Hindhead
Laid out by the five-time Open champion J.H. Taylor in 1904, Hindhead is one of the most spectacular settings in English heathland golf. A par 70 of roughly 6,350 yards, it winds through deep heather valleys before climbing to high, open ground with views across the Surrey countryside, a course of real drama from start to finish.
Photo: Hindhead Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Hindhead ranks among the best of Britain's heathland courses, and a single look from the high ground tells you why. Founded in 1904 by a group of enthusiasts that included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the club sits in a glorious fold of the Surrey hills near the Devil's Punch Bowl, the kind of natural amphitheater that the great early architects dreamed of working with.
The course was laid out by J.H. Taylor, who opened twelve holes first and completed the full eighteen a year later with an exhibition match against James Braid. Taylor used the terrain rather than fighting it. The result is a layout of two halves, an intimate run through enclosed valleys followed by a climb to open, breezy high ground, that asks for every kind of shot and rewards the golfer who can read a sloping lie.
Hindhead at a glance
- Opened
- 1904
- Design
- J.H. Taylor
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- ~6,350 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026 from Hindhead Golf Club and leading course databases. Hindhead opened in 1904, laid out by J.H. Taylor, a par 70 of roughly 6,350 yards. Hindhead welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The front nine is the more sheltered half, threading through heathland valleys where heather and pine crowd the fairways and the tee shot has to find the floor of each fold to give a clear sight of the green. It is intimate, intricate golf, and the changes in level mean you are rarely playing from a flat lie.
The back nine is the contrast. The course climbs to higher, more open ground where the wind has its say and the views open out across the Surrey hills toward the South Downs. Length matters more here, the holes feel bigger, and the closing stretch back down toward the clubhouse leaves a lasting impression of a course that has used a remarkable piece of land to the full.
Above all, Hindhead is a course you remember for its setting. The heather glows purple in late summer, the air is clean on the high holes, and the sense of being among the best of the Surrey sand belt, near Woking and West Hill, is complete.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members' club that welcomes visiting golfers and societies on selected days outside member competitions; advance booking through the club is essential |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 75 to 130 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the Hindhead office; many visitors combine it with the Surrey heath courses around Woking |
| On the day | Smart golf dress on course and in the clubhouse; the routing involves real climbs, so it is a proper heathland walk; trolleys available |
| Getting there | Off the A3 at Hindhead in Surrey, near the Devil's Punch Bowl, about 50 minutes southwest of London by road |
| Best months | Heathland plays firm much of the year; late summer brings the heather into full color and the high holes are at their best in settled weather |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Hindhead sits in the southern Surrey hills near Haslemere and Guildford, well placed for a trip built around the wider Surrey sand belt rather than the club on its own.
The natural pairing is with the heathland cluster a little to the north, taking in Woking, West Hill and Worplesdon, with the parkland of The Wisley close by, so a group can string together several of England's best inland courses over a few days.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Hindhead.
Build a Surrey golf trip
We arrange tee times at Hindhead and across the Surrey heath, pair them with the best parkland nearby, and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Hindhead questions
When did Hindhead Golf Club open and who designed it?
Hindhead opened in 1904, laid out by five-time Open champion J.H. Taylor. Twelve holes were ready first, with the full eighteen completed and opened a year later by an exhibition match between Taylor and James Braid.
What is the par and length of Hindhead?
Hindhead plays to a par of 70 over roughly 6,350 yards, a heathland course whose dramatic valley holes and elevated back nine make it feel longer than the card.
Can visitors play Hindhead Golf Club?
Yes. Hindhead is a members' club that welcomes visiting golfers and societies on selected days; book in advance through the club and confirm the current rate before you travel.
What is Hindhead Golf Club like to play?
The front nine winds through enclosed heathland valleys lined with heather and pine, while the back nine climbs to higher, more open ground with long views over the Surrey countryside.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.