Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course: Review, Tee Times and Key Info

Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course

Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course

The Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course is both the youngest of the three Top 100 Golf Courses UK & Ireland at Woburn, and also the most senior in terms of the rankings. It is also my personal favourite of the three. Since opening in 2000, it has hosted the British Masters four times as well as the Women’s British Open twice. It tops the list of the best golf courses in Buckinghamshire.

Its design was a collaboration that involved Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, Peter Alliss, Clive Clark who recently designed Dumbarnie Links, and the man who was synonymous with Woburn, Alex Hay.

This is a larger-than-life golf course, winding its way through a vast acreage of glorious countryside on the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire borders. With dense woodland between the holes, a look from the air suggests that it covers as much land as the other two courses combined. Never too tightly, the meandering fairways of the Marquess’ are flanked by magnificent trees all the way.

The first hole offers a false sense of security being one of the less demanding par 4s. Immediately after this, the course bursts into action on the next two, each of which works its way from right to left and has been designed to counter aggressive play. Large greens, subtly shaped holes and thought-provoking approaches are very much the order of the day. I think the long 7th is a really interesting hole, while the 9th is also very memorable with an approach down over a shallow ravine to a green that stares back invitingly.

There are plenty of good holes on the back nine with the 12th being one of my favourites, a real thriller of a risk-and-reward short par 4. There is an island fairway surrounded by water and which offers three options; a super-conservative lay-up short, a well-placed drive onto it, or a let’s-have-fun go for the green. Three more conventional pars 4s are mixed in with two par 3s and a long par 5 to complete a terrific design that demands concentration all the way. It is one of the best golf courses in England.

With the Duke's Course and the Duchess' Course each having its own charms, there will always be differing personal views about which is the most enjoyable of Woburn’s three tree-lined courses. However, using Golf Monthly’s tried and highly trusted criteria, the Marquess’ leads the way.

What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...

John Slater

Perfectly competent design but no real wow holes except perhaps the seventh. Scores well in many aspects, but the course, though in great nick, was not thrilling. Come on a sunny day in late Autumn and you will have a fantastic day out.

Matt Weavers

The smoothest greens I have played on this year, like putting on velvet!

Rob Fear

Celebrates golf in all its glory. People debate which of the three Woburn courses they like the most, and this is now my favourite.

John Winter

It is easy to forget that the Marquess’ is just 25 years old and will continue to mature over time. From the very back tees it would be supremely challenging, and it wasn’t that easy playing from the tee of the day. Woburn is a great place to play inland golf and as a three-course complex it is hard to beat.

Russ Groombridge

The Marquess’ is the pick of the three courses at Woburn for me. There are some great holes on the course and the 7th and 12th are perfect examples of how to make golf holes fun, interesting and challenging. If there were more like this on the course I would be itching to get back.

Woburn Golf Club Location

Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course Scorecard

Best Courses Near Woburn Golf Club

ASHRIDGE

The beautiful parkland design at Ashridge dates back to the 1930s and benefitted in its early years from the creative genius of various architects including the great Tom Simpson. What remains is a genuine oasis away from the hurly-burly of the modern world with great variety and beauty.

BERKHAMSTED

Berkhamsted dates back to the 1880s and its commonland setting accounts for a design that preserved the heathland, and made use of its mounds, hollows, gorse and heather. James Braid followed this principle when he revamped the course in the 1920s, since when little has changed.

Best Places To Stay Near Woburn Golf Club

The Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Sitting proudly at the heart of picturesque Woburn Village, you’ll find The Woburn – a charming 18th-century property under the stewardship of the award-winning Oakman Group. Part of the Duke of Bedford Estates, The Woburn has 48 hotel rooms plus seven stylish, individually decorated cottages that sit just across the courtyard.

The Bell Hotel Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Located in Woburn, The Bell Hotel is run by Greene King Inns and provides comfortable accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar.

Woburn Golf Club Marquess’ Course Gallery

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Historical Top 100 Rankings UK&I

• 2025/26 - 77
• 2023/24 - 73
• 2021/22 - 73
• 2019/20 - 69
• 2017/18 - 71
• 2015/16 - 74
• 2013/14 - 80
• 2011/12 - 88
• 2009/10 - 87

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