Royal Mid-Surrey
Royal Mid-Surrey occupies the historic Old Deer Park at Richmond upon Thames, a flat riverside meadow where golf has been played since the 1890s. Its great figure is John Henry Taylor, of the Great Triumvirate, long the club's professional, whose famous humps and hollows turn level ground into a thinking golfer's test, ten minutes from central London.
Photo: Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Royal Mid-Surrey occupies the historic Old Deer Park at Richmond upon Thames, a flat stretch of meadow beside the river where two parkland courses, the J.H. Taylor and the Pam Barton, have been played since the 1890s. Its great figure is John Henry Taylor, one of the Great Triumvirate of Taylor, Vardon and Braid, who served as professional here for decades and shaped the course into something far more interesting than its level ground suggests.
The principal course, long known as the Outer and now named the J.H. Taylor in his honor, is a par 69 of about 6,318 yards. Taylor's signature was the famous humps and hollows he built to give character to the flat terrain, mounding that frames fairways and greens and turns a gentle site into a thinking golfer's test. King George V granted the club royal status in 1926, and a round here is a step into the deep history of English golf, ten minutes from central London under the Heathrow flightpath.
Royal Mid-Surrey at a glance
- Opened
- 1890s
- Designer
- J.H. Taylor
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 69
- Yardage
- About 6,318 yds
- Royal status
- 1926
Era, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and recognized golf sources. The principal J.H. Taylor course, formerly the Outer, is a par 69 of about 6,318 yards, shaped by five time Open champion J.H. Taylor, who was professional here from the 1890s. King George V granted royal status in 1926. Visitor green fees are by arrangement and change by day and season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The J.H. Taylor course defends itself with length on its two shot holes rather than tricks. Seven of the par 4s stretch beyond 400 yards and a pair of the par 3s run past 200, so par 69 is a stern number and the card flatters no one. Tree lined fairways, well placed sand and the occasional water hazard keep the driver honest on the flat, open ground.
Taylor's humps and hollows are the course's calling card, subtle mounding around greens and along fairways that throws off the eye, gathers a loose shot into trouble and asks for precise distance control on the approach. The greens are true and the parkland turf runs firm in summer, so the ground game and the angles matter more than the level land first suggests.
Walkable and central, with deep history in the clubhouse and the river and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew close by, Royal Mid-Surrey is one of the most accessible pieces of golfing heritage in the capital, a genuine championship pedigree within sight of the London skyline.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club that welcomes visitors and societies by prior arrangement; two courses, the J.H. Taylor and the shorter Pam Barton |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees are by arrangement and vary by day and season; contact the club for current rates. Always confirm before booking |
| Season | Year round parkland, well drained beside the Thames; firmest and best in late spring and summer |
| On the day | Walkable; smart dress and a handicap certificate are expected; check visitor days and tee availability in advance |
| Getting there | At Old Deer Park, Richmond, beside the A316, about ten minutes from Richmond station and easily reached from central London and Heathrow |
Access, season and the by arrangement nature of visitor green fees verified June 2026 from the club and recognized golf sources; rates and visitor days change through the year, so always confirm the current rate and any restrictions directly before booking. Prefer it arranged for you? Use our tee time enquiry to have a concierge secure the round.
Where to stay nearby
Richmond upon Thames is one of London's most appealing districts, so a stay here is as much about the riverside town as the golf, with characterful hotels and inns near the green, Richmond Park and the Thames towpath all within walking distance.
Royal Mid-Surrey pairs naturally with the great heathland courses of Surrey and Berkshire a short drive west, and with the historic clubs around London, for a trip that mixes championship golf with the museums, dining and theatre of the capital. Few courses combine real golfing history and big city convenience so neatly.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Royal Mid-Surrey.
Build a London golf trip
We secure the Royal Mid-Surrey tee times, pair them with the great heathland courses west of London and book the hotels around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Royal Mid-Surrey questions
Who designed Royal Mid-Surrey?
The courses at Royal Mid-Surrey are tied to John Henry Taylor, the five time Open champion and one of the Great Triumvirate, who was professional at the club for many years from the 1890s. He created the famous humps and hollows that give the flat Old Deer Park its character, and the principal course now bears his name.
Why is it called Royal Mid-Surrey?
King George V conferred royal status on the club in 1926, when his son the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, became captain. The club has occupied the historic Old Deer Park at Richmond since the 1890s.
What is the par and length of the J.H. Taylor course?
The J.H. Taylor course, formerly the Outer, is a par 69 measuring about 6,318 yards. With seven par 4s beyond 400 yards and two long par 3s, the modest par makes it a sterner test than the flat parkland ground first suggests.
Can visitors play Royal Mid-Surrey?
Yes. Royal Mid-Surrey is a private members club that welcomes visitors and societies by prior arrangement. Green fees vary by day and season and smart dress and a handicap certificate are expected, so always confirm current rates, visitor days and availability directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Era, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; visitor green fees are by arrangement with the club. Last reviewed June 2026.