The Berkshire

History:

The Berkshire Golf Club, located in Ascot, Berkshire, was founded in 1928 and is widely regarded as one of England’s premier traditional clubs. It is celebrated for its two outstanding heathland courses—the Red Course and the Blue Course—both designed by renowned architect Herbert Fowler. The club’s heritage, character, and natural beauty have earned it a special place in the story of British golf. The Berkshire was established on Crown Estate land in the historic Swinley Forest, part of Windsor Great Park. The land was originally used as a military training area and royal hunting ground. When the decision was made in the late 1920s to develop a golf club on the estate, the choice of site was perfect: heathland terrain, rich with sandy soil, undulating land, heather, and pines—ideal for inland links-style golf. The club was founded with close ties to the British military and aristocracy. Many early members were senior military officers, and the club’s restrained elegance and quiet exclusivity still reflect those roots today.

Architect Herbert Fowler, already famous for courses like Walton Heath and The Berkshire’s neighbor, The Addington, was commissioned to design 36 holes—a rare opportunity in British golf at the time. Fowler’s genius shines especially in the Red Course, which features a highly unusual layout: six par 3s, six par 4s, and six par 5s. This creates a wonderfully varied rhythm and strategy, unmatched by most modern designs. The Blue Course, while more conventional in structure, is equally admired and every bit as challenging, with narrower fairways, more elevation changes, and dramatic green complexes.

Both courses were completed and opened in 1928, and from the start, they were hailed for their natural beauty and challenging design. The Berkshire quickly became a favorite retreat for discerning golfers seeking high-quality inland golf not far from London. Though always a private, low-profile club, The Berkshire has hosted numerous elite amateur events. These include:

• The Berkshire Trophy – one of the most prestigious amateur stroke play tournaments in the UK, held annually since 1946. Winners include Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, and Luke Donald.
• Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship
• English Amateur and Girls' Championships
• Numerous regional and national qualifiers

Unlike some of its more high-profile neighbors, The Berkshire has deliberately kept a low-key and traditional character. The courses remain remarkably unaltered from Fowler’s original design. The heather-lined fairways, tall pine trees, and sandy, firm turf provide a true heathland experience that rivals any in the UK. Both the Red and Blue Courses are consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in Great Britain & Ireland, and The Berkshire is often included on lists of the world’s finest 36-hole clubs.

Description:

Set amid the rolling, pine-clad heathland of Swinley Forest in Ascot, The Berkshire Golf Club boasts two of England’s most celebrated inland courses: the Red Course and the Blue Course.

These courses are laid over classic heathland terrain—fast-draining sandy soil, framed by towering pines, heather, and gentle elevation changes. While they share the same stunning natural setting and architectural pedigree, each course has its own distinct personality.

Red Course

• Par: 72
• Yardage: Approx. 6,679 yards (Championship tees)
• Holes: 18

The Red Course is the crown jewel of The Berkshire and one of Herbert Fowler’s most innovative designs. Unusually—and quite uniquely—it features an exact balance of six par 3s, six par 4s, and six par 5s, a rare configuration that creates wonderful variety and rhythm throughout the round.

From the very first hole—a short par 4 that tempts the bold hitter—you’re introduced to the Red Course’s strategic nature. Every hole is framed by natural beauty, often flanked with vibrant purple heather and guarded by deep, well-placed bunkers.

The par 3s are particularly memorable, each offering a different challenge in length, wind exposure, and angle of approach. The 10th hole, an elevated par 3 playing over a heathery valley to a raised green, is often considered one of the finest one-shot holes in the south of England.

The par 5s range from gettable birdie chances to long, demanding three-shot tests, while the par 4s are a mix of subtle doglegs and more direct, driving holes—always asking for placement and thought over power.

Though not overly long by modern standards, the Red Course defends itself with clever angles, elevation changes, and its natural hazards. Every hole feels distinct, and the routing constantly shifts direction, which makes reading the wind especially tricky.

Blue Course

• Par: 72
• Yardage: Approx. 6,628 yards (Championship tees)
• Holes: 18

The Blue Course is often underrated due to the Red’s fame, but many regulars and purists hold it in just as high esteem. It’s slightly more undulating and compact in layout, and generally narrower off the tee, demanding accurate driving and careful navigation through corridors of heather and pine.

The Blue Course begins with a challenging par 4 and maintains a strong, steady rhythm throughout. The greens are subtly contoured and well-defended, and while the par 5s offer scoring chances, the par 4s often ask for shape and finesse rather than sheer distance.

One of the standout holes is the 12th, a long, sweeping dogleg par 4 through a tight heather-lined chute, requiring both power and precision. The closing stretch, from the 15th to the 18th, features a thrilling mix of elevation, blind shots, and risk-reward scenarios that make the finish on the Blue just as memorable as the Red.

Despite sharing similar topography with its sibling, the Blue Course plays with a different cadence, often rewarding patience and course management over aggression.