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West Hill, England |
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West Hill Golf Club
Bagshot Road
Brookwood
Surrey
GU24 0BH
England |  | Cuthbert Butchart |  | Guy Shoesmith |
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 | +44 (0)1483 474365 |  | 5 miles N of Guildford |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact secretary in advance |  | Gina Rivett |
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West Hill Golf Club is the youngest of the trinity of “Ws” located in this most beautiful corner of Surrey (Woking and Worplesdon being the other two). Cuthbert Butchart, a Scottish professional from Carnoustie, laid out the course in 1910 on the instruction of the founder, Mrs Marguerite Lubbock, a keen golfer. At the time, ladies were not allowed to become members at other local Surrey clubs, so she decided to form one of her own. Butchart went on to become West Hill's first club professional and he also made a name for himself as a fine, forward-thinking clubmaker. His drivers were revolutionary, superbly balanced and fitted with innovative lead weights.
Butchart is not a household name in golf course architecture, but he created an excellent course at West Hill, which has remained virtually untouched ever since (except for some recent bunker refurbishment). The course is routed in an out and back fashion across undulating sandy ground. The fairways are lined with pine, birch and, of course, tangly heather. Measuring slightly more than 6,350 yards, West Hill is not long by today's standards, but with only two par fives and a lowly par of 69, it represents an enjoyable and testing challenge. The key to scoring well at West Hill is the successful negotiation of the five short holes and the best of these is undoubtedly the 15th, which measures 212 yards from the back tees. British golf luminary Henry Cotton felt that the 15th was one of the best short holes in Britain and, for a while, Cotton shared the West Hill course record with a 67.
West Hill is home of the famous Father and Son Foursomes Tournament, which was first contested in 1931. The Times and The Telegraph report on this event as it progresses each year. The winning team become proud holders of the Geoffrey Lubbock Challenge Cup, which was donated by the husband of the founder Marguerite.
If it's charm that you are looking for, then you need look no further than West Hill. This is a truly delightful golf course. | |
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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: |  | | | West Hill is a simply lovely place to come and play golf. It's set in such beautiful surroundings and has a real atmosphere. The course itself is also superb and in fantastic condition. It calls for much careful thought and shot selection from the tee and although the yardage is short on the card there are some very challenging par 4s and some of the best par 3 holes I have played. It cannot just be overpowered and is very tough. The standout holes for me are the 6th - a brilliant and picturesque par 4 - and the fantastic 15th - a long one shotter to a fearsome green. This course is what golf is all about, wonderful. |
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| 02 November 2011
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| | I was fortunate enough to play here on one of the hot days at the end of September & the course was in superb condition. Though reported as being a little on the short side, it didn't really feel that way playing from the white tees & there was a lot to think about off the tee in terms of well placed hazards. The tee boxes we undergoing some repair on our visit, but that didn't take away from what was a gorgeous course with some very exciting multi-tiered greens. A very nice course that I would recommend anyone pay a visit to. |
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| 10 October 2011
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| | Really enjoyed our visit to West Hill. Thought the course was superb, tree lined with heather abundant to punish wayward shots. Par 3's excellent, condition of the course was top quality although the greens were on the slow side, staff helpful and friendly so all round excellent. Cant give it a 6 ball rating as its not as good as Sunningdale, but would definately play again. |
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| 15 August 2011
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| | Another beautiful course, a lot of nice to good holes, a little on the short side in length but that makes for a pleasant day out. Course needs serious bunker retooling, they are not the style nor the severeness you would expect to find on a top rated heathland course. The bunkers could really frame up the course nicely if redone. |
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| 24 July 2011
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| Surrey is blessed with a lot of great golf courses and as an all round golf club West Hill is up there with the best of them. It has a great blend of everything a golfer could hope for: a challenging course with a variety of holes and features, active membership and competitions, great putting surfaces and the ever elusive "atmosphere". The more I've played West Hill and the more courses I've played at home and abroad, the more I appreciate just how good the original design was. It hasn't change very much in over 100 years. There is something very satisfying about being challenged by a course that was created without the aid of modern landscaping equipment that was created making best use of the natural landscape and by moving a minimum of earth.
