About the course
Bearwood Lakes Golf Club lies at Sindlesham in Berkshire, between Reading and Wokingham, on part of the old Bearwood Estate. The course covers more than 200 acres, about 80 hectares, of gently rolling ground, and its name comes from the lakes that sit at the heart of the property and shape several of its best holes.
This is a modern course. It was designed by Martin Hawtree, the third generation of the Hawtree family of golf architects, and built by the contractor Southern Golf, opening in 1996. It was quickly recognised as one of the best new courses in Britain, and after three decades of growth it now looks considerably older than it is.
The layout is a blend of parkland and woodland golf, with tree-lined fairways, changes of elevation and several water features. From the back tees it measures more than 6,800 yards, roughly 6,270 metres, so there is plenty of length for good players, while forward tees bring it within reach of most golfers. The par 5 11th climbs uphill and is one of the holes where the extra length is felt most.
The best known stretch comes soon after. The 13th, a par 4, asks for a drive and an approach across both a lake and a ditch, and the 14th is a demanding par 3 where the tee shot has to carry the edge of the lake to a green placed so that any shot pulled or pushed finds trouble. Together they form the part of the round that most players remember afterwards.
Why we recommend it
Bearwood Lakes is a private members’ club near Wokingham, so it is not open for standard visitor bookings and a round needs to be arranged well in advance. The course winds through woodland and around lakes, is kept in excellent condition and is used for Open Regional Qualifying. It offers a calm, beautifully presented day of golf within easy reach of London, and suits golfers who value peace and course condition over a big-name links.
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| Ranking England | 55 |
| Architect | Martin Hawtree |
| Year of foundation | 1996 |
| Par Course | 72 |
| Number of holes | 18 |