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Tooting Common Golf Course. (1888 - WW2) 

A club was formed and golf was played on Tooting Bec Common in 1888 (see Tooting Bec Golf Club entry).

Initially the Tooting Common club had a fixed limit of 150 members. After a few months they were compelled to raise the number ship to 200 and even this number could have been exceeded, golf was becoming very popular. 

In March 1891 the draw took place for the Parliamentary Golf Tournament which would be taking place on Tooting Common. There were thirty entrants including Lord Balfour of Burleigh and Mr A J Balfour. The final would be played on the 11th May. The course on which the tournament was to be played had eighteen-holes, “the greatest distance between two holes being about 250 yards.” A flat course with many ditches and great stretches of furze bushes add to the hazards. The record score was achieved by the professional of the Tooting Bec Club with a score of 71. It was stated that 85 was regarded as a good score.

The following report appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette on Wednesday 18th May 1892.  “The Park’s committee decided on a plan for a riding track of a mile and a half round Tooting Common to be approved; and at the same time it was decided in future to prohibit the playing of golf on that open space, on the ground of public danger.”

The above remark regarding the golf course never came to fruition but in December 1892 London County Council announced restricted times for play over Tooting Common, as follows; From November to February the game can be played until noon each day, except Saturday, when play must stop at 10am. From March until October they are permitted to use driver, brassy, cleak and niblick only until ten o’clock each morning.  

By 1903 golf was permitted at Blackheath, Clapham Common, Hampstead Heath, Tooting Common and Streatham Common.

Early 1900s postcard of Tooting Common Golf Links.

It was reported in January 1905 that Mr Henry Broadhurst M.P., helped to found the Tooting Common Club in 1888 and was elected vice-president and honorary life member for services rendered. "He also founded the golf links at Cromer and Sheringham, Norfolk."

In 1910 “Golf World” stated that London had done very little in the way of municipal golf. If you were willing to get up very early it was possible to play free of charge until 8am on; Blackheath, Parliament Hill, Clapham Common, Streatham Common, Hampstead Heath and Tooting Common. After eight, due to public safety, you are “for the public safety, treated as a traction engine need to be, and must employ a fore-caddy to carry a red flag”. 

It was reported in January 1914 that 57 year old Arthur Everett, Tooting Common, who had started playing at the age of 46, had achieved twelve holes in one. His handicap was 12. 

In August 1926 it was again  reported that to safeguard the public from injury due to being hit with a golf ball at Tooting Common the London County Council issued a regulation stating that a red flag must be displayed by a fore-caddy who was forbidden to carry golf clubs at the same time. Only caddies licensed by the council would be employed.

Streatham Golf Club continued to play over the Tooting Common course until the 1940s. (see separate entry for Streataham and Streatham Coomon Golf Club.)