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The Hypegolf Guide to Golf in and Around London

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2 months ago

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The Hypegolf Guide to Golf in and Around London

Playing golf in a city with any consistency isn’t for the casuals. Assuming you’re not in the minority who can take off work on a whim, it requires a lot of planning and time spent underground on the subway or crawling through city streets in traffic. So when you do see someone lugging a set of clubs downtown you know they must really love the sport.

Of course not all cities are created equal. Some, like Los Angeles for example, are blessed with a variety of low cost options within city limits. London is not one of those. But what it does have going for it is a significant network of trains servicing areas replete with world famous golf clubs that you can actually play. See, one thing that differentiates golf in the UK from golf in the US is that even though iconic British courses like Sunningdale, Carnoustie and Muirfield are members clubs in name, they still welcome the public on most days of the week if you’re willing to pay the hefty green fees.

Even taking into account the train system and the fact that some areas of London enable keeping a car better than others, getting out of the city remains a task. And given London’s climate there are many days where the last thing anyone would want to do is be outside for four-plus hours. That’s why new businesses have arisen that aim to bring everything enjoyable about the golf experience (socialization, application of craft) indoors and closer to metropolitans.

Having been to London now a few times on press trips, we’ve picked out our favorite 18-hole courses and indoor golf venues alongside a few hotels.

Where to Practice

Pitch Soho


Pitch

After arriving in London on a red eye our first round of golf was coming up quickly, so a few hours spent in the simulator was the perfect way to loosen up. One part Soho House and one part indoor golf club, Pitch offers an elevated indoor golf experience as a members-only club with a growing network of locations within the British capital. Upon entering the Soho location from the street we walked one flight of stairs down to the main entertainment area, creating a speakeasy vibe matched by a dimly lit bar. And although Pitch does function as a members club visitors are still welcomed during off peak hours.

Pitch Soho
12 Meard St
London, UK W1F 0EQ

Pitch Wharf

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Pitch

The newest Pitch location, a partnership with TRENDYGOLF, will be an indoor golf facility and clothing store rolled into one once it opens. TRENDYGOLF, you may remember, made headlines in fall 2023 when it celebrated the release of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low G with a unique contest. In order to go home with a pair the raffle winners were required to show up in person and demonstrate their golfing prowess in Pitch Soho’s simulators. With more convenience and square footage, the new location in Canary Wharf will allow TRENDYGOLF and Pitch to collaborate on further activations going forward that cultivate the London golf community.

Urban Golf

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Headbox

Simulator golf has taken off in recent years with big investment behind it, but Urban Golf has been doing it for 20 years. Founder James Day was kind enough to give us the rundown on how Urban Golf has been serving the London golf community for two decades. In addition to its 11 hitting bays, Day runs a club fitting studio in the back of the facility that’s decorated with classic memorabilia, driving home the impression that the people at Urban Golf have a deep appreciation for the heritage of the sport.

Urban Golf
12 Smithfield St
London, UK EC1A 9LA

Swingers Crazy Golf – West End

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Swingers Crazy Golf

While most mini golf courses are characterized by hoards of children, Swingers reimagines the experience with grown ups in mind. The venues are entirely indoors, each with multiple 9-hole courses that center around a dedicated theme (Swingers West-End is inspired by 1920s seaside living). Complementing the golf are full-service bars, street food vendors and other games such as down-the-clown and skeeball.

Swingers Crazy Golf – West End
15 John Prince’s St
London, UK W1G 0AB

Where to Play

Wentworth Club

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Wentworth Club

As we pulled into the Wentworth Club where Porsches and Range Rovers lined the entrance, our Uber driver was a bit embarrassed to be driving a normal car. After grabbing our clubs out of the trunk the next thing we noticed was former Chelsea star John Terry warming up on the putting green, then later on Theo Walcott made an appearance on a nearby tee box. 36 holes of meticulously maintained fairways and greens lined with woodlands and stately homes await you once you get past all the distractions.

Wentworth Club
Wentworth Dr
Surrey, UK GU25 4LS

The Berkshire Golf Club

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The Berkshire Golf Club

It doesn’t get much more wholesome than seeing an elderly gent set out for 18 holes accompanied by a cocker spaniel. It’s not an uncommon sight at the Berkshire Club because even though dogs aren’t allowed at most American courses, in the UK they’re accepted and even encouraged. There are two courses at Berkshire – Blue and Red – and both of them are characterized by fields of scraggly heather which turn color depending on the season. A pro tip: when making the turn be sure to stop by the food shack for a sausage roll, the British version of a glizzy.

The Berkshire Golf Club
Swinley Rd, Winkfield Row
Ascot, United Kingdom SL5 8AY

London Golf Club

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London Golf Club

Although we’ve yet to make the trip to London Golf Club, we trust our friends at MANORS who have held multiple events at the 36-hole facility in Kent. Having opened in 1994, London Golf Club is relatively new, and yet it’s already developed an impressive reputation as the host of DP World Tour tournaments. Two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses (one of them only open to members) offer open sight lines, golden fescue and numerous water features.

London Golf Club
Stansted Lane, New Ash Green
Sevenoaks, UK TN15 7EH

Where to Stay

Pennyhill Park

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Pennyhill Park

One night at Pennyhill Park will make you feel five years younger. At least that’s how we felt when checking out. Located in the suburb of Surrey, Pennyhill is close to many of the best London area courses and is actually affiliated with Berkshire as part of the exclusive collection. The 123 acres of rolling estate has winding footpaths and the award winning spa is blessed with eight pools, thermal cabins and a variety of treatment offerings. The dining experience is highlighted by Latymer, a Michelin star restaurant serving a tasting menu, but we went for Hillfield which is the more casual option prioritizing local ingredients.

Pennyhill Park
London Rd
Bagshot, UK GU19 5EU

1 Hotel Mayfair

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1 Hotel Mayfair

After staying at the 1 Hotel in sunny Los Angeles and being impressed by its fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces, we were interested to see how the eco-first approach would translate to a city that’s not exactly known for balmy weather. The answer: quite well. Situated in London’s high end Mayfair shopping district, the 9-story hotel welcomes visitors with a check-in counter fashioned from a 200-year-old oak tree. Green Park, the home of Buckingham Palace, is just across the street and the sprawling Hyde Park isn’t too much further.

1 Hotel Mayfair
3 Berkeley St
London, UK W1J 8DL

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