Digital Edition: Issue 82, October 2025

Photo: Kevin Murray The approach to the ninth on the renovated Garden nine at The Wisley, with a new practice green behind There has always been an air of mystique about The Wisley. When it opened in 1991, it became – and to this day remains – one of a very small number of private clubs in the UK where guest play is only possible if accompanied by a member. So while illustrious Surrey neighbours like Sunningdale and Swinley Forest provide opportunities for visitor play, and Wentworth is open for spectators during the BMW PGA Championship, relatively few cross the bridge over the River Wey to step foot on the grounds of The Wisley. An enclave for its 700 members, each of whom owns an equal share of the club, there are no tennis courts or swimming pool, ballrooms or banqueting suites. The focus is firmly on golf: there are three nines that each begin at, and return to, a central clubhouse, and an excellent complement of practice facilities, including a new, large chipping and putting green designed by James Edwards. The 27-hole layout was created by Robert Trent Jones Jr, and is his sole design in England. The entire Jones family has just three more – his father laid out nearby Stockley Park, as well as Moor Allerton in Leeds, while brother Rees created The Oxfordshire just a couple of years after The Wisley opened. Both sons’ English courses bear hallmarks of their father’s approach to design. At the time of opening, they would have been described by locals as ‘American-style’, with fairways that wrap around the lakes, large contoured greens that often sit tight to the water’s edge, and imposing bunkering that squeezes landing areas. 73

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