Some of the Best Greens We've Played on

June, 2023: What a day we had playing the JH Taylor Course at the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, where we all came away in agreement, that these were some of the best greens we had ever putted on.

Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is tucked away discretely off the Twickenham Road less than 10 miles from Big Ben and a short walk from Richmond train station. It also shares a bend in the River Thames and a boundary on several holes with the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Built on a picturesque part of Old Deer Parkin Richmond 130 years ago, the club with a rich history welcomes members and visitors alike to play 36 challenging holes designed by legendary five-time Open champion and the club’s first Head Professional JH Taylor and now laid with USGA-standard greens.

A parkland layout with stunning views to the course landmark, the 18th century King’s Observatory, and to Kew Gardens, home to the beautiful Pagoda. At 6,360 yards off the black tees, par 69, it offers a real challenge for golfers of all levels.

Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club has a history of golfing excellence, with past club professionals having won nine Open Championships between them - believed to be more than any other club in the world.

Having never played this course before, all four of us were looking forward to getting our round underway, in spite of the early forecast cloud cover and rain, a 10am tee time suited us 'down to the tee'.

Our first impressions of the club couldn't be faulted. We received a warm, friendly welcome from the pro-shop and the clubhouse staff, as well as starters on the first tee.

The first hole was one of five par 3's and despite the course not playing long, at 225 yards it was a deceptively tricky opener with three bunkers.

One of the favourites however was the second, a par 5 which at 531 yards presented itself as a great driving hole which allowed the big-hitters of the group to flex their muscles.

This hole offered high risk, high reward play and needed some thought to get around without dropping a shot. A narrow fairway lined with trees meant any tee shot would have to be straight and true, if you were to have any chance at a bridie or even an eagle (who are we kidding, we didn't eagle a single hole).

One notable feature of the course was the exemplary greens and attention to detail of the fairways, a truly manicured course where every effort had been made to allow golfers to experience a memorable round. Hats off to the greenkeepers - we salute you!

Another plus was the half-way-house which offered your classic selection of sausage rolls, bacon rolls, cold sandwiches and light refreshments, everything an elite sportsman might need to get him through the final 9 holes (fruit optional).

The clubhouse had an outside patioed area, which once we had finished our round, we relaxed into with food and drink a-plenty within the glorious sunshine. With a good selection of food in pleasant surroundings, it capped the days golf off nicely and we weren't left wanting in any aspect of visit.

If you're not fortunate enough to have access to fantastic golf courses locally with top-tier greens and the most wonderfully maintained fairways you're likely to see, we can think of no better place to be. For all you purists out there, Royal Mid-Surrey is a must, a true classic and somewhere we would visit again in a heartbeat.   

For more information on the golf club and courses, visit the website, and to book your tee times visit www.rmsgc.co.uk/visitors/book-a-tee-time.