About the Course

JCB Golf & Country Club, Staffordshire, UK

Sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle. You jump on something new when it’s just starting out and watch it take over the world, telling anyone who’ll listen that you were there at the beginning.

That’s how we feel about the JCB Golf and Country Club. This place is going to be one of the world’s most famous golf venues, a bucket-list venue for players and fans alike. And it’s making its first slice of history as a LIV Golf host course.

Our debut last year was the JCB’s first truly global tournament, and now we’re back for the rematch. If you weren’t lucky enough to watch last year, or you want to whet your appetite for our return, let’s take a look at why this place is so special.

What happened before we got here?

Well, the story starts way back in 1760, when an English aristocrat called Thomas Banbrigge built Woodseat Hall on the ground where the course now sits. If you’ve seen any of those olde English period dramas, you know the show: lots of lords and ladies swanking around the countryside, servants at their beck and call.

But no-one could quite keep up with the cost of Woodseat Hall. Eventually, the estate fell into ruin in the 1940s, a crumbling reminder of its former glory. Thankfully, someone had a plan.

Lord Bamford, chairman of construction giant JCB, wanted to build a golf course with two main aims: to thrill JCB’s staff and corporate guests, and host the world’s best players. In Woodseat Hall, Bamford found the site big enough to match his ambitions, right around the corner from the JCB headquarters.

Bamford bought the property, and engaged renowned architect Robin Hiseman to oversee the build. Hiseman and his team weaved all the JCB’s ancient features into the design; an ancient canal was restored on the 3rd hole, while the two returning nines were sculpted around the ruins of the hall itself.

The result is a course that’s championship by design. The island green on 17 is as good as anything in European golf, while the 18th, a long uphill sweeper as fiercely guarded as a Medieval castle, will strike fear into golfers’ hearts.

In LIV Golf, it found the perfect partner. A bold new course, for a bold new league. Our first visit knocked it out of the park: packed crowds all three days, a hole in one from John Catlin and a breakthrough victory for Jon Rahm right at the end. This year? Well, let’s see.

How will it play?

This isn’t a ‘break 60’ course. It’s too long, and the challenges are too varied. But it should play fair; think your way around the course, like Rahm did last year, and you’ve got a chance.

Who will it favor?

As always with British courses, the weather will play a crucial role. 

If the wind gets up, those longer holes will become treacherous and the more strategic players will have an advantage. If it stays sunny and dry, the big hitters will fancy the generous fairways. 

Last year’s stats are fascinating. Of the players who finished top 10 on the overall leaderboard, only three finished top 10 of the driving stats and two finished top 10 in putting. By contrast, six of the top 10 also finished top 10 in Birdies, while seven of the top 10 also finished 10 top for hitting greens in regulation.

The point of all this? That consistency is crucial at the JCB. It’s not about hitting bombs or a red-hot putter. It’s about finding a way to get the job done on every hole. Jon Rahm, LIV Golf’s king of the birdies, found a way last time. You wouldn’t bet against him this time, right?

How can I be there?

We’re already heading for another sell-out at the JCB, but there’s still space if you move sharp! From the glamour of the 18th green to the passion of the Party Hole, come find your spot.