The Vardon Course

The course was originally laid out in 1900 by twice Open winner Willie Park Junior, a pioneer of parkland courses at a time when golf courses were traditionally built along the coast, who during his lifetime designed approximately 170 courses across Europe and North America, including Sunningdale and The Berkshire. The construction work was carried out by the Club's professional and greenkeeper Tom Winton, who eventually became a course architect in his own right, designing numerous courses in the USA.

Harry Vardon made many substantial improvements to the course during his 37 years as professional and greenkeeper at the Club, and increased the length to its current 6,432 yards. James Braid was consulted on the bunkering during the 1930's. In the 1990's, the addition of both fairway watering (fed by the Club’s own borehole) and substantial drainage infrastructure have resulted in a playing surface that ranks with the best. More recently, further improvements under the supervision of architect Ken Moodie have seen all the bunkers re-built and re-positioned to provide a strong strategic challenge to today’s long hitters, as well as enjoyable golf for club golfers with more modest skills.

Well placed trees, either singly or in copses, relatively small, often sloping greens, and the undulating nature of the land place a premium on intelligent shot placement. This, together with putting surfaces which are renowned as some of the best in the south of England is why South Herts has regularly been chosen as an Open Championship pre-qualifying venue.