Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1008" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496.jpg" alt="Kirsty Gallacher Golf" class="wp-image-52003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496-794x800.jpg 794w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496-992x1000.jpg 992w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496-397x400.jpg 397w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496-768x774.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Kirsty-Gallacher-Gold-e1682500005496-521x525.jpg 521w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image: Instagram/ Kirsty Gallacher</figcaption></figure>



<p>Is golf becoming more glam? Oh, yes it is. No longer the preserve of middle-aged men in knitted tank tops, the sport has pro female swingers with an epic following on both the golfing circuit and Instagram. From world No.1 Lydia Ko (255k followers) to Paige Spiranac (3.7m followers), golf is cool. It also has a growing army of celeb fans. Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, Jenni Falconer, Jodie Kidd and Kirsty Gallacher (to name a few) are all in the glam golf squad. To be honest, it ticks a lot of boxes – fun, you get fresh air, exercise and improved hand-eye coordination. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50933" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-10-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you play or you’re keen to advance from pitch and putt,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sunningdaleheathgolf.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunningdale Heath Golf Club</a>&nbsp;is a brilliant place to learn. I loved the informality and totally appreciated the stylish clubhouse decor. The 18-hole course used to be a ladies-only golf club, but now it&#8217;s open to all – and its USP is the short course, meaning you can play a full round in under three hours. Sunningdale Heath GC also get their fair share of celebs too (we see you Niall Horan and former <em>Love Island</em> contestant Chris Hughes) who love the fact they can play a quick game in between arena gigs and TV appearances.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7.jpg" alt="Niall Horan Sunningdale Heath Golf Club" class="wp-image-50932" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>Think golf club and you&#8217;ll conjure up every cliché in the playbook – strict dress code and an unbearable stuffiness. But Sunningdale Heath Golf Club is less al fresco gentleman&#8217;s club and more inclusive, laidback and family friendly.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2.jpg" alt="Sunningdale-Heath-8-2" class="wp-image-50936" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-8-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s very much a social hangout as well as a golf course. Sunningdale Heath Golf Club has invested in a high tech Swing Studio to teach all ages and abilities and they have treatment rooms for a cheeky massage or nail freshen up. </p>



<p>The course is as pretty as they come, surrounded by woodland and you don&#8217;t have to be a member to play or visit. If you do want to join the club, the fees are lower than many of the local golf clubs. I love the more modern approach to the sport – and that goes for the dress code too. Forget the long list of dos and don&#8217;t, Sunningdale Heath is about dressing appropriately for sport, so your Sweaty Betty leggings and sweatshirt are fine here (not permitted in many other venues).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LESSON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50939" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/sunningdaleheath_hiseman_72dpi_emailweb-1397-e1678439130780-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Having never picked up a golf club in my life (I&#8217;m not sure crazy golf counts), I was a bit concerned I would be ridiculed by seasoned swingers at the first hole. To my surprise (and relief), Sunningdale Heath Golf Club has a created a state-of-the-art studio to teach beginners and help regular golfers with technique. It&#8217;s a safe space, away from prying eyes. *Breathes a sigh of relief*.</p>



<p>Before you&#8217;re let loose on the course, the coaches want to ensure you know how to grip, swing and hit a golf ball. If you can confidently do those three things, you&#8217;re golden. The aim is to ensure you can move from hole to hole without causing a jam.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50934" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/Sunningdale-Heath-12-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Back to our safe space. PGA Golf pros and owners of Sunningdale Heath Golf Club Kristian Baker and Tom Reid started by talking about the gear. How many clubs you need to get started and what they do. Shopping is always a good place to start (although you can rent clubs) Then I was introduced to the Trackman. At one end is what appears to be a wall-sized screen (it&#8217;s actually a net), at the other is the Trackman and other bits of tech that monitor your swing, ball speed and bits of data that meant nothing to me. The floor also tilts and moves into different angles so you&#8217;re not always playing on a flat surface. </p>



<p>This bit of kit allows to digitally play any course in world from the legendary St Andrew&#8217;s in Scotland to Hawaii. You can also play games to make it competitive and fun – great for kids and adults. The key to unlocking your inner golf pro is grip, bending the knees slightly and keeping your eye on the ball. The swing is something that follows (so I&#8217;m told). It&#8217;s a pretty alien movement, but you almost have to give into it. I may have to hit the Cod Liver Oil pretty hard to get to my joints to move in any of the right directions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="637" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120.jpg" alt="SUNNINGDALE HEATH GOLF CLUB" class="wp-image-50941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120-800x510.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120-400x255.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120-768x489.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/289783055_4779715415466492_329378079392968058_n-2-e1678439138120-824x525.jpg 824w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My greatest achievement? I hit the ball… more than once. And I couldn&#8217;t have been more chuffed. It was also really good fun. The more I did, the more I wanting to improve. It&#8217;s a sport that totally sucks you in – social, surrounded by countryside and makes you switch off. The concentration is real. Tom and Kristian are also the most patient, kind and positive coaches to have in your corner. They believe when you don&#8217;t. They&#8217;re trying to disrupt the golf market and I&#8217;m liking everything they&#8217;re doing. This is the future of golf.</p>



<p>I didn&#8217;t make it out onto the course, I&#8217;ll need a few more lessons before I&#8217;m  ready to be let loose on 18 holes, but I love that a full round of golf doesn&#8217;t take up an entire day. Most rounds of golf take 4-5 hours (who has time for that?), Sunningdale Heath Golf Course is a zippy 2.5 hours. A full round without the time commitment. Totally speaking my language.   </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/293338031_4832904953480871_5240495449933262537_n.jpg" alt="Sunningdale HEatyh lunch" class="wp-image-50940" /></figure>



<p>The clubhouse is a lovely relaxing space to catch up over a coffee (good coffee too) and grab a bite to eat. The food here is simple, but it&#8217;s locally sourced and high quality. In fact you don’t need to play golf to enjoy grab a bite. They also host the most amazing supper clubs, with the gastronomic glitterati regularly cooking special tasting menus – for a bargain price – at the Sunningdale Heath GC. It&#8217;s one to have on your radar. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="662" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878.jpg" alt="Sunningdale Heath Golf CLub" class="wp-image-50943" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878-800x530.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878-400x265.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878-768x508.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/287221488_4744790478958986_2120299278682244470_n-e1678440138878-793x525.jpg 793w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sunningdale village can be a bit tricky to park. Rather than waste time searching for an illusive space, meet your friends or family here. The food is great, the view is first class and parking is free. Always here for the practicalities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> A laugh with your mates – great for a catch up, fresh air and a giggle. Golf is a superb option for reluctant exercisers, too. Get your step count in without thinking about it. The clubhouse is a hangout to have in your social locker.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Gym bunnies and adrenaline junkies, may not get that sweaty endorphin hit, but stepping off the health hamster wheel might be refreshing. It&#8217;s not a cheap sport, but pay as you go and equipment rental makes it accessible.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.sunningdaleheathgolf.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunningdale Heath Golf Club</a>, Cross Road, Sunningdale, SL5 9RX&nbsp; </em></p>


Swing into action! The glam squad love golf

You may also like