Leckford (New)

The Leckford Golf Courses, comprising both the Old and the New Courses, were inaugurated as a part of an ownership model handed over to the employees, with limited access granted to non-employees over time.

In 1929, Colt was commissioned to design the Old Course in the village of Leckford, recognizing the benefits of the flint subsoil for course drainage and constructing a nine-hole course set against a backdrop of hardwoods and valley views. Initially private, the course opened for public play in 1931 as the Leckford and Longstock Golf Club, with terms allowing Partners and their families access following three months of employment.

The golf course underwent significant change during World War II when it was repurposed for agricultural needs, a common wartime transformation among golf courses. A meeting from 1931 illustrates the early logistics of managing the course and a dedication to the maintenance and quality through biannual assessments by J S F Morrison of Colt, Alison & Morrison Ltd.

In response to an increased interest in golf among employees, a second nine-hole course, the New Course, was added in the late 1980s, situated at Leckford Abbas and designed by Donald Steel with an emphasis on accessibility and enjoyment. Officially opened on March 23, 1989, it offered additional golfing opportunities alongside the established Old Course.

The courses are deeply influenced by John Spedan Lewis's passion for nature and conservation, with the John Spedan Lewis Trust promoting natural sciences and harmony between leisure activities and natural surroundings. This ethos is reflected in the management and maintenance of the golf courses, impacting the local ecosystem positively.

Both nine-hole courses, established in the picturesque village of Leckford, cater to a range of golfing abilities and maintain a year-round operation. The Leckford Estate provides a balanced challenge for various levels of golfers, set within the inviting environment of the Test Valley.