Course History:
Founded in 1903, the Walton Heath courses were designed by Herbert Fowler, a leading amateur golfer and designer who worked in both the British Isles and United States. It is a tribute to his genius that between 1902 and 1904, he created one of the finest examples of heathland golf out of a jungle of heather, gorse and bracken that the Heath was then. It is a testament to his creativity that the Old Course is, still to this day, ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the World.

Opened for play in 1904, with an exhibition match between the legendary Triumvirate of Vardon, Taylor and Braid - the Old was soon followed by the New Course in 1907. Among Walton Heath’s men’s captains was the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII. The membership boasts many familiar names from British government: David Lloyd George and Sir Winston Churchill, as well as familiar golf names such as James Braid, the club’s first professional. Uniquely, in its first 100 years, Walton Heath has only had three professionals – Braid, Harry Busson and Ken Macpherson.

Host to over 60 major amateur and professional championships in its illustrious history, the courses have been graced by the 1981 Ryder Cup, 5 European Open Tournaments, 23 "News of the World" Match Play Championships, spanning some 65 years, as well as numerous prestigious amateur events. (To learn more pick up a copy of “Heather and Heaven,” a centennial history of Walton Heath Golf Club in England, recipient of the 2003 United States Golf Association International Book Award.)

The Signature Holes:
Old Course Hole 2: Par 4, 442 Yards (Men’s)
"Taylor and Braid both think this is an extra fine hole" were the comments made at the opening of the Old Course in 1904. In those days the "gravel pits" at the bottom of the hollow had to be carried from the hanging lie on the fairway, unless you had the skill and length to reach "Braid's plateau", a much flatter area on the left of the downslope, which James Braid favored and which made the long second shot much easier.

Old Course Hole 5: Par 4, 381 Yards (Men’s)
Listed in "The World's Top 500 Golf Holes", the 5th is best known for its humps and hollows on the green which, especially on a windy day, can create havoc. Other hazards abound on this hole. Sandy Lyle, chipped in for a seven after having heather problems in the 1980 European Open.

Old Course Hole 12: Par 4, 343 Yards (Men’s)
Known as "Cotton's Hole" since 1938 when, during a challenge match, Henry Cotton, in attempting to drive across the corner to the green and shorten the hole, came up only 40 yards short of the flag, landing in the smallest of areas not covered by heather. His four iron chip finished on the edge of the hole prompting the on-looking James Braid to suggest that the better of the two shots was the exquisite classical Scottish run-up!

Old Course Hole 16: Par 5, 448 Yards (Men’s)
The playoff hole for the first European Open won by Bobby Wadkins of the USA, and the subject of numerous paintings of Walton Heath showing the best view of the Kingswood church spire in the distance.

Old Course Hole 17: Par 3, 155 Yards (Men’s)
Whilst a pin position at the rear of the green offers the smallest of targets, beware the much more accessible position at the front. Just ask Seve Ballesteros who four-putted this green in a European Open. Nick Faldo never found Walton Heath's short holes a problem. He had a hole-in-one on this hole in the first European Open and he repeated this feat on the 11th in a televised match.
 

Tee	Par	Yardage
Championship	72	7184
Men’s	72	6361
Ladies'	74	5937

Golf tee times are subject to availability and black-out dates
and some restrictions may apply.

*All descriptions, costs and amenities are subject to change.