No 18 - Woodhall Spa - Hotchkin

Woodhall Spa Hotchkin is a classic inland track in excellent condition. A hard, but fair test of golf

Woodhall Spa Hotchkin

18 WOODHALL SPA – Hotchkin

Architect: Hotchkin 2006 position: 19 Stats: 6,501 yds; par 71; SSS 73 GF: £45-£105 T: 01526 352511 W: woodhallspagolf.com

The fact the standard scratch on the Hotchkin is two higher than par gives you an idea of just how tough this course is.

At almost every hole it is possible for even category one golfers to rack up a big score.

The visually intimidating bunkers are the feature that everyone talks about when discussing the test, but in my opinion it is the placement of these bunkers (rather than their depth), the shaping of the holes and the penal rough and heather that are in fact the real challenges.

The Hotchkin is a classic inland track that everyone should make the effort to play at least once. MH

+ Hard but very fair; excellent condition; good value - Hard to get to; clubhouse a bit disappointing compared to course

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Where next?

>>> Top 100 Golf Courses: No. 19 Back to the Top 100 Golf Courses list - An introduction to Golf Monthly's Top 100 Golf Courses by editor, Mike Harris - Who makes up The Top 100 Golf Courses panel? - How do Golf Monthly assess the Top 100 Golf courses?

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Mike Harris
Content Director

Mike has been a journalist all his working life, starting out as a football writer with Goal magazine in the 1990s before moving into men’s and women’s lifestyle magazines including Men's Health, In 2003 he joined Golf Monthly and in 2006 he became only the eighth editor in Golf Monthly’s 100-plus year history leading the brand until July 2023. He is now Content Director overseeing Golf Monthly and two other iconic sports brands, FourFourTwo and Rugby World.

His three main passions in golf are courses (he's played over 500 courses worldwide), equipment (he's always in search of something shinny to give him an edge) and shoes (he owns more pairs than he cares to mention!).  

Mike’s handicap index hovers at around 10 and he is a member of four golf clubs: Hartley Wintney, Royal Liverpool, Royal North Devon and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.


Mike's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ 9° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S

Fairway woods: TaylorMade Sim Max 3/15° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 6S & TaylorMade Stealth 7/20° - Fujikura Ventus Red 6S

Utility Iron: TaylorMade Stealth UDI 3/21° - Aldila Ascent 90HY

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (5-PW)  - Nippon Tour NSPro 950S

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 50°, 54° and 58° - KBS Tour Hi-Rev s2.0 hafts

Putter: Evnroll ER2B (Gravity Grip) 

Ball: TaylorMade Tour Response (Yellow)