Hankley Common Golf Club #12

Nestled in the heart of Surrey lies one of England’s most captivating heathland golf courses: Hankley Common Golf Club. Recently ranked 58th in the UK and Ireland’s top 100 golf courses, this magnificent venue delivers an experience that arguably deserves an even higher position.

Approaching Hankley Common, you might be forgiven for feeling a touch of trepidation. The course’s website emphasizes pace of play repeatedly, and warnings about heather and narrow fairways could make any golfer nervous. However, these concerns quickly dissipate upon arrival. Rather than the expected tight, punishing layout, what greets you is a spacious, breathtaking golfing landscape that feels both challenging and eminently playable.

The visual spectacle at Hankley Common is simply extraordinary. Visiting in August provides the added bonus of seeing the heather in full bloom, creating stunning purple channels along immaculately maintained fairways. The contrast between the pristine white sand bunkers, lush green fairways, and the purple heather creates an almost surreal beauty that many have compared to playing golf in Portugal or Spain rather than the UK. The Scottish Pines that frame many holes add further character, standing tall and proud throughout the course.

What separates Hankley Common from many other prestigious venues is the remarkable attention to detail in its maintenance. The tee boxes are so perfectly manicured that one could almost putt across them. The greens, despite being recently aerated during our visit, remained true and receptive. Even with this maintenance work, the overall quality of the putting surfaces suggests they would be exceptionally fast and smooth in prime condition.

While the course is undoubtedly beautiful, it’s the thoughtful design that truly elevates Hankley Common. The layout features considerably more elevation changes than photos might suggest, adding both challenge and interest throughout the round. The routing feels natural and perfectly paced – par 3s appear exactly when you’re ready for them, and each hole flows seamlessly into the next. There’s a remarkable variety of holes that demand different strategies and shot shapes, without ever resorting to gimmicks or manufactured difficulty.

The par 3 7th deserves special mention as potentially one of the finest short holes in British golf. Playing around 170-185 yards (depending on tees), it demands both accuracy and distance control, with stunning visuals that make it a true highlight of the round. Even experienced golfers find themselves captivated by this hole’s perfect blend of challenge and beauty.

Beyond the course itself, Hankley Common offers excellent facilities. The clubhouse exudes class without pretension – it’s welcoming rather than intimidating. The locker rooms are spacious and well-appointed, complete with shoe cleaning brushes and complimentary toiletries. The bar and restaurant areas feature innovative display tables showcasing club trophies under glass, and the terrace offers spectacular views across the course, particularly of the 4th green.

For film enthusiasts, there’s an additional point of interest – Hankley Common borders the Skyfall estate from the James Bond film. From certain points on the course, particularly near the 12th or 13th tee, you can glimpse this famous location through the trees.

In conclusion, Hankley Common represents heathland golf at its finest. It offers a perfect balance of challenge, playability, beauty, and tranquility. When comparing it to other highly-ranked courses, many visitors place it among their top three golfing experiences – high praise indeed. For anyone seeking to experience the magic of Surrey’s heathland courses, Hankley Common should be near the top of their list. This is golf as it should be: natural, challenging, beautiful, and utterly captivating.