Blakes Golf Club

Blakes Golf Club, Epping, East of England, England, CM16 6RZ

01992 525151 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website

32 reviews of Blakes Golf Club

Showing 25 most recent reviews. View all reviews

Very enjoyable round of golf in the sun. Course seems quite well designed with quite a few interesting hols and a variety of different challenges. Greens were generally in good condition, although a bit slow. Fairways werent great but didnt really get any unfair lies so didnt affect play too much. Really good value for weekend morning pay and play.

Posted by Dave on 22/04/2013
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5

I had played here in 2011 and didn't add it of my list of courses to return to - poor condition and lack of quality. However, I've been back during the winter months 2012 and have to say that there has been an improvement. I still wouldn't bother coming here during the main season, but if you're looking for a course to knock a ball around during the harsh weather (with a buggy - an added bonus) then this track is ideal.

Posted by Danny Purton on 16/01/2013
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 4
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 4

Looking for somewhere (anywhere!) I could play 18 holes today with a buggy -- and Blakes appeared the only option. After playing here last summer, I vowed never to return to this course again -- mirroring many of the other reviewers comments on this site. At the time, the greens were patchy and overgrown with weeds sprouting up everywhere, the fairways were more like rough, and play was ridiculously slow. After playing today, I can honestly say I would return again as a winter player. The fairways were in great condition considering the weather we've been having, and the greens were running well, too -- and the added bonus of being able to take to a buggy in January (free Mondays to Thursdays) with only a £15 green fee was, frankly, a winner. I've read the previous complaints about the staff but have to disagree as they couldn't have been more friendly or helpful today if they'd tried. Admittedly, the lack of Pro Shop is a bit of a let-down, but the bar area is clean and tidy, and it's refreshing to see more contemporary decor in a clubhouse serving good food. All in all, for the price, you really can't complain. It's not hugely challenging, and I think the lack of signage around the course could be fixed easily and cheaply, but it's got potential. If they could just take better care of it during the summer months, I'd consider returning throughout the year.

Posted by V Phelan on 03/01/2013
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

Played this last week and apart from the 3rd fairway it's in pretty good condition with the greens looking good. Some bunkers were marked as either GUR or not playable due to the recent wet weather. book during the week and get a free buggy - it's worth a try.

Posted by Mark Cooper on 29/10/2012
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3

RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND after reading most of the negative reviews i was in to minds about going and playing the course. but i was so glad i did the greens were looking great and played well (wish i did) yes the fiarways do have diverts but when i played i did see green-keepers repairing them and they were nice men to talk to giving advise on the greens and asking how we were. dont get that everywhere. and the club house looked great from the outside and didnt disappoint inside. went in handed my buggy key to the young gentleman behind the bar he was very polite asked how my game went. i ordered food which arrive fast and was still warm there was sandwichws and chips to order or the chefs specail which my friend ordered and loved i am sorry but i cant agree with any of the bad reviews. i wondered if they played the same course as me. It's dissappionting that more people who really enjoyed their day dont come and tell people about it

Posted by myke on 11/04/2012
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5

Played this course today and was rather disappointed Fairways were not in good nick, pitch marks all over the greens No real idea where you playing a tee too on some holes, more hit and hope. Signage not great on most of the holes. Needs a bit of tlc on most parts but has the potential if managed by the right people. Clubhouse and bar look impressive from the outside but once you get inside the pro shop is behind the bar which makes it look a bit amatuerish. Seemed to be run by school kids. Closed bar at 3pm on NYE even though there were groups still playing. If they need money to sort the course out they ain't getting it via the bar or pro shop. Still £20 for a round is not too bad whereas other courses were charging £35.

Posted by A Golfer on 31/12/2011
2
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Overall Rating 2
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 4
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 4

Invited friends over to play this course as the price seemed cheap and after playing this 2-3 years ago. Was very dissapointed, totally agree with the negative comments below. Fairways were shocking, to a point that you could be grating your club on rock one moment, to picking your ball out of a fairway weed/thistle next. Greens were ok and tees were pass able but everything else was poor. Whats happened to this course, no club shop, would not even serve us any kind of food after our round (midday on a saturday) due a wedding they had coming in the evening. Avoid for now.

Posted by Pembo on 02/08/2011

Not sure what other reviews are about. just played this course for the first time, and the fairways are clearly defined. the greens are excellent and if you get hungry or thirsty you can call the number on the scorecard and they will bring you whatever you ask for, right there on the course. and to top it all off it cost just £20 a round. i read the poor reviews before going and all i can agree on is that it is a long walk around a course, but the value, quality and service is top notch. fairways are a bit bobbly but that just gives it a links type of feel. wil be playing this course again and that's a certainty.

