Sunningdale Heath Golf Club

Sunningdale Heath Golf Club (until 2018 known as Sunningdale Ladies' Golf Club) was formed in 1902, a couple of years after Sunnningdale Golf Club. The par-58 layout (par-61 for ladies) comprises 14 par-3s and four par-4s.

Sunningdale Heath sits directly alongside the front-nine of the Old course of "big Sunningdale", as the members call their renowned neighbour. Originally an eight-hole layout, "little Sunningdale" was extended to 18 by the legendary Harry Colt, who also designed Sunningdale's New course, and substantially modified the Old.

The 18 wonderfully crafted holes of the more sedate Sunningdale Heath make good use of the undulating terrain. There's a pleasant mix of uphill and downhill carries, and a few semi-blind tee and approach shots required. Not long at 3,700 yards from the back tees, and a little compact in places, you'll find plenty of slender Scots pines framing the holes, as well as heather, gorse and rhododendrons reinforcing the heathland feel. Look through the light treeline at 12 and 13, and you'll espy the famed uphill par-3 4th on the Sunningdale Old course.

The busy A30 road sits behind the trees on a few early front-nine holes; opulent sized villas, Sunningdale's Old course and plenty of natural woodland border others. The many elevated tees are countered by an equal number of uphill tee shots. Only on the last four holes do things flatten out (in front of Sunningdale GC's former Dormy House).

This true custodian of the original ladies game, will provide all golfers (men and women, high and low handicappers, juniors and seniors alike) with a worthy examination of their skills. Not least their iron play to the small circular excellent greens. to follow.