Wentworth West Course: 2026 Access and Booking Update
The West Course at Wentworth is one of the most televised tests in European golf, a Harry Colt design reworked by Ernie Els and the long time home of the BMW PGA Championship. Here is where the West Course stands in 2026, how access works, and how to play it.
The news: a tournament stage in private hands
The West Course at the Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, is best known as the annual home of the BMW PGA Championship, one of the flagship events on the DP World Tour. It heads into 2026 as a polished, modern championship test built on Harry Colt's 1926 routing through the Surrey and Berkshire pines and heather.
The course that tour players face today is substantially the work of Ernie Els, who as champion in residence led a redesign that rebuilt the greens to USGA specification, reshaped bunkering and added the water that now guards the famous closing hole. Sub air systems beneath the greens, a first in England, keep the surfaces firm for the championship. For 2026 it remains one of the most demanding parkland tests in the country.
The course itself
The West plays as a par 72 of around 7,284 yards from the championship tees, a long, tree lined test that climbs and falls through the Wentworth estate and finishes with a pair of reachable par fives that have decided many tournaments. The Els work tightened the examination at the top level while keeping Colt's underlying strategy of well placed tee shots and demanding approaches.
Beyond the West, the Wentworth Club is a three course estate with the East and Edinburgh courses and an extensive practice and clubhouse operation. The combination of tournament history, a championship standard layout and a famous closing stretch is what gives the West its enduring profile among the world's best known parkland courses.
How to play it in 2026
The practical reality for 2026 is that the Wentworth Club is a private members club, and play on the West Course is focused on members and their guests rather than open visitor tee sheets. Casual visitor access is limited, so the realistic routes to a round are as the guest of a member or through a corporate or hospitality arrangement, and any opportunity should be confirmed directly with the club.
On timing, the parkland is at its best from late spring through early autumn, and the West is presented at its peak around the BMW PGA Championship. Where access can be arranged, green fees sit at the very top of the English market and should be treated as indicative for the 2026 season and confirmed directly before booking, as rates and access policies change.
Our take
Our take is that the West Course is one of the most recognisable tests in European golf and a thrill to play for the tournament associations alone, but it is also one of the harder great courses to access, given its private members focus. Set expectations accordingly and treat a confirmed tee time as the prize it is.
If you are building a 2026 Surrey trip and can arrange access, the West is a memorable centrepiece, ideally paired with the openly visitable heathland courses of the belt. Explore a member or corporate route well ahead, carry your handicap details, travel in the firm summer months, and confirm every detail directly with the club before booking.
Plan your Surrey golf trip
From the BMW PGA stage on the West Course at Wentworth to the openly visitable heathland of the belt, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Can visitors play the Wentworth West Course?
Access is limited. The Wentworth Club is a private members club and play on the West Course is focused on members and their guests rather than open visitor tee sheets. The realistic routes to a round are as the guest of a member or through a corporate or hospitality arrangement, confirmed directly with the club.
What kind of course is the West Course?
The West is a par 72 of around 7,284 yards, a Harry Colt parkland routing from 1926 substantially reworked by Ernie Els, with USGA specification greens, reshaped bunkering and water guarding the closing hole. It is the long time home of the BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour.
When should I play the Wentworth West Course?
The parkland is at its best from late spring through early autumn. Where access can be arranged, green fees sit at the very top of the English market, so explore a member or corporate route well ahead and confirm rates and access directly with the club before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; access at this club is restricted and conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.