Hankley Common Golf Club: Course Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Hankley Common Golf Club Key Information

Hankley Common Golf Club, which has made good progress in our Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland rankings over the years, began life in 1897. Play was originally over nine holes across this fabulous stretch of Surrey countryside. In 1922 James Braid advised on the addition of a second nine and Harry Colt made further alterations in the early 1930s.

Hankley is, without question, one of our very finest inland courses and one of Surrey's very best – a superb design over excellent terrain. Springy yet firm turf with sandy subsoil, greens that are slick and true, fairways lined with heather, rowans, oaks, pines and birches – the layout delivers classic heathland golf of the highest order.

From the high points across the course at Hankley Common, it’s amazing to view the holes stretching in all directions across the huge swathe of land over which the layout sits. Both course and surrounding area are classed as a “Site of Special Scientific Interest,” and are home to many interesting species of flora and fauna. The club takes pains to ensure the course is maintained superbly but sympathetically.

The excellent, free-draining turf at Hankley gives a real links-like playing quality and the surfaces are of the very highest standard.

A game at Hankley is always a treat and on my most recent visit I got to see some of the latest improvement works, with the changes to the par-3 2nd hole transforming what was perhaps one of the less strong holes visually into an absolute picture.

What I particularly like about Hankley is that although many holes are lined by heather and trees, it rarely feel overly claustrophobic and is happy to overlook minor miscues in many places, choosing to punish only really poor shots.

And however you're playing, reaching the raised tee on the par-3 7th is always a thrill as is the shot back down to the lower ground from the 8th tee, a par 5 you always feel offers a great chance to get one back on the card.

That stretch of holes from the 6th to the 8th is particularly memorable, with another par 5 preceding that climb to the 7th tee. The high point you then reach affords stunning views of the common and the vast expanse of land which Hankley occupies.

Indeed, there’s enough space to build another couple of golf courses on the land that it occupies, but why would you when you have such an amazing masterpiece already?

Hankley Common Golf Club never rests on its laurels and continues to make improvements and alterations if and where appropriate.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said…

Richard Healy

My visit was in the early season after a poor/wet winter/early spring and conditioning was impressive considering the lead-in. Set within an extensive SSSI, the course is draped over this wonderful terrain but has to exist and sympathetically operate without impacting this very special, protected landscape. There is an open feel; the trees and gorse heather and shrubs have large natural spaces running between them; and the elevation changes do wonders to frame the holes and offer some lovely views. Where else can you enjoy such a wonderful, beautiful course and wander through an SSSI of such natural significance?

Christian Morris

There are 12 holes that are as good-looking as a heathland can get. The first four are delightful, as is the closing stretch. The vast heathland is a wonderful context and the pines that intersperse the heather give most holes definition and visual complexity. It is a truly beautiful inland course. While being reasonably level, the changes in terrain are used well and holes move left and right to test line and shot-making.

Hankley Common Golf Club Location

For more information on visiting Hankley Common see the club's website

Hankley Common Golf Club Scorecard

Best Courses Near To Hankley Common

LIPHOOK

The new holes designed by Tom Mackenzie for the club’s recent centenary to improve the routing and make for a safer crossing of the busy Portsmouth road have bedded in very well. They have enhanced what was already a very fine heathland design which is beautifully maintained and a joy to play at any time of the year.

WORPLESDON

It’s a classic heathland layout delivering a great strategic test and a real sense of seclusion when out on the springy fairways. It's an ambitious club with great history plus a high-quality heathland course

Best Places to Stay Near Hankley Common Golf Club

Tilford Woods - Book now at Booking.com
Excellent log cabin self-catering lodge retreat. It's in a perfect location for Hankley Common - basically right next door. It's always well reviewed and is known for offering comfortable and spacious accommodation.

Harbour Hotel Guildford - Book now at Booking.com
Set in a contemporary glass-fronted building, this 4-star hotel is a one minute walk from the cobbled High Street of Guildford. Guests can enjoy the hotel's spa facilities, which features a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, stone oven sauna, aromatic crystal steam room and relaxation room. Good restaurant.

Hankley Common Golf Club Course Gallery

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Hankley Common Golf Club Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I

• 2025/26 - 31
• 2023/24 - 30
• 2021/22 - 32
• 2019/20 - 33
• 2017/18 - 34
• 2015/16 - 41
• 2013/14 - 44
• 2011/12 - 50
• 2009/10 - 64

Frequently Asked Questions