The beautifully renovated Hotchkin course is heathland golf at its finest, with heather and its famous bunkers placing a real premium on accuracy
Woodhall Spa Golf Club Hotchkin Course Review
Top 100 Ranking 2021/22 – 18
Previous Rankings
2019/20 – 20
2017/18 – 22
2015/16 – 18
2013/14 – 18
2011/12 – 19
2009/10 – 18
Summer Green Fees
Round: £110-£125; Day: £165-£188
Visitor Times: Every day, subject to availability
Medal Tee: Par 72 – 6,495 Yards
Website: www.woodhallspagolf.com
Changes since previous ranking
The renovation programme overseen by Tom Doak came to an end at the beginning of 2019 with significant changes to the first five holes.
The renovated 5th hole from the air (Photo: Getty Images)
Since then, there have been numerous small changes such as new tees and the removal of gorse, trees and scrub. This is all part of a 25-year plan for the course.
Woodhall Spa Golf Club Hotchkin Course Review
Among our inland courses, only Sunningdale Old and New eclipse this respected heathland layout in the Lincolnshire spa town, where the well-received Tom Doak renovation project has come to an end since our last rankings.
As with many heathland courses, the vision has been to restore much of the original heathland character, with trees, shrubs and gorse removed where appropriate, bunkers returned to their original, more natural style and other long-lost ones re-introduced.
Tom Doak’s work has restored much of the heathland character (Photo: Getty Images)
Related: Top 100 golf courses UK and Ireland
The bunkers are, of course, what this fine course is most famed for. They are as testing as on any inland course within these shores, with perhaps only Ganton coming close.
But the course is about so much more than just its bunkers, hence its lofty status in our rankings.
Big name designers
The club dates back to 1891, with Messrs Vardon, Taylor, Colt and Hotchkin involved in its evolution over the early part of the 20th century.
Many holes play over relatively open heathland, while others, especially on the back nine, venture in among the trees a little more.
You will have to stay out of the sand to score well (Photo: Getty Images)
There are doglegs, heather and pines at nearly every turn, but the real key to scoring is still perhaps to steer well clear of the deepest bunkers, nowhere more so than on the modest par-3 5th where first-time visitors have the slight mental advantage of not knowing just how crucial it is to hit the target.
There are many, many good holes, but the long par-3 8th to an elevated green sets up particularly magnificently from the tee.
The excellent long par-3 8th (Photo: Getty Images)
There’s a great selection of holes to negotiate around and just after the turn including a very strong run between the 9th and 14th, with the 11th one of the finest and most attractive heathland holes anywhere.
The Hotchkin is a classic, heathland layout where the premium really is on accuracy.
Yes, it may be a little off the beaten track some way east of the A1, but those who make the effort will not be disappointed, even more so since Doak’s excellent renovation work was completed.
Assessor Feedback
Woodhall is famed for its bunkering, which integrates with both fairway and heather. Bunkers are well placed throughout and their variety of shapes and sizes means you are actually fortunate if you find a normal stance in the sand.
Due to the position of the fairway bunkers, a great deal of thought is required off the tee. This is not a course where you can smash driver on every hole.
Such changes! But still an exacting test of golf.
GM Verdict
The beautifully renovated Hotchkin course is heathland golf at its finest, with heather and its famous bunkers placing a real premium on accuracy.
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