For me, four things about this course stand out. Firstly, length. When people refer to the relative lack of length of West Hill (and other similar courses such as New Zealand and Woking) compared to modern day courses, they are missing the whole point of the course and, in many ways, of amateur golf generally. The key to a good round of golf at West Hill is simple - hit it onto the fairway! If you are marginally out of position with your tee shot (particularly on the par 3 and 4 holes), then this really limits your options and requires creative shot-making to make a par. 6,400 yards may not be long enough for the touring pros, but for 99.99% of the golfing population it is a non-issue.
Secondly, the lack of gimmicks and "signature holes". It has all the elements that should be in any golf course - challenging variety of holes; difficult par 3s; a short par 4 (12th) and a great finishing hole. There is something reassuring about playing a course that is just a very solid test of golf.
Thirdly, the opening and closing holes of the round. I've played many of the top 100 courses and it is amazing how many of these have - relative to the other holes on the course - weak opening and closing holes. A good opening hole and, even more so for a golf course where club competitions are played week-in, week-out, a challenging closing hole is a real plus for any golf club. West Hill opens with a very picturesque hole over the brook. However where it really excels is the 18th hole. Of how many courses can it be said (hand on heart) that the final hole is the best hole on the course? The 18th hole at West Hill has the lot - a great view of the clubhouse from the tee; challenging bunkering, a very difficult approach to the green (if you pull it left you are done for) and a great view for spectators from the patio! It isn't possible to relax until you have sunk that final putt on the 18th which is exactly the way it should be.
Finally, the greens. They are fast and true and a lot of thought is required to navigate these successfully. As with all those familiar with the area I suppose I should contribute to the three Ws debate . . . I don't spend hours thinking about which of my three kids I love the most and I'm not about to start with the three Ws. All great - just enjoy! |
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| 11 July 2011
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| To play a round at West Hill in glorious sunshine on a pleasant day is one of life’s treats. I did so for the first, and so far only time, in June 2011. The course is easy enough to get to by road from London although the entrance could hardly be more understated. The welcome was cordial and professional, and this, along with the ample practice facilities helped me start my round well. The course merits its ranking due to a timeless design coupled with fabulous presentation. The course has enough undulations and changes in elevation to keep the interest of the more proficient golfer, but could be a little daunting for the newcomer.  The course gives the golfer numerous options off the tee and into the greens, unlike some target style courses. With the help of a course planner the first timer should find the course a fair test with excellent greens: both receptive of well-struck approach shots and true-rolling for putts. The course is relatively short by modern standards with accuracy from the tee frequently being the best policy. I find it hard to pick the standout holes as the overall quality is so high although the quirky 11th, an uphill par four, is a personal favourite. The hole offers a generous piece of fairway to the left or what appears to be a mere sliver of fairway straight ahead, followed by a semi blind approach. It may be easier to select the weakest holes with only the par3 13th, being a minor disappointment, although it would be a welcome addition to many courses. The setting is tranquil with no roads with fast-moving traffic nearby so tyre noise is no problem. For some, the proximity of the railway may be a problem but for me it wasn’t here as indeed it wasn’t at Liphook, North Hants, or Woking. Railway lines also serve as adornment to course such as Dundonald, Western Gailes, Royal Troon, etc. Of the three neighbouring 'W' courses I found West Hill a close second to Woking and marginally ahead of Worplesdon. For the record I am a member of a club that has no links to West Hill: more’s the pity. |
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| 01 July 2011
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| Response: | | | Hugh | 02 July 2011 | | I agree entirely with this review regarding the railway debate. Classic golf courses and railways go hand in hand, the railways were here before the roads, without railways many golf courses would never have been built. The three Ws are always so close to call. My preference is Worplesdon but that's purely down to personal taste. All three are great courses. | | | Andy | 03 July 2011 | | Always a great debate about the 3 'W's and it is difficult to disagree with any order to be honest. For the record mine would be West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon. | | | Nick | 11 July 2011 | | I have to agree entirely with your comments having played here in March this year (when we had the good weather). I think the course is fantastic and would happily go back. I would have to say that my order would be Worplesdon, Woking, West Hill, but I have no idea why, maybe it was the way I played that determined my favourite. |
| | | We drove from London to this golf course to have a quite afternoon. Unfortunately, at the first few holes and at the last holes you constandly hear the train (you also can see the train) and the main road. This was absolutely annoying to me.
