The History of Finchley Golf Club    

Initially called the Finchley, Golf, Sports and Social Club Ltd. the Club was founded in 1929 by a group of keen golfers who persuaded Finchley Council to purchase land for a new course. The land had previously been two estates the largest being that surrounding Nether Court, a late Victorian mansion, and a farm. The main thrust of their application being based on the idea that it would be of greater benefit to the local residents as a Sports and Social Club than yet another suburban housing estate.

Using the imposing Nether Court mansion as the Clubhouse, the founders approached one of the greatest course architects of the age, 5 times Open Champion James Braid, who was to lay out a very challenging 6300-yard course around it using some of the land that had previously been a Victorian 9-hole course founded in 1892 but closed down in 1908 due to lack of patronage. Since the death of the Mansion’s owner in 1917 it had fallen into sad disrepair but as part of the course construction it was to be completely refurbished with six tennis courts being laid down alongside the house.

Course construction started in August 1929 with golf first being played on the 10 holes nearest the Clubhouse from the end of May 1930. Last minute changes to some of the front nine holes delayed the opening of the full course until October 18th 1930.

The Club thrived from the beginning with active membership in both the Golf and Tennis sections with many social activities.  The picture here shows the 12th hole as it was in 1938. You can make out the tee box and the narrow fairway up to the green in front of the Clubhouse.

Finchley course in 1938

At the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned the Clubhouse as a barracks for soldiers, many of whom were brought in to work in the local Army workshops. Despite this occupation a few of the remaining members managed to keep the Course alive throughout the war so that afterwards the Club could be re-established, albeit then only as a Golf Club.

Despite many serious privations the Clubhouse and Course were fully reinstated over the next few years with the Club running open competitions, exhibition matches and other events.

By the early 60s, however, the proprietary-run Club had run into such serious financial difficulties that the members decided to take over the running of the Club and, having obtained a new lease from the then new Borough of Barnet, made a fresh start as a Club run by its members.

Since then, as the suburbs have crept around it, the Course has thrived behind developing green woodlands and with its imposing hill top clubhouse overlooking the 18th green, now offers a superb test of golf in open countryside, barely 30 minutes travel from Central London.