Golf came to Newmarket when Colonel Henry McCalmont; millionaire soldier, Member of Parliament for Newmarket East, decided to own his own nine-hole golf course for his horse racing friends.

The course was developed on a piece of ground which was part of the steeplechase course and polo ground owned by the Jockey Club, whose 'Links' Farm was close to the clubhouse. McCalmont, unfortunately, died shortly after the original course had been established in 1902.

The attractive and mature 18-hole course of some 6,582 yards was redesigned by well-known course artichect Colonel Hotchkin, whose golf courses at Woodhall Spa, Ashridge and elsewhere are among the finest in the country. From the point of view of design, the Links at Newmarket conforms to his very high standards.