Omdömen från jgardineruk (61)

Came across this golf club by chance and it really is a gem of a place. It's located just outside Guildford and is laid out across the Downs in spectacular fashion. The views are terrific on many holes as you weave your way through the woods and scrubland. Not the longest course but a real test; keeping to the fairways is a must. The pro shop is very well stocked and all … Mer

Two courses to choose from here. We played Los Lagos but Los Olivos looked just as nice from a distance. Quite open and not too hilly if you walk. Most holes have water hazards of one kind or another so take a few balls. Some holes are also frighteningly close to busy roads so you might want to check your insurance cover before teeing off! Nice bar and good service at the… Mer

Having played the sister course, Les Dunes the day before, it was hard not to compare the two. Personally I preferred Les Pins, partly because it's flatter and easier to walk. It may be slightly less spectacular than Dunes in some respects but it too is a stiff challenge and beautifully laid out. The houses all around the course are equally impressive - maybe when that lo… Mer

Slightly nerve-wracking start and finish to the round with water by the 1st tee and in front of the 18th green. Stunning view from the clubhouse balcony. Twinned with Les Pins up the road, Dunes is much hillier and those with ageing knees might struggle a tad without a buggy. Certainly a challenging course as you wind your way through pine trees and some tight fairways bu… Mer

A fairly random choice for a round of golf whilst on a trip to Hertfordshire turned out well. I presume the course is newish - it seemed a bit raw. It was, though, in good nick, particularly given a huge downpour the night before. The plentiful water hazards around the course were well topped up. I was caught out by the need to carry my bag because of the conditions; I mu… Mer

A very decent course with a ‘links-type’ feel to it. The greens in particular were in great condition and generally things were nicely set up and well maintained. The pro shop seems to have been temporarily squeezed into the bar area but presumably will move back to its own space in due course. Located just outside Winchester, there’s a traditional feel to this club and t… Mer

Away from the bigger tourist areas, this course sits in the hills overlooking Portocolom. It’s a lovely spot and some of the views are quite breathtaking. The front nine is high, hilly and forested. The back nine is flatter and more parkland-style. It’s not cheap (particularly if you take a buggy), but as you look out over the Med sipping a drink at the 19th hole, I doubt… Mer

A very friendly welcome could be the high point of a round here. It looks as if a housing development has squeezed the course into some difficult layout choices. It’s quite hard to navigate and the feel is very tight hole to hole. Nice setting by the sea though. Although I won’t be rushing back the members seem to love the place so fair play to them.

A really nice golf venue with ‘country club’ facilities on site too. Quite a test the first time round the course with several water hazards and some tight tee shots as the course winds through the lovely Norfolk countryside. Very much on the golf package circuit and well worth a couple of rounds to fully appreciate the course. Just beware that the bars and catering tend … Mer

With the recent post-lockdown surge in demand, it can be quite hard to get a round away from your home course at short notice. It was, then, something of a Hobson's choice for a round with a mate on a last minute trip to East Kent. Stonelees is very much a 'what you see is what you get' pay and play course and we weren't, frankly, expecting much when we turned up. However… Mer

One of the many top notch golf venues in what used to be called the stockbroker belt in Surrey. As they say on their website, it's a 'country club and resort' as well as having three golf courses from which to choose. I've only played the Bernard Hunt course which is a great challenge in all senses. Very hilly with plenty of trees and water to spice things up. Keep it str… Mer

Although the course is currently undergoing complete renovation, it’s still a great place for a round in the London area. Very hilly in places with lots of ravines and twists and turns to navigate. The views over London in places are spectacular. Very warm welcome at the halfway house and the 19th hole to round off the experience. Highly recommended, particular when the w… Mer

Water, water everywhere on this Essex course. If you get through your round with the same ball you started with you’ll be doing very well indeed. The streams, ponds and lakes certainly add to the picturesque setting at this combined country club/golf course. Gorgeous on a lovely sunny day but take a few spare balls.

