Who's who: Henry Longhurst

  • Nairn GC.jpg
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Peterhead GC
  • 30bb297e-e7f4-4990-93c9-b8c1e64fdd82.JPG
  • Littlestone GC
  • Brora GC
  • Cabot Highlands - Castel Stuart course
  • Torrey Pines - South Course 1

Who's who: Henry Longhurst

  • Name:

    Henry Carpenter Longhurst
  • Country:

    England
  • Lived:

    [1909-1978]. Born on March 18, 1909 in Bedford, England. Died on July 21, 1978 in Cuckfield, Sussex, aged 69.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Bedfordshire GC
  • Occupation:

    Accomplished amateur golfer, golf writer, radio & TV commentator, politician.
  • Turned Pro:

    n/a

Roll of Honour

Golf correspondent of the Sunday Times of London for 45 years. German Amateur Champion (1936). Honorary Life Member of the R&A (1977). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2017). Member of Parliament for Acton (1943-45). Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, CBE (1972).

Did you know?

During an excellent amateur career, in which he captained the men's golf team in his final year at Cambridge University (1931), Longhurst became German Amateur champion (1936) and runner-up in the French Amateur (1937).

Beginning his career in golf journalism for a small monthly golf magazine, Longhurst's wit and astute observations impressed the editors at the Sunday Times of London, who offered him the opportunity to become the newspaper's golf correspondent. He held that position for the next 40 years, while also contributing regular features to Golf Illustrated magazine.

From the late 1950s to the end of his life in 1978, Longhurst was BBC Television's senior golf commentator. Of his many quotes, perhaps the best known is “they say 'practice makes perfect.' Of course, it doesn't. For the vast majority of golfers, it merely consolidates imperfection.” His shoes as BBC's lead commentator were filled by Peter Alliss.

Find a course

Or

Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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

Popular videos

You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.

Whistling Straits (Wisconsin, US)

Hamburger GC - Falkenstein, Germany

Littlestone Golf Club (Kent, UK)