Swinley Forest is one in all two programs to have climbed into the highest 10 of our new and up to date NCG High 100s: England listing for 2025.
The membership dates again to the early twentieth century and has taken nice satisfaction in minimising change ever since. Solely the addition of some bunkers – and a pond – have added to the structure, one that’s quick compared to the fashionable age.
RELATED: Take a look at the brand new NCG High 100s: England listing
Why is Swinley Forest so extremely regarded by our panel?
As soon as the wrought-iron gates have slid again and also you arrive on the property, it’s nearly unimaginable to think about you possibly can be inside 20 miles of one of many world’s largest cities. But Swinley, simply outdoors Ascot on the Berkshire aspect of the border with Surrey, is inside however a couple of respectable par fives of Heathrow.
The membership was based in 1909, they usually commissioned famend golf course architect Harry Colt to design the course. He described it as “the least dangerous course” he had ever constructed.
Swinley Forest Golf Membership formally opened in 1910, with a design consisting of 18 holes that was forward of its time, because it emphasised technique and shot placement over brute pressure.
Heathland in nature, the turf is agency and springy. Heather, bushes and generally Rhododendron bushes flank the holes. Hilly in locations however by no means exceptionally so, it affords a quintessentially British equal of Augusta Nationwide.
READ MORE – NCG High 100s: Swinley Forest
Why is Colt’s ‘least-worst’ course a brand new entrant into the English high ten?
Steve Carroll, co-host of the NCG Golf Podcast, is a large fan of the venue, with Swinley being someplace he may play daily.
“Swinley Forest is my completely satisfied place. It will be the one golf course that for those who gave me the choice of enjoying it daily, I might play it,” Carroll stated on the NCG Golf Podcast.
“I like every little thing about it – the clubhouse, the lunch, the holes. It isn’t too lengthy for me, it’s testing, it requires accuracy however it’s nonetheless playable. It’s improbable.
“There are programs that seem in a high ten or close to a high ten that everybody, or some folks no less than, increase an eyebrow about. In our GB& Eire listing for instance, it’s North Berwick.
“There could be individuals who have a look at Swinley at No.8 in our England listing and marvel why it’s at 8. It’s completely justified for me. I might genuinely play there perpetually.”
Tom Irwin, co-host of the NCG Golf Podcast, is one other large fan of the heathland venue.
“I went as soon as with Steve, and I can bear in mind the captain standing up they usually have been the type of membership that didn’t actually promote themselves however they have been happy to welcome acquainted faces yr in, yr out.
“It’s that type of place that after you have received your golf day there, you simply return there yearly, as a result of why wouldn’t you?
“The factor I like about Swinley is simply how nice a stroll it’s. I feel it’s the circulation of the holes that sticks in my mind – one inexperienced appears to fall into the following tee. You by no means really feel like you’ve got heavy legs whenever you come off, you are feeling such as you wish to hold going.
“I feel that’s one thing to do with the standard of the turf, but in addition to do with the routing. The entire thing sits on the land and there’s not a yard wasted.
“That’s the factor I feel separates it from a variety of newer course – or programs which were the victims of self-importance, they usually’ve been lengthened past their pure means, Swinley is clearly very comfy in its personal pores and skin and it’s not going to vary for change’s sake. It’s all the higher a course for it.”
Though Dan Murphy – chairman of the NCG High 100s Rankings – may discuss Swinley Forest perpetually, he’s completely satisfied that the venue has risen into the highest 10.
“It’s merely a testomony to the truth that none of our panellists have a nasty phrase to say about Swinley Forest. Should you requested every of them to select 5 programs in England to play this summer time, most would come with Swinley.
“I don’t assume I have to say rather more that Steve and Tom haven’t already past that the quick holes alone are definitely worth the go to.
“I can bear in mind being open-mouthed on my first go to on one tee after the following on the vistas in entrance of me. That is heathland golf at its highest.
“We’re actually proud that Swinley Forest is in our high ten,” stated Dan.
Hearken to the NCG Golf Podcast in full…
Now have your say
Have you ever been lucky sufficient to play at Swinley Forest? If that’s the case, what did you make of it? Would you agree with us that it’s the finest course within the nation? Tell us your ideas with a put up on X, previously Twitter!
The put up NCG High 100s course rankings: In appreciation of the quintessentially English Swinley Forest appeared first on Nationwide Membership Golfer.
