Three Locks Golf Club

Three Locks Golf Club, Milton Keynes, South East, England, MK17 9BH

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19 reviews of Three Locks Golf Club

Two of us played here on Sunday afternoon at 2.16, this allowed us to take advantage of the offer of £15.50 per person. I have to say from the moment the staff booked us in to the moment we left the bar we were treated like long lost relatives, nothing was too much trouble for the staff. As this was the first time we had played this course, we were glad we bought a course planner. The course is laid out in two sections, the first 6 holes to the right of the club house and the "back 12" to the left on a flatter piece of land. Having played two other courses in Bedford over the past two weeks, we were amazed at how good the greens were in comparison. They were very green and received the ball well. The whole experience was a joy with some stunning views of the surrounding countryside. If I had to mark it out of ten, it would be an eight. Well worth the 30 miles to play and will certainly be back again.

Posted by Dominic on 29/07/2013
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 5
  • Staff service 5
  • Value for money 5

I am a regular at the Three Locks and I believe it's probably the best value course in the Leighton Buzzard/Milton Keynes area, especially if you play twilight (£13.50 midweek). The layout of the course is a bit unusual, with the first 6 holes being very hilly and the remainder rather flat. Also, the 7th & 8th are Par 5's followed immediately by 2 Par 3's. The greens are usually true although can run a bit slowly in the winter months (but there are never temporaries). There is a lot of variety so this makes it quite interesting and there are a lot of dogleg holes. All in all, I would rate this well worth the money and a good test of golf for all levels of golfer.

Posted by Phil Snelman on 22/10/2011
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Green conditions 3
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 5

I played at three locks golf club in october 2009 (not for the first time)every time i play it i find it in very good condition, I travel 35 miles about 10 times a year to play at three locks,I always find the staff very helpfull. I find the three locks very challanging playing of 28 and now thay have lengthend the first and changed the 6th it is more of a challange, but i did get a hole in one at the 2nd,It cost me a few quid in the bar afterwards. To all the staff at three locks keep up the good work. PS There arn't meny clubs where you come down from the 6th green past the clubhouse and have a preordered hot bacon roll waiting for you.

Posted by Richard George Pontin on 15/02/2010
5
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Overall Rating 5
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  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

Played this Saturday afternoon in June at 15.50 and was surprised to find the green fee only £15 (quoted £26.50 when booked). Twilight must have started. Got a buggy for only £12 as well, which I would highly recommend doing as it is hilly in places (it was a warm day and the group in front were carrying and were exhausted by the 9th tee and let us through). Interesting course, greens generally pretty good although too many players not repairing pitch marks. One or two fairways were a bit hairy, but think they might have been newer holes. I played it well, so would happily go back. I mark it down due to poor signage around the course. Just as well we had a buggy as we had to go in search of where the next tee was on a few occasions. This is not a place for a golf society due to lack of clubhouse facilities, which are very basic. Changing rooms are small but did have couple of showers; pro shop not very big and poorly stocked; bar was small and little in the way of food.

Posted by Robert Layburn on 28/06/2009
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

New to the area and have been playing the local pay and play courses. I have found this to be one of the best around relative to the cost to play, with the greens and bunkers amoung the best in the area, regardless of cost. The members are very welcoming as is the staff. Although it's not the longest course, it will challenge even the lower handicap players with the shot placement required on many holes. The clubhouse offers little in the way of food, however the beer is cold an dthe staff are friendly. Overall, very impressed and will be (and have been) playing it fairly regularly.

Posted by Dave Chambers on 27/07/2008
3
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Overall Rating 3
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  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5

Played here midweek February 07 (twilight rate of £12 after 1 p.m.-seeing as it gets dark at 6p.m now i thought this was generous). Good little hidden away pay & play.I thought this was good fun & enjoyable to play. Water hazards ,ditches & bridges to cross & a river running along the lower part of the course all add to the interest.All these make it quite strategic & make you think off the tee which is becoming a bit of a rarity these days. Gorse has been added in & give it a slightly linksy feel in places. There were plenty of good holes & i thought it had been cleverly laid out.Good collection of par 3's (six) & the short 2nd was extraordinary .A wedge from the highest point of the course to a long double green that drops down so severely that we couldn't see the front portion of the green.Another hole worth mentioning was the dogleg 16th with a ridge running across the bend of the dogleg & gorse bushes lining the approach. The greens were fast & well maintained. Although there were some wet fairway areas (due to recent heavy rainfall) along the lower part of the course ,for the twilight rate of £12 this was a bargain. Kevin B.

