Burhill Golf Club Old Course

Burhill Golf Club — Old Course parkland golf on the Guinness family estate

Few Surrey courses can match the sense of arrival at Burhill Golf Club, where the drive sweeps up to a Grade II listed Georgian mansion built in 1726 on the ancestral estate of the Guinness family. The Old Course at Burhill is a classic parkland layout with a sprinkling of heathland in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, designed by Willie Park Jr. and unveiled in 1907. From the back tees it measures 6,481 yards to a par of 70, and its smooth, quick, subtly contoured greens and clever bunkering have been testing golfers for well over a century.

Key Details

• Location: Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England
• Length: 6,481 yards (white tees)
• Par: 70
• Designer: Willie Park Jr.
• Established: 1907
• Notable events: The club is a host venue for Regional Open and Senior Open Qualifying, staged on its New Course

History and significance

Burhill Golf Club was established in 1907 on the Burhill Estate, when local businessmen leased the mansion and land from the Guinness family — and the family behind the world’s most famous stout still owns the estate today. Willie Park Jr. and his team designed and built the original 18 holes in a remarkable five months, and the new club quickly attracted royalty and gentry, among them Rupert Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh.

The clubhouse mansion carries its own extraordinary story. Built in 1726 as a private residence for Peter De La Porte, a wealthy London thread merchant, it was requisitioned in June 1940 by the Ministry of Aircraft Production. A 200-strong design team headed by Barnes Wallis moved in the following month, and the famous bouncing bomb was developed from these premises after nearby Brooklands was judged too vulnerable to German bombing.

Today Burhill offers two outstanding 18-hole courses, the Old and the New, and the club is GEO Certified for its environmental stewardship. The Old Course remains the historic heart of it all.

The course and how it plays

The Old Course is best described as parkland with a heathland accent. A great variety of mature trees frames the fairways, a heather regeneration programme is under way, and the setting feels unmistakably Surrey once you reach the 4th tee and the character of the county’s classic courses kicks in.

Strategy is paramount here. The greens are smooth, quick and subtly contoured, numerous doglegs put a premium on precision from the tee, and the hazards are thoughtfully positioned rather than punishing for the sake of it. Willie Park’s original bunkering remains brilliantly strategic — even against the modern game the traps still sit exactly where a wayward shot wants to go.

At par 70 with two par fives and four par threes, the course rewards accurate iron play and a sharp short game rather than raw power. The white tees carry a course rating of 71.7 and a slope of 131, so it is a genuine test without ever feeling unfair, and forward tees make it enjoyable for every level of golfer.

Signature holes

The Old Course does not rely on one showpiece hole; its strength is the string of honest, strategic tests. But a few holes, all confirmed on the official scorecard, stay in the memory.

Hole 1 — par 4, 433 yards

Burhill asks a serious question straight away. The opener is the longest par four on the front nine, demanding a solid drive and an accurate approach before your swing has properly warmed up. Its stroke index of 7 tells you the club considers it one of the tougher holes on the card.

Hole 6 — par 3, 116 yards

The shortest hole on the course, and proof that yardage is not everything. It is only a wedge or short iron, but you must find the right portion of the green — miss it and a delicate recovery awaits. A classic risk of walking off with anything from two to five.

Hole 7 — par 4, 413 yards

A lovely right-to-left par four and the number one stroke index hole. The drive must be shaped to open up the view of the lowered green, which needs very careful reading because it holds some wonderfully subtle breaks.

Hole 10 — par 3, 209 yards

The longest of the four par threes starts the back nine with a long iron or hybrid to a well-guarded green. Making three here always feels like gaining a shot on the field.

Hole 14 — par 5, 530 yards

The second and final par five, and the last realistic birdie chance of that kind on the card. At 530 yards from the whites it demands two well-placed shots before a precise pitch; stroke index 2 confirms it is no pushover.

Why play Burhill Golf Club’s Old Course

Because very few rounds of golf come wrapped in this much history. You warm up in the shadow of a 1726 mansion where Barnes Wallis designed the bouncing bomb, then play a Willie Park Jr. layout that has hosted royalty since Edwardian times. The course itself is a masterclass in strategic design — doglegs, quick contoured greens and bunkers that still bite more than a century on. Add immaculate conditioning, a heather regeneration programme and one of the friendliest welcomes in Surrey, and the Old Course earns its place on any golfing itinerary within reach of London.

Clubhouse and facilities

The clubhouse is the Grade II listed Georgian mansion itself, home to elegant lounges and clubhouse dining, with rooms that double as popular wedding and function venues. A halfway house sits between the 8th and 9th holes on both courses — its famous sausage roll has a reputation for reviving flagging rounds (ask about ingredients if you have dietary requirements).

