There’s nothing quite like a game of golf to clear the cobwebs, escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a bit of healthy competition. Luckily for us Londoners, there are plenty of spots in town to practise your swing with a game or two. So, without further ado, here’s a roundup of ten of the best spots to enjoy golf in London:
1. Royal Wimbledon Golf Club
The Royal Wimbledon Golf Club – nicknamed the RWGC – is the third oldest golf club in the whole of England, dating all the way back to 1865. It first started out its journey on the sprawling Wimbledon Common before moving to the neighbouring land leased by Warren Farm in 1907, where it was then designed by Willie Park Jnr.
Measuring 6,393 yards for the men and 5,590 for the ladies, the course has undergone a continuous programme of improvement throughout recent years designed to enhance the visual aspects, protect against players’ improved equipment and fitness and provide appropriate practice and teaching facilities. Fairly challenging, the fairways are tight and there’s plenty of gorse and heather thrown in for good measure too!
📍You’ll find the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club at 29 Camp Road, London, SW19 4UW.
🚇 Nearest station is Wimbledon.
2. Dulwich & Sydenham Golf Club
This 6,100-yard-long golf course is situated on the slopes of Sydenham Hill near Dulwich, and it offers incredible views over the gleaming skyscrapers of The City and the pristine, manicured lawns of Dulwich College.
Founded by the esteemed golf course architect Harry Shapland Colt back in 1894, it’s a pretty swanky spot characterised by undulating fairways, fast greens and mature trees – i.e. lovely for a game of golf. You’ll need to be a member, but if you’re into your swing as it were, it’s definitely worth joining for the spectacular panoramic views alone. They offer expert coaching here for adults and youngsters alike, and there’s also a clubhouse that rustles up some slap-up meals.
📍You’ll find the Dulwich & Sydenham Golf Club at Grange Lane, College Road, London, SE21 7LH.
🚇 Nearest station is Sydenham Hill.
3. The Addington Golf Club
Designed in 1913 by John Frederick Abercromby, The Addington is a fine course which will challenge golfers of all different abilities. Based in Croydon, it affords incredible views of London landmarks like The Shard, Tower 42 and the telemast at Crystal Palace.
They do open golf days here for around £125 Monday to Thursday – which are great if you’re not looking to become a member – but they also do memberships here too. The golf course itself is beautiful and is characterised by mature pine and birch trees and hilltop vantage points.
📍You’ll find The Addington Golf Club at 205 Shirley Church Road, Croydon, CR0 5AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Addington Village.
4. Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club
A member’s club with a rich and varied history, the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the best places to play golf in London. There’s not one but two – yep, really – 18-hole golf courses here, meaning there’s more than enough space for you to practise your swing.
Another Royal golf course, there’s a deep connection with the Royal Family here, though it’s certainly not stuffy. All types of golfers – both professional and non-professional – are welcome here, and they also really champion women golfers as well as sustainability. Plus, it’s right by Richmond Park – what’s not to love?!
📍You’ll find the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club at the Old Deer Park, Twickenham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2SB.
🚇 Nearest station is Richmond.
5. Coombe Hill Golf Club
One of the few golf courses designed by J.F. ‘Aber’ Abercromby, the Coombe Hill Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 71 (6401 yard), private, parkland golf course nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Kingston upon Thames.
Established back in 1911, it’s seen everyone from Winston Churchill, Herbert Henry Asquith and Ian Fleming play here – and it’s easy to see why. Fringed by rhododendrons and sweeping willow trees, it’s a bloomin’ beautiful spot in which to play.
📍You’ll find Coombe Hill Golf Club at Golf Club Drive, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, KT2 7DF.
🚇 Nearest station is New Malden.
6. Fulwell Golf Club
Another one of the best places to play golf in London here, Fulwell Golf Club is set on the outskirts of London and spread across a spacious 130 acres of land. Adjacent to the nine-hole Twickenham Golf Course, it offers 18 holes for you to practise your swing, and the whole site is pretty damn serene it has to be said.
Post-game, why not grab a pint and a bite to eat in the clubhouse? Its adjoining terrace offers pretty breathtaking views of the course as a whole.
📍You’ll find Fulwell Golf Club at Wellington Road, Hampton Hill, Middlesex, TW12 1JY.
🚇 Nearest station is Fulwell.
7. Ealing Golf Club
Golf has been played at Ealing for more than a century, but some say that Ealing Golf Club is still the best kept secret in West London. The course’s general condition and presentation receives regular rave reviews, and the prestigious Golf Monthly Magazine has even billed it as having ‘some of the finest and fastest greens around’.
You don’t have to be a member here, and they also do starting intro packages for both juniors and adults alike. Plus, if you’re looking for a wedding venue, then they also do that here! When in Rome…
📍You’ll find Ealing Golf Club at Perivale Lane, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 8TS.
🚇 Nearest station is Perivale.
8. Finchley Golf Club
Another fantastic London golf club here, Finchley is ‘regarded as the finest golfing challenge in North London’ – and it’s easy to see why. At 6,302 yards long, it winds its way through mature parkland dotted with varied different kinds of trees, and was designed by renowned architect James Braid to reward ‘thoughtful and accurate golf’. Well we say…
You’re also just a stone’s throw away from Dollis Brook and the Dollis Valley Greenwalk – where you may be able to spot an array of wildlife like muntjac deer, foxes and ring-necked parakeets too.
📍You’ll find Finchley Golf Club at Nether Court, Frith Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1PU.
🚇 Nearest station is Mill Hill East.
9. Highgate Golf Club
Now, you couldn’t really get closer to Central London than this one right? Just across the way from Hampstead Heath and Kenwood House, Highgate’s undulating parkland layout rewards creativity and shot-making and provides a fair challenge for golfers of all abilities.
Definitely one of the best places to play golf in London, it’s relatively compact – only 6,033 yards from the back tees – but offers sweeping vistas across North London and has an incredibly welcoming crowd that play here. Plus – you’re only a hop, skip and a jump from Central! Winner, winner.
📍You’ll find Highgate Golf Club at Denewood Road, London, N6 4AH.
🚇 Nearest station is East Finchley.
10. North Middlesex Golf Club
Rounding off this list of the best places to play golf in London is the North Middlesex Golf Club – a compact, 5,691-yard-long course set close to Totteridge and Whetstone.
It’s a lovely little spot which is set in 74 acres of beautiful parkland, and was established in 1905 by designer Willie Park Jnr. There’s a fantastic clubhouse on site which has a wide array of beers on tap and fantastic food too, plus experts say this has the best finishing putt in the whole of London! No small compliment there then…
📍You’ll find the North Middlesex Golf Club at Manor House, Friern Barnet Lane, London, N20 0NL.
🚇 Nearest station is Totteridge and Whetstone.
So there you have it – a roundup of ten of the best places to play golf in London. So pack your clubs, grab some mates and get ready to get your swing on!