32 Lobb’s renovations prepare Henley for future TEE BOX Lobb + Partners has completed two phases of renovation work on the 1907 James Braid course at Henley Golf Club in Oxfordshire, England, with a third phase expected to start in 2027. “The objective has been to make sure Henley continues to provide a really strong golfing experience for all levels of golfer,” said James Brockington, general manager at Henley Golf Club. “The game has changed considerably – particularly with advances in equipment and the distances the ball now travels – so some of the features that historically influenced how a hole played were no longer having the same impact. Equally, some features were excessively punishing one level of golfer and had become an afterthought for another level. “Many of our bunkers were old and increasingly difficult to maintain, with drainage and sand consistency affecting both their condition and playability. The renovation gave us the opportunity to use modern construction techniques.” The first phase was carried out in winter 2024-25, with the second completed in winter 2025-26. “We have focused on enhancing the strategic interest and challenge for the golfers, primarily through bunkering but also by thinking about angles and approach play to the green complexes,” said Tim Lobb. “The greens are smallish but retain a great challenge with bunkering and slope on the surfaces. “The bunkering is certainly more visible, which I think is a good thing. The style has changed from a smaller pot style to a larger and more freeform shape. We felt that this befitted the grand landscape that the club sits in.” Brockington added: “It’s not about making the course harder for the sake of it; it’s about making it more interesting and strategic. We want golfers to have decisions to make – where to position the ball, which hazards to take on and when the percentage play is the better option. “We want Henley Golf Club to retain its James Braid identity, but we also want someone playing the course in 2026 to face meaningful strategic choices. It’s about respecting the past without allowing the course to become dated by it.”
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