Walton Heath Old
Herbert Fowler laid out the Old Course in 1904 on high, open heathland south of London, and a century on it still plays like links golf moved inland: firm turf, an exposed plateau that catches the wind, and an unbroken sea of heather waiting for the loose shot. A par 72 to about 7,406 yards, it hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup and the 2023 AIG Women's Open.
Photo: Walton Heath Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Walton Heath is the heathland course that thinks it is a links. Herbert Fowler routed the Old Course in 1904 across a high, treeless common in the Surrey hills, and the exposure is the point: the wind has nothing to break it, the turf runs fast and firm, and the heather that lines every hole turns a slightly wayward drive into a lost ball and a dropped shot. It is a big, muscular, honest course that asks for control of flight and a willingness to play along the ground.
The pedigree matches the test. Walton Heath hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup, when the strongest American side ever assembled came to Surrey, and welcomed the world's best women for the 2023 AIG Women's Open. For a visiting golfer it is one of the most rewarding day trips out of London: a true championship layout, a wonderful old clubhouse, and a round that feels far wilder than its proximity to the city suggests.
Walton Heath Old at a glance
- Opened
- 1904
- Designer
- Herbert Fowler
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- To about 7,406 yds
- Green fee
- From about 175 to 350 pounds
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Walton Heath Golf Club and leading course databases. The Old Course was designed by Herbert Fowler and opened in 1904, a par 72 reaching about 7,406 yards from the championship tees and about 6,786 from the daily tees. Indicative 2026 visitor green fees run from around 175 pounds on a winter weekday to about 265 pounds on a summer weekend, with championship and premium days higher; these change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Old Course opens with a stretch that quickly tells you where you are: wide, firm fairways framed by heather, cross bunkers set on the diagonal, and greens that sit naturally on the rolling ground rather than being pushed up. Fowler used the contours and the wind as his defenses, and on a breezy day the course can play far longer than its card.
The heart of the round is its long, demanding two shotters and a superb set of par 3s that ask for a controlled flight into exposed greens. The famous 16th, a long par 4 with a deep cross bunker known as the Sahara guarding the approach, is the kind of hole that decided the 1981 Ryder Cup and still asks a brave, well struck second to find the putting surface.
The closing holes run back across the open heath with little shelter, so the wind and the heather have the final word. Walton Heath rewards the player who flights the ball down, plays the percentages off the tee and accepts that the ground game is part of the strategy. It gives back a pure, old fashioned championship test of golf within easy reach of London.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors, generally on weekdays, by advance booking with the golf shop |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 from about 175 pounds winter weekday to about 265 summer weekend; premium and championship days higher |
| Booking | Book well ahead through the golf shop; combine with the New Course for a 36 hole day |
| On the day | Walking is the tradition on firm heathland; caddies and trolleys available; smart golf dress required |
| Getting there | Walton on the Hill, Surrey, about 45 minutes from central London and close to the M25 |
| Best months | May to September for the firmest turf and longest daylight; the heath drains well year round |
Access arrangements and fees verified June 2026 from Walton Heath Golf Club; policies and rates change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers play Walton Heath as a day out from London, where the full range of hotels and dining is on the doorstep and the club is a straightforward drive down the A217 or off the M25. For a golf focused stay, the Surrey towns of Reigate, Epsom and Dorking sit minutes away and put you among the great heathland belt.
It is an ideal base for a Surrey and London heathland pilgrimage, pairing Walton Heath with the other classics of the sand belt. Build a few days around it and you can string together several of the best inland courses in England without a long transfer between rounds.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Walton Heath.
Build a Surrey heathland trip
We secure the Walton Heath tee times, pair them with the best of the Surrey sand belt 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.
Walton Heath questions
Who designed Walton Heath Old Course and when did it open?
The Old Course at Walton Heath was designed by Herbert Fowler and opened in 1904. Fowler routed it across high, open heathland south of London, and it remains one of the great early heathland designs in England.
What is the par and length of Walton Heath Old Course?
The Old Course is a par 72 that stretches to about 7,406 yards from the championship tees, with a more playable distance of around 6,786 yards from the daily tees.
Can visitors play Walton Heath Old Course?
Yes. Walton Heath is a members club that welcomes visitors on most weekdays through advance booking with the golf shop, subject to availability and a dress code. Green fees are higher in summer and lower in winter.
What championships has Walton Heath hosted?
Walton Heath hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup and the 2023 AIG Women's Open, along with European Tour events, the European Open and many regional and national championships across its history.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.