If you're going to be one and done in the field of golf course design, make it good. Liphook Golf Club is Arthur Croome's legacy to the sport.

A teacher, with associations with Herbert Fowler, JF Abercromby, and Tom Simpson, Croome created a glorious heathland course on the edge of the Hampshire and Sussex border.

The golf club celebrated their Centenary year in 2022, a year on from extensive changes to the course where holes were built and several others altered.
 

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Liphook Golf Club was founded in 1921, with construction of the course taking place over the next two years. The course was officially opened in 1923.

To celebrate the opening of the golf club, there was a four-man match between Roger Wethered, Charles Ambrose, Cyril Tolley and the man who designed the course - Arthur Croome.

A temporary clubhouse was built in the late 1940s following the Second World War, with a brand new clubhouse building being completed in 1961, and that remains to this day.

Mackenzie & Ebert came in to help make changes in 2021, which was in line with improving the safety of crossing the road between the two nines. Two new holes (8 and 9) were created, while both 11 and 17 both saw significant changes. These changes were completed ahead of Liphook's centenary celebrations a year later.

The par-71 course measures a challenging 6,523 yards from the Championship tees with four par-4s of over 400 yards and four par-5s. Its tight and undulating fairways, lined with an abundance of heather, gorse, and trees, puts a premium on accuracy. But its biggest defence are its greens, which are true and fast with subtle breaks and borrows.

Liphook opens up with a par-3 that says 203 yards on the card from the tips. However, it plays downhill to a large green. That green slopes strongly left to right so, for the cautious, playing out to the right is the better bailout to allow for an easier up and down. 

After a lengthy par-4 2nd, the 3rd is another short hole. At 142-yards, it's the two big bunkers at the front of the green that catch the eye. 

A long par-4 is followed by a 500 yard par-5, the first real birdie opportunity for the mid-handicapper. A wide driving area allows an aggressive approach to the green but beware the bunker and heather. 

Another 450 plus yard par-4 is followed by a par-5 at six and seven, with the 7th running across the border between West Sussex and Hampshire - as marked by a waterway 130 yards from the hole. The third par-3 on the front comes before a 363 yard par-4 to close out the first nine.

Water hazards, bunkers, heather. The 10th hole provides a stern test to open up the back side at Liphook. The 11th is the longest hole on the course from the Championship tees, measuring in at 560 yards. A short par-3 and par-4 combo then follow before an uphill 434 yard par-4 tests your mettle. Your approach shot is blind and protected by a large mound, known as Simpson’s Folly. 

The closing stretch at Liphook begins with a classic risk and reward par-4. At only 308 yards, it is driveable for the longer hitters, but danger lurks. The 16th is also short but the fairway ends after 240 yards, meaning it’s an hybrid-iron job to get to the dance floor. 17 is a short par-3 with heather all around, before the finishing hole gives you one final birdie opportunity. The drive plays slightly downhill for the longer hitters, who can get good roll if their drive lands over the crest of the slope. They then play back uphill to a two-tiered green which sits in front of the clubhouse.

Liphook Golf Club is situated south west of London, just 50 miles from the centre of England’s capital. A direct train from Liphook Station takes an hour and 20 minutes to get to London Waterloo.

For international visitors, Liphook Golf Club is located 40 miles from London Gatwick and London Heathrow, both of which are approximately an hour away. 

Through the summer, the regular midweek (Monday-Thursday) green fee is £135 at Liphook Golf Club. Sunday green fees are more expensive, with the cost of an 18-hole round £160 in the summer. Guests cannot play at Liphook on a Friday or Saturday.

Visit Liphook's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.