The Wisley Golf Club is a private golf club, much enjoyed by its members and their invited guests. If you should manage to be invited to play here, you will find an excellent and always well-presented layout, comprising three nine-hole loops, the Church, Garden and Mill nines. The Wisley continues to be ranked in Golf World magazine’s Top 100 UK Courses listing.
The Wisley Golf Club consists of three loops of nine holes and is consistently ranked amongst the best courses in the country. The three nines that make up this course represent a fine example of how contemporary course design transforms level, unpromising ground—in this case, a former nursery—into a true test of golf. Robert Trent Jones II’s vision stands proudly among this landlocked region’s numerous outstanding courses. Robert Trent Jones Sr. pioneered deep and wide water hazards (as a response to sculpted bunkering and the development of the sand wedge by Gene Sarazen) and the use of the earth excavated in the process to add relief to courses in such level locales as Florida, and the son uses that approach here. Wisley has named its nines in honor of iconic structures in the area, which explains the “Church + Mill” combination that comprises the tournament course. The superb clubhouse is so impressive that visitors may wonder if it is the work of an architect proper rather than a golf architect.
A straw poll across the full complement of 700 members at the Wisley will reveal that the jury is out in terms of which of the three nine-hole loops is best (Church, Mill or Garden). We, too, are unsure which combination makes the best collection of 18 holes, but we can say that each nine is of equal standard, although subtly different in character. A prolific number of water hazards and bunkers are scattered throughout the 27 holes and there’s more water in play here than at just about any other course in the British Isles – the River Wey and strategically-placed lakes come into play on no fewer than eight of the Garden’s nine holes.
There are so many memorable holes that it is almost impossible to single any out, but the 6th on the Mill is one of our favourites. Here, the River Wey must be crossed twice, once with the tee shot and once approaching the diagonal green. It’s a cracking 520-yard par five, which poses similar challenges to the 17th at Carnoustie. The 7th hole on the Mill is also unforgettable – a do or die par three which measures 223 yards from the back tees, where there’s an amazing double water hazard to carry before the kidney-shaped green – also well protected by four bunkers – is reached.
The Wisley is certainly top drawer and if you are given the opportunity to play here, take it immediately. It’s easy to see why top professionals are Wisley members… 27 engaging holes and probably the best practice facilities in the British Isles.