However, the course is in very good condition and not easy to play. But for me the balance between price, distance and expectations is not good enough and so I wouldn't recommend this course. |
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| 30 June 2011
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| | Yes, it's quiet. Yes, it is a bit old-fashioned. Yes, it is not mountainously long. But it is beautiful, comes with an unobtrusive and genuine welcome, and a really clever golf course that test every shot in the bag, and insists you think on every shot. By the way, it may not be long, but if you get anywhere near the par of 69 you have done really well. when firm and fast in the summer, I imagine the greens are very difficult. All good holes, few great ones. The short par 4 before the hut is a classic risk/reward hole, and the final par 3 brilliant. A great place to play, and a bargain at the £50 winter rate. |
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| 30 March 2011
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| | West Hill is a haven for those seeking a traditional, challenging and classy golf course. The clubhouse is understated and there is no state-of-the-art driving range. Don't expect a palatial locker room or a gallery of champagne-quaffing dignitaries on the patio either. This is a golfer's club.
You'll find eighteen very challenging holes, several of which do not require driver from the tee, but demand a long iron or fairway wood approach. The routing of the course has remained mostly unchanged for a hundred years, but the intelligence of the design means it plays a lot longer than the 6,322 yards on the card. Expect your short game to be tested by the fast, undulating and often expansive greens. Also, prepare to be creative with recovery shots, many of which will undoubtedly be from the thick heather that grows on most of the holes.
West Hill boasts five excellent par-3s, ranging from 140 to 215 yards long. Each of them has perfectly-positioned bunkers and greens which require precise placement, rather than the usual safe shot to the middle. Indeed, if you end up the wrong-side of the large whale-back which runs through the centre of the 15th green, you may wish you had missed the green completely. With only two par-5s on the course, your performance on the par-3s can make or break a round.
The lasting memory of a round at West Hill is inevitably the superb closing hole. Playing all of 440 yards uphill to the clubhouse, the par-4 18th is defended by two banks of severe fairway bunkers. Topped with heather, the narrow traps effectively turn the hole into a three-shot approach for many. With the Secretary's office and clubhouse dining room lurking just a few yards from the regular pin position at the back of the green, there are a few extra nerves associated with the final approach shot.
Whether you ask a member to take you out or write to the Secretary, a round at West Hill will show you English inland golf at its finest. |
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| 16 November 2010
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| | Played this course yesterday and I have to say I was very impressed. The 1st hole is currently undergoing some drainage work so had to play a temporary green but all other 17 holes were in fantastic condition. Greens were very smooth and fast even with the wet weather during the night. Lots of heather lurking off the fairways to catch your ball, many tree lined holes however the fairways were always fair and enticing you to always bring out the driver. Clubhouse was a little bit disappointing, but still full of old character. Definitely worth playing. |
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| 27 August 2010
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| | I have played here twice this year and found it to be really superb. In particular West Hill has a top class set of challenging and very well designed par 4s the best being #18 which I believe to be possibly the finest finishing hole in Surrey because it is long, difficult and perfectly framed by heather right, pine trees left and the club house hard behind the long 3 tier green. Condition wise the course was excellent especially the greens which were speedy and very true. In terms of criticism I would say that whilst #4 and #15 are excellent short holes #7 and #9 are trifle dull by comparison. Overall the club has a lovely understated classy feel to it and the course has so much variety that I could not imagine ever becoming tired of playing here. This course is often compared to near neighbours Worplesdon and Woking both of which are also fantastic in their own right however West Hill is in my opinion the most difficult of the 3 Ws. |
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| 22 December 2009
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| | A terrific course in the mature Surrey heathland. Not very long or tough but once in the heather if you find your ball it is only a hack out. Undulations, giant trees, streams and woodland were some other prominent features. It was extremely pretty but the greens had just had some hollow-tining done so the greens were slow and bumpy. The bar afterwards was quiet and had no character. Apart from these things however the course was fantastic and I would highly recommend it. |
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| 08 November 2009
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| | Played the course in late April and enjoyed the round enormously. A real feel of space and privacy once you are passed the railway adjacent to the 3rd. Fantastic par 3's with great bunkering. On any of the par threes you are punished by being left, right or short and sometimes also if you are long. I found the much criticised stretch from 12 through to 15 very interesting - 12 being a cleverly bunkered drivable par 4 with a very tricky 2 tier green and 14 being a long dogleg which requires a very good tee shot. The greens were subtle and but the condition of them only average. I'll be back, hopefully when the cousre is in full bloom |
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| 15 May 2009
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| | a little surprised to see this course lying at 85th in the rankings. Great course, lots of local charm and in my view the best of the 3 W's. Accuracy key to scoring well, and or course a hot putter. Must play for all standards. |
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| 27 March 2009
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| | A great course in the middle of an area where they are in abundance.
