Royal Wimbledon

Golf was probably played on Wimbledon Common in the early 19th century. Records go back to 1864, suggesting that some of the London Scottish Rifle Volunteer Corps, who were posted nearby, met on Wimbledon Common to form the London Scottish Golf Club. Tom Dunn designed the original course and the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club came into existence in 1882. But there was trouble brewing in the ranks of the two clubs and eventually, in 1907, the Royal Wimbledon Club moved to its present location at Caesar's Camp and Willie Park Junior designed this "new" course.

"A wonderful place is this new Wimbledon course," wrote Darwin, "for as soon as we are on it all signs of men, houses and omnibuses, and other symptoms of a busy suburb disappear as if by magic, and a prospect of glorious solitary woods stretches away into the distance in every direction." Even today, visitors will experience a delightful peaceful atmosphere. But the course we play today is very much the work of one of Royal Wimbledon's many famous members – Harry Colt. Some other well-known members include Roger Wethered and Lord Rothschild.

Royal Wimbledon is a tough test with narrow undulating tree-lined fairways. Accuracy is all-important on this 6,348-yard par 70 course. One of the best holes is the 12th, a long semi-doglegging par four, measuring 452 yards from the medal tees. After a solid drive you'll be left with a tough approach shot to a plateau green.

One of the easiest holes at Royal Wimbledon is the short par four 6th. But we bet you can't match the remarkable feat of the former Royal Wimbledon Captain, Edward VIII. When he was Prince of Wales he holed out in one on this 265-yard par four.

Tom Mackenzie completed phase three of a Course Development Plan in 2018, with work carried out on the 6th, 11th, 13th and 17th holes. Paths were re-routed and re-surfaced, trees were cleared to open out views and promote heather regeneration and bunkers were refurbished to give them more character. Phase four in early 2020 saw the par four 2nd and par three 5th reopen after refurbishment.