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Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), England |
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Woodhall Spa Golf Club
The Broadway
Woodhall Spa
Lincs
LN10 6PU
England |  | Harry Vardon, Harry Colt & Colonel S.V. Hotchkin |  | Andrew Hare |
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 | +44 (0)1526 352511 |  | 19 miles SE of Lincoln |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance - handicap certificate required |  | Richard A. Latham |
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The Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa invariably fights with Loch Lomond and Sunningdale Old for the coveted position of “best inland golf course” in the British Isles. Originally, Harry Vardon laid out the course and it opened for play in 1905. Harry Colt, just before the Great War, made further modifications to the layout. But in the 1920s, the owner, Colonel S.V. Hotchkin, put the course through one last major redesign phase before the Hotchkin finally matured into its present layout. The English Golf Union purchased Woodhall Spa in 1995 for a reputed £8m and turned it into their headquarters.
An oasis in the heart of Lincolnshire. Set amongst glorious pine, birch and broom, this heathland course is an absolute delight to play. The sandy subsoil allows all-year-round golf, the springy turf making walking a real pleasure. Keep your ball in play and do your best to avoid the heather, gorse and bunkers. See if you can copy the feat of J.A. Wilson (8 h/cap) and his opponent L.D. Henshaw (12 h/cap). In 1982, Wilson holed in one at the 12th (a beautiful, long par three) but only managed a half because Henshaw also holed in one. Apparently they were hurrying their shots too because they had just been invited to play through. The four-ball standing behind the green were gobsmacked!
 The Hotchkin is bunker heaven (or hell), notorious for its deep, cavernous sand traps. It is also helpful if you can hit the ball long and straight. Otherwise you will be presented with some very tough second shots. Woodhall Spa isn’t a tournament course, but it is supremely challenging and plays host to a number of distinguished national and international amateur competitions. Many important matches have been decided on its famous 18th hole. This 540-yard par five finishing hole typifies what is so special about Woodhall Spa. If we can strike the ball with solidity off the tee and avoid the hazards, then we give ourselves a chance of scoring well. We can see the flag clearly in the distance but the drive is tight. We must land left of the sentry oak, but not too far left, otherwise we will be bunkered. We must be dead straight in order to find the crisp, sandy fairway and if we achieve all these things, and if we are a stout hitter, we may be tempted to go for the green with our second shot. It is tempting - the route to the green is open and its meagre protection is a solitary bunker guarding its left flank. What can we say? “Go for it” perhaps?
It is definitely worth making the trip to play this gem and the green fee is tremendous value for money too (especially if you are a member of an English golf club). And remember - the Hotchkin is undoubtedly one of the premier inland courses in the whole of the British Isles. Can you afford not to play it? | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | Played this course on a sunny spring morning, what more can I say then wow….Took me a while to come to this conclusion but when you put everything in context i.e. layout, variety of holes and being unique! This course stands out above the rest. Yes I agree the course does share similar core details then other courses i.e. Notts & Sunningdale but the one thing you don’t forget about is the bunkers!! A good score can be had if you hit straight and stay out the heather and the bunkers. The greens were abit slow but ran true. Can’t wait to play the course again in the summer when the heather has blossomed. All holes are strong but if I had to pick one hole above the rest it will be the 11th which is a great looking hole of the tee. |
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| 02 May 2013
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| | I played the Hotchkin on 19 April, for the first time in over 10 years, and possibly the fifth time in all.
I just wanted to report that the course was in excellent condition, and very well presented, tee to green. Given that we have just had the coldest spring for years, I was very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the course. The only "issue" was that the greens were slow, although true, but their heavy covering of grass was the only sign that the greenkeepers were protecting the course from the incessant traffic it receives. The speed of play was also good, smack on 4 hours for a fourball with a short stop at the halfway house thrown in.
As for the layout, well, it's superb; you have to play all the clubs in the bag, and if you stray off line you get severely punished.
I don't care if the clubhouse is "homely". It's also friendly, the newish locker room is fine, the beer is well kept Bateman's. But frankly, a visit to Woodhall Spa is all about the golf course - as good an inland layout from the golden age as exists in the country |
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| 23 April 2013
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| | Did I enjoy the course? - Yes
Would I go back? - Definitely
Is it the 4th best course in England? - Never
The course wasn't in great condition, and the greens were very slow but true.
Also, possibly the least welcoming course I have been to with the starter being downright rude to us. |
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| 24 May 2012
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| | The real deal, this needs to be played by all but beware you need some game to make it around all 18 holes. Very difficult and it is so much fun to play. There are two holes on the inward nine that need some work (I think par 5 14 + par 4 15??). Other than those this course is brilliant! Too bad it is out of the way of everything otherwise there would be Opens contested here.
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| 24 July 2011
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| | After reading the wide range of opinions on this site, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this course. Like many others we drove up and played the Bracken one day and the Hotchin the next. The Bracken is a fun course and good warm up for the main event and it's greens are very challenging due to the huge contours on them.
But the Hotchin was the course we'd come to play and I needn't have worried - what a great course! It's quite tight - and although it maybe a platitude - the advice to be 'straight & long' is crucial. Although there's a lack of elevation changes this is more than compensated for by the design and bunkering, you also need to think about plotting your way around and good course management was the key to good scores in our party.
It was in fantastic condition considering the amount of footfall here and the greens were impeccable, the staff were very helpful and the lucky members were a nice bunch.
Great value, have re-booked for next year, pity it's such a long way from anywhere!
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| 06 July 2011
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| | played the bracken first, good course bit of room and flatish bunkers, greens probably the most undulating i have played but if you got on the right side you could make a score. played the Hotchkin next day and would go back. Bunkers like i have never seen, but keep away and a score can be made. Great experience and i will return, just a shame it's so far away. |
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| 16 June 2011
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| | Finally got to play here after some years and it proved to be everything that I expected. Yes its flat (it's Lincolnshire for Gods sake) but there is not a weak hole on the course and the bunkering is just fantastic, what bunkers should be rather than these shallow american style "sand traps" that we see far too much of .
