Swinley Forest Golf Club
Ascot
General Information
Bodens Ride, Coronation Rd, Winkfield Row, Ascot
SL5 9LE
01344 620197
Course Details
| Course Type | 18 Hole (Par 69) Private |
| Length | 5,917 yards (white) |
| Designer | Harry Colt |
| Driving Range | No |
| Online Booking | No |
Getting There
| Charing Cross | 25 miles |
| Closest Tube | n/a |
| Tube Walk | n/a |
| Closest Rail |  Ascot |
| Rail Walk | 31 min (1.5 miles) |
Course Image
Visitor Times / Green Fees
| Weekdays | Member guests only | n/a |
| Weekends (& bank holidays) | Member guests only | n/a |
Course Description
Surrey is not short on high quality golf courses (Sunningdale and Wentworth are only a few minutes away), but even still many rank Swinley Forest as the best in the region (and certainly Top 10 in England and Top 100 in the World). Rumoured to have a small number of playing members and not generally open to visitors (unless guest of a member), Swinley Forest has managed to keep a relatively low profile compared to its better known neighbours even though the course is arguably more memorable (stunning, fun, and wonderfully charming). It is also remarkably quiet for those lucky enough to be invited to play. Part of the charm has been the club's purposely laid back attitude (scorecards, handicaps, competitions, and tee times have historically been taboo although today that's changed somewhat).
Built in 1909, the course features a good mix of holes (and Berkshire's in/famous yet stunning heather) cut into the large trees of Swinley Forest. Driver should be brought out strategically and well placed bunkers add some fun challenges. Note that the club has very basic practice facilities and amenities compared to some of its flashier neighbours but don't let that fool you as the quality of the course more than holds its own.
Scorecard (yards)
| HOLE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL | |
| BLUE | 416 | 367 | 324 | 198 | 505 | 439 | 431 | 173 | 464 | 3,317 | 227 | 332 | 455 | 193 | 390 | 510 | 415 | 189 | 403 | 3,114 | 6,431 | |
| WHITE | 400 | 356 | 295 | 175 | 480 | 394 | 400 | 146 | 425 | 3,071 | 205 | 277 | 430 | 174 | 354 | 450 | 400 | 176 | 380 | 2,846 | 5,917 | |
| YELLOW | 364 | 334 | 280 | 147 | 474 | 380 | 345 | 123 | 366 | 2,813 | 195 | 249 | 412 | 149 | 332 | 412 | 382 | 152 | 355 | 2,638 | 5,451 | |
| PAR | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 69 | |
| HDCP | 9 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 10 | ||||
| RED | 342 | 281 | 264 | 109 | 427 | 340 | 340 | 123 | 366 | 2,592 | 152 | 229 | 395 | 131 | 295 | 390 | 359 | 133 | 280 | 2,364 | 4,956 | |
| PAR (w) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 70 | |
| HDCP (w) | 5 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 10 |
Visitor Reviews
| by LondonGolfer on 2022-06-23 One of the best courses in the London area (maybe even my favourite) - been lucky enough to play it twice and both times have been blown away. Personally, I think it's a better course than some of its more well-known Surrey neighbours (Sunningdale, Wentworth, etc.) but part of that is because of how quiet and magical the place feels. Both times I played it was very quiet (I believe their playing membership is a fraction of the size of places like Sunningdale). It's definitely got the old world charm and laid back feel - not surprised that this place did not have scorecards for many years. The course is testing with its share of challenges and overall stunning. If you ever get invited to play, drop everything and go! |
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