Practice facilities are first class: a driving range with outdoor bays and all-weather indoor bays, a dedicated short game area with chipping, pitching and bunker zones, and a manicured putting green that mirrors on-course conditions. PGA professionals offer coaching for all ages, a well-stocked golf shop handles check-in, and buggies, trolleys and hire clubs are available to book in advance.

Green fees and booking

Visitors are welcome most days at Burhill, with tee times bookable online. Green fees on the Old Course typically run from around £145 midweek to about £150 at weekends and bank holidays, with member-guest rates considerably lower. A handicap certificate may be requested, and smart golfing attire is required. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

Getting there and parking

Burhill sits on the southern edge of Walton-on-Thames, roughly 20 miles south-west of central London.

• By car: The club is easily reached from the M25 and A3 corridor via Walton-on-Thames and Burwood Road; London is well under an hour away outside peak times.
• By public transport: South Western Railway trains run from London Waterloo to Walton-on-Thames station, from where the club is a short taxi ride.
• Address and parking: Burhill Golf Club, Burwood Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 4BX. Ample on-site parking is available for visitors.

Where to stay

Walton-on-Thames makes the natural base, with hotels and guesthouses in the town centre just minutes from the course. Neighbouring Weybridge offers a wider choice of comfortable hotels along the Thames, while Esher and Cobham add further options within a short drive. If you want to combine golf with sightseeing, staying towards Hampton Court or Kingston upon Thames puts both the course and royal London attractions within easy reach.

What to pack

Smart golfing attire is required: men’s shirts need sleeves and a collar and must be tucked in, tailored shorts are fine with suitable socks, and jeans, trainers and tracksuits are not permitted. Surrey weather can turn quickly, so pack a waterproof layer alongside sun protection in summer. Bring a handicap certificate in case it is requested, and remember caps are worn peak forward. Trolleys, buggies and quality hire clubs are available if you are travelling light, though booking ahead is recommended.

Nearby attractions

Conclusion

Burhill Golf Club’s Old Course is that rare thing: a genuinely historic course that still asks fresh questions of the modern golfer, played out beneath a mansion that helped change the course of a world war. Put it high on your Surrey golfing list — you will want to come back.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Old Course at Burhill Golf Club?

The Old Course was designed by Willie Park Jr., himself a two-time Open champion and one of the most celebrated golf course architects of the early twentieth century. Remarkably, Park and his team designed and built the original 18 holes in just five months, and the course was ready for play in 1907. His strategic bunkering and subtle green complexes remain the defining features of the course today, supported by an ongoing heather regeneration programme that reinforces the layout’s part-parkland, part-heathland character. If you enjoy classic Golden Age architecture, the Old Course is a fine and largely faithful example.

How long is the Old Course and what is its par?

From the white tees the Old Course measures 6,481 yards with a par of 70, made up of two par fives and four par threes. The yellow tees play 6,182 yards and the blue tees 5,699 yards, both also par 70, while the red tees measure 5,724 yards at par 73. The white-tee course rating is 71.7 with a slope of 131, so while the total yardage looks modest by modern standards, the course defends itself with doglegs, strategic bunkering and quick, subtly contoured greens rather than sheer length. Accurate driving and a sharp short game count for far more here than power.

Can visitors play Burhill Golf Club?

Yes. Membership is not required, and visitors are welcome most days on both the Old and New Courses, with tee times bookable online through the club. Visitor tee times generally start from late morning, and you check in at the golf shop on arrival, where a handicap certificate may be requested. Smart golfing attire is required on the course and standards apply in the clubhouse too. Green fees typically run from around £145 midweek to about £150 at weekends; for current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

What is special about the clubhouse at Burhill?

The clubhouse is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion built in 1726 for Peter De La Porte, a London thread merchant, and later home to the Guinness family, who still own the surrounding estate. During the Second World War the building was requisitioned by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, and a design team of around 200 led by Barnes Wallis worked here — the famous bouncing bomb of Dambusters fame was developed from these premises. Today the mansion houses elegant lounges, clubhouse dining and function rooms, and it is a popular venue for weddings and events as well as golf.

How do I get to Burhill Golf Club by public transport?

The nearest station is Walton-on-Thames, served by frequent South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo on the main line towards Woking and Guildford. The journey from Waterloo typically takes around half an hour, making Burhill one of the easiest historic Surrey courses to reach from central London without a car. From the station the club on Burwood Road is a short taxi ride away. If you are driving instead, the course is well placed for the M25 and A3, with ample free parking on site at the club.

Does Burhill Golf Club have practice facilities?

Yes, and they are excellent. The driving range offers a mix of outdoor bays and all-weather indoor bays, so you can practise in comfort whatever the weather. There is a dedicated short game area featuring chipping and pitching zones and a practice bunker, plus a manicured putting green maintained to mirror on-course conditions. PGA professionals are available for lessons for all ages and abilities, with junior coaching well established. Buggies, electric and pull trolleys, and left- and right-handed sets of quality hire clubs can all be booked in advance through the golf shop.