The Wisley is an exclusive Member’s Club where you need an invitation to play the 27 hole course which consists of three separate nines, we played the Church and the Mill nines. Although now over 30 years old, you still play Millionaire’s golf over this perfectly manicured terrain which is peaceful, charming and yet a serious test of one’s golfing ability. Back in 1991 when the Wisley opened for play with a green-keeper for every hole, I remember it being given the status of a totally private golf course and, if I remember correctly, was the first such course in the UK. Today it has been joined by a least 3 others, two of which are also nearby in the affluent county of Surrey.

The course is flat parkland with lots of water hazards, clever bunkering and super fast greens. The fairways are quite wide although do narrow considerably as the green gets nearer. We started on the Church nine and it was difficult not to get overawed by the beautiful layout and golfing challenges on the opening holes. I had settled down by the time we reached the Mill nine and even achieved four pars on this stretch of holes.

We played on a clear summer’s day and the course maintenance was faultless which unfortunately was not the case for our golf. The toughest hole is Church number 5 a 400 yard par four where you have to clear water at nearly 200 yards from the tee and then again just before a raised green. The two par fives on the Mill nine at 15 and 17 are in my view the best holes, 15 has a lengthy drive over vegetation and water, before a hazardous approach over more water to a green slightly tilted, while 17 doglegs right before a more conventional shot to a big green, again over a stream.

I found the golf holes very good throughout rather than exceptional, but the whole experience is first class in all respects, including practice facilities and a clubhouse that befit this magnificent setting.