Hewn from a contrasting landscape of woodland and arable farmland, the fairways and greenside bunkers are more generous than those of The Hotchkin Course, while the large, welcoming greens are more approachable, yet require thought and touch to master the true-rolling putting surfaces.
| Hole | White YardsWhite | Yellow YardsYellow | Blue YardsBlue | Par | Stroke IndexS.I. | Red YardsRed | Par | Stroke IndexS.I. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 397 | 378 | 397 | 4 | 11 | 341 | 4 | 11 |
| 2 | 417 | 393 | 417 | 4 | 5 | 353 | 4 | 5 |
| 3 | 359 | 315 | 359 | 4 | 15 | 295 | 4 | 15 |
| 4 | 532 | 493 | 555 | 5 | 1 | 450 | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | 197 | 157 | 197 | 3 | 13 | 150 | 3 | 13 |
| 6 | 528 | 499 | 528 | 5 | 3 | 443 | 5 | 3 |
| 7 | 134 | 128 | 134 | 3 | 17 | 109 | 3 | 17 |
| 8 | 298 | 288 | 314 | 4 | 7 | 265 | 4 | 7 |
| 9 | 400 | 389 | 400 | 4 | 9 | 328 | 4 | 9 |
| 10 | 420 | 393 | 420 | 4 | 12 | 331 | 4 | 12 |
| 11 | 160 | 153 | 160 | 3 | 18 | 103 | 3 | 18 |
| 12 | 349 | 331 | 349 | 4 | 6 | 310 | 4 | 6 |
| 13 | 371 | 346 | 371 | 4 | 2 | 329 | 4 | 2 |
| 14 | 514 | 504 | 514 | 5 | 14 | 440 | 5 | 14 |
| 15 | 397 | 383 | 397 | 4 | 8 | 326 | 4 | 8 |
| 16 | 163 | 153 | 163 | 3 | 4 | 119 | 3 | 4 |
| 17 | 484 | 474 | 538 | 5 | 16 | 419 | 5 | 16 |
| 18 | 392 | 334 | 423 | 4 | 10 | 287 | 4 | 10 |
| Out | 3262 | 3040 | 3301 | 36 | 2734 | 36 | ||
| In | 3250 | 3071 | 3335 | 36 | 2664 | 36 | ||
| Total | 6512 | 6111 | 6636 | 72 | 5398 | 72 |
When the English Golf Union (now England Golf) acquired Woodhall Spa Golf Club in 1995, additional land was secured to build another course along with extensive practice facilities. The second course was designed and built by Donald Steel and named the Bracken, after the wood in which it was created. The vision behind the design was to produce a course with its own distinct identity and challenge, providing a modern complement to the world-renowned Hotchkin Course. Construction began in 1995, and the Bracken Course officially opened for play in 1998.
The geology of Woodhall Spa reveals a thick delta of sand that runs through part of the village and most of the Hotchkin Course. The Bracken Course, however, just misses this sand delta and is instead built on boulder clay, giving it a parkland character in contrast to its heathland neighbour. From the tee, the fairways are generous and visually inviting, yet the placement of fairway bunkers—particularly on the par 5s—introduces a strong element of strategy. Golfers are encouraged to weigh risk against reward, choosing between safer routes or more aggressive lines depending on their confidence and ability.
The course’s large, undulating greens are a defining feature and present a stern putting test, acting as the Bracken’s primary line of defence. Subtle slopes and deceptive contours challenge even the most skilled putters, rewarding those with touch and imagination. The layout flows naturally through mature woodland and open parkland, with water hazards and tree-lined holes enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and strategic depth.
Since its opening, the Bracken Course has earned recognition as a high-quality modern parkland design that offers a fair yet exacting challenge. It provides a different style of golf to the Hotchkin while maintaining the same commitment to quality and thoughtful design that defines Woodhall Spa. The Bracken stands proudly on its own merit—beautiful, balanced, and thoroughly engaging—cementing its place as an integral part of one of England’s finest golfing venues.
