Woburn Golf Club – Magic Marquess Has Echoes Of Augusta

It’s early on another stunning summer morning at Woburn Golf Club.

Having finished a hotel breakfast overlooking the pitch at MK Dons, surrounded by mechanics from Ferrari, in town for the British Grand Prix along the road at Silverstone, I have driven the short distance to the beautiful Woburn Estate. 

Woburn Golf Club is a name which resonates with all golfers of a certain age. In my formative years it was the annual venue for the British Masters which at the age of 7, I thought was the fourth major – US Open. US Masters, British Open, British … it kind of made sense.

In those days it was The Dukes Course which played host to the best. While the Duchess course here is also steeped in history and reputation. These days, however, it is Woburn’s Marquess Course which is represents the sternest test here – it has hosted four British Masters tournaments since opening in 2000, regularly been used as an Open Final Qualifying venue and has twice hosted the Women’s British Open since 2016. 

SECLUSION AT WOBURN GOLF CLUB 

From the moment you enter the forest that engulfs this estate, you get the sense you are in for something special. The clubhouse is modern and bright. The welcome is warm and my bag is taken away with moments of pulling up in front of the clubhouse. 

The layout at Woburn is excellent. The practice putting green and extensive chipping area is a bump-and-run from the pro shop and changing area. The range is vast and gives you the option of hitting from mats or turf. There is an even bigger practice area across the small road that runs between the clubhouse and 1st tee should you so wish. But the bottom line is that there are no excuses for a golfer to reach the 1st unprepared at any of Woburn’s golf courses. 

MARQUESS A PLACE OF REAL BEAUTY

And so to Woburn’s Marquess course. And what a course. What a thing of beauty. The 1st hole is as gentle as it gets, a drive and a wedge to a flattish green. Things soon pick up, however, and what quickly becomes clear is that this is a golf course which rewards the golfer who plots and thinks his way around rather than one who simply hits and hopes, not least because of the vast and undulating greens which ran as true and fast as any I have ever played in the UK. Granted, Open Qualifying was to be held the next day, but at the time I visited they were running 12 on the stimp metre – my late Grampa would have said it was like putting on glass and have meant it in the best possible way. The greens are fabulous.

There are so many memorable holes on Woburn’s Marquess course that it seems unfair to pick on only a handful. The 2nd is short a dogleg par-5 that vaguely reminds you of the 13th at Augusta. The long 7th with its split fairway is a brilliant risk/reward hole and will be one you remember long after you leave this place. The short par-4 12th with its island fairway. The fantastic par 5, 15th and the 18th with a fairway bunker that demands a long straight drive. I could go on.

Woburn’s Marquess Course was designed by Peter Alliss, Alex Hay, Clive Clark and Ross McMurray and the quartet have taken all the elements which made the original courses here so wonderful and added still more. The natural wonder is quite something too. The 200 or so acres of trees which embrace the Marquess from first to last include pine, sweet chestnut, oak and spruce. But if you look closely you will also find rare species such as yew, beech, rowan and even Corsican pine trees. 

Each hole is its own amphitheatre, cut off from the rest. It adds a serenity and stillness to the place. And with verdant greenery all around, it has led some to draw comparisons with a golf course which hosts The Masters each year. We certainly fell in love with this golf course and would highly recommend it . It does have an unmistakeable whiff of Augusta about it. More than enough to make it feel special and to draw us back time and again. It may just have the some impact on you too. 

Perhaps it was fitting that a day which began with Ferrari, ended up on a Rolls Royce of a golf course. 

WOBURN GOLF CLUB: KEY FACTS

Address: Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 9LJ, United Kingdom.
Phone number: +44 1908 370756
Email: [email protected]
Website: WoburnGolf.co.uk

WOBURN GOLF CLUB: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Are dogs allowed on the courses at Woburn Golf Club?

Dogs are welcome at Woburn as long as they are kept on a lead at all times. Dogs are now allowed in the clubhouse and owners must clean up after their animals.

How much are Woburn Golf Club green fees?

Woburn Golf Club welcomes visitors to play on all three championship courses throughout the year. The club offers a number of packages, which may or may not include lunch clubhouse. Woburn Golf Club green fees start from £145, including a breakfast roll, 18 holes and a two course lunch and rise to as much as £270. How much Woburn Golf Club green fees are will be dependant on when you play (time, day, week, month). For more information click here. 

How much are Woburn Golf Club membership fees?

Woburn Golf Club membership fees are not cheap, but then as a member you get to play on three championship courses and make use of the world-class practice facilities. There are a number of categories which offer different Woburn Golf Club membership fees. Full membership entitles you to play at Woburn Golf Club at any time. Social membership is available for the husbands and wives of full members. Associate membership offers full use of the clubhouse facilities and swimming pool. Couples membership is for couples who are both full members of Woburn, with a  discount on annual subscriptions and to their initial joining fee. And junior membership is on offer for the under 18s. Woburn Golf Club also offers a selection of corporate membership opportunities. For more information click here. 

Is there are a Woburn Golf Club Hotel?

There is not a Woburn Golf Club Hotel on site unfortunately but there are a number of excellent places to stay near Woburn Golf Club. If you do wish to play golf over consecutive days at Woburn Golf Club and would like to ‘stay and play’,  the club will happily provide you with a list of the best hotels near of Woburn Golf Club, two of which offer special rates.

Are there offers on Woburn golf breaks?

Yes there are plenty of Woburn golf breaks on offer at all times of the year. For the latest information click here.

Is there a Woburn Golf Club pro shop?

Yes, Woburn Golf Club has a vast pro shop where you can find a range of golf equipment, clothing, and accessories. They also offer tuition and custom fitting. 

What does the Woburn Golf Club logo look like?

What makes Woburn Dukes course famous?

The Dukes Course at Woburn is renowned for its challenging layout and has hosted various prestigious golf events, including the British Masters. The course is known for its beautiful parkland setting, demanding design, and its role in hosting professional tournaments, adding to its fame within the golfing community.

WOBURN GOLF CLUB SCORECARD

WOBURN GOLF CLUB: COURSE MAP

WOBURN DUKES COURSE SCORECARD

WOBURN DUKES COURSE MAP