Hampton Court Palace Golf Club: Historic Fairways, Scenic Views & Insider Guide

Introduction

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is a fun place to play golf. It’s in Home Park, a big royal park near London. You see old palace buildings and deer walking around. The course has pretty views and a cool history. This guide tells you all about it. It talks about the course, its past, and tips to play better. I’m Michael Ford, a writer who loves special places. I use easy words to make this guide simple and fun. It helps all golfers enjoy this course.

Why This Course Is Fun

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is not just any golf course. It’s in Home Park, near the River Thames. It opened in 1895, so it’s very old. It’s close to Hampton Court Palace, where King Henry VIII lived long ago. The course has tree-lined holes and open ones, making it fun for all golfers. You see deer, swans, and birds singing. It’s only 10 miles from London, so it’s a quiet spot away from the city.

The Course’s Old Story

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club started in 1895. It’s one of England’s oldest golf courses. It’s in Home Park, next to Hampton Court Palace. The palace was built in 1514 for a man named Thomas Wolsey, then taken by King Henry VIII. The golf course was made with help from Willie Park Jr., a famous golf designer. His greens and bunkers make the course special. When you play, you feel like you’re in history, with the palace nearby.

How the Course Looks

The course is 6,513 yards long and par 71. It has two kinds of holes. Some have trees, like a park. Others are open, like a beach course. The land is flat, so it’s easy to walk. Trees line the first nine holes, making them feel cozy. The back nine are wide open, with tall grass. You hear birds and see deer. The course tests how well you hit and putt. Fairways are wide, but missing them means trouble. Greens are a bit high and tricky. Bunkers are deep. A long water hazard, called Long Water, makes the 14th hole pretty and hard.

Guide to Every Hole

This part tells you about each hole. It helps you know what to do. The course likes smart players, so use these tips.

First Nine Holes

The first nine holes start easy but get harder. Trees make you hit straight. The first hole is a par 4, 387 yards long. The fairway is wide. Hit straight to miss trees. The green slopes left, so aim right. The second hole, a par 4, is 412 yards. It’s long. Hit a good drive to avoid tall grass. A bunker is by the green. The third hole, a par 4, is 360 yards. It’s short but narrow. Use a short club to stay safe. The fourth hole is a par 5, 510 yards. You might reach the green in two shots. Stay away from tall grass on the right. The green is high, so hit a bit harder. The fifth hole, a par 5, is 520 yards. It’s near the palace. A long drive helps you get close. Watch out for a bunker near the green. The sixth hole, a par 3, is 165 yards. The green is small and slopes. Aim for the middle. The seventh hole, a par 4, is 400 yards. It turns left. Try to curve your shot, but don’t hit trees. The eighth hole, a par 4, is 380 yards. Tall grass waits if you miss the fairway. The green has bunkers. The ninth hole, a par 4, is 425 yards. It’s tough. Hit a long drive. Two bunkers guard the green.

Back Nine Holes

The back nine are open, like a beach course. They feel big and fun. The 10th hole, a par 4, is 390 yards. The fairway is wide. Hit a big drive, but watch for tall grass. The green is easy. The 11th hole, a par 4, is 415 yards. It’s long. Bunkers are on the right. Use a safe club if you want. The green slopes down. The 12th hole, a par 3, is 199 yards. It’s hard. Bunkers are in front, so use a long club. The 13th hole, a par 4, is 370 yards. It feels open with tall grass. Hit straight. The green is hard to read. The 14th hole, a par 5, is 530 yards. Long Water runs along it. Stay right to avoid water. Big hitters can reach the green in two. The 15th hole, a par 4, is 420 yards. Bunkers make the fairway narrow. Aim for the middle. The 16th hole, a par 4, is 405 yards. It’s wide, but tall grass is near. The green is high. The 17th hole, a par 3, is 180 yards. It’s pretty with deer around. Bunkers guard the green. The 18th hole, a par 4, is 410 yards. A dip near the green makes it tricky. Hit short to stay safe.

