| No matter how far
away you are from having the skills of Tiger Woods or
Annika Sorenstam, you’re sure to have fun practicing
your swing (or your slice!) at the courses in and around
north west London.
Before the capital expanded in the 19th century, the north
of the capital used to be the playground of the gentry,
with the open fields being used for hunting and other
outdoor pursuits. Today the area plays host to a number
of golf courses where people from all walks of life can
chase a small ball around with a specially fashioned stick.
Mill Hill [map] is particularly good for golfers
as this area is home to three of the courses in north
west London; Finchley Golf Club [map], Hendon Golf Club [map] and Mill Hill Golf Club [map].
At Finchley Golf Club [map] you’ll find
a full-length course designed by the same man who devised
the Kings Course [map] at Gleneagles, James
Braid. This wooded parkland course, with its narrow fairways
and sloping greens, should provide a challenge for golfers
of all levels. However once the round is complete you
can have a drink in the impressive Victorian stately home
which doubles as the 19th hole. Located just 6 miles north
of the West End this course is probably worth a try.
For a game at one of the area’s most attractive
courses, head to Hendon Golf Club [map]. This
is another parkland course that golfers should find testing,
due to the trees and tight fairways. Visitors are welcome
to play but should call in advance for details.
Time poor swingers in need of a game, or just a few drives,
can pop in at the Metro Golf Centre [map] . Here you can face off against the testing 9-hole
course (which should take around 40 minutes), or make
the most of the covered, floodlit bays at the driving
range. For an added challenge you could have a go at Night
Golf. These events featuring illuminated greens and fairways,
usually take place during the winter months and start
at around 7pm.
However for those who have the time and the desire to
work their way around the courses in the area you could
also try the parkland courses at Mill Hill [map] and slightly further afield Pinner Hill [map] .
If you want to comment on our choices or recommend somewhere,
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You Recommend form to let us know.
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