Plan Your Perfect Southern England Golf Escape with These Six Courses

So, Southern England—yeah, it’s got everything. Heathland that feels almost alive, parkland that’s…well, picture rolling fields dappled with sunlight, and even a slice of proper seaside links if you hunt for it. I mean, you could totally organise it yourself (and maybe you have, fair play), but there’s something quite freeing—perhaps even indulgent—about letting someone like Halcyon Golf Travel stitch together a truly bespoke golf trip for you. You just turn up, find your tee time, and let the rest sort itself out—no spreadsheets, no stress, just you and the fairways.

1. Hankley common golf club: surrey’s under‑the‑radar heathland

Now, Hankley Common isn’t shouting “play me” from the rooftops, but give it a go and you’ll see why it’s quietly brilliant. It started as a plucky nine‑holer in 1897—imagine that—and then James Braid, yes that James Braid, said, “Let’s stretch this out.” Suddenly you’ve got 18 holes winding through heather, rowan, even silver birch—Scots pine creeping in like it owns the place. It’s springy, firm, and honestly, I half‑swear I felt seaside vibes despite being inland. Bobby Locke compared it to a links—how’s that for praise?

The 7th hole, a par‑3 of around 180 yards, just…well, it nudges at your confidence. Pick the wrong club and you’re in the rough faster than you can mutter “oh dear.” And the 18th? You’ve got a gully right before the green that makes you rethink every shot. It’s a proper “keep you honest” finish—no frills, just that delicious tension.

Where to flop afterwards

• Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa: think country‑house grandeur, a spa that might actually fix your back, and dinners that make you question if you ever really enjoyed steak before.
• The Bel & The Dragon in Churt: snug rooms, low ceilings, friendly pub chatter—ideal if you fancy something less precious.

A random detour

On a clear evening, wander off the beaten path into the heathland. You might hear a nightjar—if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one. Or, if that’s not your jam, jump on a 30‑minute train to London for, oh, a museum run or a spontaneous theatre matinee. Totally your call.

2. Prince’s golf club: kent’s quirky coastal gem

Prince’s sits cheek by jowl with Royal St George’s—so you get that championship aura the moment you arrive. But don’t let it intimidate you; it’s got its own personality. In 1932 Gene Sarazen turned up with a brand‑new sand iron and, well, history was made. I mean, how many courses can boast that kind of backstory?

There are three nines: Shore (think sea breeze, sandy hollows), Dunes (cliffs on one side, smack‑dab scenic), and the oddly named Himalayas, which—no kidding—feels like it climbs ever so subtly inland. Tackling Shore first, you might feel a bit exposed: the sea’s right there, tides ebbing and flowing below. Then you pop back to the clubhouse, grab a cuppa, and convince yourself you can conquer Dunes or Himalayas next. That double‑green on Himalayas—shared by the 4th and 8th—makes you think, “Brilliant idea,” until you three‑putt. Happens to the best of us.

Crash pad
The Lodge at Prince’s: modern decor but somehow warm, with windows looking toward Sandwich Bay. You’ll find the tea‑making bits oddly comforting—because golf and tea are basically inseparable, right?

If you veer off course
Sandwich itself is like stepping into a history book: timber‑framed houses, cobbled lanes. Grab fish and chips by the water, then—if you’ve still got energy—drive twenty minutes to Canterbury and stare up at that cathedral until you remember you came for golf (sort of).

3. Royal cinque ports golf club: deal’s tide‑tested links

Alright, Deal—officially Royal Cinque Ports, but who’s ever called it that in conversation? Picture a course with salty air whispering around you, dunes playing hardball with every drive, and a tide that once nicked the fairways so badly the Open had to pack up and go elsewhere. That was 1938 and ‘49, by the way—high tide really can laugh at a scorecard.

Founded in 1892 and kissed with royal patronage by King George V in 1910, Royal Cinque Ports still feels like a survivor. The out‑and‑back routing means you head out along the coast, tongue‑in‑cheek bunkers daring you to stray, then loop back into the wind. The punchbowl 3rd green? Pure delight. The 16th, a 549‑yard beast, is less about brute length and more about…well, persistence. Henry Cotton named it among England’s top eighteen, and honestly, it lives up to the hype—if your approach lands on that elevated green, you’ll feel like you’ve earned it.

