Best Golf Courses in Surrey

Sunningdale Old Course in Surrey.

What are the best golf courses in Surrey? Golf World’s Top 100 panel has its say on the county that dominates our English courses ranking.

Surrey almost warrants it own dedicated Top 100 ranking. Comfortably England’s finest golfing county, as shown by its dominance in our Top 100 Courses in England ranking, it is, without doubt, the county with the highest concentration of quality golf courses and one of the finest golfing areas in the world.

Home to the finest heathlands and the DP World Tour’s flagship event, you could spend three weeks in Surrey and play a golf course that’ll live long in the memory every single day.

A round at a course in the upper echelons of this list will cost you a pretty penny, but there is quality throughout this list with something for everyone.

But why should you trust our ranking? Well, the Golf World Top 100 panel has been ranking the finest courses in England for decades and has the most comprehensive knowledge in the game. Using a combination of our current rankings and their experience in each county, the team has produced a comprehensive list of the best golf courses in every English county.

We welcome your feedback on all of our rankings and know that everyone will have an opinion on their favourite’s position. We’d love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

And, once you’ve enjoyed this ranking, please do take a look at some of our others – including the best courses in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Europe.

Chris Bertram, Golf World Top 100 Editor

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Britain and Ireland

The Best Golf Courses in Surrey

1. Sunningdale (Old)

Half the panel would have the Old as their No.1, which the marks confirm. This Willie Park and Harry Colt design among pine and heather has more than stood the test of time – make no mistake it remains a very fine examination for all amateurs.

The Old is a heavenly experience, as the great Bobby Jones said after playing it in 1926: “I wish I could take this course home with me.”

Not only is it our No.1 in Surrey, it’s also our No.2 in England and No.13 in our ranking of the best courses in the world (that you can actually play).

2. Sunningdale (New)

It opens and closes in a sedate manner, but in between it matches its higher-ranked sister. Some on the panel think it better and certainly it is at least as challenging, if that is what you prefer.

Arguably more consistent from 2-17 than the Old, and in the sporty 7th you have one of England’s finest holes. 

3. St George’s Hill

Travels up and down in an entertaining figure-of-eight formation and always exudes a refined elegance which Harry Colt was a master at creating.

A decade ago, SGH was just outside the top 20 of our Top 100 England… now it is just outside the top 10. We are sure this is an accurate reflection of this heathland’s allure.

4. Walton Heath (Old)

Incorporates more humps and hollows than many of its heathland counterparts – a quirky element that will appeal to many. The 4th, 12th and 16th are epic and the Old’s heathland panoramas are an absolute delight.

It’s only 7th in our England ranking, which feels low for a course of this majesty… but speaks volumes about the class of the courses above it.

5. Woking

The best green complexes among England’s heathlands. The beautiful mix of sand, pines and heather. The 4th… where strategy was born.

At 16th in our Top 100 England ranking, Woking is now in the position it deserves to be. The Woking member is a lucky golfer indeed…

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Hertfordshire

6. Hankley Common

Magnificent, largely open heathland which is a joy to play all year round. Set in glorious isolation, heather stretches as far as the eye can see and when in full bloom there are few more picturesque places to play inland.

Wonderful, springy fairways and scoreable if you can avoid the heather from the tee.

7. Wentworth (West)

Tough from any tee, but the latest iteration has made it more playable to ensure it is an alluring prospect again – and don’t underestimate the thrill of playing holes you know from seeing them so often on TV.

An excellent strategic test and though not a heathland again yet, the feel is returning.

8. Worplesdon

“A glorious walk, always immaculately presented,” said one panellist. “Truly delightful. A beautiful and traditional course I could happily play every day,” said another. You get the idea.

This traditional heathland is renovating its bunkers and encouraging heather, too.

9. West Hill

Often vastly underrated, this heathland provides entertainment of all kinds from start to finish, with the par-4 3rd, 14th and 18th and par-3 15th as tough as you like, balanced by four further par 3s and some drive-and-pitch holes to offer birdie chances.

Far from the poor relation of the ‘Three Ws’.

10. The Addington

It will be fascinating to see where The Addington places in our updated England ranking later in 2022. By then, the Mike Clayton and Frank Pont overhaul of this JF Abercromby classic will be complete.

It has so much potential and we love it anyway, so we have high hopes. Just so much fun to be had on this heathland’s undulating terrain.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Nottinghamshire

11. Walton Heath (New)

Like its higher-ranked sister the Old, the New was designed by Herbert Fowler – opening as a nine-holer initially.