Posted by ron on 03/07/2011

Do not go!! I used to be a member of this club about 3 years ago when they charged £800 for a 5 day membership and £40 visitors rate. The course was immaculate, the plans they had seemed really exciting and the buzz around the place was great, quiet course, great fairways, tee boxes and greens were fast and amazing so i was really looking forward to playing it on Friday 20 May 2011 when i was invited to play by a mate with a view to maybe joining again as the price had been slashed to £299 for a 5 day membership. As i drove through the gates and the long drive up to the clubhouse i got the feeling looking at the course that the fairways weren't in the best of nick but i thought it may be due to the hot weather we've had recently. Parked up and looked at 18th green, looked good. Went into the clubhouse and completely changed, no pro shop, just a bar that sells, balls, lakeballs and tees, oh and got our scorecards. decided to start on the 10th as society was teeing off the 1st, and couldn't believe when i got there, tee boxes are still flat but overgrown, walking down towards the pin and could hardly tell where the fairway/rough is as the maintenance is awful, the only plus point is the greens are still good, not as good as they were but good and fast. overall the place feels like it has gone backwards, feels like when i gave up my membership, so did everyone else and the management too decided they would go and no one has continued the work!! urge anyone and everyone to swerve this place completely until the spend alot of money on the course, potential to be great but currently like a conference team - absolutely shocking!!!

Posted by jason on 20/05/2011
2
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Overall Rating 2
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 1
  • Staff service 2
  • Value for money 1
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 1
  • Staff service 2
  • Value for money 1

Good Friday = Bad Friday. 1)Overcrowded After booking a tee time of 11.44 on Good friday for a 3 ball we teed off late over 20 minutes late due to the total overloading of the course by the management. Times were 8 minutes apart however we told to allow a 2 ball who had already played the back 9 (due to overcrowding even earlier in the day) so there were 4 groups waiting on the 1st tee when we started. For the first 9 holes we always had to wait to tee off, often with another group waiting on the tee with us. Yes it was a bank holiday and the weather was amazing but there's no excuse for mismanaging the tee bookings and then not trying to control the flow of traffic. During our time waiting there were was than one opportunity to start on the 10th tee instead and reduce some of the congestion. Once on the 10th we were told to speed up, however the "ranger" had failed to notice that the 2 ball in front of us, who were playing front 9 last had left the course, leaving a gap between us and the group and in front who we caught up with within 2 holes! 2) The course Blakes is an undulating course and leaves a few blind drives (marked with black/white stakes) but there was often little guide as the location of the flag or the fairway (there was little distinction between the fairway and rough). The tee marker really needs a simple diagram of the hole to give you some confidence. Fairways were weedy, tufty and hard to pick out from the tee. As mentioned in other reviews the greens were fair and quite pacy. Bunkers were very stony and filled with cheap sand that was a nasty brown colour and the wooden sleepers looked bizarre. The only came into play once when a playing partner hit a shot short of the green which bounced of the wood into the centre of the fairway! It did feel like the course had been turned around and there were 2 very long walks from green to tee on the back 9, only navigable as we had seen where the 2 ball in front had gone once they had left the green! For £20 with a breakfast on a bank holiday (it was an offer) it was the cheapest in the area and fairly reasonable, but with all the overcrowding and poorly informed ranger staff it made the day long and unpleasurable. I shant be going back unless I hear the the fairways have been seriously improved.

Posted by Dan Ricketts on 23/04/2011
2
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Overall Rating 2
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 2
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 2

The course is easily accessible, situated in quiet countryside and is well laid out. The clubhouse is large and comfortable with plenty of outdoor seating. Although billed as an "inland links", in my opinion the main resemblances to a links were straw coloured fairways and the absence of trees. The course architect must have felt that the addition of railway sleepers to the faces of bunkers was also links feature. We played the course in late July after a prolonged dry period and, after making allowances for the absence of rain, it was still disappointing that the parched fairways were pock marked with tufts of uncut grass which gave the course an unkempt appearance. All the effort seemed to have gone into the greens which were the best feature of the course but they were of variable quality which made the speed of putts hard to judge. They were also an unnerving luminous green colour, presumably as a result of a recent liquid fertiliser treatment. The clubhouse was clean and tidy but understaffed and the pro shop had very limited stock. We had to wait for an extended phone call to be completed before we could pay our green fee and, after our round (and despite being the only people at the bar), had to wait a long time for a member of staff to be found to serve us. As in most things, you get what you pay for so for £15 (mid-week) it would have been churlish to complain but I won't be going back unless I hear that the course has benefitted from a lot of attention because there are plenty of other courses for which it is worth paying a higher green fee.