I live in Sussex and the quality of golf courses here is pretty poor. Oh to live in this area of Surrey and enjoy all the gems they have to offer.
West Hill is tough due to the par of 69, a great finishing hole makes you think all the way to the bar! |
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| 26 September 2008
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| | Don’t be fooled the par 69 scorecard that this course is easy to master. The heather here is very long and it is tough to find your ball let alone get it out. On my visit in August the greens were slow as they had been hollow tined and a little disappointing for the time of year. Having said that it’s a lovely course with some great holes and we received a nice welcome from everyone. For me it’s the lesser of the 3 W’s in the area, with Woking coming out on top. I’m surprised by the position in the top 100 of these 3 courses. Woking should be much higher. All in all though this is another great course in the Surrey area that must be played. |
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| 10 September 2008
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| | I have played all three W's, although West Hill I admit only once. In my mind this is the third of the three, but I mean no insult to this truly wonderful course, if I lived in striking distance I would be very very proud to be accepted as a member. It is one of those beautiful undulating Surrey heathland courses that are both timeless and serene. They are true membership clubs and the courses are built to be that way, they are not huge tests of golf, but really! I play golf for a lovely walk, with good views and the occasional good golf shot. Personally that is why I love these old fashioned courses they can flatter your golf and all of them throw in some real card wreckers on the way and generally the heather keeps your scoring in check anyway. As with all these surrey courses they have beautiful stands of natural English trees, a great deal of heather and great greens and West Hill makes the most of these attributes especially with the last three holes which are a great finish to a round ........... the 18th is a real tough one. The only negative is as a previous reviewer stated the stretch of holes 12 - 15 they just let the rest of this beautiful course down. Both Woking and Warplesdon lack this weakness and that is why I put them just above West Hill and also the clubhouse, although lovely, lacks the real old world charm of Worplesdon and Woking. If you're a cricket lover West Hill has strong connections with Surrey County Cricket Club and the Bedser twins are celebrated members with some memorabelia and one of the bars named after them. (I also hear they are looking for members). |
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| 19 July 2007
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| Response: | | | Bob bobcus | 04 August 2007 | | I am a member at west hill and it is a great course, although it might not be the longest of all courses it is certainly very challenging. Im very glad that i shot my best round the other day of a 3 over | | | Mike Graves | 04 December 2007 | | As a member of West hill I can't believe these comments. Hole 12 has one of the trickest greens on the whole course. Hole 13 is a very tricky par 3, very narrow opening to the green, more 4's than 3's scored on this hole. Hole 14 is stroke index 1, anyone who walks away with a par is pleased. As for 15,many regard this as one of the finest par 3's in England. |
| | | Played the course during May 2006. The course was in quite good condition. I had played the course a year earlier and the greens were much quicker then, however they still run tremendously true (given the fact that I had 26 putts). The course, while not long in distance, requires a lot of careful planning off the tee and approaches must be very accurate, as you can ill aford to be above the hole. Only two Par 5s on the course, which means any birdies must be found on difficult Par 4s and dangerous par 3s. The quality of the course made my gross 67 (Par 69) feel even better. |
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| 20 July 2006
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| | West Hill is a fantastic course that is unfortunatley located in an area with an abundence of great courses so therefore maybe does not get the recognition it deserves. Having played the course on its twilight rate I would say that it is comparable to the East at Wentworth but surpasses it when it comes to VFM. As it has great competition from the other courses in the area I also found it very quite on the course. Great par 3's (some of the best I have seen and all on one course) and a good mix of par 4's ensures that the course is a pleasure to play. If you are ever on the M3 leave at junction 3 and go and play it. You can always tell the wife you were stuck on the M25! |
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| 30 May 2006
