Reigate Hill Golf Club

I played today for £15(available Mondays/Tuesdays till end of June). The course failed to reply to my e-mail and then insisted on taking my phone number when I was in the pro shop about to begin my round. It seems someone is giving a bad first impression as everyone else was helpful. Beer was well kept.

I was able to play from the whites but in the current dry spell the course still played short and was generally open from the tee though with some well placed bunkers.

The short holes are tricky - 3 having big changes in elevation and the other a water hazard which should be irrelevant but..

The par 5's have well bunkered greens so attempts to reach in 2 are not necessarily the best option. A second across the lake at the 14th is too tempting not to take on.

No par 4 is over 400yds but well bunkered greens with severe slopes and clever pin positions make most of them interesting and mean a good score on these holes is not as simple as the yardage would suggest.

Greens were very slow being left long because of the dry spell but ran fairly true.

An enjoyable day on what would in my opinion be a really good course for matchplay.

Played on the 18th and the 26th April.
The course is not the tightest you'll ever play but it is a generally pleasant experience incorporating some lovely views.It was also great value for the £10.00 green fee special that was available during April.The 14th par 5 and the 15th par 3 among others, are very,very nice holes indeed and are a good challenge.The bunkers though,as previously mentioned,are in need of an overhaul as there only seems to be about an inch of sand in most of them before you hit a very hard surface underneath. Overall though, a nice course and I would have liked to return in the future.
However, after a very pleasant experience on the 18th of April, the follow up on the 26th wasn't so enjoyable.
Having had a nice breakfast, our group of 4 proceeded to the pro shop to pay our green and buggy fees. It was 40 minutes before our tee time and would give us plenty of time to use the putting green and nets to warm up. We were told at the shop counter, to go away and come back 5 minutes before we were due to tee off! After explaining what our plans regarding practice were and needing the buggy, we were told that the procedure was to report 5 minutes before tee time,pay and pick up the key for the buggy then and that was that. I explained that this hadn't been the case on my previous visit, the week before, but, apparently the staff on duty at that time, should not have allowed us to prepare early and would be reprimanded if found out who they were. I couldn't carry my bag from the car to tee or putting green owing to the fact I am recovering from a recent knee operation, so I needed the buggy to transport my clubs. I have never encountered a golf club with this idea of checking in 5 minutes before tee time and probably never will again.Doesn't this make everything a bit rushed? Feel free to let me know if there are any other clubs with this procedure so I can avoid them.
Apart from this one gentleman, who seemed to be the person in charge at the time, the rest of the staff, especially the staff in the bar restaurant area, are extremely polite and helpful.We also came across some members who were extremely pleasant.
Still, because of this one gentleman, my golfing partners and I will not be returning.

Great review Matthew,

Terry, where were you playing?!You have submitted the worst review of a golf club I have ever seen.

The course is an incredible challenge and with tiered greens on alot of the holes and also bunkers this adds to the fun.

Every time I play the course I have to re-think taking into account the wind and flag positions.
This is without a doubt the best value course taking into account the pristine fairways, greens foliage and variety. You would be hard challenged to find anything better for miloes around. I may sound biased but after playing it a few times I may just sign up for membership!

The only Let down would be the unfriendliness/ Rudeness of the old guy in the pro shop, apart from that, All in all FANTASTIC.

I really just wanted to reply to the previous review by 'Terry'. I played nearly every course within a 5 mile radius of Reigate Hill, whilst trying to find a course to join. Yes, there is abit of traffic noise from M25, but it does depend on the weather conditions. If it has been raining there is more road nosei due to the spray effect, and if the wind blows in a certain direction, but no more noise than the noise you would find playing golf at Wentworth where you have the noise from the A30/Railway and Heathrow.... And Wentworth is a damn sight more expensive for the priviledge !!!!

Hilly like a goat track.... That's a joke of a comment right ??.... There is a walk uphill from the 1st green to the 2nd T, and from the 10th green to the 11th T.... Surely the course's name 'Reigate HILL' gives a clue that it may be a little Hilly !!!!

Signage to holes from greens is fine, and straighforward. The only hole that used to be a real issue, was from the 1st to the 2nd, but signage there is perfectly fine now.
As a rundown to show how wrong the comment is, the course is as follows:-
1st green, signposted on the left to 2nd T (T Unsighted from 1st green)
2nd green, 3rd T is just behind the green, easily seen
3rd green, 4th T is through the trees following path (Only possible route for sensilbe humans)
4th green, 5th T is just down bank to the right, easily seen and only T in sight anywhere
5th green, 6th T is over to the left, again only T in sight
6th green, 7th T is over to the left, again only T in sight
7th green, 8th T is signed to the right of green
8th green, 9th T is signed to follow path to the left which leads right to the T
9th green, 10th T signed past the car park
10th green, 11th T signed up slope to left
11th green, 12th T clearly visable behind green to the left
12th green, 13th T clearly visible behind green to the right, and can be seen from the 12th T
13th green, 14th T signed through trees on path to the right
14th green, 15th T visible behind green
15th green, 16th T path leading to it clearly
16th green, 17th T path leading to it on left
17th green, 18th T clearly visible
So of the 18 holes, only TWO are what I consider a long way from the previous green, those being the 2nd T and 11th T, both the uphill walks.

