Why it matters
Sunningdale's Old Course is the canonical heathland course — Willie Park Jr. laid it out in 1901 on sandy Berkshire soil and Harry Colt later refined it. Heather, gorse, pines, fast-firm fairways — every great inland course since (Pine Valley, Augusta National in spirit) has borrowed something from it. Bobby Jones shot a 66 here in 1926 qualifying for the Open and his card has been called the most perfect round in golf history.
How to play it
Walking only. Caddies available. 45 minutes by train from London Waterloo. Pair with the New Course (1923, John Morrison) next door, Wentworth West a few miles away, or Walton Heath an hour away for a Surrey heath belt week. Visitor times Mon-Thu typically; book months in advance.