One Up Golfs Golf Course of the Month – April

One Up Golf is introducing a brand new monthly feature on the website. The feature will showcase the best golf courses in the UK, and our chosen course for this month is Wanstead Golf Club, located in London. We interviewed the club to find out all the details.

Tell us about the main facilities at Wanstead Golf Club.

In addition to the 18 hole course, we have a three day driving range, a putting green, chipping green and warm up nets. There is also a full restaurant with daily catering, a bar and a function suite which is available for hire.

Tell us a little bit about your course..

The course is set in a beautiful parkland and has hosted many major events including the Armitage Cup. Wanstead Golf Club is a charming private members club established in 1893 and housed in a grade 2 listed building. The membership is friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere around the club is always lively.

When the course, designed by Tom Dunn and laid out by James MacPherson, first opened in 1893 it had just 9 holes. The club was established as Wanstead Park Golf Club with 130 members, including 40 ladies. The opening was preceded by a celebration in the newly refurbished clubhouse, which has been the stables of the former Wanstead House. Over the years the course has increased to 18 holes and the design has changed a number of times. However, the lake hole (16th) has always remained the signature hole of the course.

Interestingly, Sir Winston Churchill was an honorary member of club. Three Ryder Cup Professionals, Percy Alliss, Alan Dailey and Lionel Platts, were members of the club, and also Jean Hetherington, who won the Ladies Open Championship in 1947. Additionally, Darren Lee won the Amateur medal in the 1996 British Open and Simon Khan, European Tour player and Presidents Cup team member, is a former Club member.

Is Wanstead golf course public or private?

Wanstead is a private members club. We offer a range of memberships including full, midweek, junior, social, overseas and corporate. The course is open all year and around 50,000 rounds are played per annum.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is standard golfing attire on the course, no jeans or trainers. For the clubhouse, we have a smart casual dress code, jeans are allowed but trainers are discouraged. Players are expected to change from their golf clothing before using the bar and restaurant.

What’s the best hole and why?

The sixteenth hole is a par three measuring 150 yards from the White tee. The green is surrounded by water and bunkers while any player who plays long to avoid the water finds his ball has disappeared down a bank with the prospect of chipping back once again straight at the water. A charming hole when played well, a beast and card wrecker when played poorly.

Any tips for playing the course?

Take care from the tee! The course is par 69 and measures 6014 yards from the white tees, there is only 1 par 5 and 4, the par 3s are tough, so it’s important not to get out of position on the par 4s.

Key Facts

Club name: Wanstead

Location: Overton Drive Wanstead London E11 2LW

Number of holes: 18

Telephone number: 020 8989 3938

Website: www.wansteadgolfclub.com