Guildford Golf Club

Guildford Golf Club occupies a hillside site on Merrow Downs, approximately a mile east of Guildford town center in Surrey. The course sits on chalk downland with views across the surrounding countryside, and its elevated position creates natural movement through the routing. The club was established in 1886, making it one of the older golf clubs in the south of England, though the course has evolved considerably through successive redesigns and modifications. The design history reflects contributions from multiple architects across different eras. Five-time Open champion John Henry Taylor, who served as the club's professional in the early twentieth century, influenced the layout during his tenure. Howard Swan worked on the course in the mid-twentieth century, and Donald Steel undertook revisions in later decades. More recently, Martin Hawtree, Martin Ebert, and Tom MacKenzie have each contributed to refinements and updates, reflecting the club's ongoing attention to maintaining and improving the course within its downland setting. The routing makes use of the natural slopes and contours of the chalk terrain, with holes playing across and along the hillside. The course character combines the rolling topography typical of Surrey downland golf with mature tree cover in places. Guildford Golf Club functions as a members' club with a traditional structure, serving both local golfers and visitors who arrange access through the usual channels. The course provides a representative example of English parkland-downland golf shaped by its geology and long history.