Burhill, New Course: review

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Burhill Golf Club is one of the best facilities in Surrey – no mean feat for an area replete with outstanding tracks

Located in the leafy suburbs of Walton-on-Thames, the tone is set as you make your way down the tranquil driveway and unload by the beautiful Georgian clubhouse. 

The imposing building becomes more pronounced in summer as the light bounces off its gleaming white walls, acting as a homing beacon that points to home.

Before the round, and after, it's a classy setting to enjoy food and drink in one of the multiple restaurants or bars. 

As you would expect of a course of this calibre, there are ample practice facilities allowing players to hone their skills before they head to the first tee. 

The opening tee shot poses a question that is frequently asked – should you hit driver?

Risk and reward is a recurring theme on the New Course. There are many occasions when cutting off doglegs will leave just a flick of a wedge, but miss the fairways at your peril.

Thick, whispy rough awaits the errant golfer, and you roll the dice every time you play into it as the next move is dependent on whether the ball buries itself, or stays afloat.

Burhill is owned by the Guinness family, and the greens on the New Course are as slick, pure and enjoyable as the top surfaces seen on a pint of the Dark Stuff. 

All the way around, the putting surfaces are a pleasure. Bobbles are as rare as a Jordan Spieth three-putt, and the speed is perfect – fast but playable. 

Hazards are strategically placed, and although you will need to play well out of the bunkers, they are rarely detrimental to the scorecard. Water is speckled throughout, although it is not a prominent feature. 

The 18th is memorable, and not just for the fact that the round ends on a par-three. The charismatic and nerve-jangling hole, which plays 161 yards from the white tees, asks players to hit into an aggressively sloping green which is protected by a bunker at the front right. 

Once on the putting surface, the challenge is far from done. The overlooking clubhouse cranks up the pressure, and the undulating green means a tap-in is never a gimme. 

Verdict

An intriguing layout that boasting some of the best greens in the region.

Often a wise choice to chose an iron over a driver off the tee, but take the risk and you will reap the rewards. 

Burhill should definitely be on your list of courses to play. The club welcomes visitors seven days a week, although time restrictions may apply on weekends and bank holidays. 

Yards: 6,940
Par: 72
Architect: Simon Gidman
Green Fees: £40-£100

For more information, head to the Burhill website. 

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