Mid-Herts Golf Club

Mid-Herts Golf Club was formed in 1892 and the first 9 hole course on Gustard Wood Common was officially opened for play in February 1893

The first professional employed by the club was Horace Rawlins, who went on to win the inaugural U.S. Open Championship at Newport, Rhode Island in 1895 and was runner up the following year. It is recorded that Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor and Jack White all played matches at Mid-Herts in the early 1900s. When the course was extended to 18 holes in 1923, James Braid was engaged to advise upon the layout and many of his typical design features can still be seen today.

Initially the land was leased by the club from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and a Deed of Dedication was executed in 1928, granting the exclusive right to members of Mid-Herts to play the game of golf on the Common. In 1935 the Manorial Rights of Gustard Wood Common were purchased by the club for the sum of £500. The general public still has the right to 'fresh air and exercise' over the area, but not to play any ball games or to drive wheeled vehicles on the grounds.

The course originally extended to the northern extremes of the common over The Slype, across the Wheathampstead to Kimpton road to the east, passing three public houses en route - The Tin Pot, The Cricketers and the Cross Keys. With the Old Plough pub at the entrance to the course, there was ample opportunity for liquid refreshment during a round of golf at Mid-Herts in the early days.

Due to the increase in traffic using the roads which crossed the fairways, and the popularity of the northern end of Gustard Wood Common as a picnic venue for residents of local towns, an additional 21 acres of farmland to the south of the course was purchased in 1965 to overcome these problems. The three holes on this land (the current 7th, 8th and 9th) are of parkland nature and provide a challenging contrast to the rest of the course on the original common.

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