Surrey is blessed with countless wonderful golf courses but the downside is that they invariably come at a price ? and a pretty high one at that. The good news, however, is that lurking amid the more famous clubs on the edge of London is a true hidden gem that just demands to be played ? and enjoyed.
Surrey Downs, is a relatively new course, designed by Peter Alliss marrying spectacular views across the Surrey Downs with an unspoilt natural habitat that supports a thriving population of rabbits, badgers and deer.
It is a wonderfully challenging layout that requires a lot more thought than many new courses. You can?t simply blast away on this 6,300-yard, par 71 with the driver because you?ll invariably find yourself in the wrong place to find the well-sculpted and heavily contoured greens.
The 525-yard par 5, 5th is a case in point. This rollercoaster of dips and swales requires a well-placed second shot to a sloping fairway to allow access to a cunning green. Similarly, the par 5 13th is a double dogleg that features an internal out of bounds and an angled putting surface that only the most deft approach will find.
The newly opened £2.5 million clubhouse boasts a light, airy restaurant, bar and function room enhanced by a continental feel throughout. Trust us, value for money comes guaranteed.
Best Hole: The final hole is an exciting par 5 to test your nerve before you can proudly hand in a decent score.
Greens Fees: £25-£45
Location: Outwood Lane, Kingswood, Surrey, KT20 6JS
Tel: 01737 839090
Web: www.surreydownsgc.co.uk
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