West Hill Golf Club

Course type: Heathland Topography: Undulating fairways with a number of elevated tees / greens. Best feature: The course is not hugely long (par 69) but requires thought as to which club to use off the tee due to carefully placed bunkers, streams and swathes of heather. I'm not a big hitter so it's normally driver off every tee that's not a par 3 and this was a refreshing challenge. Many of the putting surfaces feature ridges, slopes and multiple tiers so accuracy on the approach shot is also important (being on the wrong tier or the wrong side of a ridge can lead to a very tricky two-putt). Worst feature: None - I loved the course Condition: Greens, tees, fairways and bunkers were all in great condition. The bunkers are gradually undergoing renovation and we had a member with us explaining the changes that have been made already and those yet to be made - all of which, in my view, improve and already great course. Verdict: Whilst not as iconic as the Sunningdale courses our trip was arranged around, West Hill was my star of the show. There are so many great courses in the Surrey area and West Hill

West Hill Golf Club is a classic heathland course designed by Cuthbert Butchart in 1907. Despite being bordered by neighbouring courses, a railway line, and residential areas, the layout feels open and spacious, with attractive views across rolling heathland throughout the round. The course is gently undulating and framed by heather, with a strong mix of holes. The par 3s are a particular highlight, while the par 4s offer excellent variety and strategic interest. The closing hole is a standout finish, a par 4 defended by long bunkers and played back towards the clubhouse. The condition was excellent, with well-presented fairways, testing greens, and bunkers positioned to reward thoughtful play. Facilities include a welcoming clubhouse with a patio overlooking the 18th green, excellent food, and a well-stocked standalone pro shop. Practice facilities include a putting green close to the first tee. West Hill is one of Surrey’s finest heathland courses and should not be overlooked. Beautifully presented, strategically strong, and highly enjoyable from start to finish.

West Hill is one of the renowned “Three W’s” in Surrey—three top-tier courses located close together. The others are Worplesdon and Woking. I’d played Worplesdon on a previous trip and loved it, so I was really looking forward to experiencing West Hill. It did not disappoint. A stunning heathland course, it was in excellent condition for mid-March—probably the best of the five courses we played that week (including a World Top 100). The elevated first tee gives you a great view of what's ahead. Each hole strikes a perfect balance: playable tee shots, variety in distance and club selection, and well-defended, interesting green complexes. We teed off late in the afternoon and had the course almost entirely to ourselves—an incredible feeling. We even spotted a few deer and finished the 18th hole just as it got dark. Unfortunately, we missed the last call at the clubhouse, but some friendly members pointed us to a nearby pub, The Surrey, where we enjoyed a well-earned pint after a 36-hole day (we played Burhill Old in the morning).

After passing through the impressive gates of West Hill Golf Club, you arrive at a relatively small parking area, nestled between the clubhouse, the course, and the edge of the property. There is an additional parking section on a sand surface, but for a club of such prestige, one might expect a more refined setup. The clubhouse itself is modest, and the terrace overlooking the 18th green is also quite limited in size. However, these details didn’t bother me much, as the most important element of any golf club is, of course, the course itself. We had originally come to meet a former colleague, but with the sun shining and the course looking so inviting, we couldn’t resist playing a round. We teed off around 3:00 PM and had no trouble getting a slot, as the course was fairly empty by then. Most members had either already played, often the older ones, or were commuting back home from London. Essentially, we had the course to ourselves, accompanied only by the occasional muntjac deer roaming the fairways. West Hill ranks among the finest courses I’ve ever played, and that says a lot. The layout is delightful, the course flows beautifully, and each hole offers a fun and engaging challenge. The club is currently renovating its bunkers, and the new white sand really enhances the visual appeal of the holes. The stretch between holes 7 and 12 (if memory serves) even evokes the feeling of playing at Augusta National. As dusk approached, we had to skip holes 12 and 13 to ensure we could complete the round. We managed to finish just in time, playing the 18th hole in near-darkness—much to the surprise of those sitting on the terrace who heard two balls suddenly land on the green. For me, West Hill was the highlight of our trip to Surrey. I definitely plan to return to complete all the holes and see the finished bunkers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy a post-round drink as the bar had already closed, assuming the course was empty. Luckily, a few friendly young members recommended a great local pub. All in all, a wonderful round of golf!

This is such a great golf course and should not be overlooked. Nicely undulated with lots of diversity, challenging greens and some excellent risk and reward holes. Par 4 holes are as good as they get and it is hard to decide which one is better... I love the 8th, drivable 12th, 16th. Great but demanding finishing Par 4. Very good playing conditions with nice fairways (even at the end of October) and smooth greens. It must be an amazing eye candy in the summer when the heather is blooming. Anyways a pure pleasure to play. This one is a must play if you are looking for a golf course in Surrey or in greater London area!