Best Golf Courses in Surrey

Best Golf Courses in Surrey

Surrey is one of the strongest golf counties in England.

The county is best known for heathland golf: firm turf, heather, pines, strategic bunkering and courses that ask for more than just distance. It also has major championship venues, famous private clubs, strong visitor courses and several excellent options within reach of London.

This guide looks at the best golf courses in Surrey from a golfer’s point of view: course character, playing style, reputation, visitor appeal and what sort of round to expect.

Surrey golf is not just about big-name clubs. It is about one of the best concentrations of heathland golf in the country.

Quick Picks

• Best overall reputation: Walton Heath Golf Club

• Best architectural setting: St George’s Hill Golf Club

• Best tournament venue: Wentworth Club

• Best pure heathland experience: Hankley Common Golf Club

• Best traditional Surrey heathland club: Woking Golf Club

• Best of the “three Ws” for visitor appeal: Worplesdon Golf Club

• Best strategic heathland test: West Hill Golf Club

• Best elevated heathland setting: Hindhead Golf Club

• Best visitor-friendly two-course venue: Burhill Golf Club

• Best practice and golf centre setup: Silvermere Golf & Leisure

1. Walton Heath Golf Club

Walton Heath is one of the headline names in Surrey golf.

The club has two heathland courses, the Old and the New, both with strong reputations. The Old Course is the more famous of the two and has long been regarded as one of England’s best inland courses. It is open, firm, strategic and exposed enough for wind to matter.

Walton Heath also has proper championship history. It has hosted major events including the 1981 Ryder Cup, the 2018 British Masters and the 2023 AIG Women’s Open.

Best for:

• Serious heathland golf

• Golfers who want championship pedigree

• Stronger players who enjoy firm, strategic courses

• Anyone building a Surrey golf trip around the biggest names

What to expect:

• Open heathland

• Strong bunkering

• Firm running conditions when dry

• Small greens and demanding approach play

• A proper test even when the card does not look frightening

2. St George’s Hill Golf Club

St George’s Hill is one of Surrey’s most distinctive golf clubs.

The course is split into three nine-hole loops: Red, Blue and Green. The Red and Blue are the best-known combination, but the Green nine is also a strong strategic test. The course uses the natural contours of the estate well, with elevation changes, angled shots and several holes where position matters more than raw length.

It is not flat, plain heathland. St George’s Hill has more drama, movement and visual character than many inland courses.

Best for:

• Golfers who like elevation and shot-making

• Classic Surrey heathland golf

• Architecture-focused players

• Visitors looking for one of the most memorable settings in the county

What to expect:

• Three separate nine-hole loops

• Strong Red and Blue routing

• More elevation than many Surrey courses

• Demanding par 4s and strategic shorter holes

• A premium club feel

3. Wentworth Club

Wentworth is the most famous tournament venue in Surrey.

The West Course is known worldwide as the home of the BMW PGA Championship. Wentworth has three main courses and a huge tournament history, including the World Match Play, British Masters, Women’s British Open, Canada Cup and the 1926 International Match, often recognised as a precursor to the Ryder Cup.

For ordinary golfers, the caveat is access. Wentworth is a private club, so it is not the same as booking a normal visitor tee time at a public or visitor-friendly members’ club.

It still belongs on any list of the best golf courses in Surrey because of its influence, history and tournament status.

Best for:

• Tournament history

• BMW PGA Championship interest

• Golfers interested in Ryder Cup and DP World Tour heritage

• Understanding Surrey’s role in professional golf

What to expect:

• High-profile championship golf

• Three courses with different identities

• Very limited access compared with standard visitor clubs

• One of the most recognisable names in European golf

4. Hankley Common Golf Club

Hankley Common is one of the best pure heathland courses in Surrey.

It has free-draining sandy soil, heather, space, natural movement and a setting that feels properly removed from everyday life. The course is strong without feeling overbuilt. It asks for accurate driving, controlled approaches and sensible misses.

Hankley has also hosted significant amateur and qualifying events, including the 2025 Brabazon Trophy, Women’s Open Final Qualifying and R&A Men’s Home Internationals.

Best for:

• Pure heathland golf

• Golfers who like firm, free-draining courses

• Strong players wanting a serious inland test

• Visitors who want one of Surrey’s best course experiences

What to expect:

• Heather and pines

• Excellent drainage

• A natural heathland setting

• Strong par 4s

• A course that punishes poor misses without feeling artificial

5. Woking Golf Club

Woking is one of the most important clubs in Surrey’s heathland story.

Founded in 1893, it is widely recognised as Surrey’s oldest heathland course. It is also part of the famous “three Ws” alongside Worplesdon and West Hill.

Woking is a strategic course rather than a brute-force one. It rewards angles, placement and good decision-making. It is also strongly associated with two-ball golf, which gives it a more traditional feel than many modern visitor-heavy venues.

Best for:

• Traditional heathland golf

• Golfers who like strategic design

• Players interested in Surrey golf history

• Two-ball golf and classic club culture

What to expect:

• Fast-running heathland conditions

• Subtle strategy

• A traditional members’ club atmosphere

• A course where poor positioning can quickly make the next shot awkward

6. Worplesdon Golf Club

Worplesdon is another classic Surrey heathland course and arguably one of the most enjoyable visitor experiences among the high-end Surrey names.

