Hertfordshire has a strong case to be considered as England’s leading sneakily-good golf county.
Not even its strongest supporter would try to suggest it surpasses the likes of Surrey and Berkshire—packed as they are with world-class heathlands—or those such as Kent, Lancashire, Devon or Cornwall with their links superstars among their portfolios.
But in terms of the number and variety of high-calibre inland courses, Hertfordshire is one of England’s best destinations for a golf break.
It boasts a combination of historic and modern courses on a pleasing variety of inland landscapes, laid out by some of the greatest architects in the history of the game.
From James Braid to Alister Mackenzie and Harry Colt to Kyle Phillips, Hertfordshire has the imprint of many of the finest architects to have worked in England.
Here are the best golf courses in Hertfordshire.
The Grove
A modern superstar leads the best courses in Hertfordshire, in the shape of The Grove.
It was laid out by feted American architect Phillips in tranquil countryside and is one of the best-conditioned parklands in Britain.
The host of a WGC Championship as well as European Tour events, The Grove also offers world-class service.
Ashridge
Ashridge is a more historic course located near Berkhamsted and a parkland with impressive architectural merit.
It enjoys a delightful route through rhododendron-clad valleys on the front nine and on ancient parkland on the back nine. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of the Chilterns, this is one of England’s best parklands.
Berkhamsted
Nearby Berkhamsted was designed by Colt, with later revisions by Braid. It relies on ridged gulleys and clever contouring to protect the greens because it is one of Britain’s bunkerless courses.
Demanding par-3s punctuate a superb heathland-woodland that has a series of solid holes. It’s a good test but playable for all skill levels.
Hadley Wood
Hadley Wood is part of Mackenzie’s portfolio of courses, rubbing shoulders with the gilded likes of Alwoodley and, of course, Augusta National.
The rising star of the architectural world, Clyde Johnson, is quietly restoring this classic.
Centurion Club
Returning to the modern era, the Centurion Club is a Simon Gidman design that offers a combination of woodland holes among towering pines to start with before emerging into more open holes.
Located in Hemel Hempstead, The Centurion is a second shot course as there are lots of subtle slopes on and around the greens, and also run-off areas that make chipping close difficult. The first-ever LIV Golf event was held here, too.
Brocket Hall: the Palmerston and the Melbourne
Brocket Hall boasts two courses. The former is built on the wooded, higher ground of this historic estate and requires stout hitting among mature woodland—notably rare Hornbeam, Scots and Corsican pine, and 300-year-old oaks—and good putting on the large greens.
The Melbourne is the older of the two (it opened in 1992) and, like its sister, is named after a prime minister who once resided here. Peter Alliss and Clive Clark’s design crosses Broadwater Lake four times.
Moor Park & The West
Moor Park (High) is a Harry Colt parkland that’s ranked among England’s Top 200 courses—giving an indication that even although it’s not inside the top five in Hertfordshire, this county has serious depth. It’s a former European Tour host that was opened in the early 1920s and is a regular Carris Trophy venue.
Its sister course, the West, is also in Hertfordshire’s top 10, a short-but-testing examination of your accuracy.
Essendon (Old)
Essendon (Old) was designed by Fred Hawtree in 1976 and is a mature parkland in a 400-acre estate.
South Herts (Vardon)
This course takes its name from the great Harry, who was the professional and greenkeeper for 37 years. It’s a Willie Park Jnr layout from 1899 that stretches across 150 acres of parkland and is inside the top 10 of Hertfordshire’s best courses.
The quality of Hertfordshire keeps coming in the shape of 10 more courses worthy of your attention.
Essendon (New) & Aldwickbury Park
Essendon (New) is a fine parkland that gets underway with a scenic par-4, while in 1995, Ryder Cup player-turned-commentator Ken Brown helped design Aldwickbury Park—a gently undulating woodland with a risk-reward climax.
Brickendon Grange & Sandy Lodge
CK Cotton was the brains behind Brickendon Grange, whose highlight is its wonderful par-4 penultimate hole, while local hero Vardon set down Sandy Lodge in 1910 over natural rolling terrain perfect for firm and fast golf. Expect excellent bunkering and a pacy set of greens.
Old Fold Manor
Old Fold Manor is an entertaining Colt layout on an undulating sand and gravel site that offers a heathland-style experience with super greens.
West Herts
Old Tom Morris created the parkland of West Herts before it was reworked by Mackenzie in 1922. It sits on gravel and chalk, so it’s always in top nick.
Mid Herts
Another giant of architecture, Braid, revised the original 1892 layout at Mid Herts in 1923 and turned it into an 18-holer. It makes the most of its heathland terrain.
Harpenden
Harpenden also deserves a mention. This mature parkland was created in 150 acres of rolling countryside by Fred Hawtree and JH Taylor.
Welwyn Garden City
And we couldn’t possibly round up the best of Hertfordshire without mention of Welwyn Garden City—an undulating parkland that is the home club of Sir Nick Faldo.
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Wherever you choose to play golf—be it in Hertfordshire or elsewhere—you might also want to consider protecting yourself with specialist golf insurance.
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