Sarum Rd,
Winchester, Hampshire SO22 5QE
Office
+44 (0)1962 852 462Pro shop
+44 (0)1962 862 473Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Elliot Coates (Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Mainly open downland/parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb, but not too onerous to walk.
Surroundings:
Woodland, downland and limited residential.
Designer:
John Henry "J.H." Taylor.
51.060657
-1.349059
1.5 mi W of Winchester centre / 12 mi N of Southampton.
Royal Winchester
Royal Winchester Golf Club is home to a pleasantly challenging and undulating 18-hole course, designed by J.H. Taylor, a member of the legendary Great Triumvirate (with James Braid and Harry Vardon), and a former club professional at RWGC.
The layout plays on either side of a small valley, with a typical Hampshire downland feel on the front-nine, and something a little more parkland on much of the back-nine. Predominantly open, though partly tree-lined in places, the course offers lovely views out towards northeast Hampshire.
This easy-draining course plays well throughout the year, even on the wettest of days. Predominantly occupying downland terrain, the firm, fast-rolling fairways are complemented by hard, fast greens. Don't assume you'll be rewarded with flat lies. Sloping lies are all too common on the often side-sloping fairways.
With plenty of variety in the mix, the layout includes several attractive features to test all facets of your game A goodly number of straight-faced, revetted-style bunkers threaten, especially defending the greens. Although there are several slopes, and a bit of a climb from the 10th green to the 11 tee, the course is not overly demanding to walk.
Pick of the holes: back-to-back par-5s at the turn, offer a gently downhill sloping "hour-glass" fairway at the 10th, and a challenging elevated plateau-green at the 11th. Also memorable is the short par-4 18th, played from an elevated tee to a well bunker-defended green beside the modern, brick-built clubhouse.
Visitors welcome on weekdays; only members and their invited guests on weekends.
Must book in advance.
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (if booked in advance). There's a halfway house at the 10th tee.
Good
Founded in 1888, Winchester GC received its Royal prefix at the prerogative of George V in 1913. In England, 19 golf clubs have been honoured by a reigning British monarch with the "Royal" title. They are: Ascot, Ashdown Forest, Birkdale, Blackheath, Cinque Ports, Cromer, Eastbourne, Epping Forest, Household (Windsor Castle), Liverpool (Hoylake), Lytham & St Annes, Mid-Surrey, North Devon (Westward Ho!), Norwich, St George's, West Norfolk (Brancaster), Wimbledon, Winchester, Worlington & Newmarket.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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