Sonning Golf Club

Sonning Golf Club sits along the Thames Valley near Reading in Berkshire, occupying parkland that benefits from mature tree cover and gently rolling terrain characteristic of the region. The course was designed by Harry Colt and John Henry Taylor, opening in 1914, with later modifications by Martin Hawtree that have helped preserve the layout's strategic qualities while adapting to modern standards. The collaboration between Colt, one of the era's most influential architects, and Taylor, a five-time Open Championship winner, produced a design that emphasizes thoughtful shot-making over length. The routing moves through wooded corridors and more open sections, creating variety in both visual character and playing strategy. Colt's trademark bunkering and green complexes remain central to the challenge, rewarding accurate approach play and careful course management. The property's natural elevation changes are used effectively throughout, with several holes playing across slopes or to elevated greens that test distance control and require local knowledge to score well. Sonning operates as a traditional members' club with a focus on golf rather than extensive resort amenities. The course maintains a reputation within the Thames Valley region for conditioning and for a layout that favors precision and strategy over power. Its location near Reading makes it accessible to golfers from London and the surrounding counties, and it continues to serve as a venue for regional amateur competitions. The design remains largely faithful to its early twentieth-century origins, offering a playing experience rooted in the golden age of British golf architecture.