Alison's early design work was often produced as an assistant to Harry Colt, on projects such as Camberley Heath (1913), Northamptonshire County (1909) and St George's Hill (1912). Alison's best known work in "partnership" with Colt, and his own later work includes, but is not limited to:

BRITAIN & CONTINENTAL EUROPE:
Aldeburgh, Suffolk (modifications, with Colt, 1921) / Ascona, Switz (with Colt, 1928) / Hamburg-Falkenstein, Ger (with Colt, 1928) / Luffenham Heath, Rutland (1910) / Royal Haagsche, Nld (with Colt, 1938).

UNITED STATES & CANADA:
CC of Detroit, MI (redesign, 1927) / Hamilton G&CC, Ont (modifications with Colt, 1920) / Kirtland CC, Ohio (1921) / Milwaukee CC, WI (with Colt, 1928) / Sea Island, GA (Seaside-nine, with Colt, 1928) / Timber Point, NY (1925).

SOUTH AFRICA:
Bryanston, Joburg (1949) / Glendower, Joburg (1937) / Wingate Park, Pretoria (1947).

ASIA & AUSTRALIA:
Dalat Palace, Vietnam (with Colt, 1922) / Hirono, Jpn (1931) / Huntingdale, Aus (1941) / Ibaraki CC, Jpn (renovation, 1930) / Kasumigaseki CC, Jpn (renovation of East course, 1930) / Kawana Hotel, Jpn (Fuji course, 1936) / Naruo, Jpn (renovation, 1930) / Royal Selangor, Malaysia (1931) / Tokyo GC, Jpn (course no longer exists).

Educated at Malvern College in Worcestershire and New College, Oxford, Charles Hugh Alison, known to his friends as Hugh, was the first assistant to Harry Colt. Alison was clearly an accomplished sportsman in his day, representing Oxford University at golf and Somerset in county cricket (1902-1905).

Alison is credited with working alongside Harry Colt on many of the legendary architect's famous commissions throughout the British Isles. Alison also worked extensively in North America in the 1920s as Colt's able lieutenant, in the process becoming one of America's outstanding golf architects of the day. In 1928 the firm of Colt, Alison & Morrison Ltd. was created, formalising Colt and Alison's 20-year working relationship, and recognising John Morrison's involvement with them since the early 1920s.

Perhaps Alison is best remembered for his work in laying out some of the first and finest courses in Japan. His work included new courses at Tokyo Golf Club (the course no longer exists), as well as Hirono (1931) and the Fuji course at Kawana Hotel (1936). While in Japan he also renovated the courses at Ibaraki Country Club (1930) and the East course at Kasumigaseki Country Club (1930). Alison had quite an impact on golf architecture in Japan, so much so that steep-faced revetted-style bunkers are often referred to as "Alisons".

Towards the end of 1947 Alison sailed with his wife to live in South Africa. He conducted several reviews of established courses in 1948, e.g. Royal Johannesburg, Pretoria CC and East London GC, while also designing new courses at Wingate Park (1947) and Bryanston (1949).