Royal Automobile Country Club

Course type: Parkland Topography: Fairly flat with a few elevated tees. Best feature: Excellent green complexes Worst feature: There are no standout holes. As I write this review, I'm struggling to remember much of the round other than it was in pleasant surroundings. Condition: Good condition throughout Verdict: It's a very grand setting. Nice to play but not one of Surrey's finest

the Herbert Fowler-designed Old Course at the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) is a true classic. Though access is limited, the experience is well worth it, as this course showcases timeless design and superb conditioning that reflects its storied past.

We started early in the morning, and the course was still covered in a light layer of dew. The fairways were left slightly longer than usual to manage the damp conditions, offering a bit of resistance off the tee but preventing the fairways from becoming too muddy. T the greens were immaculate, appearing freshly ironed and running exceptionally true and fast—some of the best and truest surfaces played this year. They are undoubtedly the course’s main defence, featuring significant undulations challenging even the best putters.

The Old Course offers a balanced mix of long and short holes, giving players ample opportunities to score while keeping them on their toes. Birdie chances are available, particularly on the shorter par 4s, but the speed and contour of the greens demand precision on approach shots and putts. Navigating the undulating terrain and managing the green complexes is crucial to scoring well.

The classic parkland layout is beautifully integrated into its surroundings, with mature trees lining fairways and adding to the course’s strategic demands. There is a real sense of history throughout, with each hole offering a unique challenge.

The Royal Automobile Club’s Old Course is a fine example of a traditional English parkland course, blending heritage with playability. Its excellent green conditions and varied layout provide a rewarding experience that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a course worth visiting for those who appreciate historic golf architecture and a challenging, well-maintained track. Although access is limited, multiple charities host days here; I took part in Action for A-T, for example.

Great to have two courses. Facilities are brilliant with restaurants and bars aplenty. Old course the better of the two although holes can be a bit similar. Coronation shorter but probably better on the eye and has some very nice holes. Course is kept in great condition although with the pay to play punters flocking down from London this can be tricky at times.

I have played here three times on invitation and it is an amazing place. It feels historic, special and breathes golf in and out. I played competition against members of the RAC and they are very welcoming and so friendly.

The old course is in very good condition, fairways and greens are wel maintained. Fairways are reasonably wide (coronation course is more narrow) but the rough besides the fairway is tricky. It looks like thin grasshelms, but actually it is very thick grass. So when you find your ball (if you do find it) it requires skill to get it out of the grass. The greens are fast and big, several with multiple levels, so your putting skills are put to the test.

All in all an experience not to be missed, but you need an invitation.

Neighbouring Epsom Downs Race Course, Woodcote Park is merely the country club for the magnificent Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall; an area well known for gentlemen’s clubs. As one might surmise, the club’s raison d’être centred very much on the then recently invented motor vehicles. Many races were founded by the RAC, including the Tourist Trophy, the first British Grand Prix at Brooklands and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The first “Emancipation Run” was to celebrate the passing of the Locomotives on Highway Act 1896. With this new law the speed limit increased from 4 to 14 mph. With the increased speed, an escort several yards ahead waving a red flag to warn people of an approaching vehicle was no longer a requirement... that would be a tough gig!

At one time owned by the Abbey of Chertsey, hilly Woodcote Park serves as the club where members of RAC can drive from the city to practice country sport, which includes two golf courses. The estate was purchased in 1913 and as was the case for many sporting clubs, war intervened with part of the grounds taken over for military use. The Universities and Public Schools volunteer brigade of the Royal Fusiliers were housed at Woodcote Park prior to shipping out. Sadly, the brigade was virtually wiped out at the Somme and the camp became a convalescent home for Canadian troops. The club’s bumpy road continued as in 1934 the house was gutted by fire. Luckily a grand drawing room survives. The room was shipped to the United States in 1927 and installed in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts! This is the very same museum I visited in 1987 for the one and only time. While the museum is well worth a visit, I caution visitors to take care in their choice of parking. Chasing to the end of the story, the three of us seeking a bit of culture returned to the car only to find it missing. Since the car was borrowed the police naturally thought these damn kids hatched a plan to sell the car and claim it was stolen. Live and learn.

The club was again tagged for military use during the Second World War, this time for agricultural purposes. It is remarkable the club endured with golf or that Herbert Fowler’s course could survive such abuse. Yet persevere it did and by the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 Fowler’s course was back in action. On the rather unruly terrain which was Fowler's 9 hole C Course, a new 18 course was built, not surprisingly called the Coronation Course. T Mackenzie recently supervised a bunker project on The Old which included some greens being altered and few new tees. The overwhelming impression of the work is the Old Course doesn’t feel very old or much like a Fowler design. For those familiar with Royal Wimbledon, the style of bunkering is very similar. That is, many of the bunkers are homogenous in size and angle. Originally the course was known to have large bunkers. What sets Woodcote Park apart is the size of the greens. Much like Fowler’s Beau Desert, the greens are immense if not nearly as interesting.

I am pleasantly surprised by RAC's Old Course. Though there aren't any true All-England candidates, the course is good, the walk is good, the surroundings are lovely and the house is very fine. RAC is the sort of course that would disappoint few if invited for a game. True, the Surrey location makes it difficult for RAC to shine and I am not convinced the bunker job helps the cause. That said, in most cases, bunker style is not something which should be a matter for extreme views. The placement of sand is the main issue and in this regard the scheme works well in delivering a combination of carry, play between and play around shots. Bottom line, the Old Course isn't going to make anyone's top 100 best courses in GB&I, but I would like to play it again.