Old Thorns - Hampshire - England

13th Hampshire - Best in Area
Old Thorns Golf Club & Country Estate,
Grigg’s Green,
Liphook,
Hampshire,
GU30 7PE,
England

  • +44 (0) 1428 725880

  • John Burnett

  • Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas

  • Peter Chapman

Visit Golfbreaks.com for a golf holiday at Old Thorns

The Old Thorns Estate was acquired by businessman Ken Wood in the late 1940s – a decade before he made his fortune with the development of the Kenwood food mixer – and it would take another 30 years to bring to reality his vision of a golf course within his 400-acre property.

Commander John Harris drew up plans for an 18-hole layout in the mid 1970s but sadly his death meant the commission was passed to Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas, a design team then riding the crest of a golfing wave, having recently created the Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie and the Brabazon course at The Belfry.

Such was the influence of Ken Wood in 1982, the year after Old Thorns was completed, he was able to assemble a four ball to mark the official opening of the course comprised of Bill Rogers (current Open champion), Seve Ballesteros (the Masters champion from two years before), Jack Nicklaus (US Open champion in 1980) and Isao Ioki (runner up to the Golden Bear in the US Open two years previously).

Fairways are routed over a heavily wooded, undulating landscape that’s part moorland and part parkland in nature with several natural springs and ponds involved along the way. The par five 6th is the longest hole on the scorecard and it features a large tree in the fairway where it dog legs right to the green. On the back nine, the 268-yard 15th is a delightful short par four that plays to a raised green that slopes markedly from back to front.
If the above article is inaccurate, please let us know by clicking here

Write a review

Reviews for Old Thorns

Av. Reviewers Score:
Description: The Old Thorns Estate was acquired by businessman Ken Wood in the late 1940s – a decade before he made his fortune with the development of the Kenwood food mixer... Rating: 4 out of 6 Reviews: 3

I visited here last week 18/06/2011 for the first time in many years. The course winds through mature woodland that fringes many fairways and over contoured ground. It was always in good condition but the hotel and restaurant always were tired and ilbefitting such a nice course. Not Any more!! millions have been spent and it is now a five star venue on and off of the course. The third hole is a superb challenge after a gentle start and that sets you up nicely for the very scenic par 3 fifth. Then you stand on the 5th tee and enjoy the 20 mile views over thick forest and a fine par four down the hill, over a pond and an approach to a small green tightly surrounded by the aforementioned thick forest. The sixth is a tight par 5 dogleg and the next is a medium length par 4 which requires an accurate and well struck shot over the water which stretches from the green back to the tee. the 8th is flanked all the way to a generous green by water. The back nine has some lovely holes too that require careful club selection and some greens are extremely slopey. All in all it is a lovely day out with some strong holes, some quirky holes and some easy holes set in a beautiful parkland and forest setting. The condition of the course was very good indeed from tee to green and the Hotel and off course facilities are brand new. Great for a society, weekend breakers and players of all levels or if you are passing by. My guests from Canada enjoyed it very much. I'll be back! Also see Liphook, Hankley Common, Hindhead and Blackmoor if you are planning a Hampshire trip, they are all close by. JCB LAY
4 / 6
Old Thorns
June 23, 2011


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful
Respond to above review
Some super holes on this course, worth playing just for the view from the 5th tee. It does have a few weaker holes and the course doesn't seem to drain very well whenever I've played it. All in all a nice course and worth a visit if your in the area.
4 / 6
Old Thorns
December 01, 2010


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful
Respond to above review
Having played Old Thorns, it is a classic case of two sets of holes - some beauties in the mature hilly wooded part, but then some rather plain flat holes out amongst some houses.Good fun though, and there is a Japanese interest in the club leading to a choice of Western or Japanese changing rooms in the very nice club house.
4 / 6
Old Thorns
December 01, 2010


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful and 2 did not
Respond to above review