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. Heathland course. Relatively flat terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Woodland and heathland.
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 Hotchkin course. Also at Woodhall Spa is the 18-hole Bracken Course (par-72; 6636 yds from back tees; rating 72.6).
53.156409
-0.201603
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 (Hotchkin course): Many rate the Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa as one of the world's finest and most natural heathland courses. Imbued with plenty of deep and ruggedly impressive natural bunkering ( ... the bunkers are generally four times bigger and deeper than they at first appear!), the layout represents heathland golf at its heathery best.
The wonderfully natural and relatively open environment is home to good-width fairways lined by large swathes of heather, and gorse bushes too. There's a lovely mix of par-3s, as well as doglegging and straightaway holes, and several long carries over heather from the tees.
This relatively flat heathland environment is not characterised by prodigious elevation changes nor by especially undulating fairways. Even the greens are relatively flat, but full of subtle breaks and mysterious borrows. Although an easy-walking course, the Hotchkin lays down a great test ... not least through its prodigious bunkering.
The front-nine is played in a relatively open landscape, with wonderfully challenging golf holes demanding good shot-making and adept course management. At the par-4 4th and par-3 5th you'll get a chance to closely inspect the "Tower on the Moor". More trees become evident as you head for home on the inward nine, although recent tree-thinning has created a more open feel and a better sense of "connection" with the front nine.
Pick of the holes: although the par-4 11th often claims top honours, we thought the excellently bunkered par-5 18th, played back to the new clubhouse, closes-out the round in great style.
Bracken course: Woodhall Spa's newer Bracken course, is not quite in the same elevated league as the Hotchkin. It does however provide a contrasting experience of a more parkland hue. It is generally regarded as easier-going and more forgiving than its ever-challenging sibling, although the Bracken's large undulating greens lay down quite a test. (See separate Where2Golf page for the Bracken course).
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 "Tower on the Moor", which you see at the 4th green on the Hotchkin course, is a former hunting lodge, and was part of the Tattershall Castle estate. The castle itself, with its origins in the 1200s, was largely rebuilt by Ralph de Cromwell, 3rd Baron Cromwell (c.1393-1456). Cromwell served as the Treasurer of England in the 1430s.
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.
Hotchkin course:
England's 5th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Britain & Ireland's 18th best course (Golf World, 2025).
World's 58th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 26th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
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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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.
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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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