The Woods/The Lakes at Sandford Springs Hotel & Golf Club

Sandford Springs Hotel & Golf Club sits in the Hampshire countryside near Kingsclere, roughly midway between Newbury and Basingstoke. The property features two distinct nine-hole loops designed by Martin Hawtree, known collectively as The Woods and The Lakes. Hawtree, a third-generation golf architect whose family firm has shaped courses across Britain since the early twentieth century, routed the layout across varied terrain that takes advantage of the natural topography and mature woodland characteristic of this part of southern England.

The Woods nine moves through established tree cover, with fairways carved through corridors of oak and beech that define playing lines and frame approach shots. The routing here emphasizes accuracy over distance, as the wooded character naturally tightens landing areas and rewards strategic placement. The Lakes nine, as its name suggests, incorporates water features more prominently into the design, with ponds and streams coming into play on several holes. The contrast between the two nines gives players different challenges within a single round—woodland precision on one side, water management and open sightlines on the other.

The club operates as part of a hotel and leisure facility, making it accessible to visitors and offering a more relaxed atmosphere than traditional members-only clubs in the region. The combination of Hawtree's thoughtful design work and the natural Hampshire landscape provides a straightforward test of golf without excessive length, suitable for a range of abilities while maintaining interest for more accomplished players.