Beaverbrook

There is no shortage of accessible world-class golf on offer in leafy Surrey. In the ultra-private sector, both Queenwood and The Wisley operate in a similar "no hoi polloi" market to Beaverbrook. In fact, there are more select golf clubs in Surrey than any other location in the UK, so it remains to be seen what will set Beaverbrook apart from the two aforementioned golf clubs. But there’s one other thing Beaverbrook has in common with Queenwood and that’s design.

David McLay Kidd teamed up with eight-time major champion Tom Watson to fashion Beaverbrook. Shortly after bidding an emotional Open farewell at St Andrews in 2015, Watson was interviewed by sports journalist John Whitbread and the Missourian commented as follows:

“All too often I play courses that have been artificially formed.

We are extraordinarily lucky to be given such a wonderful canvas, where all the designers have to do is add the detailed brush strokes to finish what will be a natural masterpiece.

Top courses need a natural landscape which provides true variety. Real golf also needs to be a true challenge.

You need to understand the game of golf but at the same time be able to design it as an artist would frame it, so the holes flow naturally from one to another, putting together a variety of length, elevation and shot value.

One of the first problems that had to be solved were the two ancient walkways which cross the site. David did a great job of the routing, fitting the course in four quadrants.”

Unfortunately we can't obtain any feedback from DMK Design as they are under a non-disclosure agreement, such is Beaverbrook's degree of secrecy – even the Beaverbrook website mentions nothing about golf. However, we do know that no expense has been spared constructing the 7,104-yard parkland-cum-downland course, which is situated next door to Tyrrells Wood Golf Club near Leatherhead.

Fine bent grass USGA greens promise the best playing surfaces in the entire country and while we’re holding our breath for an invite, you may already have been lucky enough to experience Surrey’s latest exclusive golfing creation. If so, we’d love to hear your opinion, but dare you write a review?