In good condition in spite of the prolonged dry spell, greens fast and true. A real golfing treat. |
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| 24 May 2011
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| Response: | | | Joey | 24 May 2011 | | I can completely agree that the Hotckin was more than expected. However, to classify shallow bunkers as American is just incorrect. There are plenty of courses that have as much teeth as any of them at Woodhall or Ganton, or for that matter St. Enodoc or St. Georges. I am regularly miffed at the at the constant complaint of American golf as being bland. There are planty of amazing courses to see in the States. I understand they are very exclusive and that may take away from them. Visit Bethpage Black and try to tell me they are inferior to the Hotckin. Or for that matter check out Whistling Straits or Pinehurst. All of these courses are as playable and are equally enjoyable. I do not think there is a shortage of bland tracks in the U.K. or Ireland. Trust me, I love the golf there and would ultimately prefer playing there but can also enjoy a round at Cog Hill or Montauk Downs. There is quality golf on the RTJ golf trail in Alabama and plenty of great tracks in Arizona that need no more than a phone call. Save the American golf bashing for lesser audiences please. |
| | | Played the Hotchkin on 11th April expecting great things. However, I came away distinctly underwhelmed. The layout is good, but not great, although the back nine is much better than the front. The condition of the fairways was poor, and it was obvious that this due to the amount of traffic they have on the course, but if you have a course ranked supposedly in the top 50 in the world you should be able to employ the greenstaff to keep it in great condition whatever. The greens were true but were very slow as they had far too much grass on them, again a consequence of having so many people playing, I would suggest. Contrary to several other reviews I think the bunkers were superb - great fun to try to get out of if you were unfortunate enough to go in them, and also made you think about your strategy and how to get around the course. Finally, although the welcome was very warm, the clubhouse is appalling. It's basically a garden shed and is in no way in keeping with a course that is ranked this high, but then neither is the course. On the long journey home one of my pal's described Woodhall Spa as being the best municipal course in the country. I think this is pretty accurate. It is not in the same league as either course at Sunningdale, or as good as many other inland courses I've played. Highly overrated, but good value. |
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| 23 April 2011
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| Response: | | | Paul Michael | 11 May 2011 | | The best muni in the country? I'd love to play the rest of your top 10 muni tracks if you count Woodhall Spa as a municipal course. When did a muni ever have this course, welcome, layout or National Golf Centre? The Hotchkin is very much deserving of it's ranking. | | | am | 15 May 2011 | | Reading the above the criteria for a top-ranked course would be conditioning and presentation, a large well-appointed clubhouse and, as the only comparative courses mentioned were at Sunningdale, a degree of exclusivity and expense. Design quality, shot values and ambience are of little significance. Conditioning is partialy dependent upon the time of year, April in Lincolnshire sees the onset of the growing season, perhaps a visit in September for the Senior Home Internationals will see the course at it's best. In Spain, there any number of average courses in top condition with palacial clubhouses. If municpal is implied as a degrogatory term, St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Bethpage are municpals and, like the Hotchkin, are considered to be among the World's Top Fifty Courses. To quote Steely Dan "You wouldn't know a diamond if you held it in your hand". Read the review by Jim McCann for a golfer's perspective. | | | ewjh | 03 February 2012 | | How very quick some golfers are to immediately blame greenkeepers for a bad round/experience, based on absolutely no knowledge of the subject. I am a head greenkeeper of many, many years and this is typical of the uneducated comments made by arrogant golfers who know nothing of the amount of science involved in greenkeeping. The, 'cut the grass shorter and the greens will be faster' mentality. I came from Surrey to play the Hotchkin the same week and the course was exceptional! Courses are prepared for the season at the start of spring, largely dependent on a 'typical' wet and warm period to follow. This spring was hot and incredibly dry from the very time all the vital work was carried out. The greens staff at Woodhall Spa had done an exceptional job adapting their strategy when many, many others failed to do so. Furthermore, the extra grass was, more than likely, an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of stress placed on the plant by such a prolonged, dry spell. This will have helped prevent them losing their greens for the whole summer. Maybe they considered this more important than your one particular round. And no, 'putting the irrigation on' doesn't solve this problem. Irrigation water is too cold in spring to instigate growth, resulting in a wet surface that not only doesn't aid growth but will later encourage the development of undesirable grass species and turf diseases. But I wont bore you with the science, you probably wont understand! Why not go away and see if you can educate yourself before you criticise a fantastic course and insult what is, undoubtedly an excellent greenkeeping team that must have been very well selected, paid, trained and managed. | | | Hugh | 04 February 2012 | | Greenkeepers get paid for doing a job, golfers pay to play golf courses and therefore have every reasonable right to expect the greenkeepers to have done their job. It's arrogant for a greenkeeper to think otherwise. | | | ewjh | 04 February 2012 | | The greenkeepers did their job. In the spring and summer imparticular, the condition in which a course can be presented is dictated by the weather. The weather last spring was freakish to say the least and the department did an excellent job to produce a course playing as brilliantly as it did. If more golfers took time to understand why a course is not in perfect condition all the time, their attitudes to greenkeepers would greatly improve. I was a single figure handicap golfer for many years before taking up greenkeeping and was embarrassed at the time by members blindly blaming greenkeepers for course conditions when they had no grasp of any facts. Anyone with a genuine love of the game surely has enough time to listen to the factors influencing course preparation? I guess not, some people just like to complain because something is anything less than