The National Golf Centre is located at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. Woodhall Spa is a small village of approximately 3,500 residents that was once a small and popular Victorian spa town and is today known more for its association with golfing. The village today is considered to be the home of English golf, as it is the centered around the Woodhall Spa National Golf Centre owned by the English Golf Union and includes the ‘Hotchkin’ course, which has been rated the 47th best course in the world, and the much newer ‘Bracken’ course, plus extensive practice facilities.
Woodhall Spa was introduced to golf in 1890, when the first 9 hole course was built, followed in 1891 by its Golf Club. Golfing flourished, with the course being eventually located on prime sandy land, which was owned by Stafford Hotchkin, upon which an 18 hole course was designed and built, opening in 1905. Although the course of today has been re-designed and altered several times the standard of the course has steadily improved, being voted the best inland course in Britain and recognised as being of a world class standard, and rated 47th in the world. Bought by the English Golf Union in order to establish a National Golf Centre in 1995, the original course was re-named ‘Hotchkin’, and a second course, which was built in 1998, was named ‘Bracken’, it is an ideal complementary course, built to harmonise with its beautiful parkland setting. The centre also includes a coaching academy, traditional clubhouse and conference centre. The coaching academy is considered to be one of the best in Europe with a 20 bay floodlit driving range, grass tees and putting greens.
Please note for visitors that a valid handicap certificate from your golf club must be presented on your arrival, and also be advised that the ‘Hotchkin’ course is not suitable for inexperienced players. The ‘Hotchkin’ course has a maximum 24 handicap for men and a 36 handicap for ladies.
The history of the village of Woodhall Spa is displayed in the ‘Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum’ for those that are interested.
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