Braintree Golf Club

Must of played same time as fella below. Great course. Green, fairways and tees in great condition. Bit slow behind a society but members behind were friendly. Only down side was two of the best par 3s were temp greens but this was due to bunkers being re-done. Def go here again. Only moan was 241 on DT only, not much point in the winter months and behind a society.

Played Braintree last week and was amazed at the quality of the greens for this time of year. Some of the best surfaces i have played anywhere in the world and i've played a fair few. Unfortunately we could not play the 10th or 14th greens as the club are carrying out extensive works at present to further enhance this delightful course but we were informed that these works will be completed shortly and will blend into the course by the spring.This parkland course should be top of everyones must play courses as a great test of accurate golf and finesse around the immaculate greens. Play it in the spring and i am certain you will be back to pit your skills against this gem!

I played the course in May this year as a member of a society which has played here on several occassions in recent years. It seems that the course gets better every time we play it. The fairways were in excellent conditions and the greens were the fastest and truest that I have played this year. Although this is not a long course, accuracy is required off the tee and you need your best putting boots on when on the greens. The staff were very polite and helpful and the food great. The feedback from members of the society was excellent and we will certainly be going back in the near future. Undoubtedly one of the best courses in the area.

The first time i went to this golf club was for a practice round against Harwich and Dovercourt in the 1/4 finals of the youth shield i really liked the look of the place from the putting green to the 1st tee shot. I played however terribly during this round. I really love some of the holes on this course (maybe because i started birdie, birdie, par, birdie)and may i say the greens were immaculate. They were hard to putt on as they were quick and grainy but they were still receptive. Anyway i went on to win 7and6 against a 7 handicapper and our club lost 3-2. If i lived closer to this course i would definately try to become a member here so if any of you have the opportunity please take it its a great place.

I have played this course several times over the last 2 years and can honestly say I find it one of the most relaxing, testing and friendly golf clubs in Essex - and I've played a few. Whilst little over 5,900 yards from the visitors yellow boxes, Braintree is a course you will never master whilst you will always be happy to return. The opening 2 par 4s are innoculous enough as their stroke indexes testify but Hole 3 Cottage, immediately commands your respect, calling for a controlled draw from the tee and an accurate mid-iron approach. One of Braintree's best features is the nature of the 4 par 3s which are a refreshingly mixed bag, each distinctive in character. The frist greets you at hole 4, nearly 190 yards uphill often requiring a fairway wood to "get all the way".You will wonder why Plantation (the 5th)rates as stroke index 4 until you check your scorecard and the uphill par4 next plays differentl every time according to the wind direction. Bunkers Island does "exactly what it says on the tin" requiring an accurate iron from the tee. The 8th allows time for a breather before Carriageway, the misleading 9th which often plays longer than its 374 yards. You return to the clubhouse at the 10th green, White Gates, the shortest par 3 on the course - but the sloping green requires a solid 2 putt to make your par3. Personally I find the 405 yard 11th the hardest hole on the course but with the wind birdies do happen. Both par 5s appear on the back 9 and China Bridge, the 12th, is the first. A long, controlled fade down the hill will enable you to go for the green - although you are just as likely to end up out behind one of the splendid mature trees that give Braintree much of its character.The 13th is another birdie opportunity although the green is defended valiantly by bunkers all around. Im my mind Devil's Lair, the final par 3, is a defining hole. You really need to draw the tee shoyt into the green 177 yards away but I swear the woods down the left encroach more and more into the ball's flight every time I play there! You have started the tough final 5 holes and Chapel hill, next up at stroke index 1 plays every inch of its 410 yards. A sharp uphill dog-leg left-to-right hole, you can easily add another 50 yards to the hole with a wrongly shaped drive. Final breather at the short par4 16th sets you up for the testing 17th, with accuracy at a premium.Chances are you'll be cursing the polars or solitary oak that frame this hole. Coming up the 18th into the wind has ruined many a scorecard, but a par 5 here and youve probably had a good round. Go play it, and experience a youngish course set amongst mature parkland scenery whose greens and recent alterations defy their age. Very few newcomers will play to their handicap but this delightful golfing puzzle will keep you coming back and actually improve your game. Richard Colwell, Great Notley, Essex. September 2002

Played this course on 21/08/00 and wholeheartedly agree with Mr Taylor's comments below, although the lack of any real rough does make the course play alittle easier than it should. One hole to note is the par 3 called Devils Lair on the back 9 - a very tricky and picturesque hole!

A superb course, well presented, well maintained and a joy to play. The greens were quick and true yet receptive to approach shots. A very pretty course with fairways being lined with old established oak tree's. This is a course where the driver can safely be left in the bag with accuracy being the most important feature, you must hit the fairway to have a shot to the green, miss it and you'll be struggling for par, find it and on most holes the green is only a short to mid iron away. Make the effort, visit braintree and have a very enjoyable days golf.