Posted by Kevin B. on 26/02/2007
3
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Overall Rating 3
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  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 5

What a nice surprise! A mate of mine suggested playing here and I thought it was going to be another OK pay and play... But what a view from the top of the course after the 1st! A great little couse in excellent condition (palyed here the day before the snow in Feb!). Will definitely be coming back. Great variety of holes, water, doglegs, varying lengths. Plays and looks like a very well kept members course.

Posted by Anthony Davies on 08/02/2007
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

First impressions were very good even though it was foggy. Excellent challenging holes plenty of water hazards, bunkers in super condition. Signposting could have been clearer but apart from that brilliant. Bloke who takes the money could do with smiling a little more.

Posted by Les Gadd on 18/10/2006
3
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Overall Rating 3
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  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3

Played this course yesterday with the Virtual Golf Society in a howling 40 mph wind and was very pleasantly surprised. The scores all appeared to be pretty good and this was mainly down to the condition of the course which was excellent. The views from the first few holes are magnificent and depending on the wind direction my guess is you could be looking at a 3 to 4 club swing on some holes.A course planner for the first time player would be invalueable as placement from the tee is paramount and length is not always the key to some of the tricker dog legs. I found the staff in the clubhouse very welcoming although they did demand my credit card for rental of the trolley which was a first. Dont go expecting too much and you will find a pleasant and playable course presented by people who care Paul @ Birkdale Trophies

Posted by Paul Green on 04/09/2006
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 in mid April, having enjoyed a previous round late last year. On both occasions the course has been in excellent condition and is a tribute to the small team of green staff. The greens in particular play true, and if you don’t sink that birdie putt it’s likely to be your fault not the greens! Apart from the long drag up the 4th hole there is no real need for a buggy, and I’m in my late 60’s so enjoy the walk and admire the views. The good use of fast growing trees to shield teeing areas is an idea many clubs could adopt to safe guard players from the odd wayward shot. The £12.00 fee to senior visitors is great value, only one small moan, at £1.00 a cup coffee is a little over priced, but the food in general is good value and freshly cooked.

Posted by Jon Ponsford on 03/05/2006
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

I have played the course many times. The condition of the course , winter and summer, is usually excellent, with the greens being particularly good in winter. A small gripe is that some of the tees are not level , notably on Hole 4 (si 1), a killer hole without that. If you can ignore the water, the course is a fair test and responds well to good course management. On a point of fact, the 150 yd markers are yellow discs set in the centre of the fairways. The rough is not tough by the standards of less well maintained courses, there being no "hay" to contend with. However during the years that I have been here , the plantations have developed and create much more penalising situations now that all reliefs have been withdrawn. I like this course very much indeed and so do visiting clubs when they come for away days or matches.

Posted by Frank Lewis on 24/02/2006
4
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Overall Rating 4
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  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

Played this course at first light in freezing conditions this week. Could not ask for a better facility. The course was in great condition for the time of year and the welcome was a credit to the management of this course. The course is a very interesting layout and presented some good challenges on the way round, this is more for the thinking golfer than the big hitter. The hills over the forst six holes definately rate thinking about hiring a buggy, in warm weather I think I would have struggled to walk round comfortably, there are one or two long walks between tees. But the scenery and views divert your attention - as well as wishing you lived closer to this facility. The greens are exactly as previous players have stated - true but slightly on the slow side. But since some of the greens and pin positions are well placed it doesn't need speed to put you in trouble. Overall a lovely course, obviously well cared for and ran, and definately good value for money.

