Make New Friends, Play More Golf
There are golf courses that impress you with their layout. Others leave a lasting memory because of their conditioning, facilities or tournament pedigree. Centurion Club manages all three.
Nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside, this exclusive club has rapidly established itself as one of England’s premier golfing destinations.
Having hosted some of the biggest names in world golf and become synonymous with championship-level presentation, Centurion Club has earned an enviable reputation in a remarkably short space of time.
Yet after spending a day there as a guest representing the Association of Golf Writers, my overwhelming memory wasn’t the golf course itself.
Although that was excellent, it was the quality of customer service that stayed with me.
Five-star golf is becoming increasingly common amongst elite golfing venues; however, six-star service is much harder to find.
Located just outside St Albans in Hertfordshire, Centurion Club enjoys a convenient position within easy reach of the M25, M1 and A1(M).
Despite its proximity to London, the club feels wonderfully secluded. The drive through the impressive entrance gates immediately creates a sense of anticipation and expectation.
For visitors travelling from further afield, London Luton Airport is less than 30 minutes away, while St Albans and Hemel Hempstead railway stations also provide excellent transport links.
Address: Centurion Club, Hemel Hempstead Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire HP3 8LA
Although Centurion Club only opened in 2013, it has already established itself as one of the iconic venues in modern UK golf courses.
Designed by Simon Gidman, the championship layout was created to provide a tournament-quality experience while remaining enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.
Importantly, Centurion has hosted several professional golf tournaments since opening.
The tournament attracted a host of golfing superstars including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, placing Centurion firmly in the global spotlight.
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel claimed victory and collected a record-breaking £4m winner’s cheque in the process.
Over the decade since opening, it has established itself as a regular host venue for professional golf tournaments.
Walking the fairways today, there is a genuine sense that you are following in the footsteps of some of the biggest names in world golf.
The sense that Centurion Club is somewhere special begins long before you reach the first tee.
Upon arrival, staff assist with your clubs before you’ve even had time to open the boot of your car.
It’s a small touch, but one that immediately sets the tone for the day.
From that moment onwards, every interaction reinforced the feeling that this is a club that genuinely cares about its members and guests.
Friendly smiles, professional service and meticulous attention to detail are evident everywhere you look.
No golf club I have visited has made me feel more welcome.
One of the highlights of the day came away from the golf course itself. I had the pleasure of spending time with Centurion Club’s General Manager, Michael Duffy, whose impressive career also includes Wentworth Club.
During our conversations, Michael shared fascinating insights into Centurion’s journey from ambitious newcomer to now fast becoming one of the most respected courses in the UK. What struck me most was his genuine passion for the club.
Whether discussing its history, the hosting of major professional tournaments, the exceptional service standards or future plans for the club, it was immediately clear that Centurion is a club with a strong vision and an ambitious roadmap ahead.
After speaking with Michael, it became easy to understand why the club continues to go from strength to strength. The attention to detail, professionalism and customer-focused culture evident throughout the property clearly starts at the very top.
The clubhouse opened in 2016 and includes a pro shop, locker rooms, members’ facilities, two restaurants, and event spaces. The restaurants and lounge are open to both members and visitors.
This clubhouse’s design and decor perfectly reflect the standards found throughout the venue. Modern, stylish and beautifully presented, it strikes the ideal balance between luxury and comfort.
Their professional shop feels more like a boutique retail experience than a traditional golf shop, offering carefully selected premium brands and merchandise.
A standout moment for AGW players came in the locker room. We arrived to find your own personalised locker, complete with your name displayed on the door is a wonderful touch and immediately makes you feel like a touring professional preparing for a championship event.
Another unique feature is the club’s famous Whisky Room. Members store their personal bottles in individual glass-fronted lockers before enjoying a quiet dram overlooking the 18th green. It’s a wonderfully exclusive feature and one that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the club.
Before golf, we enjoyed excellent bacon rolls and freshly baked pastries, which provided the perfect start to the day. Afterwards, a late lunch was served in the stunning Garden Room overlooking the course. In one word, the food was ‘exceptional’. It was as good as anything I’ve ever tasted at any golf club and the quality would not have felt out of place in one of London’s leading restaurants.
Beautifully presented, perfectly cooked and served with the same impeccable attention to detail that characterises the entire Centurion experience.
