Whittington Heath - Staffordshire - England

Following on from my first visit to Whittington Heath in 2017, I went again in 2018 and liked it even more and so thinking it was one of those under-rated courses that just grows on you I have just revisited in June 2019. Despite the wet weather in the preceding days the course played remarkably well with no standing water whatsoever. Course condition was excellent with the greens firm in excellent condition and of reasonable pace considering the rain. Looking at my previous review I think I underestimated the number of good holes, infact I liked them all.

HS2 (which should run through the golf course) is already having an affect on Whittington Heath, including the construction of five new holes. Foundations are already in place for the new clubhouse and from the drawings displayed in the clubhouse it should be impressive. On the course itself it is quite apparent that a lot of works is being carried out in respect of altering existing holes with many new tees and bunkers sprouting up.

The first hole is currently a par 5 (becomes 18 and a par 4 on the redesign) and just beyond the green the trees have been removed (for the new clubhouse) and beyond this you can clearly see the earthworks and construction of the new holes on the lower land below. This is where nagging questions start popping up in my head as you can clearly see a large new modern 'American' style bunker with convoluted edges. As the round progresses my sense of disappointment grows as on quite a few holes existing 'Colt' style small bunkers have been replaced with these modern style bunkers, with a corresponding amount of earth banking around changing the whole look of some of the existing green complexes. Also some of these new modern style bunkers crop up in new locations. It is quite apparent to me that once the new holes are in play it is going to be a different looking/new style of course and in my opinion it is very disappointing that the architect did not have the wit to match up with the existing Colt design. I think it is also fair to say that of our fourball, one of group agreed with me, one was fine with the changes and the other hadn't played the course before so didn't comment. Whether it is sacrilege or evolution or progress I guess depends on the individual.

Still worth a visit and I will return next year to see how the changes are going .. can't increase my previous rating though !

Enjoyed Whittington Heath very much. Although not too much heather in evidence (compared to Surrey heathland courses) it was very pleasant with a number of holes where strategic placement of the drive was important. Condition was generally good, albeit greens were on the slow side and some bunkers had a lack of sand. Absolutely loved the narrowness of the fairways (can't think of any narrower ones I've played), which with the narrow width of semi and then penal rough plus the excellently located fairway bunkers made it a really good driving course. Quite a few dogleg par 4 holes, including 5, 6, 8 and 11 which were probably my favourites, although the well bunkered par 3 7th was also very good. I thought the front 9 had more variety with two par 5's, with the 18th possibly the least interesting hole. I guess the big test for WH will be how the changes due to the HS2 manage to keep the classic Colt style of course. Until then at least well worth a visit

As a stop over on the road between London and Glasgow, we were looking for a top 100 course to play. Couldn't get a booking at Little Aston or Beau Desert, and thought that Whittington Heath might be a poorish 3rd choice. How wrong we were! This is a great fun course, not overly long but strategic and sporty. A little congested in parts with tees and greens overlapping. Much work has clearly been done in the past few years, clearing away undergrowth and allowing heather to flourish. Greatly enjoyed our round, much more than playing at Woburn earlier on in our trip. I do think this course should be in the top 100 English courses, if only for the fun and enjoyment factor.

This course is in great danger - ironic that in the year it made 'the top 200 golf courses' was also the year that the proposed route of the new high speed rail link was announced and disects the course.Unless the opposition is effective, it will be WHGC RIP.

This once was a beautiful course and deserves the accolades awarded here.Unfortunately a great deal of the forestation has been removed much to the detriment of the course. Tree removal is understandable if they damage the tees and greens by starving them of light and nutrients. But this goes far beyond that with whole swathes of tress, many of them substantial, removed adjacent to fareways.The unique definition of each of the holes has been lost. No longer a gem I'm afraid.

I did'nt know what to expect from this course, but was greeted with a pleasant suprise. This is a really nice, traditional course that is pretty challenging but not too long. I think this could be in the top 100 in England, although maybe I should play a few more courses before stating this. Loads of interesting holes here, particulalry the par threes and some of the short par fours. Play it!

Played here (for the first time) on Thursday 21st May in a Society day I had organised. A real "hidden gem" that was in superb condition. The opening par 5 saw me standing on the tee looking at a fairway that from where I stood looked about as wide as a postage stamp! Some severe rough in places, and if you found yourself in it be prepared to drop a shot (or two). And the bunkers!! Loads of them, guarding every green from every angle. Played 27 holes and enjoyed every one of them (except the 5th which I messed up both times!) Some gorgeous sweeping fairways and the greens were nice and quick and evenly paced. Will defintely be going back to play again next year...there were 36 players in our Society and not one complaint. Everybody commented favourably on the condition of the course, the welcome in the clubhouse, etc.My only "negative" comment would be that a couple of holes see you hitting over the top (or very close) to other greens so you have to wait for them to clear before you can drive off. But a small price to pay to play here.Highly recommended

Whittington Heath (Barracks) is a good pick as a hidden gem. In fact the course wouldn’t be out of place at the bottom end of the Top 100 in the Isles. The terrain moves just enough to be interesting with fairways that are often crinkled so the ball can sit up or down to complicate matters. And because the fairways have this small movement, most of the greens have subtle little folds and rolls that take some skill in reading. Lots of quality golf here with the finishing stretch 12-18 being perhaps the best. All the par 3s are excellent and there’s a good mix of greens that encourage a shaped, run up shot. The only thing I didn’t like was a redone, pushed up, 6th green that sticks out like a sore thumb. The course would benefit greatly from tree felling to get the HEATH back in Whittington.

I'd never heard of Whittington Heath and I decided to visit this course after it was added to this website and I like playing the hidden, less well known courses.This is a just a super course, very understated but a truly memorable experience and great value for money. It's not the longest track, but it's a challenge finding the well-guarded greens. I'd definatley like to come back here and play it again, it's such a relaxing experience.