Golf Course Review

The Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is located on the south bank of the River Thames in West London, Surrey, England. Syon House lies opposite with Kew Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent.

The Mid-Surrey Golf Club was formed in 1892 and would quickly gain momentum. Due to its close proximity to London, ease of access and the free-draining nature of the site, the club grew in popularity and stature becoming one of the largest golf clubs in the world by the close of the 19th century.

The club boasts two 18 hole courses. Once known as the Inner and Outer courses, they are now called the Pam Barton and JH Taylor Courses. JH Taylor is credited with both designs. By the early 1900s, the courses would be redesigned by adding humps, hillocks and hollows. This was termed 'Aplinisation' was coined to explain the addition of the manmade features. Then greenkeeper, Peter Lees, assisted JH Taylor with the redevelopment.

The JH Taylor Course was recently overhauled by MacKenzie & Ebert with greens being redesigned and rebuilt to USGA specifications. Further mounding was added along some of the fairways and pocket wetlands added on the 8th and 9th holes.

Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club's Royal Heritage

Further information on the club and its history can be found in Scott Macpherson's book, Golf's Royal Clubs.