Walton Heath Golf Club New Course Key Information
The Old course here may rank a little higher than the New, but other than the nuances of the individual hole designs, the New has all the same great strengths as its slightly more senior sibling.
It's a great test of golf that proves you don’t need to trick a course up to make it difficult. As most of the holes are fairly flat, the visual appeal comes from some clever bunkering, an abundance of heather and the fact that you can see many other holes across both courses on open heathland.
REASONS TO PLAY WALTON HEATH (NEW)
- Part of one of the best 36-hole days to savour in the UK
- As stern a test as you want it to be with the back nine capable of stretching to just shy of 4,000 yards!
- A real joy to see across so much of both courses from many points
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2023/24 - 57
The two handsomely expansive heathland layouts at Walton Heath are just a few years apart in terms of age, and like many Old/New combos, preference between the two can divide opinion. It is one of just eight clubs to boast more than one course in Golf Monthly's Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland rankings
Just as you’re perhaps thinking that the Old must be the tougher all-round test, you glance at the New’s scorecard and spot that the back nine off the often-tiny ‘purple’ tees is a mere 36 yards short of 4,000 yards! Either way, both feature strongly in any best golf courses in Surrey list.
That said, while both are packed with challenging and strategic golf, punishing yet attractive bunkering, acres of heather and fast but subtle greens, the New could be said to be blessed with slightly greater character. That character is in evidence from a bright start that consists of a potentially drivable par 4 and a delightful wedge par 3 playing gently downhill.
Herbert Fowler created both heathland beauties, with the first nine holes of the New arriving three years after its older sibling in 1907, before being extended to a full 18 in 1913.
When tour events and the Ryder Cup have visited this corner of Surrey, they have typically played a composite course. There is an element of inland links about Walton Heath, though the ever-present heather is as testing as you’ll encounter anywhere.
And don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the New’s seemingly straightforward start. Even if you wisely choose to steer clear of those purple tees, a string of testing par 4s after that will keep you on your toes, with the SI-1 5th one of the most challenging. This monster two-shotter works its way from left to right down to a green where the safest approach is from the left.
Walton Heath Old may rank higher than the New, but other than the nuances of the individual hole designs, the New has all the same great strengths as its slightly more senior sibling and a day’s golf on both is one of the UK’s premier 36-hole experiences.
What The Top 100 Panel Said
Looping in and around the Old course you get exactly the same sense of space and openness - that is, mile upon mile of expansive vistas with nothing (other than the sound of the M25) to interrupt the exceptional golfing view. If I were lucky enough to be a member of Walton Heath, the New is the course I would enjoy playing most on a day-to-day basis.
Walton Heath New is a lovely experience. From the moment you pull off the road and head into the clubhouse, with all the memorabilia you know that you are somewhere famous and special. The course is strong, if not in the same league as the Old, but lacks the variation, signature hole and wow factor of some of the higher-rated golf courses.
Walton Heath Golf Club location
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Walton Heath Golf Club New Course scorecard
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Best Places To Stay Near Walton Heath
Westleigh, Ashtead - Book now at Booking.com
Westleigh is set in Ashtead, just three or four miles from Walton Heath and 15.5 miles from London. There is free private parking and free WiFi. The quiet rooms offer garden views with some also featuring a seating area. Bathroom facilities are private with free toiletries and a hair dryer.
The Lodge at Kingswood, Epsom - Book now at Booking.com
Situated in the heart of Surrey, The Lodge at Kingswood offers hotel accommodation within the grounds of a championship golf course. The air-conditioned rooms are en suite with rain shower and complimentary toiletries. There is a restaurant, bar and sun terrace in the golf clubhouse.
Walton Heath New Gallery
WALTON HEATH NEW HISTORICAL TOP 100 RANKING UK&I
- 2023/24 - 57
- 2021/22 - 54
- 2019/20 - 51
- 2017/18 - 50
- 2015/16 - 49
- 2013/14 - 49
- 2011/12 - 48
- 2009/10 - 42
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Walton Heath host the Ryder Cup?
1981. The matches were originally scheduled to be played at the new Belfry course that year, but construction wasn't completed in time. The Belfry would go on to host the 1985 contest and three more Ryder Cups. The American team for 1981 was one of the strongest ever, if not the strongest - Nicklaus, Watson, Trevino, Crenshaw, Irwin, Miller, Floyd, Kite, Nelson, Pate, Rogers, Lietzke - boasting 36 Majors between them. Europe actually led after the first day and were still very much in it heading into the afternoon foursomes on the second day. But a clean sweep for the States there and a comprehensive 8-4 victory in the singles saw the Americans win 18.5 - 9.5.
Was James Braid the professional at Walton Heath?
He was, for many years. He was the club's first professional for 45 years until 1948, taking on the role full-time when he began to scale back his tournament golf in 1912. Braid won five Open Championships and enjoyed a hugely successful second career as one of our best and most highly regarded golf course designers. At one stage (and there may still be) there was a sign at Walton Heath stating that Braid had made a two on every single one of the club's 36 holes - an extraordinary feat.
