One of Hampshire’s finest, Stoneham Golf Club is a world-class test of golf that is accessible to anyone who wants to play it. Having hosted some top events such as The Brabazon and seen some of the best players in the UK compete on it, it’s a wonderful test of golf.
After a recent visit, I was amazed at just how good this course is now. The whole setup has been taken to another level and made it into a proper championship venue. Here’s a detailed review of what you can expect if you make the trip to Stoneham Golf Club and whether I think you should.
Let’s get into it and find out a little more about Stoneham Golf Club.
Stoneham Golf Club Review
Our Rating
| Overall [4.6/5] |   |
| Course Design/Layout | |
| Course Difficulty |  |
| Course Conditions | |
| Green Conditions | |
| Pace Of Play | |
| Facilities | |
| Hospitality | |
| Practice Facilities | |
| Food & Drink | |
| Value For Money | |
Course Information
Southampton, Hampshire. Opened in 1908.
18 Holes Course | Par 72 | 6375 Yards | Heathland
stonehamgolfclub.org.uk
Location
Founded in 1908 and designed by Willie Park Junior, known for his work at Sunningdale Golf Club, Stoneham sits just off the M27.
The club is created in a brilliant piece of heathland in the northern part of Southampton, which has wonderful undulations and wildlife to enjoy.
Stoneham Golf Club Green Fees
| Mon, Tues, Thurs | Wed, Fri – Sun | |
| Visitor | £115 | N/A |
Stoneham Golf Club Scorecard
Stoneham Golf Club Slope Rating
| Tee | Gender | Course Rating/Slope Rating |
| White | Men | 71.1/128 |
| Yellow | Men | 69.4/119 |
| Red | Women | 71.4/126 |
Pre-round Thoughts
Stoneham Golf Club has always been a top golf course no question. However, it lacked a few things that prevented it from standing out as a top 100 golf course, in my eyes anyway.
So when I got the chance to get back there post their £1 million course investment, I was very much looking forward to seeing what sort of updates have been made.
The course is designed by one of the best in the game, Willie Park Junior, who famously designed the iconic Sunningdale Golf Club, so that says a lot about what you can expect from Stoneham.
The heathland layout has always been my favourite type of golf course to play for a number of reasons. Something about the heather in full bloom and the mixture of colours is just a stunning way to spend an afternoon.
I’ve also always felt that Stoneham was a good fit for my golf game. It’s not long compared to other championship-level courses, plus there is plenty of par 5s to get stuck into and hopefully produce a good score.
A green fee isn’t cheap, especially not for the area. Compared to the local competition Boundary Lakes (£30) and East Horton (£32) it’s a lot of money to fork out. However, Stoneham Golf Club is in a different league than anything nearby so the price is justifiable.
First impressions of the new range and short game area – it’s a great improvement to before. The level of detail is exceptional and it now matches the level of the golf course on offer.
We’ve got another great day for golf, so a quick few swings on the magnificent range, and we’re ready for action.
The practice putting green is also a great place to warm up the flat stick, with a brilliant view down the 1st hole and back down the 18th.
The Course
With plenty of slopes, completely tree-lined, and a great mixture of holes, Stoneham’s golf course is a real treat for golfers. As mentioned, the heathland style means there’s plenty of heather, which is well positioned to catch out any shots that wander offline.
Fairways are firm and fast, greens are slick, and have a good amount of borrow in most of them.
The card is also interesting, with five par 3s and five par 5s. Not many courses have this many par 5s, so it’s always a fun test but also a good chance to make some birdies.
At just under 6400 yards, this par 72 is not long at all. A course rating of 71.1 shows that it plays a little easier than the par, however, the course does still have its defenses. The slopey greens can be used for some treacherous pin positions, and when the wind picks up, the tall trees mean you’re always doubting club choices.
Out in 35 and back in 37, the final nine is where you can make your scores.
Front Nine
The front features a couple of the best holes on the course. The 4th and the 8th would easily fit into any top course around the world. Starting with a par 5 is a good way to ease yourself into the round, but it will get more difficult after that.
Par 3s – 2nd, 7th, 8th
The 2nd is a challenging hole that can catch you out early in your round. The 191-yard hole requires a well-struck long iron, to a green which slopes from back to front and is guarded on either side with a deep bunker.
Back-to-back par 3s come at 7 and 8. The 7th will require all your skill to make a par. At 228 yards, it’s a real brute. It’s not a great hole in my opinion, but it will test your game.
The 8th is a far better and more visually appealing hole. 163 yards in length, there’s no mercy if you’re short of the green. The heather and gorse run for most of the hole and the bunkers just short of the green will mean you’ve got to fly it all the way. The green is large, but wayward shots will be punished.
