Bearwood Lakes Golf Club

Course type: Parkland Topography:Hilly in places with flatter sections round the lakes Best feature: It's hard to think of a weak hole at Bearwood Lakes. 6 of the holes are sited around the many lakes on the course and require careful club selection / accurate shots to avoid a watery grave for your ball. Worst feature: Difficult to get on to and not open to the public and even the guest rate approaches the £100 mark Condition: Immaculately maintained fairways and greens Verdict: If you have a chance to play here then take it, you wont be disappointed.

Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in Berkshire offers one of the finest parkland golfing experiences in the region. Designed by Martin Hawtree and opened in 1996, the course is a relatively young addition to the golfing landscape, yet it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its more established neighbours, such as The Berkshire and East Berkshire. What sets Bearwood Lakes apart is its impeccable maintenance and thoughtful design. Every hole offers a unique challenge, with no two feeling alike. Well-placed bunkers, water carries, and ultra-fast greens combine to create a demanding and rewarding layout. Precision and strategic play are required throughout, as the course is unforgiving to those who don’t respect its challenges. The routing takes golfers through undulating terrain and mature woodland, with two distinct yet seamlessly connected nine-hole loops. The setting feels wonderfully secluded, creating a sense of escape and tranquility. The attention to detail in course upkeep is exceptional, with fairways and greens maintained to a standard that could only be described as parkland perfection. The clubhouse and facilities are equally impressive, offering a modern and welcoming space to relax after a round. The balcony, overlooking the 1st and 18th holes, provides a perfect vantage point to enjoy a drink while reflecting on the day’s play. Bearwood Lakes combines challenging golf with outstanding aesthetics, making it a must-visit for any golfer. Whether you're drawn by the pristine conditioning, the variety in the layout, or the serene setting, this course delivers on every front and is a true gem in Berkshire’s golfing scene.

I was delighted to return to Bearwood Lakes, nearly three years after my previous round, and admire the excellent work on the ponds in front of the first tee and 18th green.

This wildlife haven - red kites are among its residents - is a members-and-guests-only club in Berkshire.

It surprised me on my first visit because every other venue I have played within 50 miles of London has been thick with heather.

The relief from the purple haze was tempered by the perils of the water which gives the course its name.

But, this time I had high hopes of keeping my ball dry for the whole round after a sparkling opening nine, including a birdie on the remodelled first.

I should have known better. The 10th green should have been comfortably reached after a pleasing tee shot but my ball faded into a watery grave.

The lakes are a feature of the next few holes with my favourite, the par-four 13th, demanding a drive over a pond before an approach to a green with more water lurking to the right.

This is the best of many strong holes on a course in impeccable condition.

If you are lucky enough to receive and invite make sure you enjoy lunch in its impressive and friendly clubhouse beforehand.

All though Bearwood Lakes is a relatively young (1996) club in Berkshire it has a feel like it has been there for a lot longer. Designed by Martin Hawtree with USGA greens the course has an American feel (also due to the very high service levels) and also a traditional English design.

Hole 1 and 18 are very much in view from the beautiful balcony attached to the clubhouse and the guys in the pro shop are very friendly and there is a lot to choose from. Also the driving range and practice area are of an exceptional level you don't see often in England.

The fairways look quite generous but it is a difficult course where playing your handicap is an excellent accomplishment. When you hit your ball in the trees better hope that there are no ferns there because those balls are lost. Choose your tee wisely and if in doubt tee it forward, the course looks beautiful but plays pretty tough. The greens are excellent.

You’d think a course only 26 years old would scream juvenility. That it may be obtuse and shows a lack of discretion.

Bearwood Lakes flows through 11th century hunting grounds, often graced by English nobility, and it is only now that the manicured cut grass bleeds seamlessly in amongst the towering pines, caressing an infantry of iridescent rhododendrons. But the rolling terrain has always been the ideal haven for the game of golf.

The obvious craftmanship and the fastidious nature of the aesthetics shines bright and inevitably elevates the golfer’s impression and experience, even before a tee is slid into Berkshire turf.

I’ve written about first impressions before, primarily about thoughts and opinions prior to arrival. However, first impressions upon arrival are essential for a golf club and Bearwood Lakes earns a Gold Star. The considered reveal of the course as you walk through/under the clubhouse is magnificent and the recent addition of the aquatic attraction nestled between the first and eighteenth fairways obviously epitomises the name, but adds depth to the wonderfully verdant view stretched out before you. The general landscaping of the clubhouse surrounds is kaleidoscopic with lupins, alliums and rhododendrons all singing in sweet harmony.

The practice facilities are becoming for such private members club, with a selection of chipping greens, cavernous bunkers and an expansive orderly driving range. Arriving early to soak it all in, is a must!

The course asks a lot of its players, accuracy obviously incredibly valuable. I am told the peripheral fescue is malevolent but magnificent and frames the holes expertly. The pines can be friend or foe, either regurgitating your ball back into play or encasing you both in a timber prison. A deft touch around the greens is essential. The greens having that silvery glow that all golfers should be wary of. Slick greens are intimidating in their delicacy but should be prized and celebrated as a result of love and care. The course is devilish in its detail and its pins can be devious, as I found having landed long and left on the first. Welcome.

The layout strikes the perfect balance between framed, isolated holes, highlighting their splendour and concentrating the player on what lies before them, but also providing extensive views across holes, teasing you with intimate glimpses and exclusive landscapes – very in vogue!

Membership is no doubt a privilege and I know that members all love and respect their club, celebrating in its successes, with the Rose Ladies Series for example. Our host is certainly proud of his club and a character that truly epitomises the generous and passionate nature of the game.

The game is in good hands at Bearwood Lakes.