Crash pad options
Deal town has cosy B&Bs with period décor—think chintz and chipped teacups but in the best possible way. If you want something fancier, there are a handful of boutique stays by the sea offering proper seaview rooms (and probably a heated towel rail).

Might as well…
When you’ve finished your round, wander up to Dover Castle—visible from the course, no less—and imagine medieval skirmishes. Then retreat to a local pub for seafood and a pint; it’s practically the local prescription for post‑golf bliss.

4. Sunningdale golf club: berkshire’s dual delights

Sunningdale—where else can you tee off twice and still be surprised? The Old Course and the New Course sit side by side, batting back‑and‑forth creative quirks like an architectural ping‑pong match. The Old is Willie Park Jr.’s early 1900s brainchild, six‑plus thousand yards of rolling heathland with big, undulating greens that feel a bit like puzzle boxes. Then Colt came in and sprinkled his fairy dust—repositioned greens here, tucked tee boxes there—and voilà, you’ve got a course that once saw Bobby Jones record a “perfect” 66 (33 on the front, 33 on the back, no blow‑ups).

The New Course, opened in 1923, is often whispered about as Colt’s pièce de résistance. Five par‑3s that toy with your head, fairways lined with heather like an obstacle course, and that top‑ten UK ranking shouting “play me.” I’ll be honest—I’m sometimes torn between the two courses. Old Course feels historic, full of ghosts and stories at every bunker. New Course feels fresher, yet every bit as fiendish.

Where to hang your hat
You’re deep in Berkshire countryside, so options range from hearty inns serving local ales to spa‑focused retreats like Pennyhill Park or The Vineyard at Stockcross. Either way, expect cosy lounges and big breakfasts.

Side quests
If you’re not nursing a sore swing, pop over to Windsor Castle—or at least its environs—and remind yourself there’s a whole royal life beyond golf. Then, back home for dinner featuring local game or a cheeky roast.

5. Wentworth club: surrey’s trophy‑laden estate

Wentworth feels like walking into golf’s VIP lounge. The West Course has hosted the BMW PGA Championship more times than I’ve had Sunday roasts, and legends—Player, Ballesteros, Faldo—have all left their footprints there. Originally Colt’s design in the 1920s, it’s now got a fresh makeover by Ernie Els Design, with green‑airing tech that sounds like sci‑fi (SubAir keeps your putting surfaces just so).

The 17th hole is a classic risk‑reward: you can go big over the water, or bail and chip in for a safe par. And that 18th? Drama on demand, especially when crowds line the fairway during tour events. But you’re here on a quieter day, so soak it in: tree‑lined corridors, strategic bunkers, and an atmosphere that whispers “history.”

Luxury around the corner
Members might have debentures north of £200,000, but you’ve got options too—estate lodges with sleek interiors, or nearby hotels that cater to the business and golf crowd. Either way, you’ll feel a touch of exclusivity.

If curiosity bites
Stroll through Windsor Great Park—deer might eye you suspiciously—or pop into nearby Virginia Water for a lakeside wander. And yes, I know it’s “Virginia” in Surrey, but trust me, it feels thoroughly English.

6. Woodbury park hotel & golf club: devon’s parkland prize

Finally, Devon—where you swap coastal winds for woodland whispers. Woodbury Park’s The Oaks course threads through mature trees and glittering lakes, a neat six‑870 yards of parkland challenge. Nigel Mansell once owned the joint, and there’s a locker marked “Greg Norman” if you fancy a selfie (I did, don’t judge).

The par‑3 18th with its near‑island green is like a miniature thriller: take your medicine, or swim back to the tee. Meanwhile, water comes into play on several holes, so you’re juggling lakeside dramas with undulating fairways. It’s fun, in that really satisfying “Oops, I wet my ball” kind of way.

Home base
The hotel’s 56 rooms feel fresh and comfy, and the five Swiss‑style lodges look like hobbit cottages—only posh and with hot tubs. The spa and leisure centre could easily fill a day if your swing needs downtime.

Stick around for…
Devon’s natural beauty is the real showstopper. A quick drive lands you on the Jurassic Coast for cliff‑top walks, or in Exeter for cathedral grandeur and proper Devon cream tea. Honestly, it’s a neat way to round off a golf holiday—fresh air, history, and scones.