The course was laid out in 1908 by J.F. Abercromby, with greens and bunkers constructed by Willie Park Junior. It has a reputation for being attractive, playable and properly strategic without needing to feel punishing all day.

If Woking is the historically important strategist of the three Ws, Worplesdon is often the one golfers describe as the most charming.

Best for:

• Classic Surrey heathland

• Visitors wanting a strong but enjoyable round

• Golfers who value presentation and playability

• Away days with a traditional club feel

What to expect:

• Heather and trees

• Strategic bunkering

• Strong but fair holes

• A course that rewards accurate driving and controlled approaches

7. West Hill Golf Club

West Hill completes the famous Surrey “three Ws”.

It is a classic heathland course near Woking, designed in 1907 by Cuthbert Butchart. The course is lined with pines, uses heather well and includes Brookwood Brook on several holes.

West Hill is a good test because it is not just about length. The greens have natural movement, the bunkers are well placed and the course plays with that fast-running heathland style when conditions firm up.

Best for:

• Strategic heathland golf

• Golfers who want a classic Surrey test

• Players who enjoy pine-lined fairways and heather

• Anyone playing the Woking, Worplesdon and West Hill trio

What to expect:

• Pine-lined heathland

• Brookwood Brook in play on several holes

• Natural green contours

• Strong short par 4s and par 3s

• Firm turf in summer conditions

8. Hindhead Golf Club

Hindhead is one of the most naturally attractive heathland courses in Surrey.

The course was originally designed by J.H. Taylor and sits on elevated land near the Surrey countryside. The fairways are framed by heather and pines, with the second nine offering wider views due to the course’s position.

It is a strong course and the club makes it clear that it is best suited to experienced golfers with a WHS handicap.

Best for:

• Elevated heathland golf

• Golfers who enjoy natural setting and views

• Players who want a serious but scenic inland test

• Experienced visitors

What to expect:

• Heather-lined fairways

• Tall pines

• Elevation changes

• Stronger challenge than some visitor courses

• A course where offline shots can be properly punished

9. New Zealand Golf Club

New Zealand Golf Club is one of the more intriguing names in Surrey golf.

The club is based in Addlestone and has a quiet, private feel. It is not always as visible in mainstream visitor golf searches as the biggest Surrey names, but golfers who know Surrey golf tend to understand its reputation.

Because public information is more limited than at some clubs, it is best treated as a course to research and contact directly rather than assuming easy visitor access.

Best for:

• Golfers interested in traditional Surrey clubs

• Players who like understated, private-course settings

• Surrey heathland enthusiasts

• Those looking beyond the most obvious names

What to expect:

• Traditional club feel

• Limited public course information

• A quieter reputation than Walton Heath or Wentworth

• A course worth knowing if you are serious about Surrey golf

10. Tandridge Golf Club

Tandridge is one of Surrey’s best parkland-style alternatives to the heathland-heavy names.

Located near Oxted, it has a long-standing reputation for quality and visitor hospitality. Visitor play is available on selected days, with the club balancing outside play against member access.

Tandridge is useful on this list because it gives Surrey golfers a different style of test. It is not just heather, pines and sandy soil. It is a more rolling, mature, strategic inland course.

Best for:

• Parkland-style Surrey golf

• Visitors looking south of the M25

• Golfers who want a high-quality members’ club

• Players who prefer shaped holes and a polished inland course

What to expect:

• Mature inland golf

• Visitor access on selected days

• Strong club reputation

• A different feel from the main Surrey heathland belt

11. Camberley Heath Golf Club

Camberley Heath is a Harry Colt course and one of the strongest visitor-friendly heathland options in Surrey.

The course is set in 135 acres of heathland, framed by pines, and plays to a par 71 from around 6,400 yards. It has enough length and shape to test good players, but it is also a practical choice for visitors, societies and golf days.

It is a good option if you want a proper Surrey heathland course without chasing the hardest-to-access clubs.

Best for:

• Harry Colt design

• Visitor and society golf

• Heathland golf in west Surrey

• Golfers who want quality without the most exclusive club environment

What to expect:

• Pine-framed fairways

• Heathland character

• A fair but testing par 71

• Good visitor and society setup

12. Coombe Hill Golf Club

Coombe Hill is one of the stronger courses in the Kingston area and is often discussed among Surrey’s better traditional clubs.

The club welcomes visitors and positions itself as one of England’s highly rated traditional courses. It gives golfers a useful option on the London and Surrey edge, especially if they want a club course rather than a commercial golf centre.

Best for:

• Golf near Kingston

• Traditional members’ club golf

• Visitors wanting a well-regarded inland course

• Golfers based around south-west London and Surrey

What to expect:

• Mature inland course character

• Traditional club feel

• Visitor access

• A good option for golfers close to London

13. Burhill Golf Club

Burhill is one of the most practical visitor venues in Surrey.

It has two 18-hole courses: the Old Course and the New Course. That gives visitors more flexibility than a single-course private club, and the venue openly welcomes green fee players.

