While the countryside may hold sway with sprawling championship courses from everywhere between Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, when it comes to the great game, South West London isn’t short of fantastic clubs to play at (or with). Within this area of the capital exist golfing enclaves where tradition still counts, but so does quality dining, modern practice facilities and a certain level of polish that belies the sport’s status as a gentleman's pass time within the city.
Whether drawn to the heritage of Roehampton, the seamless layout and design of Richmond or the competitive nature of Coombe Hill, there is a course to suit every golfer seeking a more refined experience inside London’s south west corner.
Royal Wimbledon Golf Club
Royal Wimbledon is London’s third-oldest golf club. Founded in 1865, the club retains a level of heritage and prestige few can match, whilst remaining a prominent part of the local golfing scene with a Harry Colt-designed 18-hole course that is carved into a stretch of woodland close to Wimbledon Common. Despite its history, this club is no hallmark of days gone by, with heavy investment in an extensive renovation programme in more recent years, enhancing fairway drainage and reinstating Colt’s original bunker placements.
The clubhouse is a handsome neo-Georgian structure, with leaded windows looking out across the final green. Though fiercely traditional in some regards (jackets are still required in the main dining room), the club has a quietly forward-thinking attitude, welcoming new members through both traditional methods of sponsorship and the inclusion of an associate members programme which requires two years to achieve full-membership status, that’s open to newly minted locals.
Coombe Hill Golf Club
Designed by J.F. Abercromby in 1911, Coombe Hill has been a favourite among film executives and business figures throughout its tenure as a course. Routed across the ancient slopes of Coombe Wood that offer views over the Thames basin, each hole presents new views of the area, amidst the rolling fairways and sharply contoured greens.
This is a club that values discretion, with minimal roadside signage, a modest driveway that lacks any pretentiousness, but once inside, the standards are of the highest order. The locker rooms are clad in dark oak panelling, whilst the terrace bar serves a tastefully selected seasonal menu. There is a raft of membership options, including applications without a proposal from existing members, catering to a wide crowd of golfers from across the surrounding area.
The Richmond Golf Club
Set within the grounds of Sudbrook Park, a Grade I-listed Palladian mansion designed by James Gibbs, The Richmond Golf Club offers one of the most architecturally impressive backdrops on London’s golfing scene. The course, originally laid out in 1891 and later reworked by Tom Dunn, wraps around the estate’s formal parkland and opens with a long, tree-lined par 4 that is stately, tight, and elegantly maintained.
Despite its classical setting, The Richmond is nowhere near antiquated, boasting impressively modernised clubhouse facilities, a more relaxed dress code and even hosts summer jazz evenings and seasonal lunches, which draw in members’ families for the occasion. The competition calendar is active, and the club’s scratch team competes across the Home Counties. Membership is by application, typically requiring nomination and references, and the waiting list is considerable, especially during the summer months.
Roehampton Club
The Roehampton Club boasts not only a championship-length 18-hole course but an eye-watering number of facilities. Thirty tennis courts, an indoor pool, padel facilities, croquet lawn, and a recently updated wellness centre complete with hydrotherapy suites and Pilates studios. It is a destination club for those who want the full range of services from one of the best membership packages in the city.
The course itself is an enjoyable parkland layout, originally designed by Tom Simpson in the 1920s, and maintained to exacting private-member standards. The fairways are generous in width but lined with mature trees, and several holes are shaped by water hazards that catch out the overconfident. Roehampton’s biggest draw, however, is its family-oriented ethos. Open and accessible, this is a club where juniors are encouraged and non-golfers can enjoy the club just as comprehensively as their fully invested brethren.
Malden Golf Club, New Malden
Often described as South West London’s hidden gem, Malden Golf Club offers a more low-key golfing experience while still upholding a high standard of course maintenance and hospitality. Situated off Traps Lane near Coombe Wood, the club is sheltered by dense trees across elevated terrain, with an 18-hole parkland course playable all year-round.
The opening stretch winds through a narrow valley, while the back opens up with more generous landing areas and scenic views towards the Surrey Hills. The clubhouse is unpretentious but well equipped, with a bar overlooking the 18th hole and a members’ lounge that hosts regular quiz nights, bridge sessions, and informal dining. Malden doesn’t require a proposer to join and has become a favourite for younger professionals and families looking for a friendly club atmosphere, without giving up course quality.
Richmond Park Golf Course
For those seeking a more flexible, pay-and-play model without the need to ingratiate themselves into the golfing community of the course, Richmond Park Golf Course offers two 18-hole layouts open to the public. The Duke’s Course and the Prince’s Course are set within the bounds of Richmond Park, one of London’s most iconic parks, known for its roaming deer and mystical woodland. Though not a private club, the facilities are managed by Glendale Golf and include a well-stocked pro shop, driving range and a sizeable café.
Both courses offer respectable challenges for any decent golfer, with undulating fairways and natural hazards that are shaped by the wild landscape. The Prince’s is slightly flatter and better suited to those with a higher handicap, while the Duke’s demands more drive range and accuracy. This is one of the few venues in the capital where you can play a full 18 holes without a membership or a reservation weeks in advance, making it ideal for visitors or spontaneous games, especially at twilight during the summer months.
