Basingstoke Golf Club relocated in 2021 to a new Dummer site with a £15 million transformation by Weller Designs. Hampshire's first bent greens complement bold contouring and strategic water features across chalk downland terrain. Located 60km from London Heathrow, the venue provides modern golf holiday facilities with exceptional year-round drainage.
Basingstoke Golf Club
Basingstoke Golf Club relocated in 2021 to a new Dummer site with a £15 million transformation by Weller Designs. Hampshire's first bent greens complement bold contouring and strategic water features across chalk downland terrain. Located 60km from London Heathrow, the venue provides modern golf holiday facilities with exceptional year-round drainage.
Experience Hampshire's first creeping bent greens on a modern downland layout just 9km (6 miles) from Basingstoke town centre. The chalk-based terrain provides exceptional year-round drainage, whilst the bold green complexes and two strategically placed water features create memorable golf less than 60km (37 miles) from London Heathrow Airport.
The club's original nine-hole layout opened on 6th December 1907 on land north of Basingstoke station, designed by the club's first professional Charles Lloyd. Following requisition as a training airfield during the Great War, members continued playing at other clubs until 1926, when the search for a permanent home began. James Braid designed and constructed a course on 106 acres at Kempshott Park, which officially opened in March 1928 with Braid, Harry Vardon and Miss Molly Gourlay performing the ceremony on a cold, wet day.
After nearly a century at Kempshott Park, the original site was sold to a housing developer in 2021. The club purchased the Dummer Golf Club site just 1.6km (1 mile) away, remaining partly on the historic Kempshott Park estate. Bruce Weller of Weller Designs undertook the complete redesign and construction project, transforming the previous layout into a contemporary championship venue. Weller, a Senior Member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects since 2000, brought over 30 years of golf architecture experience to the ambitious redevelopment.
Construction began in 2023 with a phased opening commencing in late June 2024. The full 18 holes opened for play by year-end 2024, with the state-of-the-art clubhouse officially opening on 14th September 2024.
Architects Feilden+Mawson LLP designed the clubhouse featuring an undulating roof that mirrors the distant hills, creating a visual connection with the surrounding downland landscape. The same architectural practice previously completed renovation projects at Royal Norwich and Royal West Norfolk.
The downland layout sweeps across gently rolling chalk terrain, utilising the natural topography to create a strategic test with significant elevation changes. Rubber crumb bunkers and two lagoons punctuate the routing, whilst the fescue and ryegrass fairways promote firm, fast conditions year-round. Jasper Miners notes the back nine routes through particularly engaging terrain with grandeur and spaciousness, highlighting the run from the 12th through 16th holes. The 14th hole arcs around a lake, ensuring every approach shot carries an element of risk regardless of tee shot quality.
The green complexes showcase bold contouring and are presented in remarkable condition considering the layout's recent construction. The opening hole introduces deceptively contoured surfaces that set the tone for the round. Miners observes the 7th as a brilliant short par-4 where a quarry-like area lines the left side with a solitary tree standing sentinel. Strategic options reward approaches from the right side of the green, whether attacking in one or laying up positionally.
Hampshire's first creeping bent greens represent a significant innovation for the county, providing faster, truer surfaces than traditional fescue. The state-of-the-art irrigation system draws from the two lagoons, supporting sustainable maintenance practices whilst maintaining consistent playing conditions. Course manager Scott Roberts oversees presentation from a greenkeepers' building completed in December 2023, enabling seamless operations throughout the construction period.
Hampshire's western sand belt offers exceptional heathland golf within comfortable driving distance. North Hants Golf Club at Fleet Top 100 Golf Courses lies 24km (15 miles) northeast, approximately 18 minutes driving via the M3 motorway. This James Braid heathland design underwent modifications by Harry Colt in 1913 and Tom Simpson in the 1930s, featuring mature pines, silver birch, heather and gorse. North Hants achieved prominence as Justin Rose's home club, with the 2013 US Open champion winning the Hampshire Hog aged fourteen with a record score.
Liphook Golf Club Top 100 Golf Courses, amongst Hampshire's highest-ranked venues, sits 36km (22 miles) southwest, approximately 35 minutes driving. The Tom Simpson-designed heathland underwent recent transformation by Tom Mackenzie, creating spectacular new holes whilst improving routing and safety. Blackmoor Golf Club, designed by Harry Colt in 1913, offers another outstanding heathland experience in the western sand belt region.
Basingstoke provides an excellent base for exploring Hampshire golf, with Winchester 32km (20 miles) southwest and Southampton approximately 50km (31 miles) south. Multi-day itineraries combining Basingstoke with North Hants, Liphook and Blackmoor capture the finest heathland golf across Hampshire's distinguished sand belt terrain.
The modern clubhouse features extensive bar and dining facilities with a veranda providing panoramic course views, particularly of the opening and closing holes. Conference space enables corporate golf days, whilst extended changing facilities accommodate visiting groups. The 1907 Academy practice facilities include a state-of-the-art driving range positioned conveniently near the clubhouse for pre-round preparation.
Advance booking is essential given significant membership interest following the redevelopment. The club maintains strong visitor policies whilst prioritising member play, particularly during peak weekend periods. Society packages are available through the club office, with tailored options for corporate golf days utilising the comprehensive meeting and dining facilities.
London Heathrow Airport: 60km (37 miles), approximately 40 minutes driving via M3 and M25 motorways. Major car rental facilities provide direct motorway access for international visitors.
Southampton Airport: 40km (25 miles), approximately 36 minutes driving via A30 and M3, offering domestic and European connections.
Basingstoke Railway Station: 9km (6 miles) from the golf course, approximately 10 minutes driving. Direct rail services connect to London Waterloo in approximately 45 minutes, providing convenient access for day trips from the capital.
Ground Transport: Primary access via A30 to Down Street, Dummer. The M3 motorway provides efficient north-south connectivity, with Junction 6 approximately 5km (3 miles) from the golf course. The A339 offers an alternative routing from Basingstoke town centre.
Spring: The chalk-based terrain enables early-season play when heavier clay courses remain waterlogged. Greens establish quickly following winter dormancy, with April and May offering excellent conditions as fescue fairways firm up.
Summer: Peak playing conditions from June through August, with firm fairways and fast greens. The irrigation system maintains consistent turf quality during dry periods. Book well in advance, given high demand during optimal weather months.
Autumn: September and October provide superb conditions with reduced visitor traffic. The downland setting offers attractive colours as vegetation transitions, whilst the free-draining chalk ensures playability even during wetter weather.
Winter: Year-round play is possible given the exceptional chalk drainage, with temporary greens rarely required. The downland aspect provides some shelter from prevailing winds, though exposed areas can be bracing during cold snaps.
The £15 million redevelopment has created a significant addition to Hampshire golf, with bold green complexes and strategic water hazards distinguishing the layout from traditional heathland venues nearby. The chalk-based terrain ensures exceptional drainage year-round, whilst innovative features like Hampshire's first bent greens demonstrate forward-thinking ambition.
Located conveniently between London and Southampton with excellent motorway access, the venue provides a compelling option for golf travellers exploring Hampshire's distinguished sand belt. The combination of modern amenities, strategic design and comprehensive practice facilities positions Basingstoke as an emerging force in southeastern golf.
Overall rating
4.0
Overall rating
4.0
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