The Belfry Hotel & Resort has unveiled the completion of its extensive redesign of The Derby course, transforming it into a striking heathland layout and completing the venue’s trio of distinct golfing experiences.
Long considered the quieter counterpart to The Belfry’s iconic Brabazon and PGA National courses, The Derby has undergone a dramatic reconfiguration that elevates it into a destination in its own right. So significant is the redesign that golfers who have played the course previously can expect a completely different and elevated experience, with a new visual identity and an entirely fresh feel from tee to green.
The Belfry now offers a complete spectrum of course styles including The Brabazon delivering championship parkland golf, the PGA National providing a links-style challenge and the newly reimagined Derby introducing a heathland experience.
The redesign has focused on creating a course that is visually spectacular while delivering a more engaging challenge for golfers of every ability. For the first time, The Derby now features white tees alongside yellow and red tee options and junior tees, meaning the course can accommodate everyone from complete beginners and first-time golfers through to experienced players and professionals.
Raised tee complexes throughout the course improve sightlines and reveal dramatically enhanced views across the layout, while more than 60 new white sand bunkers create striking visual contrast and introduce greater strategic interest. Featuring sculpted, irregular faces and varying depths, the bunkers provide a natural heathland aesthetic while ensuring hazards remain easy to read from the tee, making the course both challenging and welcoming.
Fairways have also been reshaped and recontoured with approaches widened to create a layout that rewards accuracy and decision-making while remaining enjoyable and accessible for less experienced golfers.
Three standout signature holes now define the course experience. The visually stunning par-3 third hole is regarded as one of the most spectacular on the course, while the fifth showcases extensive landscaping that enhances both strategy and aesthetics. The par-4 13th delivers one of the course’s most memorable views, with players hitting downhill from an elevated tee position overlooking striking white sand bunkers below.
Heather planting throughout the course further strengthens The Derby’s heathland character, creating visual definition and a more authentic playing environment. Combined with improved foregreen shaping, refined turf conditions and significant investment in maintenance infrastructure and machinery, the redesign has elevated presentation and playability across all 18 holes.
Angus Macleod, Director of Golf Courses & Estates at The Belfry, said:
“We’re extremely proud of The Derby’s transformation into a course that complements our existing offering but also stands on its own merit. The redesign has introduced more strategic interest and improved playability, creating a course that challenges better players while remaining accessible for those developing their game. It’s a balanced test that we believe will appeal to a broad range of golfers.”
