Toot Hill Golf Club

Played in a work society day on 26/05/09. Rained hard overnight, a little in the morning and windy all day. Had breakfast, lunch, 3 course dinner and 36 holes off yellows.
First impressions, cosy looking clubhouse, nice spike bar. Breakfast was a bacon roll - small and only one rasher, with coffee from a machine. Pro shop had reasonable selection of kit and course planner available. Driving range was off the grass which made a nice change and gave a good chance to properly warm up.
First 18 holes, played around 9 in the rain. Impressed with drainage - it had rained pretty hard all night and there weren't many puddles around - greens held up well. The greens were running smoothly and I thought they were very true. Tee boxes were in quite good condition, and fairways well defined. Not too punishing rough. Overall the course is quite short on the card, but that's largely down to the short par 3s (shortest was 120yds on the day) and two short par 4s. We all agreed that it didn't 'feel' short to play on the day, as it's quite hilly (seemed mainly uphill on longer holes) and the wind was up. I don't agree with some earlier reviews which mention that the course is too short... yes 2/3 of the par 3s are wedges but they're not pushover holes, with plenty of bunkers / water in play. The 18th is a 278yd par 4, but it's a great risk/reward hole with water along the left of the green and bunkers protecting front and right. OB comes in to play on a few holes also.
I enjoyed the morning and afternoon golf and thought the course presented a fair challenge with some interesting and very pretty holes (island green par 3 looks great).
The lunch was good, ham egg and chips, no complaints. The evening meal was also nice - an unusual starter of BBQ ribs (nice though), with a great pie for the main course.
Overall, great value for money, a well kept course which will present a challenge for your average make-up of society golfers and good food, with exception of the average breakfast.

Played a week after the report below and thought it was excellent. Some of the tees were forward which did make the course easier but I don't think higher handicap players would mind that. It was in excellent condition and the greens were fast. So a par three might only be 100 yards but when it is an island green surrounded by water I wouldn't call it easy! The staff in the clubhouse are extremely friendly and the breakfast about half the price of some other local courses. All in all one of the better courses in Essex, not too difficult and set in beautiful rolling countryside.
Dave

We took 40 members of another golf club in Essex on a captains away day to Toot Hill and like the previous players report, they made us play of the ladies tees, it was an absolute joke, 3 par 3s were under 100 yards, several par 4s were drivable and 1 par 5 was just a driver and a wedge !! this course must be run by people with no respect for golfers and just want your money, If they had advised us of this we would not have bothered turning up, that said it is probably a decent course but we only got the opportunity it as pitch and putt course.
Check what plates they are going to put you off before you turn up and pay !!

Sadly our society trip to Toot Hill was dissapointing and horribly spoiled.
We play 8 times a year and eagerly look forward to playing but we were sadly let down by various problems. The course was playing off the front tees and the greens sanded so out day was slightly diminished. The main problem was the lack of a blocked tee time which meant the afternoon round was ponderously slow as 2 groups of members dived in ahead of us. To make matters worse and for whatever reasons the food was awfull and the service awfull.
All in alla shocking day out and one I would not recommend to anyone. A waste of money and a course we shall not be returning to.

Played 26th July on a society day, my second time of playing. Course looks fantastic and is in a wonderful condition, with obviously the bunkers suffering with the recent wet weather. Greens had been recently sanded, so a bit grainy. Weather was atrocious, with a strong wind blowing all day, before an hour of torrential rain from the 11th thru 15th. Even then no standing water on the greens, the course was fairly forgiving to any wayward shots, but did reward good shots. The re-sculptured 11th will definitely be the show hole with a new island green. Just awaiting the new tee to be finished and new cards and yardage guides. Staff in club-house/pro shop were very helpful and welcoming and definitely one of best courses in the area.

What a fantastic course, must be one of the best in Essex, great condition all round and a great test of golf, played with a member but will be trying to join the club now.
A hidden gem, one not to be missed.

Have just been to the club with my society and have to say the whole experience was one of the best we have ever had. The golf was great (greens and fairways were in really good condition considering the torrential rain we have had) with some very challenging holes mixed in with some fairly forgiving ones. Although punished with dreadful shots you were not too harshly treated for a slight pull or slice. All in all a thoroughly pleasant course to play. Also, back in the clubhouse, the food and staff were excellent. We were all unanimous in our request to Society captain that this course gets a visit from us again next year.

Great course really enjoyed it......however i found the bar afterwards to be needlesly snooty, the club members particularly the female revelling in pointing out petty pathetic dated golf club etiquette to non members....these people really have no place in the game anymore..they managed to mar a great day for me.What these dinasours fail to realise is that without pay and play customers there simply would not be enough money coming through the door to maintain their precious club....Guarantee none of them can swing a club either!!

we had our first society day of 2007 at toot hill the course was great and the club very frendly the greens were fast and the fairways were in great condition will go back some great holes like the 12 par 3 now an island green

I played there last night on a Twilight (great value at £16) and just loved the course. Beautiful lush fairways, very good greens and lovely shaped holes - great for a course this new. Its not too long but it not easy either. Two down points - 1) the bunkers were awful, however, we have had some heavy rain after the sunny spells so they may have to be forgiven on that and 2) the Par 3 12th was a temp green due to a major overhaul on and around the proper green. However, when it is finished, it looks like it is going to be some mighty fine Par 3!!
Im going back tomorrow for a society day and I cant wait.

Course was in excellent condition for February. Some very nice holes especially the 9th,12th & 15th. Greens were in good conditon and the £25 winter special of unlimited golf inc. lunch and coffee was great value for money. Will definately be going back.

Can be a bit expensive to play here which suggests that only reasonable players are welcome. It's a fair course with some generous fairways and not much water to cause any problems...although a wayward tee shot on two of the short holes will give your ball an 'early bath'. The greens were in excellent condition when I played although you have to watch for subtle breaks. Hilly but not exhausting and that adds to the attraction of a course that looks well-established yet has only been in existence for around 15 years.
David Williams (14) 21.07.04

I found Toot Hill to be a very enjoyable course even though a little short. The facilities are good with a nice friendly bar.