Par 4s – 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th
Number 3 is an interesting hole that requires a carry over a large slope across the fairway. The 4th is a truly stunning golf hole and one of my favourites on the course. This hole really incorporates the great undulations that this area has to offer. A slightly blind tee shot over a mass of heather, to a fairway that slopes hugely from right to left. If you can play it up the right side and it will feed down to the left. The further left off the tee, the better the line into the green which runs at an angle and slopes from left to right. The 4th is a great golf hole.
The dogleg right 5th is a chance to pick up a birdie. Then number 9 is again another hole that requires a tee shot over a large ridge and requires some intelligent golf. Longer hitters will be able to carry the ridge which will then feed down the slope, leaving a short shot into the green. The approach to the green is all downhill, but the green itself slopes from back to front. Finding an accurate approach shot is crucial as long, left and right is a devilishly difficult up and down.
Par 5s – 1st, 6th,
It’s always fun to start with a par 5, especially when it’s only 504 yards. A really great chance to start the day with a good score. The valley which runs for about the first 200 yards is something to think about. But get past that and it’s mostly downhill to the green.
By the 6t hole at Stoneham, you’ve realised that a fundamental feature is the constant ups and downs. This is evident in the layout of the 6th hole – lovely par 5. At 511 yards, it’s not long but it has a couple of awkwardly positioned bunkers to contend with off the tee. For longer hitters, the yardage shouldn’t be an issue in two shots. For others, the valley that runs across the fairway about 100 yards short of the green will make for an awkward approach to a green surrounded by three bunkers.
Back Nine
The back nine has some tricky holes to keep you focused, however, the three par 5s are a welcome break to brighten up the scorecard.
Par 3s – 10th, 16th
The 10th is a tough start to the back nine and needs an accurate long iron to a green with a very narrow entrance. It will play all of its 189 yards and anything short will fall away to one of the bunkers right.
16 is only a short iron, but getting the right club here isn’t always easy. When the winds swirl, don’t be tempted to get too cute and find one of the deep front right bunkers. Hit the putting surface and the relatively flat green can favor birdies.
Par 4s – 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th
The 11th is another terrific golf hole that will demand your respect. The raised green can lead to heartache as I found out. On dry days, anything short will fall back into the little stream across the front of the green. The green is wide but not deep, with everything sloping front back to front.
The short 13th is an interesting risk/reward hole with a blind tee shot. Then you’ve got number 15 is a hole that can catch you out, especially if you haven’t played it before. Choosing the correct club off the tee is important so as to not run out of fairway. The tee shot should favor the right side to avoid the fall-off on the left.
The shorter 17th is a nice downhill dog leg right, with water in play from the tee and the fairway. A second shot from the fairway will give you the best chance of hitting this green and avoiding the sneaky ditch running up the left.
Par 5s – 12th, 14th, 18th
For short hitters, the par 5 12th is a brutal test. The large carry-over dense heather and gorse will need a strong drive. If you can make the carry it will feed down onto the fairway. It’s down all the way to the green and at 513 yards it’s very much a chance to a potential 3.
14 is another hole where good players will be licking their lips. 479 yards, downhill from the tee and up to the green. A good drive and you’ll have an iron into a small-ish target. Missing short right is not a good option as it will fall away into the crater.
The closing hole is a wonderful end to what has been a terrific 18 holes of golf. Only 476 yards, it’s another good chance for better players. It is however all the way uphill and the two well-placed bunkers on driver length will ruin your chances of hitting the green in two. The approach up the slope can’t be too aggressive and anything right will need a reload. The 18th at Stoneham can easily get away from you if you’re not careful.
Our Verdict
Stoneham is a marvelous place to enjoy a round of golf. You’ll also certainly be feeling it by the end of the 18 holes as the huge undulations begin to wear you down.
It’s hard to find anything to really fault about this place. The course is stunning in many areas and the ups and downs are fun to experience.
The setup is interesting, with a good mixture of holes to test your game. I also really like the five par 5s and five par 5s, as no two holes feel the same.
The heather is vibrant and the fairways are immaculate. The greens are in great shape, with a more subtle approach to the slope.
The investment looks to have been spent well. The new practice areas are a brilliant improvement, plus there are certainly visible enhancements to areas around the course.
Is it the best in Hampshire? No. It’s not the same level as Liphook or Blackmoor for me. I can’t really fault the conditions, the design, or the hospitality, but something about it just lacks the difficulty of Blackmoor or the whole aura of Liphook.
However, it still easily stands at tied third in the best courses in Hampshire and if you get the chance to play, you absolutely must get yourself up to Stoneham Golf Club to experience the amazing golf course they have to offer.
Final Thoughts
So that rounds up our look at the fabulous Stoneham Golf Club. It’s a fantastic golf course that will test every club in your bag. This 5-star venue for golf is a must for anyone in the area. Just watch out for the penal heather and vigorous undulations.
If you’re looking for something local and a little cheaper, Southwick Park Golf Club is a delightful little course in Fareham.
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.
