North Hants Golf Club has always been on my list of golf courses to play. After all, it’s the home of legendary English golfer, Justin Rose and also receives some of the best amateur golfers each spring for the Hampshire Hog.
The heathland course has plenty to offer, which is clear with its positioning in the top 100 golf courses in the UK.
I was lucky enough to get a round there recently, so here’s a detailed review of North Hants Golf Club, to help you decide whether it’s worth the visit.
Let’s get into it!
North Hants Golf Club Review
Our Rating
| Overall [4.5/5] |   |
| Course Design/Layout | |
| Course Difficulty |  |
| Course Conditions | |
| Green Conditions | |
| Pace Of Play | |
| Facilities | |
| Hospitality | |
| Practice Facilities | |
| Food & Drink | |
| Value For Money | |
Course Information
Fleet, Hampshire. Opened in 1904.
18 Holes Course | Par 70 | 6475 Yards | Heathland
northhantsgolf.co.uk
Location
Located in northern Hampshire, North Hants Golf Club sits just off the M3 making it very accessible.
With other great courses in the nearby area, such as Army Golf Club, this great heathland golf course sits in a brilliant area for golf.
First opened back in 1904 by Princess Alexander of Teck, the course was originally designed by the iconic James Braid and then resigned by the prolific designer Harry Colt.
North Hants Golf Club Green Fees
| Mon – Thurs | Fri – Sun | |
| Visitor (April-October) | £110 | £130 |
| Visitor (November-March) | £80 | £95 |
North Hants Golf Club Scorecard
| Par | SI | White Yards | |
| 1 | 3 | 8 | 214 |
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 433 |
| 3 | 5 | 14 | 489 |
| 4 | 4 | 16 | 300 |
| 5 | 4 | 2 | 443 |
| 6 | 4 | 12 | 377 |
| 7 | 4 | 6 | 422 |
| 8 | 3 | 18 | 122 |
| 9 | 4 | 10 | 423 |
| Out | 35 | 3223 | |
| 10 | 3 | 11 | 189 |
| 11 | 4 | 5 | 374 |
| 12 | 4 | 1 | 450 |
| 13 | 4 | 17 | 334 |
| 14 | 4 | 7 | 392 |
| 15 | 3 | 15 | 164 |
| 16 | 4 | 3 | 425 |
| 17 | 5 | 13 | 500 |
| 18 | 4 | 9 | 424 |
| In | 35 | 3252 | |
| Total | 70 | 6475 |
North Hants Golf Club Slope Rating
| Tee | Gender | Course Rating/Slope Rating |
| White | Men | 71.4/122 |
| Yellow | Men | 69.9/119 |
| Red | Women | 73.0/130 |
Pre-round Thoughts
Having played North Hants a couple of times during my junior golf days, it had been a long time since I’d gotten the chance to walk the course. Therefore, I was very much looking forward to getting the chance to play this brilliant course again.
As mentioned in other reviews such as Blackmoor Golf Club, I really enjoy playing heathland golf courses. There’s something about the design that really suits my eye and most of them are just so pretty to play. The vibrant colour of heather in full bloom is a beauty to behold and the challenging conditions are a true test of golf.
North Hants Golf Club has repeatedly been mentioned in the top 100 UK courses, and for me, that’s always been clear to see why.
Price-wise, it certainly establishes itself as one of the top venues in Hampshire. £110 for a weekday (Mon-Thurs) and £130 on the weekend (Fri-Sun), is certainly not a small sum, so for that price you’re executing a very good golf course. When you compare that to £95 for Blackmoor, which is one of the best in Hampshire, it does seem a little pricey.
But knowing how good the course is, I was relatively happy to pay for it.
I’m playing with a mate and as we arrive we get a friendly welcome. The sun is shining and we’ve got a perfect midweek day for a round of golf.
The Course
North Hants golf course is certainly not the longest or most challenging golf course in the area. However, what it does have is plenty of really great golf holes that are both unique and elegant to play.
Plenty of trees, hole elevations, and some incredibly undulating greens will test any level of golfer. That’s proven when you look at the scores each year for the Hampshire Hog.
Fairways are tight and the large trees will constantly be an issue for most golfers to contend with. Water also comes into play on a few of the holes, which adds another interesting element.
There’s definitely a way to play this course, and it’s not always hitting it the longest distance possible. Playing your way around is key to succeeding at North Hants.
When we played, the conditions were quite immaculate. Fast greens, well-manicured fairways, and aprons.
The card is quite unique, in the fact that its two sides of 35, for a par 70. Two par 3s, six par 4s and one par 5 on both sides of the course.
A nice mix of par 4s, some long and some reachable. A couple of testing par 3s, plus a couple of scoreable par 5s to get stuck into.
