England · Berkshire
The Old and New courses near Ascot — the template for heathland golf. How visitors play it, the handicap rules, when to go, and the Surrey heathland belt around it.
By Tom Whitaker · Staff Writer
Sunningdale is the benchmark of English heathland golf — the club whose Old Course, opened in 1901, proved that inland turf could rival the great links. Set in the pine, birch and heather of the Surrey/Berkshire sand-belt near Ascot, about an hour west of London, it offers two revered courses (the Old and the New) widely rated among the finest 36 holes in the British Isles.
It's a prestigious private members' club, not a resort — visitor access is limited and formal. Here's how it works: the courses, the handicap and booking rules, when to go, and the heathland belt around it.
Willie Park Jr. (later Harry Colt) · 1901 · 18 holes · Heathland
World top-25; among Britain & Ireland's best inland courses
The more famous and higher-ranked of the two, and one of the British Isles' most beautiful inland courses. Sandy subsoil, holes framed by pine, birch and heather, and a strategic, walkable rhythm — Willie Park Jr's 1901 design, later refined by Harry Colt, is the course that made the heathland belt. The tree-framed 18th back to the clubhouse is a classic.
Harry Colt · 1923 · 18 holes · Heathland
Colt's own ground-up design and a slightly more rugged, heather-clad and exposed companion to the Old — also world-ranked and, for many good judges, every bit its equal. A same-day Old-and-New double is the marquee Sunningdale experience.
Sunningdale is a private members' club with limited, formal visitor access — not a resort. Per the club, visitors are welcomed Monday to Thursday, May to October only. You must hold a current handicap index within the limits (max 18.4 men, 24.4 ladies) and produce a handicap certificate when signing in. Advance booking is essential through the club's reservations team — tee times are scarce and can be fully booked a season ahead. Caddies are available and must be pre-booked. Keep expectations realistic: this is a mid-week, book-far-ahead round, not a walk-up.
The free-draining sand plays well much of the year, but as a visitor you're effectively limited to the May–October window. Late spring to early autumn gives the firmest, fastest heathland turf, and the heather blooms purple around August — the most photogenic time on the course.
Sunningdale sits near Ascot, about an hour from central London and 30–40 minutes from Heathrow (LHR) by car. Direct trains from London Waterloo reach Sunningdale station, a short hop from the club. A car helps if you're pairing it with other heathland-belt courses.
Sunningdale anchors the Surrey/Berkshire heathland belt — build a two-to-three-day trip pairing it with nearby Colt- and Park-era classics: Wentworth, Swinley Forest, Walton Heath and St George's Hill. Pre-book caddies, plan mid-week around the visitor window, and treat a confirmed Old + New same-day round as the marquee day.
What to pack
Sunningdale is walkable English heathland golf — mild but changeable, with the odd shower — so pack a light layering system rather than heavy waterproofs:
Galvin Green
$160
English mornings run cool even in summer — a stretch, windproof mid-layer is the ideal heathland layer.
Galvin Green
$450
Showers arrive without much warning; a packable waterproof shell keeps a passing front from ending the round.
Srixon
$15
Damp grips are common in the British climate — an all-weather glove that holds when it's wet earns its place.
Sunday Golf
$250
Sunningdale is a walking club — a light carry/stand bag alongside a caddie makes the day.
Bushnell
$750
Heather-framed doglegs and blind-ish lines make a rangefinder handy on a first visit (check the club's rules).
Tifosi
$60
Firm, bright summer heathland days bring glare — wraparound lenses help your eyes and reads.
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