unattainable perfection. They could have had 200 greenkeepers and the greens would have been in the same condition. A golf course is a living organism it tells you what it needs. Not the other way round. What produces a fantastic result one day/week/year can have a huge detrimental effect the next. Learning to adapt, as they did, is all that can be done. I can perfectly accept remarks saying the course was a disappointment for the reasons given above because a golfer has paid their money. Fine. I don't doubt this was true. But blindly blaming greenkeepers for it when they presented the course as well as any greenkeeper in the world could have, is pure ignorance | | | Anthony Daniels | 06 February 2012 | | ewjh, I wrote the above review and I appreciate your comments in respect of why the grass on the greens may have been longer. I actually found your explanation very interesting and wasn't aware of the reasons prior to reading your post. Therefore, I could accept that I may have been ignorant in this respect. However, to call me arrogant based on a few written words is surely way over the top (although I realise you are not the only person in this posts who seems to have formed a very inaccurate portrayal of me as a person and golfer!). You also assumed (wrongly) that I had a bad round and was blaming this on the greens staff. This couldn't be further from the truth. I played okay. My point was that the condition of a course ranked so highly was not what I would have expected and certainly didn't compare with other courses I've played which are ranked similarly. As I say, I was very interested in learning a bit about why a particular course may be presented in a certain way. The best thing about this website is the wide and varying opinions that different people have in respect of the various courses. These opinions should not, however, lead to personal attacks and conclusions being drawn as to whether any given reviewer may be a nice person or not. | | | Hugh | 06 February 2012 | | It’s nice to receive a lecture in agronomy but most golfers are not that interested in the science. They pay their money and then expect reasonably fast and true greens. If Woodhall planned to leave the greens long and fluffy then surely it would be reasonable to make the customer aware beforehand and perhaps offer a reduction based on the fact they are not up to scratch for whatever reason? Most golfers will accept general conditioning issues but it is really disappointing to make the effort to travel, take the time out and pay good money to play an alleged top course only to find that the greens are slow, fluffy and you have to bash the ball at the hole. In any case whatever happened to the art of watering the greens? Surely sprinklers could have been used to alleviate the “freakish” conditions assuming you are blaming the dry spring for the poor greens? The more likely reason for the slow greens was that on Monday 11th April they hadn’t been cut since Friday. | | | Keith Baxter | 07 February 2012 | | I’d like to thank everyone for responding to this review. In fairness to the reviewer and Woodhall Spa, I’m now drawing a line under this. If however, you’ve played the Hotchkin course recently then please post your own player review and share your on-course experiences through that process. Keith Baxter - Editor |
| | | Played here over the week-end of 16th/17th April and came away a little disappointed. Sure, it's in a beautiful setting, and the welcome we received from everybody was great. But too many bunkers. Far too many. As another reviewer states, you could take away half of the bunkering and still be left with a fantastic, but fairer, course. I've played Chart Hills in Kent, a course renowned for it's large number of bunkers. But at least you can see where they are. The fairways, especially on the front 9, were very scruffy, bare in places. They improved a little on the back 9 though to be fair. Greens were quite slow compared to the greens on the Bracken course, thankfully they didn't have the humps and hollows though! A nice course, yes. But not, in my opinion a GREAT one. I didn't walk off the 18th thinking "I must get back here to play again one day" as I have done at other, lesser known courses. Shame. It may not be the best course I have played, but it was certainly the toughest with all those bunkers. And I didn't really find that many of them! |
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| 20 April 2011
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| Response: | | | AJ | 21 April 2011 | | So whats your point about the bunkers then if you didnt find them ? Did they put you off ? Do you not find it exhilarating to stand on the tee and know you need to hit a great drive to avoid the hazards ? I suggest playing it again with a different mindset. | | | Joey | 21 April 2011 | | I must agree with AJ, the predominant features are there to see. The fun is avoiding them! They are some of the most amazing hazards to be found anywhere in the world. I would never criticize a course that is only charging such a nominal fee to enjoy it! | | | Robert Smith | 26 July 2011 | | The fact that I didn't find that many of them doesn't mean there aren't too many. It just seemed to me to be "tricked up" by the large amount, some that were really unnecessary. One hole in particular had a deep pot bunker literally 50 yards in front of the tee in amongst deep heather. OK if somebody has hit a bad tee shot penalise them. Put them in the heather. But why have a great big pot bunker in there too? If it were a par 3 I could possibly understand it. But on a long par 4? |
| | If the Old Course at St.Andrews is rightly regarded as “The Home” of Scottish golf then the Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa deserves the same title for English golfers - it’s such a lovely setting in rural Lincolnshire for a national golfing treasure and the course deserves to be played at least once by each and every EGU member.
I was a wee bit concerned as I walked onto the 1st green to see a couple of very  nondescript small mounds defining the rear flank of the putting surface (who in their right mind ever thought they might add any strategic value or aesthetic quality to the hole?) but from there on it was top quality design all the way to the end. Very like Sunningdale in places, with severe carries across heather on several tee positions, the Hotchkin course is a wonderful layout that will keep you engaged for every inch of the 6519 yards that you’ll play from the yellows. Some seem to think that’s too short – not for me it isn’t when cavernous bunkers abound on every hole. I thought I’d seen it all by way of intimidating sand traps when I played Ganton a few years ago; well, those were mere sand pits for kiddies compared to some of the monster bunkers here – not quite sizeable enough to take a double decker bus but a few of the larger, grass-ramped specimens could comfortably hold a single deck minibus.