It begins in relatively sedate fashion and that costs it a little in the consistency stakes. But after that the New is arguably more fun and definitely more playable – so, plenty to like.

12. Wentworth (East)

“I suspect most Wentworth members prefer the East to the West, for its unusual and attractive mix of par 4s which are either temptingly short or testingly long,” says one panellist.

It is more of a traditional heathland than the much-changed West, and all the better for that. High-calibre stuff.

13. New Zealand

Topography not as exciting as other heaths, but a very playable pine and heather course that is a step back in time in every sense, including the fabulous locker rooms.

Benefiting from a refurbishment by Frank Pont, further planned tree clearance around the turn will enhance it even more.

14. Hindhead

The front nine is up there with some of the best of this entire list, being set down in a valley sculpted by a glacier in the Ice Age. That results in lots of elevation change and a thrilling rather than sedate heathland unlike some of its Surrey sisters. Back nine is less exciting, but still highly enjoyable.

15. Tandridge

Yet another enduring piece of work by Harry Colt. He created Tandridge in 1924 and the club’s been actively nurturing the course back towards what he bestowed on it almost a century ago.

Two distinct nines, the second half enjoying the most adventurous land after a more subtle front nine. 

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Yorkshire

16. Camberley Heath

Built on open heath and although now surrounded by houses and pines, it has improved a lot in recent years thanks to a worthy restoration. Very playable with a number of good short par 4s and a scenic collection of par 3s.

The extent of England’s heathland portfolio is truly remarkable.

17. Coombe Hill

With a gorgeous landscape for a course, Coombe Hill has been skilfully routed on an undulating site by the brilliant JF Abercromby, a man so adept at using terrain with flair.

This Surrey woodland has hints of heath about it as you play among oaks, rhododendrons and some heather.

18. Effingham

The Mackenzie & Ebert renovation of this Harry Colt downland course got it into our English ranking last time and it has stayed there two years on.

Sits atop the North Downs’ chalky subsoil, so offers firm surfaces all year round. The bunkering is now terrific and a good variety of holes.

19. Royal Wimbledon

Maybe one of the best selections of par 3s in Surrey. Remodelling is taking place this winter that could see it threaten the English Top 100.

20. Foxhills (Longcross)

The Longcross has been on our England list since 2015 – a superb achievement considering the uber-competitive nature of that ranking.

This is a classic in among the greats. If it wasn’t surrounded by so many of England’s best courses, it would stand out more. Accuracy off the tee is the priority with undulating fairways lined by Scots pine, beech and silver birch. A bunker and green restoration would see it fly.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Hampshire

21. The Wisley (Church & Mill) 

A very American feel. Big holes with length to challenge tour players. Sensational greens and beautiful landscaping thanks to its Royal Horticultural Society neighbour.

22. Royal Mid-Surrey (J.H. Taylor)

This J.H. Taylor design means that a fairly flat layout becomes something rather nice, ‘links-style’ mini-dunes and bunkers along the fairways creating some visual quality. 

23. West Surrey 

A 1910 Herbert Fowler layout with brilliant green sites. Has gone from strength to strength since being comprehensively upgraded with USGA-spec greens and a fairway watering system 20 years ago.

24. Reigate Heath 

Quirky and beautiful nine-hole heathland with a rustic feel as it runs through public land. Founded in 1895, it plays around a hillside and the par 3s are key to a good score. Some of the strongest heathland holes across this list. Nine is never enough here.

25. Burhill (Old) 

Winding between mature trees with small greens, this Willie Park classic is a step back in time. It’s currently entering the early stages of a bunker renovation.

26. Wentworth (Edinburgh)

The Duke of Edinburgh opened Wentworth’s third course, originally designed by John Jacobs and later re-worked by Gary Player, in 1990. Some enjoy it more than its siblings.

27. West Byfleet 

A beautiful course over the road from New Zealand. Some magical holes. It goes under the radar, but a Mackenzie & Ebert restoration has strengthened its standing. Just over 6,200 yards, but with tight fairways and fast greens, it is a very tough test.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Norfolk

28. Farnham 

Also known as ‘The Sands’. Slightly more muted architecturally but its holes – stretched across sandy terrain, woodlands, grasslands and heather – would be revered in all other counties in England. Founded in 1896, but extended to 18 in 1904.

