Royal Wimbledon - Surrey - England

I recently took the opportunity to play Royal Wimbledon Golf Club in their 36-hole scratch open competition, The Royal Wimbledon Trophy.

It’s a golf course that has long been on my radar to play but the consequence of having to drive deep into London coupled with a hefty visitor green-fee of £155 had delayed the process.

However, following the strong recommendation from a playing partner last year and for the princely sum of just £60, which includes food before, between and after golf, I decided to play The Club’s flagship amateur event in September 2017. Handicap permitting (you must be off 4 or below to enter and this often gets balloted lower) I will be back because this is an extremely good and underrated golf course.

Absent from virtually all of the rating lists Royal Wimbledon is on a par with, and indeed superior to, several of the inland venues that regularly grace the rankings.

It is the third oldest golf club in England dating back to 1865, has a rich history, storied membership and has played a significant role in the evolution of the game of golf.

There are two distinct sections to the course. The upper part of the property is played over a tract of tight, firm heathy land whilst the lower section, which we dip into twice, is predominantly parkland in nature.

The best of the golf can be found on the 13 heathland holes and there some absolute gems amongst them.

Recent tree and shrub clearance, particularly around the green sites but also close to the fairways, is now paying dividends with speedier rounds, firmer ground conditions and improved playing surfaces.

Royal Wimbledon is the real deal in terms of challenge and it also packs a big punch in the entertainment stakes.

The route that the course takes, which Colt altered significantly but not entirely from Park, is very enjoyable. The visits to the parkland holes are well spaced and we’re in and out quickly enough for it not cause a big issue. There is a hub of activity around the 1st green, 2nd tee, 5th green, 6th tee, 12th green and 13th tee as all paths cross and this is also where the ‘halfway house’ is located.

The Club – who I suspect don’t seek nor desire publicity - probably don’t want to read this but Royal Wimbledon should be included in all the magazine and website rankings. It should also be quite lofty and therefore more visitors would sample this fine specimen of a golf course.

Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.

Royal Wimbledon's inconspicuousness in the echelons of the golf rankings is a classic case of old school, a sign of a club not welcoming commercial partnerships and general outsiders. The facilities all-round are extremely good, David Jones of tour-fame has done a great job in establishing a shop brimming with quality clothing and equipment, plus very welcoming team of teaching staff. The old dining room and the long veranda room intertwine to offer one of the most majestic entertainment areas in SW golf if not the country. There is a long driving range where you can hit off the turf and a new short-game area in construction.

An original Harry Colt heathland course, it is also one of the most savage, unrelenting and least-sympathetic you will ever play; the new green staff has done a great job in returning it to it former glory. You have to have your game switched on for the entire 18 holes if you don't want to shoot hundreds. Not long on the card but many par 4s play down then hit back up, most where you have to hit a good drive to just give yourself a chance at hitting the well-guarded greens. All the par 3s require a well-struck shot to carry the whole yardage.

However its once you're on the putting surface that the fun begins. When Jack Nicklaus described putting as "a game within a game", he'd probably just played in the Spring Meeting at Royal Wimbledon. Large, undulating, very quick at times, you have to be able to read line and length, occasionally you can putt off the front. Basically off first or second shot, there's nowhere to miss, if you dont hit the green you're essentially toast, generally demanding an extremely delicate chip to save par. You will recognise this in the scores in the members' medals.

Pretty at times but also very intimidating, the only relief is the well-stocked halfway hut which as grace would have it you pass multiple times. The two par 5s are the most obvious opportunities to pick up birdies, however par is a huge relief at every other hole, even considering the short 6th, 9th and 17th & 18th. Its a shame about the changes they've had to introduce to the 1st & 18th which if anything only makes them harder. The only downside is the amount of traffic the course gets which makes conditions less playable as the day and season goes on. Which is a pity because at its finest (which is truly is a several occasions during the year) it is a beautiful and unbelievable test of golf.

I wouldn't say its a shame that the club isnt more welcoming to more commercial, competitive and outside event, but as far as a level of challenge is concerned it definitely deserves to be in the Top 30 in England and maybe the Top 50 in GB & I. You will never beat this course.

I had wanted to play RW for a while and what a beautiful day for it. The club is beautifully maintained and they seem to have a serious long term plan for it with works going on all over the place. The course was in great condition, although the greens were slow due to some early spring work. It is one of those courses that has all different types of terrain, heathland, parkland, woodland. You are never going to say this is an outstanding course, but it is a very good one and one I'd happily play every week. Some of the par threes are superb and it is a great challenge.

Played this course last week. Highly enjoyable and better than anticipated. Well positioned bunkers, lush fairways despite the dry summer. Greens good but not outstanding, seemingly due to recent work. Hidden away and a gem in the heart of residential London.

A solid, pleasant course with a great location. Very many good holes but no very special holes. It is a fairly tight driving course and the par 3s require accuracy and nothing short of the green. The course was, however, in super nick with lush fairways and rough that looked superb and true but not particularly quick greens. I also thought the bunkers were well placed and outcrops of heathr made it a very enjoyable experience.

Beautiful club house, very friendly and one of the nicest I have been in, and a very enjoyable course although not "up there" in terms of memorable holes I feel. Some felt a little agricultural, but this may be due to the amount of rain in the preceding weeks.Still, a lovely place to play golf on a sunny day and definitely worth playing if you are in the London area. My view may be flavoured by my playing partner holing in one on the 17th requiring me to equal the feat to keep the game alive. I failed.

Great course, short in length but will have you playing every club in your bag. Superb greens, brilliant practice facilities, delightful clubhouse and friendly members. What more could you want!

Distinctly average. Not much else to say really, apart from that it has well above average greens.

This is a very fine old members club, and one that i would be very quick to go and play again. From your arrival you appreciate the history of the place, with the excellent old style, under stated clubhouse. The course was in excellent condition despite the fact that we played in november, with the greens in particular playing like carpets and very fast and smooth. Particular highlights include the stretch of holes from 11th-13th. With 16 also an excellent hole. This is in my mind, one of the top 3 courses inside the M25, and pushes other favourites (Walton Heath etc) hard for the top spot...Can't wait to go back!

Royal Wimbledon is perhaps one of London's undiscovered gems. Perhaps because of its close proximity to the common course. Fantastic layout with a good deal of undulations its a real test of shot making. Your approaches are far more important here than at American-style courses as the greens are small and don't collect your ball. In mid summer the fairways can get a little bare but play it if you can. Old England is alive and kicking.