Front Nine
The front nine has some great holes to get your score going. All of them, however, will require your full attention to avoid any costly mistakes.
Par 3s – 1st, 8th
The round starts with probably the most challenging of the par 3s (I’m still scared from my 20-yard top shot from when I was about 11 in front of 30…).
At 214 yards of the whites, it’s a tough hole even if it wasn’t your first swing of the day. A narrow opening to the green is guarded well with a couple of well-positioned bunkers.
The shortest hole on the course is the 8th. This little hole is just a flick with a wedge for most. However, the narrow green runs at an angle and features a couple of tears. Finding the right club is paramount, especially when the wind is swirling.
Par 4s – 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th
After a tough 1st hole, the 2nd comes at you pretty fast. A big dogleg to the left means your tee shot needs to find the right spot for a slightly uphill second shot.
Number 4 is a fun hole, especially for the longer of hitters. Get a good drive away and it’s very reachable, although not necessarily the best option. A hugely undulating green means playing for position off the tee is usually the better play.
The 5th is one of, if not the most challenging of holes on the course. A somewhat blind tee shot, which needs to be played from left to right with a fade. Then you’re left with a long second shot into a long, deep green. Avoid the bunkers from the tee and you’ll be very happy to walk off with a 4.
Par 5s – 3rd
One of my favourite holes at North Hants is the 3rd. A brilliant par 5 that will make you think. Not overly long, this hole requires a good drive which falls downhill at about the 210-yard mark.
A proper risk/reward hole, the 3rd is reachable for a lot of good players. However, from about the 300-yard mark is a pond that runs basically to the green. If you’re not a long hitter, you’re forced to lay up down the left side, to a fairway that’s about 15 yards wide.
For good players, this hole will delight them as it’s a good chance at an eagle. However, for most average players, the 3rd will be a bit of a terror.
Back Nine
The back nine is more challenging in my opinion. Far tighter and far more things that can go wrong, with trees seemingly on top of you. It’s got some great holes to finish with, which will require some nerve to keep a good score going.
Par 3s – 10th, 15th
Like the front nine, we start the back with a par 3. This 189-yard hole has a green that slopes to the back, and a bunker on the front right. The yardage is deceiving and I ended up leaving it in the bunker short. Clubbing up to avoid the trouble seems to be the play here.
My favourite of the par 3s is the 15th. A really pretty little hole, situated on the far corner of the course. It’s narrow and surrounded by bunkers. Middle of the green and a twp-putt was a great score here.
Par 4s – 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th
Number 12 is the toughest hole on the card, mainly due to its length. Playing at 450 yards from the backs, it requires a couple well hit shots to get there. However, find the fairway off the tee and you’ve got a good chance at a 4.
The 14th is another favourite with a blind tee shot over the mound and then down to the fairway below. Favour the left side of this fairway otherwise you’ll be blocked out by large trees on the right. If you can hit the fairway (not easy when it’s blind), you’ll have a short iron into the green and a chance for birdie.
The 18th sits at 424 yards and asks for a good tee shot to finish the day. No room for error right and a few bunkers will keep your attention to the last minute. Don’t be too heavy-handed with your second or you’ll find the wrong sort of green – the practice putting green.
Par 5s – 17th
The 17th is the second and final of the par 5s at North Hants Golf Club. Just 500 yards, it’s again very gettable in two shots. The tee shot is intimidating, with no room for error right and bunkers on the left. The green is raised but provides a good chance to pick up a shot coming home.
Our Verdict
There’s no denying, North Hants is a proper golf course that deserves the credit it gets.
There’s proof of that when you look at the level of golfer that turns up each Spring to take on the Hampshire Hog. They’ve also just been given the honour of hosting Open Qualifying as of Summer 2023.
Very well presented and offers a great variety of stunning golf holes to delight all golfers.
Some of the holes are more memorable than others, but all of them provide a good mix of shot-making and expertise. It’s definitely a course you need to play a few times to really get the hang of. A few blind shots mean you’re left a little lost if you don’t know where you’re going.
I’m a little biased, as I love a heathland course but there’s certainly something very memorable about North Hants.
For me, it’s one of the top courses in Hampshire that you must try and play if you can. There are better courses in my opinion such as Liphook and Blackmoor, but North Hants is not to be missed if you’re serious about your golf.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for our look at North Hants Golf Club. This brilliant golf club in the north of Hampshire provides a great test for all abilities and will make for a really enjoyable round.
If you’re in the Hampshire area, I’d recommend Southwick Park for a pretty, cheap option. As well as the exciting link test that Hayling Golf Club provides.
Happy golfing!
Founder, Editor
Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.