Posted by Neil Hallsworth on 27/01/2006
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

As time ticks on and each hole on 3 Locks gains more definition, so this excellent course will continue to get better and better. I first played 3 locks about 6 years ago - before they changed 16/17 round - which was a terrifying prospect! But now, though less of a challenge in itself, the course has come on and is an excellent test of golf- the best value in the area. It is a course that plays longer then its yardage due to small par 3's and long par 5's - also some long walks round to bridges on some holes! The range of holes is excellent with short 3's/4's and 5's - but in general all the trouble comes off the tee. The first is a gentle opener - but the second is an excellent hole requiring a gentle punch with a SW - but can yield anything from 1 (and I bet theres a high % of them) to 6! Just about every hole has a defined problem - usually being the choice of whether to take the trouble on or lay up. Every hole has the potential for birdies (especially now they've done away with the 17th, used to be a 450 yard monster par 4 - now a 160-yard par 3) - but every hole has the potential for disaster - the way it should be. The course is usually nice - there are a couple of dodgy tees - namely 4, 6 and 10 usually - though the greens usually putt nicely - a bit on the slow slide, nothing to complain about for us hackers- all we want is a nice true roll! Fairways are generally in excellent condition...if only I could hit it on the fairway - though, the rough is not excactly penal. £18.50 weekday rate really is excellent - but the Twilight fee is when those in the know play - £12 is stunning value for money. Downsides...as covered previously there are no 150 markers but guides are available in the proshop - though you'll find a lot of shots play shorter or longer then what your expecting - for instance on 16 I usually hit 1 club less, local knowledge prevailing! Also - the lack of a practice facility when there is easily enough space at least for a putting green is a real downside. Off course facilities are average with a bar - dont attempt to venture into the horrific 3-locks pub for food - you'll be sadly disappointed!

Posted by Mike Phillimore on 11/06/2005
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 3
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

Three Locks is the best value course in the Milton Keynes/LB area, particularly the twilight fee which represents excellent value. Greens are generally true if on the slow side, with subtle breaks rather then huge ones. Fairways generally in good shape. Usually quiet because its location is a bit out of the way. Good range of par 3 holes, ranging from a 100 yard, with green 50 feet below you, to a monster 220 yard job. The 2nd, the shortest, is tiny but treacherous - local knowledge a help! 7th a great risk and reward par 5 - and the 15th another tough par 5 with water in play all the way. Its overall a better course then Abbey/Windmill/Wav - though they may have a couple of good individual holes, this is consistantly good and will use every club in the bag.

Posted by
*SE* on 10/05/2005
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 4

A pleasant attractive course with good views of the surrounding countryside. Greens in excellent condition, fairway quality was generally ok with four or five being a bit rough and bumpy. Lack of 150yd markers is a negative point, some of the distance markers on tees were clearly incorrect and the "Strokesaver" style course map also has some distance errors and is clearly out of date as it shows distances from certain trees that are non existent! Other than the quibbles above the course offers a mixture of challenges that will test both long hitters of the ball and those who like to manage their way around the course. The first six holes are fairly hilly (2nd is an excellent par three from an elevated tee) with the remaining 12 being rather flatter with water features coming into play on many of them. I would definitely play here again and would recommend the course to others...just beware the dodgy yardages!!!

Posted by Nick Davis on 03/03/2003

Played the course 12/9/2002 and found it very good value for money, after 3pm a cheaper twilight charge is levied. Good mixture of challenging holes, 1st 6 very hilly, rest rather flat with plenty of water hazards. Only problem found was the fact that the yardage markers are non-existant, buy a course guide.

Posted by Keith B on 13/09/2002

Played the course last week and must say it is in very good nick, greens were good, as were the fairways. I would recommend a buggy if you want to play this course, as the first 6 holes at the top of the course are killers.

Posted by keith cottington on 09/04/2002

A very nice course, some short but tricky par 3's mixed well with long challenging par 5's. Water comes into play on a number of holes with strategically placed ponds and some holes criss-crossing a pair of small brooks. Making it a very interesting test. The first 6 are higher up, a short distance from the main course and have some very good looking features. Care must be taken on the last few tees as they tend to cross other fairways/greens which is the only downside.

Posted by Steve H on 17/12/1999

Since Abbey Hill has been re-vamped it has become a very interesting and worth while course. Most holes require a good level of accuracy, and each hole is a different challenge. The investment that has been made at this course is very noticeable while the costs for pplaying are very competitive for the area (particularly the new driving range. One of the better courses in the area.

Posted by Tim May on 20/08/1999

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style parkland

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's603670
Ladies'

Green Fees

Summer/High season

Weekday round£13.5
Weekday day-
Weekend round£16
Weekend day-

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Weekday day-
Weekend round-
Weekend day-

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