Course Information

West Byfleet Golf Club was formed in 1922, when members of the original club, Bleakdown Golf Club, purchased it from its founder Hugh Locke King. The Bleakdown course was designed and laid out in 1906 by Cuthbert Butchart, who was a well-known professional of the time and whose other projects included West Hill and Highgate. A major redesign was undertaken in 1922 by the celebrated course architect, John Abercromby, who also designed Worplesdon, The Addington, Coombe Hill, Bovey Castle and Knole Park.

The comparatively few alterations that have been made to the design since 1922 have been carried out by other notable architects such as Arthur Croome, James Braid and John Morrison – a partner of Harry Colt. Today, the legacy of such illustrious names remains intact, along with the fruits of a five‑year course improvement programme, designed and overseen by leading golf course architects Mackenzie & Ebert, completed in spring 2022.

The course sits on Bagshot sand, which drains well and means the course is very rarely closed. The course is mostly level with just the odd gradient, adding some variation.

Now measuring 6,531 yards off the back competition tees, with a par of 70, course rating of 71.9 and eight par-4 holes of over 400 yards each, the course is regarded as a good test of golf; indeed par is rarely broken. The red tee course measures 5,647 yards with a par of 72 and a course rating of 73.0 for the ladies. There are five tees on each hole giving players of every ability an interesting, challenging and enjoyable course to play. The Club’s signature hole is the 13th, the pond hole, a short but tricky par-3.

It is an easy walking course, with nearly all the tees close to the previous green. There are no footpaths, bridle paths, roads or public rights of way across it, making West Byfleet one of the few clubs in Surrey, indeed in the country, with a totally private course. 

The greens are artfully shaped, fast-running surfaces with slopes and differing levels, calling for variations of approach shots and deft skill when putting. The course supports much wildlife including deer, fox and birds of many species including green woodpeckers, the emblem of the Club.

‘Golf Monthly’ in their September 2021 review praised the quality of the course, saying: ' The excellent tree-lined course at West Byfleet is both a strong test and great fun’.

More information on the course and its development can be found here:

The development of the course