How the Course Plays

The course changes with the weather. It stays dry even after rain. Greens can be slow or bumpy. Some players like them, others don’t. Fairways are nice but can be dry in summer. Spring and autumn are prettiest. Bunkers are deep but sometimes need more sand. Deer footprints can mess them up. Tall grass is thick in summer, so balls get lost. Sometimes, the club uses temporary greens, which players don’t like. The club, now run by Get Golfing, added new bunkers and fixed drainage. But some parts need more care. Check reviews before you go to know how it’s playing.

Tips to Play Better

To do well, think smart. Hit straight shots. Narrow fairways and tall grass don’t forgive bad hits. On tight holes like the third, use a short club. If you miss the fairway, hit back to safety. Don’t look for lost balls too long. Greens can be slow, so practice long putts. The 12th and 17th holes need the right club to avoid bunkers. Games can take 6 hours because it’s busy. Book early or late times to play faster. Food and drinks cost a lot, like £3.30 for a soda. Bring your own snacks.

Pretty Views and Animals

The course is beautiful. Home Park is 600 acres big. You see deer walking and swans on the water. Birds sing on the back nine. The palace looks amazing, especially on the fifth hole. The flat land and open views make every hole nice. Take a camera for deer or palace pictures. Stay far from animals to be kind to them.

What the Clubhouse Offers

The clubhouse is new and friendly. It has a bar, food, and seats outside with course views. Food is good but costs a lot. Some say it’s not great. The pro shop has clubs and buggies to rent. A two-person buggy is £30. There’s a driving range and a grass area to practice. Staff is nice, but events can be slow. In 2023, a school party had bad food and no water in bathrooms. Check before going to events.

How to Get There

The course is in Home Park, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 4AD. It’s 10 miles from London, near the A308 road. Driving takes 30 minutes from London. Use Kingston Bridge. You can take a train to Hampton Court station, a 5-minute walk away. The park driveway is hard to find, so use a GPS. There’s lots of parking. The flat course is easy to walk for everyone.

How Much It Costs

Playing costs different amounts. Weekdays are about £42. Weekends are £65. After 4 PM, it’s cheaper, £28–£31.50. Book online at the club’s site or GolfNow for deals. A 30-day pass for £99 lets you play all Get Golfing courses. Prices can feel high for how the course plays, so look for discounts.

Things to Watch Out For

The course has some problems. Games can take 6 hours because it’s crowded. No one keeps the pace fast. Some greens are bumpy, and fairways can be patchy. Bunkers need more sand. Food is pricey. A 2023 event had bad food and broken bathrooms. The flat course can feel samey to some players. But the history and views make it worth playing.

Who Should Play Here

This course is great for golfers who like history and nature. If you hit straight, you’ll love it. Players who miss fairways might lose balls in tall grass. New golfers can enjoy the flat land but need patience for slow games. It’s perfect for a fun day, especially if you’re near London or seeing the palace.

How It Compares

Hampton Court is special because of its royal park. Other courses nearby, like Royal Mid-Surrey, are fancier but cost more. Cheaper courses don’t have the history. The open back nine feel different from most Surrey courses, which have more trees. If you like views and challenge, this is a great pick.

Planning Your Trip

Book early morning or late afternoon to play faster. Check the weather. The course is good after rain but looks best in spring or autumn. Visit the palace before or after golf for a fun day. Bring snacks and water to save money. Use a GPS to find the entrance off the A308.

Conclusion

Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is a special place to play golf. Its old fairways, pretty views, and animals make it unique. The course tests your skills and lets you enjoy Home Park. Some things, like slow games or bumpy greens, aren’t perfect. But the history and beauty stand out. Use this guide to play smart and have fun. If you’re near London or visiting the palace, try this course. Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Disclamer: This article is not an ad or a sponsored post. We do not work for Hampton Court Palace Golf Club. We are not paid by them. We do not earn any money if you visit or book anything.

All information is shared only to help readers. Please check with the golf club for the most correct and updated details.

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