Hayling Island Golf Club: The South Coast's Hidden Links Treasure
When Dan and I arrived at Hayling Island Golf Club for their recent media day, I wasn't entirely prepared for what awaited us. What unfolded over the course of our visit was a real treat, the discovery of a genuine links golf experience that stands virtually alone along England's south coast.
A Rare Coastal Gem
The rarity of what Hayling Island offers cannot be overstated. As we made our way around the course, it became increasingly clear just how exceptional this links truly is. To find a comparable experience traveling west from Hayling, you would need to journey all the way to Dawlish Warren in Devon. Head east, and the next authentic links of similar calibre lies at Rye Golf Club in Kent, a considerable distance that highlights just how precious this Hampshire coastline gem truly is.
This geographical uniqueness transforms Hayling Island from merely another golf course into something far more significant: a genuine links experience accessible to golfers throughout the south of England without the need for extensive travel to Scotland or the northern counties.
Championship Presentation
The presentation of the course was nothing short of phenomenal throughout our round. The fairways rolled out before us in immaculate condition, each one testament to the greenkeeping team's meticulous attention to detail. The greens ran true and fast, providing that authentic links experience where reading the subtle undulations becomes as crucial as the stroke itself. Even the bunkers, often overlooked in course maintenance discussions, were in exceptional condition, their faces properly maintained and their sand consistently playable.
What struck me most was the routing, particularly the stretch from the 10th through to the 13th holes, with Dan picking number 12 as his favourite. These holes, positioned along the estuary side of the course, offer not just stunning panoramic views but strategic challenges that demand thoughtful course management. The par threes and par fours in this section epitomise intelligent links design, where the wind, the natural contours of the land, and carefully positioned hazards combine to create holes that are both beautiful and demanding.
Each hole throughout the eighteen presented its own unique character and strategic considerations, ensuring that our round never felt repetitive or predictable. This variety, combined with the consistent quality of maintenance, created an experience that lingered in the memory long after the final putt had dropped.
Architectural Excellence and Hospitality
Beyond the golf course itself, Hayling Island Golf Club demonstrates a commitment to excellence that extends throughout their facilities. The clubhouse, striking in its Art Deco styling and positioned elegantly across three floors, commands impressive views over a tranquil inland lake. This architectural choice creates a sophisticated atmosphere that perfectly complements the quality of the golf experience.
The restaurant and bar areas are both spacious and welcoming, providing the perfect environment for post-round reflection and socialisation. The changing facilities are well-appointed and thoughtfully designed, while the pro shop offers an excellent selection of both equipment and apparel that would satisfy even the most particular golfer.
The Club do offer practice facilities on site and only a stones throw from the first tee. Combined with convenient parking arrangements, these amenities demonstrate the club's understanding that the complete golfing experience extends well beyond the eighteen holes themselves.
Exceptional Value in Context
The visitor green fee of £130 might initially appear substantial, but context is everything in golf. When considered against the rarity of authentic links golf along the south coast, the exceptional presentation of both course and facilities, and the pricing of comparable venues throughout the region, this fee represents genuine value for the discerning golfer.
More importantly, this is an investment in experiencing something genuinely special, a links course that delivers on every aspect of what makes this style of golf so revered among purists and newcomers alike.
A Memorable Discovery
Hayling Island Golf Club represents exactly the kind of discovery that makes golf such an endlessly rewarding pursuit. Here is a course that combines the authentic challenge and character of links golf with presentation standards that rival any club in the country, all situated in a location that makes it accessible to golfers throughout the south of England.
The combination of immaculate course conditions, stunning natural scenery, thoughtfully designed facilities, and genuinely warm hospitality created a day that will remain memorable for all the right reasons. For golfers seeking a links experience without the journey to Scotland or the northern coast, Hayling Island offers something increasingly rare: the genuine article, presented to the highest standards.
This is a club that deserves to be discovered by golfers who appreciate quality, authenticity, and the unique pleasures that only true links golf can provide. Our day at Hayling Island confirmed what exceptional golf experiences are truly made of—and left me already planning my return visit.
Joe Killoran, Editor