Few architectural duos can match the formidable CVs of both Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert, so when news of a new golf course designed by the pair opening in London arose, it certainly caught our attention.
Mackenzie and Ebert have worked on some of the UK’s most iconic courses, including Royal County Down, Royal Dornoch, and Turnberry.
One particular trait links all three of the aforementioned courses: They’re all links courses.
Now, the Inspiration, which is the new course in question, is certainly not built on links land, a mere 20 minutes from the centre of London. However, Mackenzie and Ebert have drawn upon their experience to design a ‘modern links’ course inspired by the wealth of links tracks the UK has to offer.
Situated just inside the M25, neighbouring RAF Northolt, The Inspiration has been in the pipeline for almost ten years, and as a result of being so close to an operational airfield, the number of trees that were able to be planted was severely limited.
It was as a result of this restriction that the idea for an inland links course was born.
So, how do you recreate a links course roughly 50 miles from the sea? Well, Mackenzie and Ebert utilised a number of different tactics in order to achieve a links feel and look, and on the whole, they did a remarkably good job.
Revetted bunkers, large undulating greens, the introduction of gorse bushes, and sloping fairways all deliver on the links checklist.
The use of unusual hole designs also adds additional quirkiness that fits with the modern links brief.
While the architectural decisions all hit the spot, there are some environmental features that constantly remind you that you are, in fact, closer to Wembley Arena than you are to the beach.
The constant drone of the neighbouring M40 is hard to ignore, while the regular wafts of jet fuel are certainly a far cry from the fresh smell of clean sea air.
Inspiration Golf Club
With that being said, though, the course itself and the overall golfing experience are top-notch.
The course’s condition is outstanding, and when we played in early June, not a blade of grass was out of place on the large greens and lush fairways.
The course itself can be stretched from 5,440 yards to 6,610 yards, with two tee options in between, offering a good selection of distances for golfers of varying standards.
The overall layout at Inspiration is very inviting, and the variety of hole layouts is both exciting and enjoyable in equal measure.
Perhaps our favourite hole on the course is the short par-4 10th, which offers a classic risk-reward choice with little to no bailout on either side of the green.
The 17th is also an excellent hole. The testing par-4 measured 430 yards from the tees we were playing, and it features an absolutely monstrous 62-yard wide green.
We were also particularly fond of the 1st hole, which provides an excellent opening to the round. The 475-yard par-5 stretches uphill, but the generous fairway makes it a relatively welcoming opening tee shot. Just one word of wisdom: stay out of the gorse.
Inspiration Golf Club
Away from the golf, the clubhouse is still a work in progress. The temporary structure that stands today provides a sanctuary from the elements and a place for golfers to purchase food and drinks, but it’s set to be replaced within the next two years by a permanent structure that will offer golfers a place to have a quick bite to eat before or after their round.
Now, when it comes to golf in London, the cost of a tee time can regularly be a tough pill to swallow.
Being in close proximity to one of the most affluent cities in the world does tend to be reflected in the price. However, the Inspiration offers remarkable value.
Green fees are currently set at £70 for Monday to Wednesday, £80 for Thursday and Friday, and £90 for the weekend.
While the above prices are by no means a drop in the ocean for most golfers, they do offer excellent value for money on a golf course that delivers plenty of bang for your buck.
Inspiration Golf Club
Let’s be honest: building an inland links course mere miles away from the centre of London was never going to be easy. However, Mackenzie and Ebert, alongside the Menai-Davis family, have done an excellent job of creating an enjoyable course that provides an excellent standard of conditioning and design which could challenge and entertain any standard of golfer.
You rarely get change from £100 for a round of golf so close to London, so the fact that Inspiration offers such an intriguing layout at the price it currently does is commendable.
We would highly recommend Inspiration if you’re looking to play a round in the London area.
While the noise may prove frustrating for some, on the whole, the course delivers enjoyment and intrigue from the 1st to the 18th.