The three par threes vary in length from 143 to 187 yards from the regular markers and they’re all excellent short holes, especially as two of them (holes 8 and 12) play slightly uphill from tee to green. If you’re looking for affordable, top quality golf then you’ll be very hard pressed to pay a better value green fee than that charged here. I echo an earlier review from someone who called Woodhall Spa a place “for proper golfers” – how very true. Jim McCann |
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| 04 April 2011
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| | I played The Hotchkin twice on 1st November 2010, having first carefully examined all the reviews to date. My expectations were high due to high ranking; 4th England, 14th British Isles and 45th in the World. I travelled over 200 miles to get there and believe me I wanted these claims to be true. The greeting and friendly service from all the staff was 1st class. I teed off and walked up the first to be met by a poor quality fairway. It’s fair to say it had been hollow tined but I allowed for that at this time of year. It was bear in many places and just had the feel that it had been played to death. However, the greens were in very good condition As I continued through 4 holes it slowly dawned on me that this may not be all its cracked up to be. It’s flat, well of course it’s flat it’s Lincoln, but I just expected to be blown away by the quality and lay out and I wasn’t. The par 3s holes 5 & 12 some of the best I’ve played and I found the back 9 more interesting and pleasing to the eye. It’s a tough test of golf which demands solid accurate ball striking. Penalties are severe and you can really rack up a number if you pay a visit to the heather or the huge bunkers. The 2nd round I joined another guest who played off 2, he had played many quality courses around the country. He also agreed that the Hotchkin wasn’t as good as the rankings suggested. We both gave it a 7/10. I’m a 5 HC and I played close to it so please don’t think this review is because I hit a high number. Indeed it is a good course with some particularly beautiful holes but if there are only 44 courses better than it on the planet I’d be very surprised. If you play expecting a good quality inland course you won't be disappointed. But I just felt it was good but not great. |
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| 02 November 2010
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| Response: | | | Simon | 03 November 2010 | | Nice review - I am planning on playing up there next April and will have similar high expectations given its ranking, good to see a balanced review irrespective of your good scoring. Simon | | | Andy | 03 November 2010 | | Further comment from initial reviewer, I wouldn't put anybody off playing The Hotchkin. Maybe it was the time of year that led to the poor fairways? The price is a steal, if I lived closer I'd play it a few times a year. I found it a bit short off Whites the main bunkers were around 230 mark and my drives were carrying them. Maybe off back blue tees it would have been more interesting? | | | Edgaras | 08 November 2010 | | That's a very fair review. I played the course on 5th of November and I totally agree with the reviewers opinion. | | | AJ | 29 December 2010 | | Play it off the medal or blue tees in a competition and get back to me. I had the same experience when I played it off the yellows. Its an excellent golf course, definitely one of the best in the UK. |
| | | What a fantastic course, played it y'day, an exceptional test of golf, the greens I thought were some of the best I've putted on and I play on a links course down in Kent. I would say it's one of the most difficult courses I've played, most shots not hit 100% will be penalised. I came expecting to be dissapointed due to the high ranking but left thinking that is the finest inland course I've played. Well worth visiting. |
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| 12 October 2010
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| | I played the course twice this week on consecutive days and what a difference a day makes ! First impressions off the yellows I was expecting more, second impressions off the medal tees I'm hooked let me have another go, its that good a test. It really is a contrasting two nines, one open to the elements, the second harder to read as the trees block the wind. The heather is thicker, the ground lusher on the back nine, lots of carries, and invisible bunkers to be avoided. Shot selection, execution and then reading the subtle greens. Its not necessarily all about aesthetics, although it is beautiful, its natural heathland golf as intended. Dont expect a perfect lie on the well used fairways. This is a real test that will stretch even the good plus player. Try it off the medal tees 6921 yards, par 73 SSS 75, dont worry about the length the course runs, much more satisfying than the yellow tees, and you wont reach the trouble when you hit a decent drive ! dont forget your lobwedge :-) |
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| 25 September 2010
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| | Although I didn't count the bunkers I agree with the review below. This is an indistinct course distinguished by some deep bunkers. It blends pleasantly with the flat landscape but is surely overrated in the top 100. How it can be above North Berwick, Hillside and Formby to name but a few is astonishing. If you think I'm links biased it's not as good as Woburn, Gleneagles (any of them) The (controversial) Belfry. Play it, but don't rush to get there. |
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| 09 June 2010
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| Response: | | | Dan | 09 June 2010 | | Well this is obviously the course for differences of opinion ! I loved the course and whilst one might argue the merits vs courses that one likes I would say that the quality of the course is undeniable. I can't wait to play it again and its isolation adds to the charm like Silloth. | | | dan | 10 June 2010 | | Apologies, i ran out of battery. I was just going to say that I would accept only King's at Gleneagles above the Hotchkin, but as for the Belfry...! Formby, Hillside and North Berwick West figure highly in my 'list' too, but Woodhall Spa felt just 'different', whether it is the unpretentious yet charming town (formby village without the airs and graces), the folly, the WWI style bunkering (or not being next to Birkdale !) but it stretches away from those we have mentioned. Plus I lipped out for a birdie on SI 1 off the yellows, which felt like plenty enough golf (Driver, 3W) thank you very much ! | | | Dave Nimmo | 12 July 2010 | | Played the course on the 9th of July, huge dissapointment. I can't remember one hole which was distinctly different from any other. It was all much of a muchness, the Bracken had far more stand out holes. It was like a desert and the greens were barely alive. The sand just caves in on itself and was knee deep, my friend from NZ was laughing that it was meant to be in the top five. I agree it was tough, but there was nothing to take the breath away. Pretty boring knocking a four iron off every tee! | | | Paul Frust | 11 November 2010 | | Dave Nimmo - dont think you know what your talking about....Both Lee westwood and Sergio Garcia rate this course as one of the best in the UK....Its a real test of golf. | | | Duncan | 11 September 2011 | | A 4 iron off every tee? Afraid to take the driver eh? If Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia say The Hotchkin is good, that's good enough for me. I play this course regularly and the dry spring summer didn't do it any favours, it is now fantastic, two very different courses and challenges. Ask yourself if this course was near you wouldn't you join? |
| | | The Hotchkin is undoubtedly an excellent course but I would be reluctant to describe it as a 'great' one. It's defence is its bunkers. I counted 111 of them and without half of them it would be a much easier test. If you are a good bunker player the course would lose a lot of its challenge. If you are not then it is a nightmare. For me a great course requires different hazards - bunkers, water, tight driving lines, greens with subtle borrows, short par 4's and at least one monstrously long par 5. In other words a variety of challenges. The Hotchkin is mainly defended by sand which limits its appeal as far as I am concerned. Three weeks ago it was in immaculate condition although the greens could have done with a cut. They were true but too slow for a 'championship' course. |
