There are few better places to play golf than Ganton. As one arrives along the lane to the Clubhouse there is a feeling of peace which is only broken by glimpses of the bunkers, real bunkers which as Patric Dickinson described in his classic book 'A Round of Golf Courses' seem to say "Good Morning, we hope to be introduced."

The beauty and uniqueness

The course is laid out on quiet undulating heathland which with a sandy subsoil is very freedraining. The fast running fairways and the firm true greens require the highest quality of shot making and control. Impenetrable gorse abounds within the open nature of the heathland. There are few trees other than those on the boundaries; with plenty of space the original open character of the terrain has been retained. As to the bunkers, Ganton has few peers; the player who is bunkered is punished for his error. In an age when golf designers are making bunkers less penal, this is a welcome feature.  The finest hole is possibly the eighteenth, requiring an accurately placed drive to give a clear shot to the sloping, well bunkered green. Championships have been won and lost on this hole for it sums up the principle of the whole Ganton layout; you are forced all the time to a choice of risks, if you are to achieve par.

In good company

The original course at Ganton was laid down in 1891 by Tom Chisholm of St Andrews. Ganton was soon established as a course where history was to be made. In 1896 Harry Vardon came as professional and it was during his stay (to 1903) that he won the first three of his six Open Championships, and it was to Ganton that he brought back the U.S. Championship Trophy in 1900. Ganton is proud to have been so closely linked with the story of British golf. Deep and prolific bunkers, savage rough and impenetrable gorse have made for a searching examination of the game's best players. Following the staging of the Walker Cup, the Club has joined Royal Birkdale and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers as being the only clubs honoured to have also staged the Curtis Cup and the Ryder Cup.

To quote but a few

"There are few better places to play golf than at Ganton with its unmistakeable air of quality, charm and challenge". Peter Alliss

"Ganton is one of golf's historical shrines, a club with a small clubhouse, a wonderful course and a reputation that stretches around the world". John Hopkin, Golf correspondent, The Times

Gary Player once said that Ganton is the only inland course worthy of holding the Open Championship. It provides a relentless test for those aspiring to the greatest achievements in the game; the fast running fairways and the firm true greens require the highest quality of shot making and control.