The bunkers are improving, but other local courses do not have brillaint bunkers either.

As for not much flat land on the course, the only holes that you could say you play from sloping lie is the 6th hole, 10th hole, and possibly the 11th hole if you are on the wrong side of the fairway, so TWO out of 18 holes have sloping fairways

Adjacent playing fields!!!! It makes me wonder if 'Terry' is talking about the same course, and if he is, then he clearly did not pay much attetion ????.... There is a cricket club/ground behind the 17th green and 18th T, and I would certainyl not class it as playing fields!!!! I have played the course numerous times and only on a handful of occasions has there been football. If this is the case, it is during school holidays in the week and only 5 a-side, and does not really put you of your game.

It really does annoy me when people submit reviews which are wholly innacurate, which in turn could deter others from visitng the course.

For me Reigate Hill has possibly the most challenging set of holes in the area. There are 2 fantastic downhill par 3's, the 7th a par 5 has a split fairway so you can go down the left or right. the 11th that plays over the road is another great par 5, and the 14th the 'signature' hole has a wonderful raised T and a risk and reward 2nd shot over the lake, cutting out the corner. The course has been adde to recently, with three new T's being built for the 6th, 10th and 16th holes, which add not only distance to the course but a different view of the holes and makes them more challenging. I am no longer a memeber due to family commitments, but still play there on a regular basis, as I do other courses in the area. Kingswood is longer course, but flat as a pancake and for me qute featureless. Surrey Downs is still in it's infancy and does feel abit like you are playing on an old farm. Unless you stretch the bank balance to play Walton Heath, for me Reigate offers the best set of holes and variety in the area, for a very reasonable rate.

I cannot disagree more with Terry's comments on the course.

On the front nine you have trouble hearing yourself think over the noise from the M25.
Its hilly much like a goat track.
There really tiny signs to point you to the next tee which are generally an unusually long way from the last green you played.
Not sand in these bunkers but more of a mud like substance.
Most golfers would a have their clubs adjusted for lie from a flat surface, if you play this course often your best to have them adjusted to suit the angle the fairways as there is very little in the way of flatter land on this course.
One or two nice holes on the back nine (it would be better of as a nine hole).
You;d better hope the adjacent playing fields are not in use when you play as it's very difficult to concentrate on the tee with the footballs referee whistle blowing and supporters cheering their kids on.
Grossly over priced for this below par course.

On the front nine you have trouble hearing yourself think over the noise from the M25.
Its hilly much like a goat track.
There really tiny signs to point you to the next tee which are generally an unusually long way from the last green you played.
Not sand in these bunkers but more of a mud like substance.
Most golfers would a have their clubs adjusted for lie from a flat surface, if you play this course often your best to have them adjusted to suit the angle the fairways as there is very little in the way of flatter land on this course.
One or two nice holes on the back nine (it would be better of as a nine hole).
You;d better hope the adjacent playing fields are not in use when you play as it's very difficult to concentrate on the tee with the footballs referee whistle blowing and supporters cheering their kids on.
Grossly over priced for this below par course.

found this little gem of a course in the middle of last year, and have been back twice since and will be returning again in the near future, have always played on the 2 fore 1 scheme so the most i have ever paid is £15 which for a enjoyable round of golf is great value, if you like to smash a driver off the tee you may have to think twice not the longest, but what it lacks in length it makes up for with slopes and well placed bunkers, have always found the staff very pleasent, in fact if it was closer to home i would seriously consider membership.

Played the course today, overnight rain had left the course a bit damp but none the worse for it.
Its an excellent challenge of golf (probably a bit too much for my 28 h'cap) as has been said below it doesnt suit overuse of the big sticks with very penal rough but a good iron shot off the tee often leaves you well placed.
Its a bit 'uphill and down dale' but a buggy for £15 was good value, didnt get chance to check the off couse facilities but someone was having their wedding reception there so it can be bad eh!
Well worth a look.

