Sherwood Forest: Simply one of the best inland courses in the country
Most of the holes at Sherwood Forest are set in glorious seclusion, with flanks of firs and banks of gorse divorcing the current challenge from the rest of the course. The tight, springy turf is indicative of an inland course of the very highest quality.
It has that indefinable touch of class that most courses, no matter how hard they strive or how many new back tees they build, will never achieve.
Sherwood Forest, whose virtues as a whole remain, for some reason, curiously uncelebrated. Perhaps that’s the way the members like it. Should you make a visit anytime soon, they might thank you for not telling everyone else quite how much you enjoyed it.
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Sherwood Forest into the England top 100 list.
History
There is a rich back-story, the club having moved to its current site roughly halfway between Nottingham and Mansfield in 1912. Its full history dates another 17 years back from then.
It was designed by Harry Colt, the man responsible for, among many others, Sunningdale’s New Course, Swinley Forest, St George’s Hill and both the East and West at Wentworth. In 1925 James Braid was invited to make improvements and extend it.
Further minor changes – larger greens and new tees – were implemented in the early 1980s after recommendations made by Cotton, Pennink, Steel and Hawtree.
The club has played host to Open Championship Regional Qualifying and even Gary Nicklaus, son of the great Jack, failed to qualify here, not only once, but twice.
Why it’s special
The royal hunting Forest of Sherwood in middle England is world famous as the legendary home of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
Sherwood Forest is now a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest because it contains the largest area of low-lying heathland in the Midlands.
Renowned for its fantastic greens and friendly welcome, Sherwood Forest is certainly a course to put on your itinerary when visiting the Midlands. Include it alongside Notts and Lindrick and you will have played three of the best inland courses in the country.
Most recently, Sherwood Forest have had extensive new practice facilities completed. These consist of a driving range and short game area, giving members the opportunity to practice their golf in a more private manner than what a traditional practice ground would offer.
Where does it rank?
34th in England, 88th in GB&I, and 36th in Value.
Where is it?
Sherwood Forest is just east of Mansfield and less than an hour north of Nottingham.
Would you like to play Sherwood Forest with the NCG Top 100s Tour?
Our NCG Top 100s Tour offers club golfers the chance to tick off their bucket list courses around the UK and Ireland while playing for fantastic prizes courtesy of TaylorMade.
The Tour prides itself on offering the best experience at the events while offering fantastic value.
Sherwood Forest is part of the Tour’s 2023 schedule with an event on May 22, 2023 and your entry fee includes:
- Your round of golf
- A meal before and after your round
- A welcome pack on arrival
- The chance to win amazing TaylorMade prizes
And, if that isn’t enough, you can get a 10% discount if you book four or more golfers.
Get in touch with Sherwood Forest
For more information about the club and course, visit its website or call them on 01623 626689.
- NCG Top 100s Tour: Register to play Sherwood Forest now
- NCG Top 100s: Sherwood Forest Golf Club review
Have you played Sherwood Forest? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us.
Subscribe to NCG
Ben Outhwaite
Ben is National Club Golfer's Marketing Editor and the latest addition to our golf equipment review team.
He specialises in testing golf bags, beginner golf club sets, apparel and golf accessories. He also collates our buying guides so you know which are the latest and greatest bits of golf equipment on the market.
Ben picked up his first golf club when he was five years old – which was in fact a left-handed set of clubs!
He is a member at Rudding Park Golf Club and has a handicap of fifteen.
