In May of this year, Effingham Golf Club opened its highly anticipated short-game practice area, adding to the already renowned Harry Colt-designed course to further cement its standing among the country’s elite golf clubs. Golf Today was recently invited to try the new state-of-the-art facility and enjoy a round on the superb, 6800-yard Downland course.
In short, the new short-game area is a golfer’s dream. Commanding attention from the moment you pull into the car park, the facility is meticulously designed to offer a comprehensive short-game experience. Situated conveniently between the iconic Georgian clubhouse and the first tee, the remarkable set-up is the first thing visitors encounter upon arrival and serves as the ideal warm-up spot before teeing off.
The creation of the new facility was a result of efficient member communication. As General Manager Jonathan Kaltner explains, “We are always asking our members about the improvements they would like to see around the club to make their experience even better, and for many years, a new short-game practice area was one of the most requested additions.”
Designed by leading golf architect, James Edwards of EDI, the new practice area is among the largest and most detailed short-game facilities in the UK. Covering 450m², it features a spacious putting green, two carefully placed bunkers, and 12 designated zones where players can practice every aspect of their short game – from pitch shots and bump-and-runs to flop shots. The carefully thought-out elevation changes across the site mimic the natural terrain of the Colt course, offering members a realistic and valuable practice option.
They say, if you’re going to do something, do it right — and this was certainly the case at Effingham. Renowned shaper Conor J. Walsh was responsible for ensuring the topography challenges players just as much as the main course, while the facility also benefits the cutting-edge Rain Bird irrigation system, helping to maintain the greens in pristine condition year-round.
After construction finished in spring 2023, the area underwent an extensive ‘growing-in period’ of over a year, allowing the grass to mature and settle. This patient approach means that the surface is as close to perfect as it gets, providing a consistent and high-quality set-up for players of all levels.
The grand opening on 27 May proved a highlight for the club, with two-time DP World Tour winner and 2008 Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson attending the event. His insights on chipping and putting added an extra layer of prestige to the occasion, giving members a rare chance to learn from an experienced tour professional.
Kaltner emphasises the broader vision for the new facility: “We envision this being not only an area where players can sharpen up before using the course, but also something that our members can come and enjoy for hours on end even if they aren’t playing a round.”
However, the new practice area isn’t the first major investment at Effingham. In 2018, Tom Mackenzie led a five-year project to restore the club’s bunkers in line with Harry Colt’s original design, helping to propel the course into Golf World’s list of the top 100 courses in England — with the short-game facility welcoming the next step in the club’s continuous improvement.
Since its founding in 1927, Effingham Golf Club has balanced tradition with progress, and the new short-game area is the perfect embodiment of that ethos. It’s a space that not only improves the overall member experience but also showcases the club’s commitment to providing the best possible golfing facilities for its members and guests.