I would like to add for the benefit of certain people that when I mentioned the conquering of the course I meant that there was really only one way to play it. You are not loaded with different options of approach, so no need to take it personally okay.
I would also like to add that getting down to a 19 in one year, I think is not too bad considering I had never even picked a club up, so insults are not neccesary, especially from a staff member.
I maintained within my report that I though Reigate Hill was a lovely course and often think of returning for a game now and again, and yes having Steve Dundass to help coach yr game is a massive bonus.
It is just my opinion so chill out.

Have to say I can't see how getting your handicap down to 19 after a year of playing the same course week in, week out is 'conquering' it either. I would suggest that says far more about the ambition of the player than about the course!
Anyway, I played Reigate Hill yesterday and was impressed. It's a decent track. Relatively short, yes, but the greens are small, the rough long, and bunkers well placed, so there's rarely any benefit in bombing it with the big stick. The pins were also tucked away when I played (which very much brought the water into play on 15 and made going for 11 in two a very foolish option).
Overall I felt it was a very good test, most holes ask different questions and you'll need to play many different shots. I particularly enjoyed 7 (par 5 with split fairway that's very reachable if you hit your drive in the right place), 14 (as said previously, a great risk/reward par 5) and 17 (if you're fairly long you can really cut the corner over the OOB and leave a very short pitch in), but I really couldn't pick a poor hole.
A word on the greens - they have obviously been doing some work on them recently but they were running well enough and I certainly couldn't blame them for any of my missed putts! In fact, my only complaints about the place would be the yardage book (which is often inadequate) and a fourball several groups in front that had about 10 groups backed up behind them a few holes in. By the time I got to the 14th fairway I could see them on the 15th green with nobody on 16, 17 or 18. They clearly weren't hackers either and the club really could, and should, do more to police this (though it's very sad that they need to).

It astounds me the report from Mark Flynn below. He states the you can take on Reigate Hill and conquor it. He was a member for a year and got his handicap down to 19 !!!! I am sorry but only getting down to 19 after a year can hardly qualify as conquering it !!!!
If he was consistently shooting Low single figures or Level Par and Under then maybe it could be deemed to easy, but playing of 19 he's having a laugh ....
As you may have guessed, I am a member @ Reigate Hill. I have also recently joined the Greekeeping staff there. The club has one of the most relaxed atmoshere's I have found in a long time.
Playing the course you get 4 Par 3's (2 Play downhill, the 12th being 206yds of the White T's, both with great views, 1 uphill to a blind green and one beside the lake) 4 Par 5's, the 7th has a split fairway with a large tree in the middle so you can choose which way to go. The 14th is a great risk or reward hole. With a good drive you could go for the green in 2 (If you are brave enough to go over the lake) otherwise you can be safe and go round it !!!! That leaves 10 Par 4's. I work there every weekday and still love playing golf there after work. Occasionally I will play other courses but no others in the area have the variety that I find Reigate Hill offers.
Another worthy note is Stephen Dundas, the Head Pro. He was British Amateur Champion in 1992, beating Bradley Dredge 8&6 in the 36 hole final @ Carnoustie. He also beat Padraig Harrington on his way to the final, which Mr Harrington mentioned when interviewed by Hazel Irvine (“Open Champion Padraig acknowledges debt to Reigate Hill’s Stephen Dundas in his quest for Open glory” In both the national press and on BBC TV, newly crowned Open Champion Padraig Harrington failed to conceal the disappointment of what he claimed to be the “blackest day” he ever experienced as a top golfer, 15 years before claiming the Claret Jug. In the Daily Mail on the eve of the tournament and in subsequent interviews with BBC TV’s Hazel Irvine mid-tournament, he made mention of his utter despair at losing in the 1992 British Amateur Championship at the hands of Reigate Hill’s Pro Stephen Dundas. He even referred to it in his victory speech to the world on the 18th green as his “blackest moment” and it makes interesting reading, now the dust has settled, to understand the full story. Indeed, how charming it was for those privileged to listen to RTE Radio 1 bring Steve and Padraig together again, the very next day, for a chat live on air after many years since their days of battling as Irish and Scottish rivals in the International days of their youth!). Stephen has also T'd it up with Tom Watson in the US Masters !!!!
Come down meet the team and enjoy the course ;-)

Having played this again on the 5/10/07 my opinion has changed. Having only played this course once before in the rain, it dampended my opionions.
I have to say that the course is a much better layout than i first thought and a lot more fun to play. All the Par 3's were thoroughly enjoyable, You are either playing up to the hole or lovely drop down shots with great views. My favourite hole has to be the 14th par 5 where you can either go for the green in 2 over a large pond or the safe 3. The next hole 15th par 3 is ok, but has the potential to be brilliant if only the green was moved further round and tighter to the pond, so the water comes into play more (surely this is a must???)
The only downside i would say is it's distance and the greens were still a little ropey.
In general well worth the money. Nice clubhouse and easy to get too down the M25 or A217
The club website is one of the best i have come across too.

