The Essex Golf & Country Club

The Essex Golf & Country Club, Colchester, East of England, England, CO6 2NS

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19 reviews of The Essex Golf & Country Club

Disappointing day yesterday. Too many societies all staring from the 1st tee - why not also use the 10th which was empty. Took 5 hours to go round. Course in dreadful condition. Heavy overnight rain and flooded areas throughout the course, but other courses in the area (I live locally) unaffected. This used to be advertised as "the course that drains as it rains." Not any more! After a 5 hour round we then had to wait an hour and a quarter for our food - a small portion of tasteless chicken curry. Service was pleasant enough, everything just seemed chaotic with a lack of management and not enough staff. I doubt we will return.

Posted by Eric N on 03/04/2015
2
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Overall Rating 2
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 2
  • Value for money 2
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 2
  • Staff service 2
  • Value for money 2

Played the course last Saturday afternoon. Despite the winter having been the wettest on record, the course was in remarkably good condition. The greens were all open, and in good shape, and there were only two temporary tees on a couple of the Par 3's. The course has changed hugely since we first played it six years ago, it's really grown up and despite the fact that it's a long course, even off the yellows, we all enjoyed it enough to consider joining as members. Friendly, great facilities and superb value for money. Can't wait to play it again in the summer, when it will be fantastic.

Posted by Ian W on 24/02/2014
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

Stayed in the on-course accommodation for 4 nights in May and played the course 5 times. The course was in very good condition and presented a very fair test of golf. The holes are reasonably varied - not a lot of elevation change but plenty of trees and several ponds. The greens had been left a bit long and were fairly slow but true. Very enjoyable. The 9-hole course is a bit quirky but well presented. The accommodation is mid-range hotel standard. The staff were friendly and the welcome, bar, food and general facilities were very acceptable.

Posted by Rob Penny on 14/05/2011
3
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Overall Rating 3
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  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Green conditions 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 3
  • Value for money 3

Stayed at The Essex with a small group on a February w/end deal for £70 and was very impressed. The course was in excellent condition especially the greens and the food & facilities were first class. Would recommend it to players of all levels.

Posted by Mark Cooper on 24/02/2010
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

Played here yesterday and the 2 of us thought it was a very good course.The fairways was in good condition,not that i landed on many of them and the greens was nice and soft.i will defo be going back.

Posted by Raymond Cooper on 21/09/2009
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

Played here yesterday in a 3 ball. I'm currently off 23 and my two partners are 8 & 28 respectively We all enjoyed a well thought out course on the site of an old military airfield. In fact, there is still a landing strip for light aircraft running alongside the course. Water plays a major role on this one, with 12 different lakes coming in to play on holes 1,5,6,7,9,10,12,13,14 & 18. The tee boxes and fairways were in very good condition, there's some harsh rough as well so its best to be as straight as possible. The greens were excellent with a good consistant roll. Special mention to the starter who was very friendly and gave lots of useful advice on how to play the first, not that it helped me (scored an 8!!) For a Sunday it wasn't too busy just a couple of minor hold ups at the par 3's on the back nine We paid £31 each, plus £3 for a yardage chart which as first time visitors was pretty essential Overall, definately one I would return to, well worth an hours drive

Posted by Graeme McKendry on 11/08/2009
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

Play this course all the time. It’s a nice long challenging course although flat, plays 6648 yellows and 7019 off the whites. Front 9 has some good challenging holes with the 469 yard par 4 3rd being the pick for difficulty. The back 9 has some fantastic golf holes with my personal favourite being the 410 yard par 4 16th although the whole back 9 is pretty good. The greens can be a little bit "lumpy" at times which is to be expected with the amount of traffic that goes through but on the most part the greens play true. On the whole a great course and a very friendly club, well recommended.

Posted by Peter Ian-Staker on 14/06/2009
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

Incredibly long, challenging course, especially when the wind got up! Greens incredibly responsive, throw it as high with your wedge as you can and it will stick on the green no problem! Gives you all sorts of confidence. Thoroughly enjoyed it despite not playing at my best. Looked after very well, kept clean and tidy and good value for the weekend, with a nice relaxed atmosphere at dinner too!

Posted by Darren Close on 22/08/2005
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 4

Immaculate beautiful course, From the starter to the club house it was a pleasure. Inviting yet challenging off the tee, well protected greens and a good variety of holes. Reccomended.

Posted by Will Dawson on 29/06/2005
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5

We played this course yesterday for the first time in windy conditions following a several days of very heavy rain. Although there were some puddles on the fairways, they were not muddy and the greens were in very good condition and still quick. First impressions count for a lot and the Starter was very friendly and helpful. The course quite flat and is longer than we normally play. As a result of the earlier rain the ball wasn't running too well on the fairways, but the ball didn't stop dead or plug at all. The width of the fairways is not too daunting but they narrow strategically in places and the bunkers are well placed to trap you. The lakes on the last hole could also spoil a good finish (but I had a lucky bounce!). Despite the wind, and also being 'Course Virgins', we still managed to card reasonable scores, although it was not an easy course for us by any means. All in all, a very nice course to play and one that we certainly look forward to play again.

