
The Signature Course
Woodlands Golf and Country Club
About this course
The Signature at Woodlands Golf and Country Club occupies gently rolling countryside in Almondsbury, just north of Bristol near the M5 motorway. Designed by the American team of Robert von Hagge and Carlton Gipson, the course reflects their characteristic approach to European projects in the 1990s, featuring bold bunkering, water hazards integrated into the strategic design, and substantial earthmoving to create definition and drama across relatively modest natural terrain. The layout takes advantage of the site's mature woodland boundaries and open farmland character, with several holes playing through corridors of established trees while others stretch across more exposed ground. Von Hagge and Gipson, who collaborated on numerous courses across Europe during this period, typically emphasized visual impact and strategic variety. At Woodlands, water comes into play on multiple holes, requiring golfers to make clear risk-reward decisions from the tee and on approaches. The bunkering tends toward the sculptural, with deep faces and irregular shapes that frame greens and landing areas. The greens themselves offer movement and contour, demanding careful attention to pin positions. Woodlands functions as a members' club with conference and leisure facilities, serving both the local golfing community and corporate clientele drawn by its proximity to Bristol and the motorway network. The course provides a test suited to a range of abilities, with multiple tee options allowing flexibility in length and challenge while maintaining the design's strategic intentions across the routing.
Quick facts
- Location
- Almondsbury, Bristol, England
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1989
- Designer(s)
- Carlton Gipson, Robert von Hagge
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,201 yards
- Difficulty
- 66.9/113
Getting there
Woodlands Golf and Country Club sits within easy reach of Bristol Airport (BRS), a mere twenty minutes south by car, making it one of England's most accessible ultra-private retreats; alternatively, London's Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) lie within ninety minutes by motorway for those arriving on international flights. The drive from Bristol traces a gentle northward arc through the rolling Gloucestershire countryside, departing the urban sprawl for quieter roads that wind past stone villages and hedgerow-lined fields before arriving at the discreet entrance in Almondsbury. For those traveling by private aviation, nearby airfields such as Filton or Staverton offer a more intimate alternative to commercial terminals. The final approach to Woodlands unfolds with characteristic English restraint - a tree-lined drive that announces arrival not with fanfare but with the understated elegance of manicured grounds and the promise of one of Britain's most coveted memberships.

FAQ
Common questions about The Signature at Woodlands Golf and Country Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Signature was designed by Carlton Gipson and Robert von Hagge.
Yes. The Signature at Woodlands Golf and Country Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Signature is 71.
The Signature plays 6,201 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Signature is 113.
The Signature is a 18-hole course.



