Hollinwell remains one of England's great heathland golf courses

Tucked into the countryside near Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts Golf Club's course at Hollinwell is one of the most respected in English golf. BBC commentator and former Ryder Cup player Ken Brown has described it as "one of the best heathland courses in Britain".

The club's story goes back to 1887, when it was founded as Nottingham Golf Club with a five-hole course. It moved that same year to Bulwell Forest, and to its current home in 1901. The name of the course is said to come from a holy well among the trees near the eighth fairway, and while members belong to Notts Golf Club, Hollinwell is the name of the course itself.

Some of the great names of early golf shaped the layout. Willie Park Jr laid out the original course, J.H. Taylor altered the bunkering in 1902, and Tom Williamson's 1912 extension forms the layout that is still largely unchanged today.

From the back tees it measures 7,250 yards with a par of 72. National Club Golfer describes tree-lined fairways and blooming heather, a demanding opening run that includes two par fours of more than 400 yards, and a 13th that is the longest short hole on the course, played from an elevated tee.

Hollinwell has a long record as a championship venue. It has staged the Brabazon Trophy and the English Amateur Championship several times, hosted the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 1978 and the first John Player Classic in 1970, and staged Final Qualifying for The Open in 2017 and 2018. In October 2024 it hosted the NCG Top 100s Tour Match Play Final, where one competitor said, "What a course! Even with it being in mid-October, it still played incredibly well."

The clubhouse has two lounges with views of the fourth and 18th holes, and displays of the club's history and tournament memorabilia. There is also a driving range and short game area.

Visitors are welcome every day except Saturdays, which is members' competition day, and green fees and booking details are on the Hollinwell website.