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| 31 May 2010
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| Response: | | | steve | 31 May 2010 | | your idea of a great championship course is just that,your idea.what makes a course great is its uniqueness and woodhall has bunkers yes,which are unique.you played it off the yellows i presume because if you had played it off the back tees you would have found out about the heather carries and the tightness of the course and its different challenges.you are of course well entitled to your opinion. | | | Andrew | 02 June 2010 | | The problem with this review is not the opinion but the disparity between expressed statement and fact. The reviewer states "For me a great course requires .... short par 4s,and a least one monstrously long par 5. In other words a variety of challenges." Holes 10, 15 and 17 measure 338, 321, and 336 yards. The 9th is 584 yards. The 7th is 470, 13 451. The par 3s are 148, 209 and 172 yards. This is not variety ? "The Hotchkin is defended mainly by sand ......" No mention of heather-lined fairways or carries from the tee. I have played many rounds here. The Hotchkin is a strategically designed course requiring all 14 clubs in the bag. It fully merits its reputation and ranking. See the review of 20 January for a more accurate appraisal. |
| | | I got there last Friday afternoon where we played the Bracken course at Woodhall Spa (which should be a hidden gem as you really need your A game around the greens) stayed overnight at the Woodhall Spa Hotel (Great room, Dinner and Breakfast included) then on Saturday morning played the Hotchkin Course which was absolutely great, but increadibly tough. A bit of room if you are off line the first couple of holes, but then to the end of the round it really tightens up with bunkers galore. Only issue was that the greens were just plugged. Well worth the trip from London and I am planning on getting there again this year. |
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| 22 April 2010
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| | What a great golf course this really is!! As low handicappers we asked the pro if we could play off the whites. He didnt advise it but as we were cat 1 golfers, he allowed it. Glad we did play off these as the white's were "nudged" quite well forward. Anyway, onto the course everything about the place was different class, from the driving range to the putting green to the memebers. It is a course were you have to "plot" your way round, you cant always hit driver off the tee because it can get so tight it has to be seen to be believed, and if you go in them bunkers then nevermind bogey you can be looking at double easily!!! I thought Ganton had bunkers but these put Ganton to shame!!! Holes wise there is really to many good holes to pick out but there really wasn't a weak hole on the course apart from a couple of par 3's, but if we had played them off the back trust me they wouldn't have been weak!! The greens were immaculate and quick for end of January. The fairways and tee boxes were also exceptional. Afterwards, an ex-captain came over and was very pleasent and asked us how we found the course etc etc.. A really nice touch to an excellent day out at Woodhall Spa |
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| 31 January 2010
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| | Never will a golfer stand on so many tees and think 'oh my god'. All you see in front of you is an average of 180 yards of heather between you and the fairway, heather down either side and bunkers so deep that you are just glad to get your ball out. Getting out and reaching the green is rarely an option.
Having played it many times I know you have as much chance of walking off with 20 points as you have walking off with 36. The course teaches you to take your punishment ie: knock it back on the fairway use your shots and move on. If you can stay out of trouble you will have the round of your life.
Having said this I don't think I have ever finished a round and not wanted to get back out on the first tee and start again.
Being the home of the E.G.U. the course is always in superb condition and the holes on the course look fantastic.
The clubhouse has a real traditional feel to it and the staff from the catering to the shop to the starters are always friendly and welcoming. |
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| 20 January 2010
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| | Is this the best inland course in England ? I would definitely say yes but then I've played the Hotchkin dozens of times and it never fails to impress. From the cavernous bunkers to the impenetrable heather and the immaculate greens it's a 'delight' from start to finish. And then the home made treacle tart for lunch, I've found heaven..... |
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| 19 January 2010
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| | I played the Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa yesterday, before setting off I considered phoning the course to check if it would be open due to the torrential rain on Saturday evening. I needn't have worried, the course was immaculate, not a puddle in sight.
I really enjoyed everything about the day, the unpretentious nature of the place, the condition and layout of the course and also the value for money - £45 absolute bargain. Some reviewers say the course is a bit flat, this is a fair point, however the way the bunkers are laid out makes for a challenging round. There is a real variation between the holes, some short par 4's which require an iron of the tee, mix up the round nicely.
When you're out on the course you have a real feeling of seclusion and being away from it all, I really value this in a golf course and it's quite hard to find in England. All in all well worth a visit.
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| 16 November 2009
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| | Let me first say that this is a fine course. However, when something is ranked so highly your expectations are naturally very high. For me, these were not met and would place courses such as Notts (Hollinwell), Alwoodley and Moortown higher than Woodhall. It is definitely worth playing but if you have played the courses above don't expect it to be on a level above. |
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| 27 September 2009
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| | Played the Hotchkin for the 2nd time and had forgotten how good the course is epecially the back 9. Playing partners commented how fair but tough the course was. Greens were a little on the slow side but very true. Excellent venue and not over crowded. Will definatley go back and is a must play for £67.50 summer green fee. |
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| 08 September 2009
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| | played woodhall twice april 08 and 09 on a winter tariff.each time we played the course was very well presented.keep it on the fairways and greens and its straight forward.go off line,heather and bunkers will get you.it really is great value and has to be one of THE best courses to play,definately up there with your other top courses and you dont pay a premium either.top notch. |
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| 01 September 2009
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| | Played in May 09 a wonderful course and tough as old boots. The bunkers in particular were incredible! Excellent setting and beautiful countryside make this one to remember. You will need your A game to score well here and anything other than straight is punished, rightly. |
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| 30 July 2009
