Hampshire sits on one of England's great seams of heathland, the heather, gorse and silver birch sand belt that produced Liphook, North Hants and Blackmoor, plus a rare south coast links at Hayling. For a county an hour from London it punches far above its weight. Here are the seven we rate most highly, ranked.
Photograph: Liphook Golf Club, via Google
Hampshire's golf is defined by its soil. A band of free draining heath and chalk runs through the county, and on it sit a cluster of early twentieth century courses by the masters of the heathland school, Harry Colt, James Braid, Willie Park Jr and Arthur Croome. We weighed design quality, conditioning, pedigree and how rewarding each is for a traveling golfer, and we made room for the contrast of a true links and a chalk downland course alongside the heaths.
Every designer and opening year here was checked at the time of writing. Most of these clubs are private members courses that welcome visitors on weekdays, and we say so. The verdicts and the order are ours. If you want a Hampshire day or a longer southern England trip built and costed, that is what our concierge does.
The best course in a strong county, an Arthur Croome heathland gem on fast, sandy turf where the ball runs and the heather punishes the wayward. Two of England's finest short holes anchor a round that golfers fall for quickly, and a regular place in the national top 100 rankings confirms the verdict. Walkable, natural and beautifully maintained, it is the must play of any Hampshire trip and welcomes visitors on most weekdays.
The only true links between Rye and the West Country, a Tom Simpson design on Hayling Island with superb fescue turf, flourishing heather and gorse, and a variety of holes that get better as the round goes on. It sits high in the rankings of English courses and Britain and Ireland links, and the wind off the Solent gives it teeth. A genuine seaside test and the perfect counterpoint to the county's heathland.
Justin Rose's boyhood club at Fleet, a wonderful heathland course set among pine and silver birch, laid out by James Braid in 1904 and reshaped by Harry Colt in 1913. Large greens and a run of strong par fours reward good ball striking, and the conditioning is reliably excellent. One of the finest courses in the south of England and a regular host of high level amateur golf.
A Harry Colt classic on mesmeric heathland near Bordon, with holes crafted among pines, birch and oak over tight turf and white sand bunkers. Colt laid it out in two loops of nine, and while it is a modest 6,200 yards, the obstacles lining the fairways make it plenty tricky, with a set of exquisite par threes. A pure example of the architect's art and a joy to walk.
A woodland delight on the edge of the New Forest, another Harry Colt design dating to 1919 with heathland properties and glorious views. At about 6,240 yards it is not long, but the trees, the streams and the clever routing demand position and thought rather than power. Quiet, characterful and beautifully kept, it is one of the most enjoyable rounds in the south and an easy pairing with Liphook or Blackmoor.
A Willie Park Jr design on the edge of Southampton, opened in 1908 with an exhibition match between J H Taylor and James Braid, and laid out over undulating ground that mixes heath and parkland. Mature, varied and historically significant, it remains one of the best courses in the area and a club with a real sense of the game's roots. A rewarding, accessible round close to the city.
High on the chalk downs above Winchester, Hockley is a free draining James Braid design from 1914 with big views and firm, year round turf. The open downland setting gives it a different feel from the county's wooded heaths, with the wind a constant factor and the greens running true in most weather. A reliable, scenic round that plays well when the heathland courses are soft.
Designers, opening years and yardages verified June 2026 from club sources. Most welcome visitors on weekdays at a green fee; access and rates change seasonally, so always confirm directly before booking. Read our Liphook profile, or check tee time availability.
Tell us which of these heaths and links you want to play and roughly when, and one concierge arranges the tee times, the order and a base, and costs the day or the trip to the head, with no obligation.
Liphook is widely regarded as the best course in Hampshire, an Arthur Croome heathland design on fast sandy turf with two of England's finest short holes and a regular place in the national top 100. Hayling, the county's great links, and North Hants, Justin Rose's boyhood club, lead the chasing pack.
Most welcome visitors on weekdays with a tee time booked in advance, often with restrictions at weekends when members play. Green fees vary by course and season. It is best to book ahead, especially in spring and autumn when the heathland is at its finest, and to confirm dress and buggy policy with each club.
Hampshire sits on a rich seam of heather, gorse and silver birch sand belt country, which gives it some of England's best heathland golf at Liphook, North Hants, Blackmoor and Brokenhurst Manor. It also has a genuine links at Hayling and chalk downland at Hockley, so a trip can mix three contrasting styles within an hour.
Late spring and early autumn are ideal, when the heathland is firm, the heather is in color and the courses drain well. The sandy and chalk soils mean Hampshire plays well year round, including winter when heavier parkland courses elsewhere are wet, though the links at Hayling is at its windiest in the colder months.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and yardages verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.