Colt’s Finest

Three magical Harry Colt designs that demonstrate the work of possibly the greatest ever golf architect.

The Sunningdale New course is perhaps one of Colt’s toughest designs, with narrow fairways and vibrant heather, complementing the natural rise and fall of the landscape, but all adding to the challenge. It is rare to have two courses of such high quality at the same club, and although the Old and the New are very different, the New is definitely a harder course, but 36 holes at Sunningdale is possibly the greatest golf experience anywhere in the world.

Swinley Forest is a wonderful course that weaves its way through pine and heather and is surely a course that is responsible for the Colt legend. Not overly long, but beautifully sculpted through the most natural of heathlands, this is a course that requires a high level of skill and craftsmanship to score well.

St George’s Hill, as the name suggests, is situated on hilly terrain which lends itself to some spectacular tee shots and challenging approaches. The elevation changes add an element of difficulty as you are rarely playing off a flat lie, and often playing up to a raised green. It is generally regarded as a beautiful golf course and is always presented in excellent condition, much like all three courses considered to be ‘Colt’s Finest’.

The par-5 4th at Trevose Golf & Country Club at sunset. Photo: David Cannon/Getty Images