Guildford Golf Club

Guildford Golf Club is located on the pleasantly rolling terrain of fast-draining, chalk-based Merrow Downs. Although mature woodland surrounds the relatively open course, from its higher elevations you are afforded magnificent views over the surrounding Surrey countryside. The vistas take-in the distant hi-rise skyline of the town of Woking, as well as the reverently square tower of Guildford Cathedral.

On this well-presented out-and-back layout, Surrey's chalk-based downland and J.H. Taylor's deft design combine to provide a wonderfully natural, scenic, eminently playable and thoroughly enjoyable layout.

The relatively short yardage here, 6,160 yards from the tips, can be deceptive, as the opening 350-yard par-4 1st amply demonstrates. This "opening hole to remember", has you playing from an elevated tee, then back up to an elevated green. It's one of several holes making full use of the elevation changes, but thankfully one of only two holes (with the par-4 17th) where the uphill climb is "noticeable".

The firm fast-running fairways generally feel spacious enough, although there are one or two blind and semi-blind drives to make from the tee. The greens are typically large (except at 17), and home to significant slopes and borrows. Most greens are well-defined by accompanying bunkering and attractive moguls.

Heather and gorse adds something of a heathland trim to several holes, while a liberal scattering of trees break-up the course's predominantly open heathland-downland character. Water is conspicuously absent throughout.

Pick of the holes: the downhill par-5 8th at 579 yards plays shorter than its yardage suggests, while wonderful views can be enjoyed coming round the dog-leg. The straightaway 15th or "crater hole" presents a daunting blind tee-shot over a marker post. A large deep "pit" (a former quarry? WW2 bomb?) needs to be carried in front of the tee, before lovely views of Woking and beyond open-up from the fairway. The 15th tee sits at a high "meeting point" on the course, alongside the 3rd and 12th tees, and 2nd, 11th and 14th greens.