Posted by Gerry Wood on 07/08/2010
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 2

Played this course last week for just £10 before 8:30am as the March winter offer after making booking on-line the night before. The course is described as an inland links and that is what it is. the newly installed railway sleepers on all the deep bunkers adds a good feel to the course and the links layout encourages the bump & run shots that a traditional links track demands. The greens and faiways were all in good nick and the island hole (like Sawgrass TPC) was a joy. If you want to play golf a traditional links course you should give this track a try.

Posted by Mark Cooper on 08/03/2010
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

We arrived at the course and was made to feel very welcome by the guys in the pro shop. We teed off in pretty bad weather conditions but the course was in very good shape. The course was quite challenging, the greens were quite fast, the fairways were very good considering the rain that had come down and there were some really nice holes, not least the Island hole (where i went straight in the water) I had read reports that were pretty scathing of this club but after playing it myself would strongly disagree with them. We are looking forward to playing the course in more favourable weather conditions.

Posted by Lee Dawson on 01/12/2009
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

This course is an inland links with length. Aside from the island-green 7th (think the 17th at Sawgrass), I found the course to be quite bland and the clubhouse completely soulless. The course was in good condition when we played it (early September 2009) albeit that the rough was whispy rather than punishing and the greens were totally unreceptive - only to be expected for a links-style course I guess. The course seems to generally have availability at weekends even at quite short notice.

Posted by Henry Shinners on 29/09/2009
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3

Unfortunately the best thing about Blakes Golf Club is its website - it looks professional, classy and has obviously been given a lot of love and care. The complete opposite of the course. The course is promoted as an inland links that will mature into one of the finest courses around. They are in the process of trying to build a second course. The problem is that a course won't mature without being suitably cared for. The fairways are very disappointing - I quickly learnt that the best lies were actually to be had in the rough. The greens aren't the best in the world but aren't too bad either - they do look like they receive a little bit of attention. The bunkers have been quickly constucted using far too many railway sleepers, inconsistent sand, under-sand plastic sheeting that doesn't want to stay under-sand and there is a need for some serious stone removal and a good raking. The course is a good length and does (for about 15 holes) play like a links course - unfortunately it has none of the character. To be fair there are a couple of nice holes (the 17th is actually, bunker quality aside, a very good par 3). After the round even the bar disappointed (though the clubhouse facilities were clean, modern and generally pretty good) - it had shut its till and cashed up by 5pm meaning we had to beg for a drink. 5pm on a glorious sunny bank holiday when there were still groups at on the course - bizarre! Building a second course would be madness until they can demonstrate that they can care for both the first course and those who come to play it.

Posted by Jamie Leitch on 31/08/2009
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2

Played the course 2day and have 2 say very good vaule 4 money, only £17.00 midweek. The course has taken the recent bad weather really well, and was in good condition 4 this time of year. The course has length as a defence and also some very tricky greens, a 3 putt is very common. But a enjoyable round all the same, after 39 putts u can find the putter on Ebay! Already looking 4ward 2 playing the course again, would recommend 2 anyone.

Posted by Mark Parker on 20/02/2009
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

We played in Oct for our society day. Good price too. Staff were Friendly and non stop bacon sarnies, brilliant. Starter was good and the course was nice, quite plain, hard to lose your ball, easier than most. Like the island hole. Lots of stones and such which needs work on the fairway, but bunkers/tees and greens were all good. Food after was really nice too, clubhouse we thought was going to be a bit stuffy but it wasn't. Good day not sure what price is on normal round, only moan was man going round to tell group to hurry up although buggy said we were well ahead of the expected time and no groups followed us at all. Enjoyed it but not sure winter here would appeal.

Posted by M Pembo on 08/02/2008
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4

played 2/01/08 on arrival i was given the shoes to collar check by the pro shop person ,the course is on clay the temperature was about 5 deg and i was splattered to the knees, greens in good condition it sadly lacks any feeling its faceless yeah its a bit longer than most but the lay out doesnt help .you cross the road too many times the reward for a good tee shot on the par 5 down to the road is a hanging lye with 220 to go ,the flat was on the other side of the road the par three island has the bridge in the wrong location, in front of the pin the pitch marks were not being repaired because you don,t have to walk past them and it,s a right mess ,the par four that cuts the practice area needs work to cut the corner obviously on a dog-leg needs to be rewarded or punished whats the point of the bunker behind the one you can see from the tee it punishes a perfectly good tee shot this actually forced me to hit across the corner further right okay but if anyone was there not ok .i would suggest there is a problem that is immediately solveable and quite cheaply ,reference points for tee shots are essential and there are none, bushes would solve the problem probably need something like any evergreen ,visible all year different colours good different shapes even better the 18th has a hedge and it makes all the difference it might well have been layed out by a planner but as only time tells he got it wrong

Posted by david williams on 02/01/2008
2
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Overall Rating 2
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  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2

