Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Epping Forest

Golf on London's Doorstep

Epping Forest and its immediate surroundings offer some of the most appealing golf within easy reach of London. The landscape does most of the work: mature oak, hornbeam and beech woodland, undulating parkland, and pockets of heathland and sandy soil create natural variety that designers elsewhere must manufacture. Add proximity to the Central line and the M11, and it becomes clear why the district supports such a concentration of clubs.

The golfing character here is predominantly parkland, with tree-lined fairways demanding accuracy over raw distance. Several courses are carved directly from or alongside forest land, where mature specimen trees function as natural hazards and where the routing must work around protected woodland rather than through it. Others occupy former estate parkland with rolling contours and established landscape features.

Conditions vary meaningfully with geology. Courses on clay play softer and hold approach shots readily but can become heavy in winter. Those on lighter, sandier ground drain far better and offer a firmer, more running game closer to heathland golf. Understanding which type you are playing changes club selection considerably.

The Top 10 Golf Courses in and Around Epping Forest

1. Theydon Bois Golf Club — Arguably the most attractive setting in the district, a mature parkland course set right against forest land with beautifully framed holes and outstanding tree specimens. It is not the longest course, but accuracy from the tee is essential and the greens are consistently well presented. The clubhouse atmosphere is welcoming and traditional.

2. Chigwell Golf Club — A long-established parkland course occupying rolling ground with genuine elevation change, which is relatively unusual in Essex. The undulations create interesting lies and blind approaches, and the closing stretch offers a strong finish. Excellent conditioning and a well-regarded membership culture.

3. Epping Forest Golf and Country Club — A well-appointed facility combining a challenging parkland layout with extensive practice facilities, fitness provision and function space. Its all-round offering makes it popular with members seeking more than golf alone, and the course itself rewards thoughtful course management.

4. Abridge Golf and Country Club — A substantial parkland course known for its length and its testing par fours. It has hosted significant amateur and regional competition over the years, and its championship pedigree is evident in the strategic bunkering and demanding green complexes. A genuine test for low handicappers.

5. Loughton Golf Course — A shorter, more accessible layout that serves as an excellent introduction to the game and a useful venue for quick rounds. Its value lies in accessibility and pace of play, making golf available to those without the time or budget for full club membership.

6. Toot Hill Golf Club — Set in attractive open countryside near Ongar, this course offers a more exposed, rolling character with water features coming into play on several holes. Wind is a genuine factor here in a way it is not on the sheltered forest courses, which adds an enjoyable additional dimension.

7. Warren Golf and Country Club — A mature parkland course in the wider area with excellent conditioning and strong clubhouse facilities. The layout mixes open and tree-lined holes, giving variety across the round, and the practice facilities support genuine game improvement.

8. North Weald Golf Club — A more open course on the district's northern side with good drainage that keeps it playable when heavier courses suffer. Popular for winter golf, and the straightforward routing makes it enjoyable for golfers across the handicap range.

9. Nazeing Golf Club — Located just beyond the district boundary, this course offers rolling terrain, water hazards and elevated tees with attractive views across the Lea Valley. It plays longer than the card suggests due to the contours, and the greens are typically quick and true.

10. Stapleford Abbotts Golf Club — A multi-course venue offering different layouts suited to varying abilities, from a full championship-length test to shorter, more approachable options. The flexibility makes it a good choice for mixed-ability groups and for societies.

Playing the Local Conditions

Tree-lined parkland golf rewards a specific strategic approach. Distance off the tee matters far less than finding the fairway, and taking an iron or hybrid to a safe position frequently produces better scores than reaching for a driver into a narrow gap. Recovery shots from beneath mature oaks are punishing, and the sensible play is almost always sideways back into position.

Seasonal variation is pronounced. Summer play on firm parkland brings significant run, meaning approach shots must land short and release. Winter conditions on Essex clay produce soft, receptive greens where approach shots stop quickly, requiring an extra club and a different flight. Preferred lies rules typically apply through the wetter months.

Greens on woodland courses can hold moisture and shade longer, which affects pace. Early morning rounds in autumn frequently play considerably slower than the same greens in the afternoon, and adjusting putting pace accordingly saves several shots over eighteen holes.

Golf Club Membership and Access

The membership landscape has changed substantially. Traditional full membership remains available at most established clubs, but flexible options have proliferated: weekday memberships, points-based schemes, intermediate rates for younger golfers and country membership for those living further away. These have made club golf considerably more accessible.

Visitor access is generally good, with most clubs welcoming green fee players outside of competition times. Booking systems are now almost universally online, and societies remain well catered for with packages combining golf and catering. Junior development has become a priority across the district, with several clubs running structured coaching programmes and offering substantially reduced junior rates.

Trends in the Golf Sector

Participation has grown notably in recent years, with an influx of younger and more diverse players. Clubs have responded by relaxing dress codes, shortening formats and offering nine-hole competitions that fit around modern schedules. Simulator and indoor practice facilities have also expanded, extending the practice season year-round.

Environmental management is increasingly central. Courses in and around protected woodland manage significant ecological responsibilities, including habitat conservation, reduced chemical input, water management and support for pollinators. Well-run courses now function as meaningful wildlife corridors, and several local clubs have earned recognition for their conservation work.

Final Thoughts

Golf around Epping Forest offers an unusually attractive combination: genuinely characterful parkland courses, ancient woodland settings, and all of it within reach of London. Whether the priority is a serious championship test, a relaxed nine holes or a route into the game for a beginner, the district provides it. Play the conditions rather than fighting them, and these courses reward the thinking golfer handsomely.