29. Sunningdale Heath 

Harry Colt’s little beauty – 3,705 yards, par 58 – might have the most fun routing in this list. Once solely the home of Sunningdale Ladies – the late Queen Mother was club captain in 1932 – it can now be enjoyed by all.

30. Cuddington

A solid design with obvious Harry Colt bunkering. Recent changes are taking time to bed in but it’s impressively taking it back to the original layout, with lots of trees being removed and rough framing the holes. Fast greens and fast downland fairways.

31. Guildford 

The county’s oldest club (1886) is a splendid, short downland on Merrow Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Redesigned by J.H. Taylor and provides stunning views of the capital.

32 Addington Palace 

Noted for its greens… they are some of the fastest you will encounter. The layout is solid.

33. Woodcote Park 

A part parkland, part downland hybrid produced by Woodcote Grove Estates Ltd in 1912, with the opening marked by an exhibition match involving James Braid and Harry Vardon.

34. Banstead Downs 

A James Braid downland course dating back to 1890. Magnificent London views. Memorable holes include the 2nd and 11th. 

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Kent

35. RAC (Old) 

A lovely parkland that has undergone major work around the bunkering and has made some large improvements. 

36. Kingswood

A James Braid parkland where tree-lined fairways require accuracy off the tee and on approach. Always in good condition. 

37. Foxhills (Bernard Hunt)

Slightly more open than the Longcross, making it feel less demanding off the tee, albeit it is a tad longer from the tips. There is a not huge difference between the two in terms of design and condition.

38. Tyrrells Wood 

An undulating James Braid parkland from 1924 with a spectacular Grade II listed mansion clubhouse. Both nines start with dramatic downhillers.

39. Betchworth Park 

A Harry Colt parkland that has been entertaining golfers since 1911 in what were once the grounds of Betchworth Castle. The 6,314-yard, par 69 course provides splendid views of Box Hill and across the Mole Valley.

40. Burhill (New) 

Simon Gidman’s 2001 layout is a longer contrast to the neighbouring Old and finishes with a par 3 over the River Mole to a green just yards from the gorgeous Georgian mansion clubhouse.

41. Puttenham

Picturesque parkland nestling in the foothills just off the A31. It has benefited from Donald Steel creating five new holes with the new layout opening in 1990.

42. Croham Hurst

A delightful parkland founded in 1911 and designed by Fred Hawtree and James Braid on free-draining chalk in gently rolling countryside two miles from central Croydon. It has a slippery set of greens.

43. Surbiton 

A historic parkland created by Tom Dunn when it was founded in 1895 in the heart of suburbia. Ryder Cup legend Dai Rees was assistant club pro here in the 1930s.

44. Pyrford

Peter Alliss-Clive Clark design which opened in 1993, it winds through ancient woodland and features 23 acres of lakes. Water features on 17 holes.

45. Shirley Park

Varied Herbert Fowler parkland within 130 acres of rolling countryside. Star holes include the par-3 7th and 13th, and a risk-reward finale featuring the only water hazard.

RELATED: Best Golf Courses in Fife

46. Bramley

Two miles south of Guildford, this 1913 James Braid parkland sits amid the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Weighs in at just under 6,000 yards and features testing back-to-back short holes on the front nine, including the 204-yard 3rd.

47. Richmond

Lovely parkland nine miles from central London. Originally the work of Tom Dunn, the 6,091-yard layout is cagily challenging, with the six par 3s averaging 182 yard and all overlooked by a gorgeous early-Georgian mansion clubhouse.

48. Purley Downs

Terrific 1904 J.H. Taylor downland with lots to offer. It is situated on chalk (so playable year-round), 500ft above sea level, providing sensational London views. Opens with a cracking 160-yard short hole.

49. Selsdon Park

A gently undulating J.H. Taylor parkland plotted within 250 acres of rolling terrain, featuring nine par 4s, five par 5s and a memorable par-3 penultimate hole from an elevated tee across a valley.

50. Gatton Manor

Commander John D. Harris created this woodland in the late 1960s, taking advantage of streams and lakes while mature trees flank most fairways. Water on 10 holes!

A few more Surrey courses for your consideration…

Hampton Court Palace, Windlesham, Silvermere, Drift, Wimbledon Common, Royal Mid-Surrey (Pam Barton), Chobham, RAC (Coronation), Milford, Mitcham.

READ NEXT: Golf World Top 100 Links Courses in Britain and Ireland