Golf Just South Of London: There’s Still More Green On The Map Than You Might Expect

As I studied Google maps before writing this feature a month or so after my visit to Coulsdon Manor just south of Croydon, I was amazed at just how many courses there are in close proximity as greenery begins to give way fully to concrete, tarmac, bricks and mortar en route into the capital.

In addition to Coulsdon Manor, Cuddington and Farleigh featured here, you could throw a metaphorical – albeit admittedly larger than normal – blanket over a dozen or so courses to the south of Croydon: Croham Hurst, Woodcote Park, Chipstead, Purley Downs, Oaks Park, Surrey National, Kingswood, Surrey Downs, Shirley Park and the various courses in Addington, including The Addington.

Despite Coulsdon Manor being a Harry Colt course about 40 minutes from my Sussex home, and despite having played many of the best courses in golf-rich Surrey, and some 75 in total in the county one to the north of me, this one had somehow eluded me so I was pleased to get the chance to both stay and play there in summer 2024. My colleague, Rob Smith, who played much of his formative golf at the course, was able to join me for the round.

Colt’s layout eases you in with a gentle par 4 before hitting back hard with a much longer and more robust two-shotter. After the par-3 3rd at the far end you turn back towards the hotel, with the par-5 5th and par-3 6th, which play in different directions across the same dip, among the best holes both visually and strategically.

I got a little too familiar with a back-left pin on 6 after over-drawing it, but mercifully it stayed on top in the fringe, rather than bouncing down the steep bank, to leave a relatively straightforward up and down.

As you loop round the back of the hotel, position is vital on the shortish par-4 10th. Anything too far right will find a copse from where the extent of any forward progress will depend on exactly where your ball ends up. But in firmer conditions and with the right lie, you may still be able to bumble something down the slope and fairly close to the green.

To close out the round, strong tests at 15 and 16 are followed by a par 5 and shortish par 4 to a green close to the hotel terrace, which makes for a cracking spot to sit and watch the closing action over your tipple of choice.