The Broadway,
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6PU
Office
+44 (0)1526 352 511 (bookings)Pro shop
+44 (0)1526 351 831Fax
+44 (0)1526 351 817Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Adam Keogh (Head Professional & Academy Mgr).Academy
The National Golf Centre Golf SchoolThe Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Hotchkin course: original design by Harry Vardon (1903), with bunker suggestions by J.H. Taylor (1904). Significant modifications to most holes and some of the routing by Harry Colt (1911). Further modifications in 1920s by Colonel Stafford V. Hotchkin (the then owner, known as "The Colonel").
Bracken course: designed by Donald Steel (1998).
Above distances are for the Bracken course. Also at Woodhall Spa is the 18-hole Hotchkin Course (par-72; 7024 yds from back tees; rating 75.3).
53.156886
-0.207976
19 miles E of Lincoln
Head east on the B1191 from Woodhall Spa town centre; golf entrance is on the left.
Woodhall Spa / The National Golf Centre (Bracken course): from its inception in 1998, this Donald Steel design has developed into a worthy and contrasting parkland foil to its immense sibling, the heathland Hotchkin course. The springy fairway turf and relatively flat terrain might be similar to the Hotchkin, but the Bracken is an essentially easier-going parkland layout rather than heathland.
Laid out in two nine-hole loops, the course is routed through a mix of relatively flat tree-lined avenues and more open areas. There's a pleasing variety of straight and doglegging holes, some good-width, some tighter, as well as short and long par-4s, and a testing collection of par-3s. Water threatens on six holes, courtesy of ponds and streams that flow from Bracken Beck.
The bunkering on the Bracken is stylish, but of a different magnitude to that on the Hotchkin. Whereas the Hotchkin's greens are relatively flat and subtly sloping, here you'll find many more slopes on the "roller-coaster" putting surfaces. Beyond this well-maintained course lies tranquil woodland, only disturbed by the chatter of abundant birdlife, and small muntjac deer.
Pick of the holes: providing a fitting finale to the round, the straight par-4 18th plays along a good-width fairway with six stalwart oaks lining the way. The par-3 16th is a fine exemplar for the short holes, where water and bunkering combine to provide the threat.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap limit on the Hotchkin course (men 28; women 36), does not apply on the Bracken course. Proof of handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2026].
Players generally walk this course. 12 buggies and also caddies are available (to be booked in advance). There's a halfway house at the 9th tee.
Excellent
The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa is the home of England Golf. At the start of 2012 the English Golf Union (EGU) merged with the English Women's Golf Association (EWGA) to form England Golf, the governing body for all amateur golf in England. England Golf is one of the largest sports governing bodies in England, looking after the interests of over 1,900 golf clubs and 713,000 men and women club members.
Woodhall Spa's new clubhouse is due to open in mid-2027.
Stixwould Rd, Woodhall Spa, Lincs LN10 6QG
+44 (0)1526 352 411
Visit websiteBursting with character and history, Petwood is unique among hotels in Lincolnshire. The elegant hand-carved staircase and extensive oak panelling typify the hotel's old world charm, while guests can enjoy discovering features such as the Squadron Bar and immaculately kept gardens.
The original features of the house are sympathetically maintained in harmony with comfortable rooms. The famous RAF 617 or “Dambusters” squadron put Petwood firmly on the map; the intrepid RAF officers found the house a “splendid place” to return to after their daring wartime raids.
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Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin and Bracken courses).
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