Golfadelphia

6,471 yards, 126 slope from the White tees

Out of all the courses we played on this trip, the Londoners were always most excited we would be playing Hankley Common. They would nod their head in agreement as we went through the list of clubs but without fail, would perk up and want to talk about Hankley in particular. So it was with much more locally infused anticipation we headed to Hankley after our round at Swinley. Both courses include work by Colt although while Swinley was his original design, he worked on Hankley after Edward Turle (1897) and James Braid (1921) in 1933, yet playing the courses one after another showed the breadth of style Colt was capable of. They are very different courses to be sure and that starts with the very different landscapes upon which both courses are set upon. As we made our way through the round in undeniably oppressive Summer heat, I was intent on figuring out why the Londoners had such affection for the place. It was easy to see that it starts with the land, which is much more wide open than any other course we had come across except possibly Walton Heath. That land shows off outstanding heather and the hills are variously spaced to form an interesting assortment of fairways. Yet there was possibly more to it that I would only realize as I made my way through the holes.

Hankley Common started as a nine hole course by Turle to which Braid extended to eighteen holes in 1921. Colt performed remodel work twelve years later. Seven of the greens from the original nine holes are still in play. Initially, there were no trees and the greens were mown out from the heather. Braid did not touch the original nine holes during his extension work, the Second, Sixth through Eighth, and Tenth through Fourteenth. Colt’s remodeling work primarily consisted of adding three new holes, the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth, yet included lengthening and figuring out proper spacing of the par 3’s. Colt replaced two of the original holes and one of those by Braid (his Tenth). This left the course with the First through Fifth, Ninth and Seventeenth through Eighteenth by Turle, the Second, Sixth through Eighth, and Thirteenth through Sixteenth by Braid and the Tenth through Twelfth by Colt. The course underwent in house work over the years that included cosmetic changes and logistical improvements such as irrigation installation, then retained Martin Ebert for renovative work in 2019. That project focused on positional and visual bunker work so that they incorporated into the rugged heathland setting, work to the green surrounds to accentuate the green contours (which were not touched) and to develop bare sandscape expanses to contrast and enhance the stretches of heather. These appear at the Seventh, Eleventh and Sixteenth.

Those in the States or outside of the UK may not be familiar with the concept of common land. The land can be privately owned but is open for specific types of use to the public. The Hankley Common is on 1400 acres and primarily a nature reserve on woodland and lowland heath with a variety of reptiles, fauna and flora. The public can enjoy the diverse natural surrounds while the land has been used in various films over the years and part of it serves in military training. The natural character of the land is an important part of the golf course, which adds to the beauty of the setting as well as the engaging terrain. It reminded me of Prairie Dunes as far as the rolling nature of the land and hill composition. While I had not yet played it at the time of this round, as of this writing I’d add that Panmure fits in with these other two for the same characteristics. The holes turn, dip, dive and climb about the land while the off fairway areas vary wildly from heather, fescue and even brambles in some spots. The green sites are typically interestingly positioned in taking advantage of the terrain while a good amount of efficient precision is necessary at the greens. While in such a natural setting and the holes largely unperturbed over the decades, a modern, sporty style comprised the structure of play. More precise aerial carries were needed over ground game considerations, which helped form things in this regard, which ultimately sets it apart from many others. Indeed, it is this sportiness along with the setting that I believe is the appeal for those we spoke with beforehand. These layers of the course are much rarer in the UK, or at least in the immediate heathland area in England we found ourselves. It is indeed a unique structure of play while the recovery character a bit more stern and absolute. A solid play and very much heathland with impressive showings of heather.

The First is a 422 yard par 4 (from the White tees). The par 4 moves gently downhill with a couple bunkers coming in at the right side. The downhill intensifies a bit near the green with a bunker at its right front, the movement mostly left to right. That green movement and the downhill before is all that is needed to set the right opening tone.

The Second is a 145 yard par 3. Stockbridge Pond is off to the left of the tee but just set that out of your mind. The tee shot must carry some of the sandy rugged terrain and some front bunkering to reach the green, which moves back to front and brings those front bunkers into even more relevancy. This green movement would make me hope to end up in a bunker if I really needed to miss the green.

The Third is a 347 yard par 4. The fairway bends to the left more than it dog legs, starting uphill before changing course and diving down and to the left. A safe short tee shot is there for the taking in exchange for a longer, blind approach while those willing to risk more can favor left of the bunker to the right side for a shorter approach with a view to the green. The green is a semi-punchbowl and has some great front to back movement as well. Thus far, the variety of green movement is popping off the charts.

The Fourth is a 327 yard par 4. We have back tracked towards the First and here we finally move past it and the clubhouse, which are off to the right. The fairway is wide open yet favoring the right opens up a better view of the green. The green is pushed up and is guarded by a center line bunker at the front and one at the rear. The green falls off the edges but its width gives the golfer plenty of room to ensure the approach stays on, which likely needs to be in the air. There is very little room off the rear and if one ends up missing long, will find himself in a good amount of trouble if not blocked out altogether.

