Though revolutionary when it was built, Wentworth is now the model or residential golf communities from Maine to Mexico. Within the gates lie numerous private homes built around three golf courses and elaborate sporting facilities, including a health club, tennis center with a dozen grass courts, a modern spa, and multiple dining outlets. But Wentworth's greatest contribution to golf, as the Duke of Edinburgh recently put it, is that it has "either initiated or hosted almost every major national and international golfing event." A regular stop on the European PGA Tour and the site of the annual World Match Play Championships, Wentworth launched the popular Ryder Cup competition and has hosted the Curtis Cup and numerous important amateur tournaments. The legendary Harry Colt designed the East and West courses, and John Jacobs the newer Edinburgh course, which opened in 1990. The public can reserve advanced tee times for Monday through Friday. The Wentworth is less than a half-hour from Heathrow Airport and enjoys a relationship with the Savoy Hotel Group, whose London properties include the Savoy, Connaught, and Claridge's, all of which will arrange tee times and transportation for guests.
011-44-1344-842-201, www.wentworthclub.com. Greens fees $93-$288.

SUNNINGDALE GOLF CLUB
Many fans don't realize that Sunningdale, another storied name in golf and one of the finest inland courses in Britain, is so close to London. Twice the host of the British Women's Open, Sunningdale has also been a site for the European Open, the Dunlop Masters, and the Walker Cup. The Old and New courses, designed by Willie Park and the ubiquitous Harry Colt respectively, are known as the forerunners of the American parkland-style courses. As at most British clubs, nonmembers are welcome on weekdays.
011-44-1344-621-681, www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk. Greens fees $123-$181.