Bearwood Lakes Golf Club

Hawtree's Course Within Ancient Woodland

The golf course at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club opened in 1996 on land once forming part of Windsor Great Park. Martin Hawtree worked within an estate landscape shaped over centuries, routing a modern course through mature forest rather than clearing the site into open parkland. The layout has therefore appeared settled into its surroundings from an unusually early stage.

The course spreads across 200 acres, with fairways moving between specimen trees and around natural lakes. Six holes bring water into the strategic picture. The 13th asks for a carry across the corner of a lake from an elevated tee, while the par-three 14th follows with another diagonal shot across the water.

Bearwood Lakes gives players room from many tees, but missing the fairway can bring thick rough and difficult recovery angles. Gently undulating greens built to USGA specifications add another layer once the approach is found. The separation created by woodland, lakes, and the estate setting gives the round a secluded character despite its modern origins.