Stoke Park

Stoke Park is a private sporting and leisure estate in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. The Mansion building (designed by James Wyatt in 1788) is in the middle of 300 acres of parkland, lakes, gardens and monuments. In 1908, it became the first Country Club and Hotel in the UK. In 2013, it was awarded 5 Red AA Stars, the highest accolade for service and facilities for hotels. The Buckinghamshire estate dates back to the Norman Conquest, but much of the surroundings today can be attributed to the giants of eighteenth-century landscape architecture, Capability Brown and Humphry Repton.

As far back as 1909, the famed Golfing magazine Golf Illustrated was extolling the virtues of Stoke Park;

“Even if there were no palatial clubhouse and no beautiful gardens and grounds, the course itself would take a great deal of beating...Colt has scored a great success and his reputation as a green architect, already high, will be greatly enhanced by this the latest of his works.”

Encircling the Club's 300-acre Buckinghamshire parkland estate, the famous 27-hole Championship golf course, is undisputedly one of the finest parkland courses in the country.  Created in 1908 by eminent golf architect Harry Colt, it was opened in July 1909 and received immediate acclaim.

The Stoke Park course has been the inspiration for many of the world’s most famous holes, including Augusta’s infamous 16th. The course itself has seen many impressive rounds in its prestigious history, including the first PGA Match Play tournament in 1910 and, for film buffs, James Bond's epic golfing duel with the villainous Blofeld in the 1964 classic 007 movie 'Goldfinger'.

  • Rsstoke Park 1St 3677
  • Rsstoke Park 7Th 4381 Web
  • Rsstoke Park 9Th 3643
  • Rsstoke Park 10Th 6010
  • Rsstoke Park 11Th 4363
  • Rsstoke Park 14Th 3120

History

From 1066, the estate was inherited in a direct line of descent for 515 years until it had to be sold to the Crown in 1581 to pay outstanding debts. For most of its existence since then, Stoke Park has been a private estate owned and visited by some of the most famous people in British history. However, over 100 years ago it was transformed into a luxury country club, the likes of which had not been seen in this country before.

The Course

Stoke Park's 27-hole championship golf course was designed by Harry Colt in 1908. It isn’t one of the longest courses but it offers a range of tempting challenges for the golfer aspiring to greater things (or at least, a lower handicap). What ever it may be about Stoke Park - the intelligent design, the elegant natural beauty, or the satisfaction as your tee-shot rolls straight onto the green at the signature 7th - you are bound to want to make a repeat visit to the place.

There is a good blend for all golfers - a mix of short par 4s and reachable par 5s, complemented by some harder holes were getting a par is a triumph in itself.  The greens are top class, so if you miss a putt on these slick, manicured carpets, you’ll know it’s your fault! They are fast and true so can easily take a well-struck putt.

Missing the fairways in the wrong place can lead to a disaster thanks to some areas of rough that are knee deep and as thick as can be...however if you think your way around the course only poor shots will end up in no man’s land. All in all, Stoke Park is a good test of your golfing prowess and if you achieve your handicap you can be proud of yourself!

Stoke Park also offers fantastic practice facilities, including a putting green, driving range, short game area and the cutting-edge Swing Studio.  This indoor facility offers classes as well as club fitting technology.

Highlight

The par 3 seventh hole gets a lot of mentions online from professionals and golf enthusiasts alike. Visually, it’s a very picturesque hole but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security! Playing off the medal tee, it is 158 yards in length and the success of your tee shot will depend on the placement of the pin. Once on the green (hopefully!), you may well be left with a challenging slider shot to get your par.

Golf Breaks at Stoke Park

Stoke Park is the perfect place to enjoy life in a five-star and friendly atmosphere. It provides a perfect combination of the tradition you’d expect of an exclusive club alongside the best and most up-to-date sporting and leisure facilities. Apart from the 27 holes of excellent golf and its stunning 5-star hotel, it boasts 3 restaurants, multiple bars and lounges, a gymnasium, an indoor swimming pool and 13 Tennis Courts. You certainly won’t run out of things to do while you’re there! Located only 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from London Heathrow, it is ideal for globetrotting golfers looking for a golfing ‘fix’.

Bernard Darwin, in his 1910 book, ‘The Golf Courses of the British Isles’, wrote:

“Stoke Park is a beautiful estate, and there is very good golf to be played there. The clubhouse is a gorgeous palace, a dazzling vision of white stone, of steps and terraces and cupolas.”