The Fifth is a 381 yard par 4. A slight dog leg left and the tee shot needs to move past or around fairway bunkers on either side. One really needs to avoid them if score is on the mind, as there’s really no other option but to pitch out and face the extra stroke getting to the green. The fairway leads into the green, the bunkers once again off to the sides. Two straight shots it is.

The Sixth is a 533 yard par 5. A dog leg left that leads uphill with not much else in the way other than the swing mechanics of the golfer. There is length to contend with and at the end, the green sits on a terrace of the hill with some what front to back movement. Bunkers are off to the sides as well and the green contours reward the journey from the tee.

The Seventh is a 183 yard par 3. At the height of the property, we tee off from one hilltop to the green on another, bunkers on either side within the hillside. Similar to the Fifth, the rear is no good and drops off abruptly. The views are splendid and the hole straightforward in what it’s asking for, so take the moment of reprieve.

The Eighth is a 550 yard par 5. We move off of the hilltop to the fairway below, bunkers and trees at the sides. Like the Sixth, there isn’t much to contend with other than the length until before the green, which is lined with bunkers on both sides. Nothing at the sides or rear, however.

The Ninth is a 371 yard par 4. A dog leg left that moves downhill, the further the tee shot with a scant to the right, the more visible the green becomes for the approach. Bunkers are at the sides of the green and one is able to use the ground leading up to it, the downhill taken advantage of.

The front nine is gives us some Braid and Turle, the downhill greens with the most intrigue while the par 4’s varying up the structure of play. I would rank them 3, 9, 1, 4, 7, 2, 5, 6, 8.

The back nine starts with the 423 yard par 4 Tenth. This begins, “Colt’s Corner,” his three designed holes here. A long bend to the right with a newly installed fairway bunker on the right side comprise the tee shot. The fairway then moves right into the green after the bend, bunkers guarding the sides and uncharacteristically at the rear. The bend and green configuration to the fairway make for interesting approaches in where the allowed depth of the shot varies wildly.

The Eleventh is a 216 yard par 3. A longer one-shotter where the contours before the green ensure any roll needs to be with sufficient vigor to stay on. The movement to the right has been tempered some what than it was in the past, some of those contours helping break the speed of the fall. Account for the roll with the longer shot and avoid going left or long. The vastness beyond is worth a few moments.

The Twelfth is a 396 yard par 4. Teeing off over the fescue, the fairway lists to the left with bunkering on either side. Lots of room to work with at the green while sand is off to the left. The green accepts longer shots with its depth but a new bunker at the rear does put a limit on such roll out. Favoring the right on both shots is good grift.

The Thirteenth is a 498 yard par 5. Straight, then more straight, and avoid the bunkers along the way. The green is slightly pushed up with sunken bunkers on either side. Hitting it straight here helps.

The Fourteenth is a 382 yard par 4. The trees start to heighten and thicken, giving a majestic feel to the place a bit different than what has come before. The tee shot leads to a downhill fairway, which then moves uphill to the green, a gathering of bunkers just before it. The green has some nice pitch to it about the edges in a some what punch bowl feel.

The Fifteenth is a 318 yard par 4. A short par 4 with a blind tee shot and a varying of the bunker scheme near the green. The substantial dog leg left means the golfer must get to know the other side of the ridge well to figure out where and what club to hit off the tee. The green is ahead after the turn, widest at the rear.

The Sixteenth is a 151 yard par 3. An uphill shot where most everything through the green moves right to left, even the broken ground between tee and green can pose a quandary for the golfer to get out of properly. The green has the capability of falling off at the left and towards the front.

The Seventeenth is a 396 yard par 4. A longer and more gradual dog leg left than the Fifteenth, the green positioning makes for a lot of interest. While there is plenty of room at the right, the left-sided approach is most advantageous.

The Eighteenth is a 432 yard par 4. A long par 4 to close out the round, the tee shot carries fescue before the fairway. The green stands out surrounded by hollows so that any approach needs to carry them to reach the green but those falling short will be able to hit out of them. It’s a unique little last snag before the golfer’s time on such dramatic exhilarating land comes to a pause, until next time.

I liked how the back nine stretched out on the terrain and the variation of approaches, which is mainly due to the green sites all situated throughout the hills and hollows. It was the better of the nines, or at least more appealing to me. I would rank them 11, 12, 18, 15, 10, 17, 16, 14, 13.

Generally, Hankley Common shows off three different architects yet retains cohesion among a rich natural expanse with varying degrees of vastness. The structure of play is lively with fits of strategic character yet asks for execution in the most pleasant manner possible. The recovery character is moody, some times allowing redemption and other times demanding its pound of flesh. Ebert’s bunkering and touches have accentuated the natural trimmings, further connecting the course to the landscape. It’s a solid play and one with modern tones. I can certainly see why the Londoners light up when the place is mentioned in passing.

Clubhouse/Pro Shop: The clubhouse and pro shop are in different structures and both worth a visit. The grinning fox logo is all-time, especially when it comes to golf club foxes.

Practice area: A small hitting range and putting green.