Charles Lawrie conceived the Duchess course at Woburn Golf Club, but Donald Steel completed it after Lawrie’s passing. Opened in 1979, it spans 6,651 yards from the back tees, emphasising accuracy amid dense woodland. More undulating than Duke’s, it’s praised for its natural charm and challenging layout.
Strategic play is essential on the Duchess, where accuracy off the tee leads to rewarding approaches to small greens. The towering pines demand precision, making it a thinker’s course rather than a power hitter’s paradise. Notable holes include the challenging par threes, like the 203-yard 7th with a large bunker and ancient ridge hazards.
The 9th, a pivotal par four, demands a precise tee shot through a narrow chute before navigating a green guarded by bunkers and trees. The 15th, a doglegged par five, showcases the course’s shot-making demands with its sloping fairway and tricky green.
Considered by many a hidden gem within Woburn’s trio, the Duchess is cherished for its natural beauty and strategic play, contrasting with the acclaim of Duke’s and Marquess.
