Oh, how we’ve missed you. After more than three long months, clubhouses in England are finally allowed to reopen.
To celebrate, we’re getting straight into our treasured seat, ordering a pint of our finest tipple, and running through our favourite clubhouses in this green and pleasant land.
A word in your ears, though, before you all get straight onto your keyboards in mock outrage.
We’re not saying these are the BEST clubhouses in England. Maybe you’ll think some of them are, maybe you’ll have your own and your dying to tell us about them. If so, let us know in the comments or on Twitter.
These are merely our favourites. It might be because they are great buildings, because they’re historic, or just because we like spending half an hour after a round in them.
But have a look through our nine selections and see how they measure up with yours…
Moor Park
The Sistine Chapel of clubhouses. There’s so much fine art hanging on these walls you’ll think you’ve dropped into a gallery.
Operation Market Garden was planned here – watch A Bridge Too Far if you don’t know what I’m talking about – and it still maintains links to the Parachute Regiment.
A 17th century mansion, it’s got to be one of the stateliest clubhouses in the kingdom. SC
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Royal North Devon
You could count on one hand the number of golf clubs you could visit just for the clubhouse. This is one.
The oldest golf course in England and the finest clubhouse. You can smell the history as you walk in every corner you turn there is something else to soak in, included their treasured golf museum. Magnificent. AP
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Royal Worlington & Newmarket
Quintessentially English, Part I. You order your drinks through a hatch and then relax in the unintentionally shabby-chic lounge on an old chair with an open fire crackling away. Drinks come in tankards and the food is all roasts and roly-polies. Wonderful. DM
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Stoke Park
Hollywood likes Stoke Park. Very much. This building has had more starring roles than George Clooney. Whether it was the titanic golf match between Bond and Goldfinger, or the climactic scenes of Layer Cake, this is one of the sport’s most striking buildings.
It’s very smart inside as well, with a labyrinth of glorious rooms to explore. Yes, I got lost more than once. SC
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St Enodoc
For every RND there’s a St Enodoc. I’m awfully fond of a modern clubhouse. Spacious yet warm, welcoming, good food, good beer, balcony overlooking the 18th.
And it helps when it’s the beginning and end of one of the best courses in the UK. AP
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Royal West Norfolk
Quintessentially English, Part II. If you thought Mildenhall was eccentric then you should try Brancaster. It sums it up that both clubs are better known by names other than their official titles.
Just a wonderfully simple and authentic building where the walls are lined with the names of the great and the good from England’s best schools, institutions and the armed services. Go upstairs and you can use the telescope to gaze across the links and out to sea. The fish and chips are rightly famous – don’t even bother looking at a menu. DM
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Formby
There are all sorts of treasures inside the doors of Formby – not least a hippo’s head that was once kidnapped from the club and found itself on the troop ship Veteran fighting off Luftwaffe pilots in 1940.
But the standout part of this magnificent building is the distinctive clock tower that was constructed as a gift to celebrate the club’s 25th birthday in 1909.
It was provided by Joseph Bruce Ismay. You may know him better as the chairman of the White Star Line, and whom fled his firm’s flagship Titanic as it was going down in the Atlantic in April 1912. SC
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The Leicestershire
There aren’t many golf club car parks where you drive in and have to pause to look at the clubhouse. What on earth is that? Is it upside down?
It certainly works. Locker rooms and a small bar on the ground floor, function room overlooking the course upstairs. An architectural marvel, and I love it. AP
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Moortown
I can’t think of many clubhouses that tick more boxes than Moortown’s.
It’s got history in abundance, a proper snooker room, wooden lockers, excellent showers, warm towels, decent beer, a great view of the 18th and a patio for those idyllic summer evenings. Yes please. DM
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Did your favourite clubhouse in England make the list? Either way, let us know in the comments below or you can tweet us.
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