Posted by Alan Cooke on 25/10/2004

This course is a killer! Came back with the ton up after finding out the hard way why it's important to get a good drive off the tee. I wouldn't say it had much character, but it is a well kept and enjoyable course. Compared to it's sister course at Benton Hall, it is a poor cousin but if you're happy to play a newer, landscaped course then this is hard to beat. I found the greens a little hard to judge due to sanding but the fairways were beautiful. The 4-4-5-5 finish is a real body-blow though for those who've not quite mastered the John Daly long ball. Worth a visit but there are better courses. The clubhouse is good though- modern but has a great balcony overlooking the 18th green.

Posted by Matthew Baty on 24/09/2004

The comments regarding greens etc are way out of line. On the 18 hole championship course both greens and fairways are in excellent condition especially taking into account the amount of rain we have had recently. I think the play must have played the 9 hole garden course as that has suffered from the rain and I suspect tined and sanded to help the drainange.

Posted by Michael Tidmarsh on 08/09/2004

I played The Essex G&CC on 24/7/04. Whilst I have played at this venue before this is the first time since Clubhaus have owned it. Previously I found the course, the clubhouse, food, drink etc to be excellent. However on this occasion I was very disappointed. Bearing in mind this was on a Saturday in mid-summer when you would expect the course to be at its peak, every green had been hollow-tined and heavily sanded. This made putting a great lottery. The greens used to be in fabulous order. On the whole, the reception we received and the service we got were OK but there was something distinctly lacking compared to previous visits. After ordering a baquette in good time before my round, I had to chase the order ten minutes before my tee-time, and then only just received it before I started... It was a disappointing experience on the whole as I had so many good memories of the place.

Posted by Martin Eady on 03/08/2004

Played this course a couple of weeks ago. They have now opened up the new holes on the course. The front nine are OK but the backnine should not be played on yet. The cost of a round is still £23 but really should be about £10. If you have decent clubs then I would suggest you only play the front 9 or give the course a miss. On the new holes the fairways were full of large stones. This used to be an Ok course but is very poor now. The new layout looks like it has been implemented without much thought.

Posted by Dean on 23/07/2003

I used to play this course almost every week with my fourball and know it like the back of my hand. Don't play it as often these days due to the club deciding to stop the 2-fore-1 offer which was available on Saturday afternoons. Now at £23 a round it may seem a bit steep for what you get. I still play the occassional round there as i can see how my scores are coming down as i improve. The main problem, like many courses these days, is that it is run to make as much money as possible which means packing them in at short tee-off intervals, a 4 1/2 hour round is a quick round here. The course itself has 6 par 3's ranging from 110-190 yards, 8 par 4's and 4 par 5's. The signature hole is (allegedly) the 17th hole 120 yard Par 3 which is surrounded by water left right and back with a couple of pot bunkers at the front. However, the water is at such a low level you can't see it and that seems to sum up the course for me, a nice enough course but missing the finishing touch. Not worth the £23 in my opinion but they do have twighlight deals which are worth looking into and some good midweek offers which are worth taking up on. T

Posted by David Gracie on 30/04/2003

An ok course. A bit Essex man. Can't play golf but they've got all the gear. Takes a lot of punishment throughout the year and the condition of the course reflects this. Facilities i.e. clubhouse, pro shop and driving range are good. Friendly helpful staff. Take a stool though it can take forever and an age to get round.

Posted by Roger Garner on 23/04/2003

I had a superb experience at The Essex from the moment I sank my first birdie putt on the first hole to last pint I sank in the bar afterwards. Seriously though, the tees, fairways and greens are the best kept in this whole area, the condition of the course made the day. You need to be at the top of your game to play well round here but I enjoyed even if though I played a couple over my handicap. Value for money is superb and the staff seemed genuinely happy to see us. The whole experience made me join the club straight after I'd played. I can recommend it to everyone.

Posted by Harry Groves on 27/10/2002

I would recommend The Essex to everyone. We stayed in The Lodge Hotel and enjoyed the food, atmosphere, staff and especially the golf. The course is superb and very challenging. Even the 9 hole course is full of fantastic holes! If you want to play a beautifull, challenging but fair course, you are unlikely to find anything better than The Essex!

Posted by Roger Smith on 07/10/2002

First impressions of this club are favourable; modern clubhouse, spacious bar and restaurant and well-stocked club shop. Out on the course it's not so good. It's flat and featureless and with six par three holes this suggests the designers had to find ways of cramming 18 into a limited area. Two of the short holes are over 200 yds and there are three 'Mickey Mouse' holes which are between 108 and 122 yds (from yellows). The greens are fine and the general condition of the course is good but, at the end of the day, you are likely to be disappointed. It's a course with pretensions to be something more than it actually is. David Williams (03/08)

Posted by David WIlliams on 03/08/2001

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