Dorking at Dorking Golf Club

Dorking Golf Club sits on Chart Park, a hillside estate on the southern edge of the North Downs in Surrey. The course was designed by James Braid and opened in 1897, making it one of the earlier examples of his prolific work across Britain. The layout occupies elevated ground with views across the Mole Valley toward Leith Hill and the Surrey Weald, and the routing takes advantage of the natural contours and mature woodland that characterize this part of the Downs.

The course measures around 6,000 yards from the back tees and plays as a par 69, which reflects the compact nature of the property and the era in which it was designed. Braid's routing moves through mixed terrain, with several holes climbing or descending the slope and others playing along more level ground through stands of beech and oak. The greens are typically small and subtly contoured, and the bunkering is modest by modern standards, consistent with Braid's economical approach to hazard placement.

Dorking functions as a members' club with a traditional Surrey character. The clubhouse occupies the original Chart Park mansion, and the club maintains a welcoming atmosphere for visitors by arrangement. The course is well-regarded locally for its variety and the quality of its conditioning, and it provides a straightforward test of golf in a pleasant rural setting within easy reach of London.