Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course Key Information
A delightful course to play. Beautifully designed and maintained with tree lined fairways throughout.
It’s a layout where the ability to hit a straight drive is of paramount importance. With virtually all the fairways being tree lined, any shot off-line is likely to end up in the trees. Often then, ‘going for it’ such as second shots on the par 5s has a risk/reward element akin to firing over water hazards on other courses.
Great fun to play a totally forested course.
REASONS TO PLAY WOBURN GOLF CLUB DUKE'S COURSE
– Attractive course carved out of beautiful forest
– A great history having been venue for British Masters and other pro tournaments
– Very well maintained, great putting surfaces
RANKINGS
UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 86
The Duke’s, which has long featured in our Top 100 golf courses UK&I, is where it all began on the Duke of Bedford’s Woburn Estate, with Charles Lawrie crafting the first of today’s three courses through avenues of pine, birch and chestnut in 1976. It’s an extremely attractive layout with springy fairways lined by bracken, birch, heather and gorse, and it sits so comfortably in its surrounds, it feels it has always existed. It's one of the UK and Ireland's top-100 courses.
Within three years of its opening, it had found its way onto the European Tour schedule, going on to host the British Masters 16 times over the next 23 years. The course winds through pine trees, demanding accuracy off the tee. If you’re not on your game, as is often the case with me, you will often find yourself playing your second shot out sideways.
All the Woburn courses are tree lined throughout, the Duke's is wider and visually less challenging than the Duchess'. While I like the fact that the trees frame the holes well and provide a feeling of seclusion and tranquillity, this also makes for a real challenge.
It’s a well-designed course that doesn’t rely on heavy bunkering or water hazards for protection. The clever routing through the trees and the changes in elevation provide challenge enough.
The Duke’s boasts a very pretty start, a demanding middle section then a tricky run for home where accuracy is often of more use than distance as you seek to place your ball in the ideal spot over the closing three doglegs.
To my mind, the most majestic of the holes falls early on in the short-but-delightful downhill par-3 3rd, bathed in robes of purple glory when the rhododendrons are in bloom, and the magnificent par 4 that follows playing round and up to a challenging two-tier green sheltering in a secluded arbour. Precision is most definitely the name of the game on the Duke’s course.
What's new for 2025/26? What our panellists said...
The Dukes is a golfer’s course and with its rich tournament history was again in very good condition when I played it. The tree lined fairways in the dappled sunshine give you a sense of privacy and exclusivity. The sound of your golf ball echoing down and through the avenue of pine trees helps endorse your good shots. The bracken and gorse clearance has helped reveal some of the course’s more subtle hazards but a good tree surgeon could do more.
The historical tournament pedigree definitely adds a sense of occasion to the Dukes and the welcome for visiting golfers is polished and genuine. However, the overall feeling is clearly that of a commercial enterprise and leaves me feeling a little uninspired.
The iconic 3rd and the dramatic rollercoaster dog legs that follow set the tone for an exciting though (depending on your accuracy off the tee) sometimes scary round of golf. I love playing in amongst the woods at Woburn. The tree lined holes are truly as beautiful but challenging when you are fighting a bit of a slice!
Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course Location
Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course scorecard
Best Courses Near to Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course
For other top courses in the area, check out our guide to the best golf courses in Bedfordshire.
Best Places to Stay Near Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course
The Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Sitting proudly at the heart of picturesque Woburn Village, you’ll find The Woburn – a charming 18th-century property under the stewardship of the award-winning Oakman Group. Part of the Duke of Bedford Estates, The Woburn has 48 hotel rooms plus seven stylish, individually decorated cottages that sit just across the courtyard.
The Bell Hotel Woburn - Book now at Booking.com
Located in Woburn, The Bell Hotel Woburn is run by Greene King Inns and provides comfortable accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar.
Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course Gallery
Woburn Golf Club Duke's Course Historical Top 100 Ranking UK&I
- 2025/26 - 86
- 2023/24 - 85
- 2021/22 - 86
- 2019/20 - 86
- 2017/18 - 91
- 2015/16 - 97
- 2013/14 - 97
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Professional Tournaments have been staged at Woburn?
Since the Duke's Course opened in 1976 a total of over 60 Professional Tournaments have been staged at Woburn Golf Club using the Duke's, Duchess' and Marquess courses. Ten former winners are members of The World Golf Hall of Fame, Seve Ballesteros, Dame Laura Davies, Sir Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Greg Norman, Patty Sheehan, Lee Trevino, Karrie Webb and Ian Woosnam. There have also been four further major winners with Ariya Jutanugarn, Justin Rose, Hinako Shibuno and Henrik Stenson
Do I need a handicap to play at Woburn?
Yes - the maximum handicap index for men is 24 and is 36 for ladies. CDH numbers may be required.
Does Woburn have a dress code?
Yes. The Club guidelines read as such:
Dress Code
We aim to create a premium and relaxed experience at Woburn Golf Club and we politely request Members, their Guests and Visitors adhere to our dress code with the general principle that they are smartly attired at all times, both on and off the golf courses.
Courses and Practice Facilities Recognised smart golfing attire:
Men’s shirts must be tucked in at all times
Tailored shorts, worn with ankle or long socks
Golf shoes must be worn
Clubhouse and Terrace
All hats, caps and visors must be removed when entering the clubhouse
Men’s shirts must be tucked in at all times
Recognised golfing or smart casual attire (No blue denim)
Tailored shorts
Golf, leisure and sandal style footwear (No flip flops or sliders)
