Centurion Club

Centurion Club was one of the most highly anticipated new golf courses to open near London in recent memory. Opened in 2013, the course is located near the affluent commuter belt city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, and just beyond London’s orbital, the M25.

Centurion Club Routing

Essentially the course is routed over two parcels of land and uses two par 3 holes to bridge the separate halves. Holes 1-4 begin on the northern section of land with a woodland-type feel. The par 3 5th links you to holes 6 through 13 which are located on the southern section of the property on rolling, open terrain. The par 3 14th provides the bridge back to the northern parcel for the finishing stretch of holes. The use of the dual par 3 bridge is quite clever and most would be unaware of the genius of it unless pointed out.

First Impressions

The course is visually quite stunning and would excel in this regard if not for the overhead powerlines running parallel to the M1 which is adjacent to the course. The layout itself is memorable, which some would say is an indication of a superb design. However, there is a slightly awkward set of three holes that play parallel to each other in 8, 9 & 10. The 12th is also an interesting hole that could divide opinion. A drive to a fairway running away from you sets up an approach extremely downhill to a tilted green over a pond.

Golf Course Aesthetic

The rough is fine fescue and the greens bent resulting in fast and true putting surfaces. The aesthetic is polished and manicured with a resort feel to the course. There is also a country club feel to the experience – which may be due to the expertly crafted, stone walls and water features on the 18th sat beside the well-appointed modern clubhouse. This is most definitely not intended as a criticism but you won’t confuse Centurion Club with Brancaster. It’s been branded as a tour quality venue with an ‘inland links’

The Centurion Club Experience

If you don’t know a member, there is one way to play that’ll set you and two of your mates back £400 apiece (£333.33 in winter). The Experience includes a lesson on the range and short-game area followed by a playing lesson on the course. The day also includes a 5-course meal with wine pairings in the clubhouse.

Centurion Club & LIV Golf London

Golf, but louder. LIV Golf London sounders better than LIV Golf St Albans, LIV Golf Hemel Hampstead or god forbid LIV Golf Potters Crouch. The new format of 12 teams, 48 players, no cuts, and 54 holes with £ for everyone will be an intriguing story to watch unfold. LIV is the disruptor golf has been waiting for and the shockwaves left by Greg Norman and the Saudi’s will be felt for decades to come… or not. The gates open at 11, a shotgun start at 2. Meanwhile, the fan village turns into an outdoor concert at 7 with the headliners kicking off at 9 or so. If you want an eco-village, metaverse tent, or performance centre, they have one of each for you as well.

Centurion Club Summary

Centurion Club is a rare taste of Americana in England that provides a decent round of golf with less exclusivity than perhaps Queenwood. In its own right, Centurion delivers a product to the higher end of the market and would be a great option for corporate or business membership where first impressions and amenities matter as much as the golf.

Centurion Club Photography

Purchase Kevin Murray’s Centurion photography.