Golf on Hayling Island
The island's links course and golfing heritage
Hayling Golf Club is one of the finest links courses on the south coast of England. The course occupies a spectacular position on the southern tip of the island, running along the shoreline with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and along the coast towards Chichester and the South Downs.
The club was founded in 1883, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in Hampshire. The course was originally laid out on the sandy, windswept ground near the beach, and it retains its links character to this day. The natural terrain, with its dunes, gorse, sandy lies and coastal grasses, creates a golfing experience that is quite different from the parkland courses found inland.
The 18-hole course measures over 6,500 yards from the championship tees and presents a challenging test in any conditions. The prevailing south-westerly wind is a constant factor, affecting club selection, shot shape and course management on almost every hole. When the wind blows hard, as it frequently does on this exposed coastal strip, the course becomes a genuine test of skill and temperament.
The fairways are firm and fast-running, in the links tradition, and the greens are true and well-maintained. The rough is a mixture of gorse, heather and coastal grasses that punish wayward shots. The bunkers are deep and well-placed, and the sandy subsoil ensures that the course drains quickly after rain, making it playable year-round.
Visitors are welcome at Hayling Golf Club, subject to booking and handicap requirements. Green fees are charged for visitors, and the club has a pro shop selling equipment, clothing and accessories. The clubhouse offers bar and catering facilities with views over the course and the sea.
The club runs a full programme of competitions for members, including medal and stableford events, knockout cups, team matches and social golf. There are sections for men, women, seniors and juniors, and the club actively encourages young players through its junior coaching programme.
Golf on Hayling is about more than the course. The setting is exceptional, with the sea on three sides, the call of seabirds overhead and the ever-changing coastal light. A round at Hayling on a clear day, with the Isle of Wight across the water and the Spinnaker Tower visible in the distance, is one of the great golfing experiences in the south of England.