I have played this course as a society player several times. it always impressed me,The free coffee,rangeballs and towels were a great touch.So much so that i recently joined!The golf course is a good challenge i play off of 20hcp and it is not too daunting,The greens are lightning quick and a devil to read,The fairways are very wide and usually in top condition(a few golfers seem not to replace divots and the left side of the 10th hole still has some stones close to the surface),I think that the closing 3 holes are among the best holes in the area.I would highly recommend a visit and the staff welcome is 5*

Posted by richard dewen on 05/08/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

We played this course last summer, and the greens were really superb,We played it today and the greens were still in great nic, but the fairways not so good, it is only april, but it's the same with alot of new courses they take 10 years to settle down,there is some nice holes but its a bit up and down, the clubhouse is superb and the staff are the best looking i have come across, i would recommend this course but wait until june.

Posted by sid green on 04/04/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4

I played the course on a beautiful sunny March Monday. The booking and greeting were friendly and professional and £25.00 including buggy seemed reasonable to me. The course itself was in fair condition. The greens a little bumpy but not bad for March, the fairways were ok but as usual for this type of area the clay soil led to some poor conditions around the greens. Bunkers weren't great and many were GUR. As mentioned on other reports it was possible on most holes to be wild and not be punished - I didn't lose a ball on the entire round. Most holes were interesting and well designed. Biggest disappointment was playing the short par 3, to an island green (7th or 8th?), from the women's tees. Resulted in a 70 yard flick with a wedge instead of a potentially challenging tee-shot. The course was still very scruffy around the edges but overall I thought a reasonable challenge. Not the best and not the worst in this neck of the woods. Wouldn't want to pay much more than £30.00 for the privilege though.

Posted by Richard Freeman on 21/03/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

Recently joined Blakes (so this review will reflect that) - Great test of golf for the mid to high-handicapper. The course will only show its teeth when the wind is up (which happens frequently - par 3 17th can play anything from a 9 iron to 4 iron) and in the summer when the rough recovers. The course has become very popular with societies this time of the year (Feb 07) because of its excellent drainage, USGA spec greens and Tees (so no mats or temporary greens ever) and an almost complete absence of leaves on the ground. Although a new course, which continues to be improved (even more drainage improvements) it is enjoyable to play. Yes, it does get busy occasionaly and yes you can sometimes find players with little regard for course etiquette, I guess this reflects the managements needs to generate sufficient revenue until the membership is full. I have taken numerous guests to play (3-19 handicappers) and everyone has been impressed and have all commented on how dificult the greens are. I would receommend this course to anyone who likes to play links-type courses, wants to improve their putting and course management and isnt afraid to play in high winds.

Posted by Luke Bazzard on 08/02/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

Very disappointing. The greens were firm with great drainage but there were a lot of unrepaired pitch marks and a surpising number of unreplaced divot in the fairways. Seem to be trying to recoup the money spent on the course and smart clubhouse by packing as many players onto the course as possible. Having arrived at 10am for our 10:40 tee we were asked if we wanted to start earlier off the 10th which turned out to be a big mistake. Made to wait for 20 mins on the 12th as they let two fourballs start in front of us. Then made to wait even longer on the 1st for three groups to start. Not what I expected from a course charging £45 (with a buggy) for a mid week Christmas round.

Posted by Mark Clements on 02/01/2007
2
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Overall Rating 2
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  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 1
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 1

I found this course very dissapointing on several fronts bearing in mind the impression given on their website. Firstly the course is far to easy for anyone playing off 14 or below due to the huge fairways and non-existant rough. I hit 7 very wild tee shots which on most courses would have resulted in trouble only to find that when i reached my ball i had a reasonable lie and clear shot to the green. The course is very rough around the edges with little effort put into foot/buggy paths and is overrun with societies with little or no course etiquette. If you want to slash away with your driver with little punishment then Blakes would suit but we won't be hurrying back until things change dramatically! Sorry but this is for societies or high handicappers only.

Posted by Steve Blackburn on 09/11/2006
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 2
  • Value for money 3

This course is very good. Extremely difficult if the wind gets up and has several holes that are a good test for all levels of player. Unfortunately for members there are currently a lot of "Pay and Play" players on the course at all times. Some of whom lack etiquette and ability. Aside from that it is well worth playing with tees and greens that would be the envy of many a club in the area. Some tidying up still needs to be done to the buggy paths and around the course. But it is a young course and has tremendous potential. The club does however need to improve substantially on things such as dress code and etiquette in order to keep its membership happy.

Posted by Steven Norman on 13/09/2006
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 4

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style links

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's663171
Ladies'

Green Fees

Summer/High season

Weekday round£25
Weekday day-
Weekend round£40
Weekend day-

Winter/Low season

Weekday round-
Weekday day-
Weekend round-
Weekend day-

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