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| | I can't understand the attitude of the persistently bitter "low ranker" (cf Seinfeld) below me. Played the Bracken in June and booking was easy, were very welcome at the club, and had a very friendly starter. Greens quick but true, mental bunkering but fair from the tee, tricky heathery rough, beautiful turf for hitting approaches from. Lipped out birdie putt on SI 1 hole, and felt like shouting with joy - great hole, but there would have been no-one to hear, the solitude is great. Getting there is a pain in the arse, but that isn't the course's fault. Has a gentle opening hole, and after that felt entirely alone on the course which was immaculately kept but very challenging - v hard to judge recoveries from heather, they either die into a bunker or shoot through the green...into a different bunker. if you can't play out of bunkers go somewhere else (maybe this applies to the low ranker ?) but if you can you will love Woodhall Spa. We got lightninged and rained off the course after 14 so are duty bound to return - cannot wait ! The £65 green fee is a steal. Low ranker compares unfavourably to Lahinch (haven't played, but in Ireland and £90-100 a round plus travel) and Royal Lytham (played it, enjoyed but almost uplayable in the wind with tined rough - a course with great history yet stuck in the middle of a housing estate with chav routes across the course - £110). I disagree - go to Woodhall Spa when you get a chance, lovely course. dan |
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| 10 July 2009
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| | After fierce criticism of my review last year i was relieved to see this course has dropped from 9th to 14th.I played it again in the middle of June and still believe my original review to be accurate.I cannot believe its above Lahinch and Royal Lytham and hopefully in time it`ll drop out of the top twenty! |
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| 29 June 2009
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| | I played both the Bracken and Hotchkin on my visit. Firstly I must say that Bracken course is not one to be ignored. For a second course it is very good and in fact I scored less well on it than on the Hotchkin (partly to do with lack of a warm up though!). It weaves between trees and provides some challenging holes in places like the 4th, 8th, 14th, 16th (possibly the hardest par three I played as the green is very narrow and when I played it, it was into a 3 club wind!). However the main course the Hotchkin is a delight. Quite narrow and plenty of sand (however fortunately I did not encounter much.) There are no weak holes on the course as the deep heather and sand provides plenty of challenge. Although sometimes said to be flat as a pancake the greens were actually very deceptive and only a handful of putts were holed in our fourball throughout the round (although putting is my worse aspect of my game the others weren't bad!). However despite the courses many awards and claims to brilliance for me it did actually lack that little spark. No doubt it is a fantastic course and the weather was a bit dull, but it didn't get my heart racing… it is quite hard to put but I hope I am getting my point across! One minor critisism is that the welcome although also fine seemed a bit robotic and cold however bar staff were fantastic! But as I payed £35 in June for both courses (on a junior rate) I cannot complain a single bit (even though I have!!!) |
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| 23 June 2009
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| | Most enjoyable course with some awsome bunkers, greens were rather flat and dissapointing though. |
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| 27 April 2009
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| Response: | | | max stockwell | 28 April 2009 | | Lincolnshire is a flat county so they cant help the way the course is layed out unless you have unlimited amount of money to spend for re-landscaping the environment and i doubt the public will let that happen!!!! |
| | | The course, in my view, deserves the rating that it has. The layout of the course is excellent and condition when we played was very good. It is a very hard course though and it is clear that it could really beat people up if they are not on their A-game. The bunkering is tight and seems like you could hit on on every shot. I played with a fourball of single figure golfers and two did not hit 25 points! Really enjoyable and would like to have played both courses. |
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| 16 April 2009
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| | This is a fantastic golf course which was in super condition after such a long, harsh winter. The staff are efficent and friendly, and the clubhouse offers great variety of food in a relaxed atmosphere, not something you normally associate with such a prestigious course. The course is simply brilliant with no weak holes and huge bunkers a real hazard as they should be. Each hole is is secluded from the others, the course was busy but you don't notice this due its seclusion. With trees and heather seemingly everywhere, you must bring your 'A' game to score well. Can see why its rated so highly, can't wait to return next year, well worth the long journey to the middle of nowhere. This is a golfing oasis. |
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| 25 March 2009
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| | Fantanstic golf course and can see why it rates as one of the best inland courses in the UK. Ganton is a personal favourite but Woodhall comes very close. I have already booked to play again this year and is exceptional value especially if you take advantage of the 2 course, over night stay deal. |
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| 05 March 2009
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| | Simply the best inland course I've ever played. Excellent layout, excellent condition and a tough test. A bit off the beaten track but a must play |
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| 18 October 2008
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| | As a very-hard-to-please Scot, brought up on the great links courses of my homeland, I was curious to see what 'The Best Inland Course in the UK' (according to the very latest 'Golf World' rankings) had to offer. To get straight to the point, Woodhall Spa is a wonderful golf course. Yes, it's very flat; yes, there are lots of deep bunkers ( half a shot dropped - what's wrong with that) but every hole is a fresh challenge. Not a weak hole on the course and an extraordinary secluded feeling. No extraneous noise - just golfers at one with nature. I'd still rather play Carnoustie or Turnberry but I'd place Woodhall Spa ahead of the best inland courses in Scotland - even the King's at Gleneagles - and well ahead of Rosemount which it ressembles and far surpasses. Well worth a detour to remote Lincolnshire. I'll be back!! |
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| 04 October 2008
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| | Just played the Hotchkin and the Bracken courses at Woodhall Spa - played the Bracken first then the Hotchkin in the afternoon, made for a great 36 holes of golf - the Bracken is well worth playing if you are there for the day, merits a 4 in my opinion, only 2 or 3 weak holes, superb condiiton, and you need to plot your way around. The Hotchkin was very good - but perhaps I was expecting too much given its elevated status. Yes it was very challenging indeed, and yes it is a beautiful golf course, but I found the bunkering to be verging on the silly - I am a single figure golfer, I imagine to the higher handicapper they must be nigh on impossible to escape from? To me, this course is very similar to Alwoodley in Leeds - with the only major difference being the bunkering. I'm not sure if it adds anything to the course. In summary though, it is a fantastic golf course and a pleasure to play, would thoroughly recommend it. I would not however place it as high in the rankings as number 2 in England, number 9 in the UK or 18 in the world - those rankings to me do not tally up. |
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| 24 August 2008
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| Response: | | | Chris Jones | 24 August 2008 | | A very accurate review - I agree it is a decent place but by no means worthy of the current placings |
| | | 9th?
Play this course and say it out loud..."9th!!!!!!!!"
Just because a relatively long,flat golf course has a number of enormous bunkers on every hole doesn`t make it a great course.