Like everything else at Centurion, the clubhouse experience is delivered to the very highest standard.
Unfortunately, torrential rain on arrival meant I wasn’t able to properly experience the practice facilities.
However, Centurion Club has an excellent open-air driving range and comprehensive short-game practice areas, which are regularly used by elite players and professionals.
There are also two Chipping and two Putting practice greens and areas to enjoy too. Naturally, all as immaculate as the course itself.
The weather wasn’t particularly kind during the opening stages of our round. Heavy rain accompanied us through the first few holes, and by the fourth tee I was completely soaked.
Playing off a TSG handicap of 21, I struggled to find any rhythm and my scorecard reflected the difficult conditions. Thankfully, on the 5th hole, the sun eventually emerged.
As the course dried out, the greens began to quicken noticeably and my game improved considerably. And it was at this point that I could start to appreciate the standard of the fairways and greens, without wiping away the rain from my brow.
Although I eventually finished with 21 Stableford points, the score hardly mattered. Because this is a golf course that deserves to be admired.
Immaculate. Beautifully maintained and presented to championship standards throughout.
At times like walking on carpet. The quality of the turf was exceptional and provided consistently excellent lies all day.
Strategically positioned and filled with fine, consistent sand. Even when I found my ball plugged in a classic “fried egg” lie on the 14th hole, the quality of the bunker sand made recovery surprisingly straightforward. I finished 4 ft from the pin.
Simply outstanding. Initially softened by the heavy rain, they became progressively quicker throughout the round and rolled beautifully. Their subtle contours and excellent conditioning demand careful thought and precise approach play.
One of the highlights of the course begins at the excellent halfway hut beside the 8th hole.
The refreshments on offer are first class and provide a welcome opportunity to recharge before tackling what I would describe as Centurion’s own mini “Amen Corner”.
The 8th, 9th and 10th holes form a superb stretch of golf that perfectly showcases the course’s architectural quality and strategic design. It is a sequence of holes that will remain long in the memory.
As a private club, Centurion is not somewhere you simply book a casual weekend tee time. Access is strictly limited to members’ guests and corporate events.
So, if the opportunity presents itself, grab it with both hands.
Because few golfing experiences in England combine championship golf, outstanding hospitality and world-class customer service quite as effectively as Centurion Club.
Given you can not just turn up and play, it is difficult to put a price point on playing here, but the annual membership set at £5500 per year.
In addition, unsurprisingly, with a 1st year joining fee of £15K, it is not for those on a tight budget.
Alternatively, you could invest in a lifetime membership and share offer which starts at £100k.
However, here, the cost is secondary; you will not remember how much you paid to play, but you will remember the experience.
Membership is still available on application, and midweek membership and international membership options may be more affordable for many.
For membership enquiries goto – www.centurionclub.co.uk/membership/#contact-form
Golf courses come and go, but memorable experiences stay with you long after the final putt drops. Centurion Club is one of those rare places where the quality of the golf course is matched by the quality of the people delivering the experience.
Having spent time with General Manager Michael Duffy and experienced first-hand the culture he and his team have created, it’s easy to understand why Centurion continues to flourish. From immaculate fairways to outstanding food and genuinely first-class hospitality, everything feels effortless.
However, if I had any criticism of the venue, it would be that the course scorecards do not show the actual slope and rating from each tee (and still show SSS). Something for them to update next time they print new scorecards, perhaps? That said, I am getting pedantic. The golf is exceptional. The Clubhouse is outstanding, and the service is even better.
If you’re lucky enough to receive an invitation, don’t think twice. Accept it.
Would I Return? Absolutely. I’d jump at the chance.
Would I Recommend It? Without hesitation.
The Social Golfer Verdict: Five-Star Golf. Six-Star Service. One of the finest all-round golfing experiences in England and a masterclass in how a golf club should treat its guests.
Social Golfer Ratings Broken Down…
Ian is the Editor of The Social Golfer. He has been reviewing golf courses for more than 20 years. He was the Marketing Director of the London Golf Show from 2011-2016. He has had golf articles published in Golf News Magazine, Today’s Golfer and Golf Business News. He was also the Brand Director for The Cairns Cup (Golf’s Premier Disability Match Play Event) from 2020-2024. He also acts as an advisor to golf brands and golf clubs in the UK.
