West Hill
West Hill opened for play in 1910, the youngest of Surrey's celebrated three Ws alongside Woking and Worplesdon. A par 69 of roughly 6,350 yards laid out through towering Scots pine, deep heather and across the Brookwood stream, it proves that a heathland course need not be long to be one of the most testing and beautiful in the country.
Photo: West Hill Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
West Hill is one third of the most famous cluster in English heathland golf. Together with its near neighbors Woking and Worplesdon it forms the three Ws, a trio of clubs set on the same belt of sand and heather near Brookwood, and many golfers rank a day spent playing all three among the finest the country has to offer.
Opened in 1910 and shaped over the years with input from the Scottish professional Cuthbert Butchart along with Willie Park Jr and the Open champion Jack White, it is the shortest of the three at a par 69 of around 6,350 yards. That modest number is deceptive. Tall pines pinch the fairways, heather punishes the wayward shot, and the Brookwood stream threads through the round, so West Hill plays every yard of its length and asks for precise, thoughtful golf from the first tee to the last.
West Hill at a glance
- Opened
- 1910
- Design
- Butchart, Park Jr
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 69
- Yardage
- ~6,350 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026 from West Hill Golf Club and leading course databases. West Hill opened in 1910, laid out with input from Cuthbert Butchart, Willie Park Jr and Jack White, a par 69 of roughly 6,350 yards. West Hill 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
West Hill is classic heathland golf in miniature, every hole framed by pine and heather so that the line off the tee is everything. The fairways are not wide, and a drive that drifts into the heather is often as good as lost, which puts a premium on control and on choosing the right club rather than the longest one.
The par 3s are a genuine highlight, a varied and demanding set that asks for committed iron play to greens guarded by sand and heather. The par 4s do the rest of the work, several of them stretching toward 470 yards so that the short overall yardage never feels generous, and the Brookwood stream adds a strategic edge where it crosses the line of play.
Above all it is a beautiful walk. The heather glows in late summer, the pines stand tall and quiet, and the sense of being deep in the Surrey sand belt is total. Paired with Woking and Worplesdon next door, West Hill completes one of the great golfing days in England.
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 90 to 150 pounds depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the West Hill office; three Ws packages combining West Hill, Woking and Worplesdon are popular |
| On the day | Smart golf dress on course and in the clubhouse; trolleys available; the heathland walk is gentle and dry underfoot |
| Getting there | Brookwood near Woking in Surrey, close to the A322 and the A3 and about 40 minutes southwest of London |
| Best months | Heathland plays firm and true much of the year; late summer brings the heather into full color |
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
West Hill sits in the heart of the Surrey heathland near Woking, so most visitors base themselves in Woking or Guildford and build a trip around the cluster of great courses on the sand belt rather than the club alone.
The obvious itinerary is the three Ws together, pairing West Hill with Woking and Worplesdon over a day or two, with the polished parkland of The Wisley close by to round out the trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near West Hill.
Build a Surrey golf trip
We arrange tee times at West Hill and across the three Ws, pair them with the best of the Surrey heath and parkland, 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.
West Hill questions
When did West Hill Golf Club open and who laid it out?
West Hill opened for play in 1910, laid out with input from the Scottish professional Cuthbert Butchart alongside Willie Park Jr and Open champion Jack White.
What is the par and length of West Hill?
West Hill is a par 69 of roughly 6,350 yards, a heathland course whose modest length is offset by demanding par 4s and a strong set of par 3s.
Can visitors play West Hill?
Yes. West Hill welcomes visiting golfers and societies on selected days; book in advance through the club and confirm the current rate before you travel.
What are the three Ws of Surrey golf?
The three Ws are West Hill, Woking and Worplesdon, a trio of celebrated heathland clubs clustered together near Brookwood and Woking in Surrey.
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. Opening year, design history and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.