The 5 best heathland golf courses in England: the perfect playable option in winter

Last month I headed up to Yorkshire for a round of golf.

It was mid-January. It was grey. And cold. And wet.

The Midlands were dark, Manchester was darker, Leeds darker still.

What was I doing? Thinking that Yorkshire would provide a good day of winter golf?!? Surely that is what Spain, Portugal or Turkey is for.

When we got to Moortown GC I had even more doubts. As I wrapped myself in multiple levels of clothing I recalled the pile of snow in the corner of the car park. This seemed utter madness.

Cold fingers on the first tee and first fairway added to the doubts but I was also beginning to warm to the task and my approach to the green sealed the deal.

On the one hand, I played the shot in naive fashion. I like to run balls into green and did just that with my 7-iron. As it was about to land I cursed my stupidity: it’s winter, you fool, I cried internally, it’s going to land like a wet toilet roll.

But it didn’t.

It bounced in true fashion into the middle of the green.

As I wandered up to join it I noted how the sand-based heathland turf was well-drained and dry.

It dawned on me: when golf first spread from the linksland of Scotland the new course builders had to find similar fast-drying turf inland – and heathland provided it.

And even now, if we’re looking for good winter golf, we should be following the game’s evangelists and heading to the traditional gems created in the late years of the 19th century and early decades of the 20th century.

Let’s take a look at five of the best and we’ll start in Yorkshire.

Moortown

Some would argue that there is a clue about the true nature of this Leeds club in the name – that it is moorland rather than heathland. Truth is there’s not much in it either way – fast turf is what matters and Moortown has it.

Nestled amid residential north Leeds, the course is a haven of golf history and golf quality. It was designed by Alister MacKenzie (also responsible for Augusta National), and hosted the 1929 Ryder Cup and many European Tour events.

There’s a touch of classical US Open venues about it with greens sitting like enormous jigsaw puzzle pieces among craggy bunkers. It’s a tough test but it’s a really fun and playable one (another common feature of traditional heathland golf).

Sunningdale Old and New

Bit of a cheat this because it is two courses in one. But boy does Sunningdale deserve being part of this group. It hosts the annual Sunningdale Foursomes event and the opportunity to play the two courses always attracts an eclectic (and high quality) cast of men and women, young and old, professionals and amateurs.

Which is best – the Old or the New? It’s an age old question and a bit like wondering if Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods are better – the truth is both are great.

Woodhall Spa – Hotchkin

Woodhall Spa is not easy to get to. It’s in the middle of Lincolnshire and every road seems to warn of being the most dangerous in the county. But getting there is worth the effort (and the risk).

The Hotchkin Course is the big boy of two courses and it is visually superb, especially in summer and autumn. In contrast to Sunningdale and Moortown it often features raised greens and deep bunkers.

Swinley Forest

Sitting among the many heathland courses of Surrey, Berkshire and North Hampshire, Swinley Forest is an absolute gem. The clubhouse sits on a little hill and looks across sweeping terrain that sneaks in and out of thick woodland.

It’s almost made for the colder months. When the mist hangs in the heath, lifting as you make progress through the front nine, the vibe is glorious. Pure golfing pleasure.

Hollinwell (Notts GC)

So many heathland courses are like a little oasis but nowhere is that more apparent than at Hollinwell (also, confusingly, known as Notts GC). You approach it via a slightly dull part of north Nottingham, a landscape that was once scarred by pits and mines.

You then turn down a narrow lane that sweeps into a canyon that is well wooded and reveals a golfing paradise of fast fairways and speedy greens. It’s also just tremendous fun.

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