Hankley Common Golf Club

What a beautiful course!! Located in tranquil haven, these 18 holes are all interesting and most enjoyable... as long as you stay out of the heather which is present on every hole. The bunkers are lined with heather, even the green side bunkers. I lost a ball which was almost perfect, just a few meters for the pin, only to find the heather in one of the green side bunkers. You would almost pray to be in the sand. And you know what? I didn't even care, that's golf! Accept bad luck and play on. If you hit a good shot, you're rewarded: I also scored two birdies. Everyone walked and most people carried their bags. Golf as it should be! Friendly people in the pro-shop and clubhouse, and a great terrace overlooking the 4th green and the signature 7th in the distance. The only question I had after this round was: when can I come back and play this course again? ;)

Hankley Common Golf Club is widely regarded as one of England’s finest heathland courses, and it more than lives up to its reputation. Located in Surrey, this stunning course seamlessly blends classic design with the natural beauty of the common, offering an exceptional golfing experience. The course features architectural influences from James Braid and Harry Colt, whose design philosophies are evident throughout. Colt’s bunkering and undulating greens add strategic depth to the impressive layout, while the routing takes full advantage of the landscape’s natural contours. The result is a course that is both visually striking and an engaging challenge for golfers of all levels. Hankley Common is renowned for its playing conditions. The fairways are impeccably maintained, running firm and fast yet offering a carpet-like feel underfoot. The greens are among the best in the region, with exceptional speed and subtle breaks that demand careful reading and precise putting. Heather-lined fairways provide both aesthetic appeal and an added layer of challenge, rewarding accuracy off the tee. Despite its secluded and peaceful setting, occasional military training exercises nearby can break the tranquillity. However, this does little to detract from the overall experience. The club offers excellent hospitality, with a welcoming atmosphere that enhances your visit. Hankley Common is a prime example of a classic heathland course, offering both beauty and challenge in equal measure. For those willing to make the journey, it is undoubtedly one of the finest golfing experiences in the country and a must-play for fans of traditional English golf architecture.

Course type: Heathland / inland links Topography: Fairly flat but with interesting lumps and bumps in the right places Best feature: The defences of the final green are a sight to behold. Any shot coming up slightly short will end up in a deep heather rimmed dip crossing the entire front of the green Worst feature: The peace and quiet is often broken by the British Army training on the hills above the course Condition: Immaculate Verdict: This is a must play

Hankley is just coming out the far side of a major renovation under the auspices of McKenzie & Ebert. Normally, I'm not really a fan of their work, but I have to say they've done a brilliant job here. As with many classic Surrey courses, Hankley has lots of heather and trees and gentle undulations, with the holes changing direction throughout, as well as presenting both right to left and left to right doglegs. The club owns 1,000 acres, so the holes are well spaced out and the view from the highest part of the course on the 8th tee gives a real sense of the scale of the property.

Standout holes for me were the short 2nd,145 yards to a well guarded green with a cavernous front bunker. lefthand dogleg 5th, stunning long par 3 7th played across a ravine, righhand dogleg 10th and 18th, a 430 yard long par 4 with a grass ravine in front of the green, requiring probably the most testing 2nd shot on the course.

The nice modern clubhouse, with sunny outdoor terrace overlooking the 4th green, was paid for by a sale of some land a few years ago, it's spacious and welcoming, as were the staff.

Hankley is less well known than some of it's more famous neighbours, but it's an excellent test, especially after the renovations, and should be on your "must play" list if you're in Surrey for golf.

Geweldige baan en omgeving. Vandaag de 3e ronde in 2 dagen tijd gespeeld hier en zou morgen weer willen spelen. De ene hole nog mooier dan de andere. Slechte holes zijn er niet en de mooiste zijn dan denk ik de 7e par3,13e par5,14e par4. Tees zo vlak en mooi kort gras. Fairways heerlijk droog en fijn om af te spelen. Greens super en bunkers een van de beste die ik ooit gezien heb. De greenfee is niet goedkoop, maar is het zeker waard. Hiervoor hoef je niet het 2 of 3 dubbele op sommige bekende andere banen in deze omgeving te betalen. Ook alle details zoals de paden, signs, teesheets enz prima verzorgd. Drivingrange is enige minpuntje. Niet zo mooi en ver van het clubhuis. Zo ook de 10e tee.