Old Thorns Course
Liphook, Hampshire, England
Old Thorns occupies a wooded site near Liphook in Hampshire, close to the Surrey and West Sussex borders. The course was designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss and opened in the late 1970s as part of a hotel and leisure development. Thomas, a former Ryder Cup player, and Alliss, the well-known television commentator and course designer, collaborated on several British layouts during this period, typically creating parkland courses with strategic bunkering and rolling terrain. The routing moves through mature pine and heathland vegetation, giving the course a secluded, forested character distinct from the more open heathland courses found elsewhere in the region. The layout makes use of natural elevation changes and incorporates water hazards on several holes. Fairways are generally tree-lined, rewarding accuracy from the tee, and the greens are defended by bunkers positioned to challenge approach shots from various angles. Old Thorns serves both resort guests and members, with the course forming the centerpiece of a hotel and spa complex. The facility has hosted regional amateur events and corporate outings over the years. The clubhouse and dining areas cater to a mix of visiting golfers and local members, and the course is maintained to accommodate year-round play in the Hampshire countryside. The setting provides a relatively quiet, wooded alternative to the more famous heathland courses located farther north and west in Surrey and Berkshire.
I worked at old thorns for about a year, I do not miss it however by working there I got to play the course a lot. I can say I have played it at its best and at its worst. You know the rating for its best and its worst is probably one of the biggest gaps I can think off. Old thorns at its best mid April before peak while it is still quiet but starting to get sunny and later evenings. Wow. What a course, the greenskeeper team is so good and they get it so pure, it is such a fun course so may different holes such a challenge and the conditions for a short period are so good. Not quite your Blackmoor or Hindhead or even petersfield but still very good. If I was to rate it off this it would probably crack 8 maybe 8.2. That high. But unfortunately you probably get about 2 weeks 3 at a push of this. Once you get into May it gets booked up everyday with societies and lads and old ladies and your pure 4 hour rounds turn into 5:30 rounds with frequent walk offs due to speed. Course condition deteriorates so quickly, tee boxes are unfixable mud piles fair ways are just full of divots and as soon as the sun comes out the green dry up and become ice rinks impossible to hold. Playing this would be at best a 6.2, nothing enjoyable here. I think the overall experience is pretty low here, you’re more likely to have a 6.2 then an 8.2 in my opinion. I would say a 7 is probably a fair middle ground but you’re unlikely to have a 7 if you go. Definitely an interesting one. Tips: avoid peak, avoid anything after mid May, don’t waste your time if it’s slow get yourself out of there asap.
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Old Thorns has a Course Vaults score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 6 explicit golfer ratings.
Old Thorns was designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss.
Yes. Old Thorns is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Old Thorns is 72.
Old Thorns plays 6,288 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Old Thorns is 135.
