Letchworth

Originally founded as Hitchin Golf Club in 1905, Letchworth Golf Club had a 9-hole course in operation within twelve months of its formation. Harry Vardon was invited to expand this layout to eighteen holes five years later and the newly remodelled course was officially opened in October 1910 with an exhibition match between Vardon and James Braid.

Nothing much happened thereafter until the start of the new millennium, when additional land became available to create three new holes and lengthen four others. The newly extended layout opened for play in 2004 and today it measures 6,459 yards from the back tees, playing to a par of 71, with holes configured as two returning nines.

Notable holes include the right doglegging 7th (the only par five on the front nine), the shortest of the par threes at the 14th (in the southwest corner of the property), and the shortest of the three-shotters on the scorecard at the 480-yard 16th, where a power fade drive puts players in prime position for a birdie or better at this risk-reward hole.

Jonathan Gaunt drew up a course improvement plan in 2015 and the club started work on this in earnest in 2020, with five holes altered initially. Cross bunkers on holes 3, 5, 6 and 15 were filled in and new sand hazards introduced at more appropriate distances off the tee.