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| | West Hill is in my opinion a good course, not great but good. Certainly comparable to ther other 2 Ws, allbeit not as pretty as Worpleston. Some way short of Hankley Common, Walton Heath, Sunningdale, The Berkshire, Swinley Forest, but a nice track all the same. |
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| 06 February 2006
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| | I have been a junior member here for about 2 years i have never found a problem with the course. It is located in a good position in Surrey, about 10 minutes away from Woking Town Centre and only a short away from Brookwood Station. I started at a handicap of 28 here and i have now been cut down to 16, in a matter of a year. West Hill is always guaranteed to be in superb condition during the summer months. The greens are very quick and undulating. However, during the winter months the greens slow down and are harder to putt on. The greens are never good all year around but are still in good nick during the winter. I find it , as a junior of the mens tees a very hard course, mainly because of the greens and the heather found around the course.I believe out of the three w's (West Hill, Worplesdon and Woking) it is the best, i have played all these three courses and believe that West Hill should be a much higher ranked course than these other two, maybe around 80th. If anyone ever gets a chance to play at this wonderful course then take the chance and play it and but a course planner to give you a helping hand to conquer this course. |
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| 21 December 2005
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| | This is a great course – it is only slightly let down by holes 12-14 which, due to a house and a road to the house in the middle, are easily the weakest holes on the course but they don’t, however, ruin the enjoyment of the course. The standard of the other 15 are on a par with pretty much anything else. It is not the hardest course in the world, but really nice design and very enjoyable. · I had a great welcome over the phone from head pro Guy and in person from his assistant Matthew – both of them have just arrived at the club from Basingstoke. The pro shop had just been renovated and was nicely stocked and the bar was open even though it was getting dark and almost deserted when we finished. Overall, I would rate the course as slightly weaker than Worplesdon, but I think the course should be ranked nearer 50 than 100 in anyones list. If holes 12-14 were up to the standard of the rest of the course it would push Worplesdon very close and as it is, it is not far behind and should be on anyones must play list. Two of England’s finest courses are almost next to each other – I now need to pay Woking, again next door, to see if it is in the same league. A high standard has been set. |
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| 10 September 2005
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| | I had a thoroughly enjoyable round at West Hill last weekend. It's in excellent condition and provided a true test of golfing ability. I've played Woking a good deal over the last ten years or so, but found West Hill to be superior in almost every aspect. |
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| 24 March 2005
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| | West Hill is a tough test with a par of 69, which includes 5 par 4’s over 400 yards. Straight driving is needed to enable a chance of getting to the green on these holes – if you are not careful these holes will cost you. There are chances to get a score going on the two shortish par 5’s and especially the Par 4 12th (under 300 yards) – this hole can tempt the bigger hitters to give it a real go ! Don’t over do it though and find the trees on the right, can be a card wrecker ! Very tricky greens to read - certainly beat me ... Comparisons will be made with nearby Woking and for me although similar looking, this gets the nod as the toughest test to your handicap although Woking gets the vote for the 'better looking'.... Recommended. |
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| 11 February 2005
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| | I spent a day playing this beautiful tree-lined course with a group of friends and had a wonderful time. The course is absolutely superb with wonderfully designed holes that utilise the contours and surroundings very well indeed. If you don't have a strokesaver watch out on the 5th tee...there's heather right across the fairway over the hill! Oh, and you must have tea and a bacon sandwich at the snack hut by the 12th green, makes the memory of all those missed putts fade away! I would play this course again and again given the opportunity! |
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| 10 September 2004
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| | Lovely traditional course set next to Worplesdon and Woking. Played here in 2002 - 36 holes of thoroughly enjoyable golf. Possibly a bit on the short side but charming nonetheless and definitely well worth a visit. |
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| 07 July 2004
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