The Hotchkin Course at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa, is consistently rated among the world’s finest heathland golf experiences and a favourite destination for golf breaks.
For more than a century, golf travellers have been welcomed to this exquisite heathland course, famous for it’s natural dramatic bunkering and distinct tactical challenge.
The course was built on a sandy tract of land to the north of the village and has classic heathland characteristics. Such is the importance of the surroundings, Natural England declared the course a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSl) and is a wonderful example of how colt and nature can benefit each other.
| Hole | Blue YardsBlue | White YardsWhite | Yellow YardsYellow | Par | Stroke IndexS.I. | Red YardsRed | Par | Stroke IndexS.I. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 358 | 358 | 351 | 4 | 17 | 327 | 4 | 17 |
| 2 | 440 | 409 | 399 | 4 | 7 | 355 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | 413 | 413 | 406 | 4 | 3 | 367 | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | 411 | 411 | 379 | 4 | 11 | 354 | 4 | 11 |
| 5 | 142 | 142 | 138 | 3 | 16 | 105 | 3 | 16 |
| 6 | 525 | 508 | 464 | 5 | 1 | 409 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | 469 | 435 | 409 | 4 | 9 | 367 | 4 | 9 |
| 8 | 189 | 189 | 184 | 3 | 13 | 161 | 3 | 13 |
| 9 | 583 | 555 | 545 | 5 | 5 | 461 | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 340 | 340 | 330 | 4 | 12 | 278 | 4 | 12 |
| 11 | 436 | 436 | 404 | 4 | 6 | 372 | 4 | 6 |
| 12 | 170 | 170 | 147 | 3 | 18 | 123 | 3 | 18 |
| 13 | 452 | 439 | 430 | 4 | 2 | 373 | 4 | 2 |
| 14 | 518 | 486 | 455 | 5 | 8 | 419 | 5 | 8 |
| 15 | 320 | 320 | 314 | 4 | 14 | 288 | 4 | 14 |
| 16 | 393 | 393 | 366 | 4 | 4 | 316 | 4 | 4 |
| 17 | 331 | 331 | 317 | 4 | 15 | 275 | 4 | 15 |
| 18 | 534 | 534 | 484 | 5 | 10 | 399 | 5 | 10 |
| Out | 3530 | 3420 | 3275 | 36 | 2906 | 36 | ||
| In | 3494 | 3449 | 3247 | 37 | 2843 | 37 | ||
| Total | 7024 | 6869 | 6522 | 73 | 5749 | 73 |
Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin course was described as “one of golf’s supreme shot making tests” as it was named the 74th best course in the world in Golf magazine’s benchmark ranking.
The original Vardon design continues to hold its position in the world rankings and has been further elevated by Tom Doak’s acclaimed renovation of the heathland masterpiece, completed in 2019.
The Lincolnshire course is ahead of some of the most iconic and alluring names in the game; Bandon Dunes, Te Arai, Rye, Whistling Straits, Bandon Dunes, Peachtree, Royal Liverpool, Kingsbarns and Winged Foot were all ranked below the Hotchkin.
The Hotchkin is currently rated as the 4th best heathland golf course in the UK.
For more than a century, golf travellers have been drawn to the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa — an exquisite heathland layout renowned for its natural beauty, dramatic bunkering, and strategic brilliance. Built on a sandy tract of land to the north of the village, the course embodies classic heathland characteristics, with firm, fast-running fairways framed by heather, gorse, and pine. Its environmental significance is such that Natural England has designated it a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a testament to the harmonious balance between the game of golf and the surrounding natural landscape.
Over its 115-year history, the Hotchkin has evolved through several phases of development, culminating in a major renovation project completed in April 2020. The work was led by world-renowned architect Tom Doak, who sought to restore many of the original design features that had been softened or lost over time. His vision brought back the rugged, rustic character that defines true heathland golf — reinstating rough-edged bunkers, widening fairways, and allowing areas of natural vegetation to flourish. The result is a course that feels both timeless and refreshed, respectful of its heritage while aligned with modern expectations of sustainability and authenticity.
Strategically, the Hotchkin offers a fair yet formidable test. The firm fairways are generous enough to invite confident drives, and the greens, while subtly contoured, reward precision and imagination. However, lurking throughout the course are 143 cavernous bunkers — some of the most striking and penal in world golf — ready to punish any lapse in concentration. The combination of tactical challenge, natural beauty, and architectural integrity ensures that every round is both demanding and deeply rewarding.
Consistently ranked among the world’s finest courses for more than half a century, the Hotchkin stands as a masterpiece of heathland design and craftsmanship. Its blend of history, challenge, and environmental harmony continues to captivate golfers from around the globe, reaffirming Woodhall Spa’s place at the pinnacle of English golf.