Took out a membership with this place when I first started playing so this was my first real club. First impression of the course was high. It was fun without being too long or difficult but for a newcomer it was great. Within a year however my game had improved, I had got myself down to a 19 handicap and suddenly the course seemed short, too easy and fairly uninspiring. (However, I was playing it week in week out). Reigate Hill did however help my game incredibly as it is a course that you can take on and conquor. It has some lovely looking holes and overall is a nice course and well worth a go, just don't expect too much of a challenge.

Played Reigate Hill on the 25/7/07. I wasn't impressed at the cost. £20 with Green Free vouchers and it was 4pm midweek.
The course is pretty samey, there are a few nice holes on the back 9, drop down par 3, par 5 where your 2nd shot is over the water to get to the green in 2, the par 3 over water after. In general the layout of the course was ok.
Although we have had quite a bit of rain lately, that should have made the conditions that much better, but the greens were in bad condition.
For the value there are much better courses out there.

Played there on fri 18th August in our CM Golf Society. Greens were the best i've played on this year, especially with the dry summer they were still soft and true. Nice tees and varied. Great food friendly staff & a very helpful pro. Looking to join, best value course in the area. Also didn't really notice the M25 noise, maybe as the trees are maturing all the time.

I played on the £15 twilight rate which was very good value for money.
The course is in good condition, the holes are varied and quite challenging, especially the fairly quick contoured greens.
The motorway didn't bother me in the slightest.
The guy in the proshop was very friendly and helpful.
Overall a good golfing experience.

i love this course, no temp tees or greens, staff are very friendly and golf pro will help with any questons, i tend to use 2-1 voucher as i think £32.50 without a bit expensive - greens could be in a bit better condition - has a nice bar and selection of food and doesnt seem to get over crowded- i am enquirying about membership

Played here on Wednesday 04/01/06 (£17.50 each using a Green Free voucher ).
Friendly & helpful welcome .This fairly open contemporary course gets better as it goes on.The first few holes aren't massively inspiring & run close to the M25 .However ,from about the 8th the course picks up & there's an enjoyable run in to the finish.
Very good tightly cut linksy feel fairways , good tees & well protected really fast greens .The greens were almost too fast & with subtle slopes there was no guarantee of even 2 putting from 12 feet.I struggled to cope with the pace for most of the round.
Drawbacks were that the greens could have done with better grass coverage as they're closely cut for speed & the course was a bit muddy & wormcasty in the rough & around the tees .
I came off the 18th having quite enjoyed it & despite a few drawbacks it's not a bad course to play. 6.5 / 10
Kevin B.

Decent enough course, lots of bunkers and well maintained greens and fairways but quite short and has a slightly "samey" feel to it. Couple of very good par 5's but half a dozen par 4's let it down slightly. In saying that, however, I played on the 2 fore 1's and for just over £20 you cannot argue with it for value but for £40 I would have been disappointed.

A nicely laid out course with a well equipped clubhouse and helpful and friendly staff. The course was in good condition and while there are a few too many short par 4s there are enough challenges to keep you thinking. A lot of the bunkers are very well placed to catch tee shots. The par 5's are the most impressive holes on the course, all offering potential birdies or disasters. Especially good are the 11th and 14th.
As mentioned in other reviews the M25 is very close. This does feel a bit strange when you first see and hear it but it really only affects 4 or 5 holes. On the back nine you hardly remember it is there.
At £40 on a Saturday it is overpriced but if you can get on as a visitor or on a 2-4-1 it is worth it. I will definitely go back.

Played course on 24th Jan. It was great to see tees and greens all in good condition: not a mat or temporary green in sight. The front nine is on a higher level near the motorway, the back nine is mostly to the south and down at the foot of the downs.
12 and 8 are fun to play with a significant drops down to bunker guarded greens. I was killed by the bunkers on the 6th. The 14th and 15th are a par 5 and par 3 around the lake.
3 through 7 are tainted by the sight, sound and smell of the M25. You can see this course from the motorway - on the south side between junctions 8 and 7.
A nice course, especially with the 2 fore 1 voucher. I hope to play again

Lining up puts to the sound of cars roaring by on the M25 is not my idea of golfing utopia. This visual and audio intrusion is only prevalent on 5 holes however and the remainder of the course was a joy to play. Excellent tees and undulating greens with challenging bunkering throughout. Highlights included the panaramic views on 11th and 12th and the card wrecking par 5 14th which skirts the lake
Possibly too short for the longer hitters, but worth the visit with 2 for 1 vouchers