This is the most ludicrous rating of any in the top 100. |
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| 02 August 2008
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| Response: | | | Paul | 02 August 2008 | | The only thing ludicrous about your review is your complete inability to recognise a quality golf course. I could understand if you made constructive comments such as the land being flat, one of the only things you could say in my opion on the negative side, and marked it down as 5(although it is clearly a 6), but to give it an average rating is way off the mark as the couse is one of the world's best and most people see it as such. | | | moreski | 05 August 2008 | | I was scepticle about 9th, but I have to say having now played the course (in the pouring rain) I agree with the scoring in the top 100. It's a truly wonderful course, beautifully presented and a great test of golf. Your scoring of 3/6 is simply ridiculous and I can only presume that you play your golf on a local pitch and putt, enjoying the fact that the bunkers are nice and easy to get out of. | | | Tim Reed | 13 August 2008 | | I have been lucky enough to play here 100's of times as a visitor, mostly in foursomes competitions. Whilst the general terrain may be flat the couse has endless subtle contours. If you sit in the clubhouse and look at the score card, you will pick out a number of holes, 1,10,15 and 17 that appear very simple. You can take a cricket score at any of them and they are the easy ones. I have played all of the top 10 and whilst there be some debate about links versus inland, this is a wonderful course. try it off the back tees and tell me if it is not worthy of its place then. | | | Andrew | 05 October 2008 | | You are either a very high handicapper that struggled all the way round, and because YOU had a bad round you think the course is bad, or, This is the first quality course you have played and have no idea what a good course is. to give it a three ball rating is nuts. Other readers don't believe him he does not know what he is talking about. |
| | | This course is fantastic!!!
Every hole is different, the bunkers are amazing, but soft sand will allow a good sand shot out.
We kept waiting for a weak hole, ther is not one.
It also happens to be the best value of the top courses in the UK never mind in the area.
I have read somebody's review that slates this course, golfers are fickle, you score well you like the course, you score bad you don't, he must have had a stinker!!! Its great play it you will love it. |
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| 16 July 2008
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| | Played the Hotchkin in May as a prelude to our golf society visiting in July for 3 days.thought it was fabulous,a real test of golf.Our pro. told us to use a 3 wood but I thought "what the heck" and had a decent game scoring 31pts off 14 and my playing partners weren't far behind!Just one of those days I think.
Greens were difficult,fortunately didn't go in many bunkers and kept away from the gorse.
Will probably be completely different game when we go this week but it will still be a pleasure playing a quality course. |
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| 08 July 2008
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| | I was a bit dissapointed with this course, whcih is billed as the best inland course in the UK. It is nowhere near as good as Gleneagles (any of the 3 courses), Blairgowrie, Sunningdale or Wentworth. It is a good layout, the condition was OK and it was an enjoyable round. I only played it because I happened to be in the area and even then it was tough to find the course. I would not travel here specifically just to play this course - there are countless better such as Saunton, Birkdale, Burnham & Berrow, Littlestone as well as the inland courses mentioned above. |
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| 14 May 2008
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| Response: | | | Gary | 21 May 2008 | | Best Courses are subjective to the individual... That said you are barmy!!! This is significantly better that any other course listed (and yes I have played them all), particularly more so than the overated & overpriced Gleneagles "Americanised" resort. That may only be my opinion but believe me it is the correct opinion!!!! | | | James | 26 April 2012 | | You are on glue if you think Saunton is anything like Woodhall Spa. Its very hard, maybe too difficult for most hackers. The course does cater for this by placing the yellows in kind positions most days of the year. It deserves its english, british and world ranking. Sadly it doesn't have the history of some of the famous names ie, the Belfry, Sunningdale and Wentworth. It is however better. The world rankings are political. Watch the top few courses over the coming years, they do circles and take turns on the top spot. Augusta is a prime example, anything from 1-6. Shinnecock Hills is the most amazing course and incredibly tough and is ranked 3, sometimes 4, sometimes 6. But the courses around it don't change and neither does Shinnecock. Woodhall Spa deserves its ranking and doesn't achieve it with cliff top views ie Pebble Beach, or the Climate of Augusta, its pure golf in an amazing setting. Yes the back nine is prettier, but thats only due to the tall pines, nothing to do with golf in a pure sense. St Andrews is an ugly course, does that mean its rubbish. I think not! However St Andrews is actually over rated and is carried purely but history. Woodhall Spa achieves its status on golfing merit. Ask Westwood and Garcia! | | | Keith Baxter | 26 April 2012 | | James, Your comments are interesting but also baffling. Specifically your assertion that the world rankings are political and the top world ranked courses circle for the No.1 spot. Since 2005, when this website first ranked the World Top 100, Pine Valley was our No.1 and it has never moved from top spot in four biennial ranking iterations. Perhaps you’d like to explain to me why you think the world rankings have anything to do with politics. Perhaps email me (keith@top100golfcourses.co.uk) rather than using the online facility. Thanks. Keith Baxter – Editor-in-Chief |
| | | This course is fantastic.
Although rated very high, if it was not the fact that Golf has its roots in links courses, I think this course would be rated even higher.
