due to the framing of the course in amongst the tall tree-lined fairways.
It is easy to forget that the Marquess' is so young and will continue to mature over time. From the very back tees it is supremely challenging. Woburn is a great place to play inland golf and as a three-course complex it is hard to beat.
Woburn Golf Club Location
Woburn Golf Club Green Fees
Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course Scorecard
Best Courses Near Woburn Golf Club
Best Places To Stay Near Woburn Golf Club
The Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Sitting proudly at the heart of picturesque Woburn Village, you’ll find The Woburn – a charming 18th-century property under the stewardship of the award-winning Oakman Group. Part of the Duke of Bedford Estates, The Woburn has 48 hotel rooms plus seven stylish, individually decorated cottages that sit just across the courtyard.
The Bell Hotel Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Located in Woburn, The Bell Hotel is run by Greene King Inns and provides comfortable accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar.
Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course Gallery
Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I
- 2023/24 - 73
- 2021/22 - 73
- 2019/20 - 69
- 2017/18 - 71
- 2015/16 - 74
- 2013/14 - 80
- 2011/12 - 88
- 2009/10 - 87
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best course at Woburn?
All three are extremely good, but according to the Golf Monthly rankings, this one leads the way. It certainly covers a larger area, has several very memorable holes, and also has more variety than the Duke’s or Duchess’.
What is the best hole on the Marquess?
Many consider the par-5 7th to be the signature hole. Here, the split fairway runs either side of a copse of pines. The right-hand option is harder to find, but sets up a straighter chance to get home in two.
How many courses are there at Woburn?
Not very many golf clubs have a second, full-length course - far fewer have three. To have all of them in the Top 100 is a remarkable feat and one which makes Woburn a massive attraction for keen golfers.
