Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club is a historic parkland course in the heart of Richmond, London, offering a classic golfing experience with plenty of character. Home to the J.H. Taylor Course, the club combines traditional course design, excellent conditioning and a fascinating sense of history. We took a closer look at what makes this course worth a round, from its clever layout and famous humps and hollows to its welcoming clubhouse atmosphere.
Scorecard
Vibe: ★★★★☆
Value: ★★★★☆
Fun: ★★★★☆
Welcome: ★★★★★
Looks: ★★★★☆
First Impressions
Royal Mid-Surrey is one of those golf clubs that quietly surprises you. Sitting in the middle of Richmond's Old Deer Park, not far from Central London.
Being directly beneath the Heathrow flight path means aircraft are a constant companion throughout the round. Some golfers may find it distracting, while others quickly learn to tune it out. It becomes part of the character of the place.
One of the more unique features of the club is how the J.H. Taylor and Pam Barton courses intertwine with one another. Fairways and holes regularly run alongside or across each other, giving the feeling that two classic layouts have been carefully woven together across the same piece of land. Both courses were designed by J.H. Taylor and remain true to his original vision.
The Facts Box
Where:
Richmond, South West London – easily accessible by both road and public transport.
Type:
Parkland
Par & Yardage:
Par 69 | Approximately 6,400 yards
Green Fee:
Good value, although nothing particularly special at visitor rates. If you're lucky enough to play with a member, however, it becomes one of the best-value rounds in London.
Dress Code:
Standard golf attire.
Welcome Factor:
Excellent. Members and staff create a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, making visitors feel at home from the moment they arrive.
Food & Clubhouse:
A modern clubhouse with plenty of history behind it and a relaxed atmosphere after your round.
Booking:
Visitor tee times are available, although playing as a guest of a member offers significantly better value.
The Walk-Round
The J.H. Taylor isn't an especially long course, and it's certainly not one where you'll spend the day searching for golf balls. The fairways are generous enough that, provided you hit something reasonably straight, you'll usually find your ball without too much trouble.
The challenge comes elsewhere.
J.H. Taylor's famous humps and hollows are scattered throughout the course, ready to punish anything that just misses the fairway. Rather than losing your ball, you're often left with awkward stances and uneven lies that make the approach shot considerably harder. It's a clever form of punishment that feels entirely in keeping with a course of this age.
History is everywhere too. As you make your way around the course, you'll notice bomb craters that remain from the Second World War.
Being an older club, the practice facilities are limited. There's enough to loosen up before your round, but don't expect the expansive academies found at newer resort courses.
Star Hole
The iconic finishing hole is undoubtedly the 18th.
Playing towards the historic King's Observatory in the distance, it's a fitting conclusion to the round. The landmark provides a striking backdrop as you make your final approach, giving the hole an unmistakable identity.
Personal Favourite
For me, the standout was the 4th.
It's not especially long, but accuracy from the tee is absolutely everything. Miss the fairway with your driver and you'll quickly discover the famous humps and hollows that define so much of J.H. Taylor's architecture. Finding one of those uneven lies leaves a far more difficult approach than the scorecard initially suggests, making it one of the most enjoyable strategic holes on the course.
Course Conditions
The fairways are immaculate and the bunkers are some of the best you'll play from. The greens are consistently excellent too, rolling beautifully throughout the round.
They're also deceptively difficult to read.
There aren't many dramatic slopes, but subtle breaks catch you out time and time again. What looks like a straightforward ten-footer can quickly become a three-putt if you aren't paying attention.
The Honest Verdict
Royal Mid-Surrey doesn't rely on dramatic elevation changes or spectacular water hazards to make its mark. Instead, it offers intelligent architecture, outstanding conditioning and a fascinating slice of golfing history right on London's doorstep.
Yes, the aircraft overhead won't be for everyone, and the practice facilities are fairly limited compared to modern golf resorts. But neither detracts enough to spoil the experience.
If you can play with a member, the value becomes exceptional. Even at normal visitor prices it's a thoroughly enjoyable day out, although it doesn't quite fall into the bargain category.
The J.H. Taylor Course proves that you don't need to lose golf balls to lose shots. Clever bunkering, subtle greens and those famous humps and hollows provide more than enough challenge.
Would I Go Back?
Royal Mid-Surrey is a course that grows on you the more you play it. The strategy, conditioning and history combine to create a layout that's both enjoyable and rewarding, even if a passing Boeing occasionally interrupts your backswing.
If you get the chance to play as a guest of a member, take it. You'll struggle to find many better-value rounds anywhere in London.
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