Every hole is different, there is not one weak hole on the course. By far the best inland course in the UK. If you have not played it, it is worth making trip. |
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| 27 April 2008
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| | Another 5 star course, a must play before you die, an architectural masterpiece, they just need to cut back the trees and under growth off the fairways to make t more playable and enjoyable for all golfers. Besides, doing some trimming will create a lot more risk reward recovery shots. Very commercial and corporate, club house is nothing to mention, but the Hotchkin course deserves to be preserved for all time. The gorse, heather, ruggedness, super deep bunkers, and the designs of some excellent holes makes this place a golfers paradise. Yes, it is extremely hard but if only we had the option to play a quality course like this on a weekly basis... Thank you Mr. Hotchkins for what you gave to the game of golf. |
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| 10 February 2008
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| Response: | | | TR | 12 February 2008 | | Believe me they have cut a huge amount of Gorse and Heather out to make it more playable for ordinary golfers. you should have seen it before!! |
| | | Played in june last year. my second visit and was very underwhelmed. both courses hotchkin and bracken seemed to have deteoriated in condition fairways and greens. this seems to be from overplay. layout is still great but compared to the Grove which on my revisit was a remarkable improvement and immaculate. |
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| 24 January 2008
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| Response: | | | kevan voce | 26 January 2008 | | The Grove > Woodhall Spa? Right. And Justin Rose is better than Tiger Woods. The Grove is for nouveau golfers who prefer talking about the clothing, golf clubs, the showers and the number of cars in the car park with ego plates. Woodhall spa is for proper golfers who have a sense of history and wouldn't be seen dead in company BMW. | | | mike | 07 February 2008 | | calm down kevan! i was just commenting on the overall quality of fairways and greens and as this website is rating the BEST 100 courses in the world it requires improvement. |
| | | THE VERY BEST inland course in GB&I... Closely followed by Sunningdale, Hankley Common and Loch Lomond. |
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| 18 October 2007
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| | The last review is a joke right?! No true golfer could even say "Brocket Hall" and "Woodhall Spa" in the same comparible breath! Thats like comparing Cypress Point with Hayling Island!! 2 Good courses, but come on man!! What defines Woodhall Spa is its test of golf, period! The design is sheer brilliance and way ahead of its time. Woodhall Spa is an awesome golf course and an awesome test of Golf and rightly ranked the 2nd best course in England, ahead of Sunningdale, Wentworth, and way way way ahead of Brocket Hall! |
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| 16 August 2007
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| Response: | | | Woodhall Fan | 16 August 2007 | | I've played Woburn - OK but has a manufactured feel - and any comparisons with Woodhall I don't even think are relevant, it's the old apples with oranges scenario. |
| | | It was certainly a good course with some party pieces, like the bunkers, but by no means is it superior to other inland courses. Sunningdale is better, Wentworth is better, Woburn is better, Brocket Hall is better. Anyway, the greens are treacherous and fast but the fairways leave much to be desired. Play it once, but its a long way to go. |
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| 17 July 2007
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| Response: | | | Chris Jones | 17 July 2007 | | For me your review is spot on, including the comparisons to the other courses. |
| | | i am an 11 handicap at worsley marriott and turned up at the hotchkin course with my game in good order . That soon changed , 3 attempts at this course left me in tatters , 19 points was my best score , too fast , not any margin for error at all , bunkers that deep that the R A F must have bombed the area, and they just filled the holes with sand , well it is home to the dam busters !!! . hitting 7 iron 195 yards to stroke 1 hole was the highlight , but please play with caution and be aware that unless your 100% accurate then your in deep trouble , now im glad to get back to the marriott and restore my love of the game . |
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| 11 May 2007
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| Response: | | | Shahir Raja | 16 August 2007 | | An 11 Handicapper at a course like the Worsley Marriot would be about a 24 Handicapper at a Heathland course such as Woodhall Spa. PS, If you need to get away from Woodhall Spa and back to the Worsley Marriot to restore your love of the game, I'm afraid to say that your love is not for the sport of Golf! | | | Sam C | 16 July 2008 | | What are you talkin about? Worsley Marriot is a shocking course. You're criticising Woodhall for being hard? |
| | | I have been lucky enough to play Woodhall many times as a visitor. Some of the other reviewers who think the course is not fantastic should return and play from the White tees. It simply requires every shot in the bag and when there is little run on the ball, there are some very daunting long approach shots required. It represents exceptional value if you are a member of any club affiliated to the EGU. £50 in the summer and £30 in the Winter. |
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| 24 November 2006
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| | The Hotchkin course at Woodhall Spa will expose even the best disguised weakness in your game. Like all the great courses there is a sense of occasion when you stride out on the front nine. The layout is demanding with some superb burkers that look as though they were created by World War II bombers. I used all the clubs in the bag with difficult selections on most tee boxes. Some tense irons on the closing stretch cost me 5 strokes and the match, but even so I left the course with a smile and a sense of achievement. Do not be put off by the strange collection of sheds that they call a club house, there is a locker room and a bar there somewhere! |
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| 11 July 2006
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| | Rightly rated as number 7 (Golf World) and number 43 in the World by Golf Digest. To suggest that Sunningdale or Loch Lomond are better is like suggesting the Belfry be a superior test of Golf than that of Turnberry! An inland golf course that is quite simply THE BEST in the UK and one that would rival Pine Valley (USAs equivalent inland great). |
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| 21 June 2006
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| | I had a huge expectation prior to playing here as the course always has great reviews and often is called best inland course in GB&I. The course as a whole is good, very good in places but by no means the best. In direct comparison with Sunningdale or Loch Lomond, Woodhall is not in the same league. As I say the course is good and some great bunkering is the feature on all holes – but I found the course lacking in quite a few areas – all just a little flat with no real drama holes. The rating makes the course a must play but felt a touch disappointed, the best inland rating must be given by reviewers that have not played many to be honest. As well as Sunningdale, I would recommend a look in at Ipswich (Purdis Heath), North Hants and Beau Desert … all get my nod over Woodhall Spa. |
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| 20 June 2006
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| | I have played the Hotchkin course three times now and I actually think it's getting worse, certainly in terms of condition and, I think they’ve become too pedantic for their own good. Played here only the other day and the greens were less than acceptable for the time of year and for a course which is ranked so highly. I managed to find many of the enormous bunkers during my round (and I escaped from most I might add), but they are inconsistent. The sand is deep in some and virtually non-existent in others. That said, the Hotchkin is a good course but no way is it the best inland track in the British Isles. It lacks interest (in terms of elevation change) and it's too short from the yellow tees, especially during dry weather. Also, the catering staff could do with cheering up a bit, I know it's not the greatest job in the world but they are not very friendly. Finally I think the pedantic speed of play rules are truly ridiculous; from the off you are given a "Time Par" card with timings to tell you how long it should take to complete each hole. When you reach the 12th there is a huge sign which says "2hrs 44mins to this point". Surely 2hrs 45mins would be acceptable? Frankly I think they should concentrate on getting the basics right (greens and bunkers) before the English Golf Union wastes money on ridiculous things such as “time par cards”. How many times did we refer to the time cards on the way round? Yep you guessed it zero! |
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| 13 June 2006
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| Response: | | | ewjh | 03 February 2012 | | There is nothing in the rules of golf to say the depth of sand in bunkers must be consistent across the hole course. This is a myth profligated by pros in televised tournaments who insist upon it so as not to make them look stupid because they don't hit the perfect shot from a bunker. I dare say the professional game is all the worse for it. Judging the sand with your feet and adjusting your shot accordingly is meant to be the skill. Bunkers are meant to be hazards and should play as such. They should not be seen, as is now so often the case, as a predictable, 'bail out' alternative to a more tricky chip/putt from the surrounds. |
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