The Old Course gives the club its historic identity, while the New Course adds a more modern test. Burhill also has strong practice facilities, making it useful for golfers who want a full day rather than just a round.

Best for:

• Visitor golf

• Society days

• Golf near Walton-on-Thames

• Mixed-ability groups

• Two-course variety

What to expect:

• Two 18-hole courses

• Visitor tee times

• Practice facilities

• A polished, organised golf-day setup

14. Foxhills Golf Club

Foxhills is a resort-style Surrey golf venue with more than one course option.

The Longcross and Bernard Hunt courses are the main 18-hole layouts, with the Manor Course adding a shorter nine-hole option. Longcross has hosted events including the PGA Cup and the International Series England, while Bernard Hunt is a more forgiving but still substantial test.

Foxhills is less of a traditional Surrey members’ club experience and more of a full facilities venue.

Best for:

• Resort-style golf

• Groups and golf breaks

• Golfers wanting more than one course option

• Practice and improvement facilities

What to expect:

• Longcross and Bernard Hunt 18-hole courses

• Nine-hole Manor Course

• Tree-lined holes and elevation changes

• More facilities than a standard club visit

15. Effingham Golf Club

Effingham gives Surrey another strong inland course with a different character from the heathland belt.

The club describes itself as a downland course and welcomes visitors. It is a good fit for golfers who want a traditional members’ club with solid year-round playability and a course that does not simply copy the heather-and-pines template.

Best for:

• Downland golf

• Visitors looking around Leatherhead and Effingham

• Golfers who want a traditional inland test

• Year-round playability

What to expect:

• Downland character

• Mature club feel

• Visitor access

• Good drainage and a steady test

16. Silvermere Golf & Leisure

Silvermere is not trying to be Walton Heath or St George’s Hill, but it deserves mention because it is one of the most useful golf venues in Surrey.

It combines an 18-hole course with a major golf retail setup, fitting, lessons and range facilities. For many everyday golfers, that makes it more relevant than some higher-ranked private clubs they may never play.

It is a good option for golfers who want to practise, get fitted, shop, take lessons and play in one place.

Best for:

• Practice and range facilities

• Custom fitting

• Accessible golf

• Beginners and improving golfers

• Casual rounds near Cobham

What to expect:

• Golf course and range setup

• Large golf shop and fitting facilities

• Visitor-friendly environment

• More of a golf centre feel than a private club

The Surrey Heathland Belt Explained

The phrase “Surrey heathland” gets used a lot, but it matters.

Heathland courses usually play firmer and faster than soft parkland courses. The turf can encourage running shots, and the heather punishes loose driving. You often get pine trees, sandy soil, strategic bunkering and greens that reward being on the correct side.

That is why Surrey has such a strong golf reputation. Courses like Walton Heath, St George’s Hill, Hankley Common, Woking, Worplesdon, West Hill, Hindhead and Camberley Heath are not just good because they are old. They are good because the land is naturally suited to golf.

Best Surrey Courses for Visitors

If you are planning a Surrey golf trip and do not have member access, start with the clubs that clearly welcome visitors.

Good options include:

• Hankley Common Golf Club

• Woking Golf Club

• Worplesdon Golf Club

• West Hill Golf Club

• Hindhead Golf Club

• Tandridge Golf Club

• Camberley Heath Golf Club

• Burhill Golf Club

• Foxhills Golf Club

• Effingham Golf Club

• Silvermere Golf & Leisure

• Betchworth Park Golf Club

Availability can change by day, season, membership pressure and competition schedules. Always check directly with the club before planning a trip.

Best Surrey Courses Near London

Surrey is especially useful because many of its best courses sit within reach of London.

Good options for London-based golfers include:

• St George’s Hill

• Walton Heath

• Burhill

• Coombe Hill

• Silvermere

• Tandridge

• Foxhills

• Woking

• Worplesdon

• West Hill

That is one reason Surrey golf is so competitive. It has serious golf courses close to a huge golfing population.

How to Choose the Right Surrey Golf Course

Pick the course based on the type of round you want.

If you want championship history, look at Walton Heath, Wentworth or Hankley Common.

If you want classic heathland, look at Woking, Worplesdon, West Hill, Hindhead or Camberley Heath.

If you want visitor practicality, look at Burhill, Foxhills, Silvermere, Tandridge or Effingham.

If you want one of the most memorable settings, St George’s Hill is hard to ignore.

If you are newer to golf, do not automatically chase the most famous course. Some of Surrey’s best courses are tough, expensive or harder to access. A more visitor-friendly venue may give you a better day.

Final Thoughts

The best golf courses in Surrey are strong because the county has depth.

Walton Heath, St George’s Hill, Wentworth and Hankley Common give Surrey its headline reputation. Woking, Worplesdon and West Hill give it historic heathland weight. Hindhead, New Zealand, Tandridge, Camberley Heath, Burhill, Foxhills and Effingham add variety and practical visitor options.

For golfers, that makes Surrey one of the best counties in England for course choice.

You can play serious championship golf, classic heathland golf, traditional members’ club golf or a more accessible visitor venue without leaving the county.