Set in the Essex heartland just outside Billericay, this is a nice enough parkland course with many holes featuring water hazards of one type or another. Clubhouse and practice facilities are good but watch out for the old 'exit-gate passcode' trick before you leave. Always annoying when you have to trot back and ask for that when you're trying to make your escape! Nice c… Mer

I played this course some time ago so forgive me if my recollections are not as crystal clear as they could be. There are three things which I definitely recall though - 1) there is a curious undulation to a lot of the fairways (apparently this dates back to a medieval way of ploughing fields!),2) don't be impatient if you happen to find yourself behind a ladies society m… Mer

One of many hotel stay and play clubs catering for the group booking markets. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and they do it well. Two great courses with a great pedigree hosting prestigious tournaments over the years. To my old-fashioned eye, the hotel/clubhouse is not the prettiest but the golf course and surrounding countryside certainly are.

Cheap and cheerful is the phrase that springs to mind here. A nice little 9 hole course to have a practice round or introduce someone to the delights of golf. The driving range is good and it's all within a (long) stone's throw of Bromley town centre. This club is part of the Mytime Active sports and leisure group which I believe works with local authorities to get more p… Mer

The Park Course is apparently less of a challenge than the Downs but it was plenty for me and my group. It's certainly easy enough to walk the course as it winds through the estate and around Goodwood House itself. The grounds are gorgeous and of course there are many other attractions if you're making a weekend of it. Lovely hotel too. Lots to recommend and I might give … Mer

Not sure if the Grove is a plush hotel with a golf course or a plush golf course with a hotel. Probably both and its pedigree is impressive as a base for England footballers pre-Wembley games and iconic performances by Tiger in his heyday. Lovely setting, good attention to detail and an unsurprisingly high price to go with it all. One for a special occasion I'd say.

Lovely setting in the rolling Downs behind Folkestone. Plenty of course options depending on your ability and appetite. Watch out for a couple of electricity pylons on the way round..

Surprisingly near to Bournemouth town centre, this course weaves its way in between the heather and pines which are common in this neck of the woods. Accuracy needed to keep it on the fairway and out of those woods. Nice no-frills venue.

Not as well-known, perhaps, as other Dubai courses but a quality club nonetheless. Usual desirable properties surrounding the course and very convivial clubhouse options after your round. Don't stray too far off the fairways as you'll be playing from the desert and making a terrible mess of your nice shiny irons...

Not quite sure if I think this is a terrific club with a rich history just a few miles from central London or a slightly tired-looking place living on its past reputation with a lot to improve in the modern era. Perhaps there's bit of truth in both views. The course is nice enough and the clubhouse is a real architectural gem. Green fees are quite pricey, though, and I ju… Mer

If you have any negative preconceptions about far-flung estuary golf courses in Essex, Burnham will dispel them. It's well maintained and has great views of the River Crouch at many points on the way round. You might find golfers on the first tee being loudly heckled by their mates on the clubhouse balcony behind but I think it just adds to the charm of the place. Nice co… Mer

The Meydan complex offers several diversions for the discerning ex-pat or holidaymaker. There's the world-renowned horse racing track, of course, where Godolphin and others send their thoroughbreds to stretch their legs. There's also a very convivial sports bar (the Qube) with many screens, pool tables, beverages and bar food to make a 'Western' ex-pat feel at home. Lastl… Mer

Very much a hotel/golf venue for the organised group market. It was a Marriott when I last played but now I believe it's under the Britannia banner. The course is great, a nice parkland/woodland setting nicely maintained and an enjoyable challenge. I don't want to be sued by a large hotel chain but my experience of Britannia hotels has been 'mixed' in the past so I may no… Mer

Straightforward course really. New management have taken it down the wedding venue route but still good golf to be had. Take care with walkers crossing at various points. Very close to Shoreham train station if you don't drive.

Built by oil workers many moons ago, this is a desert course in the true sense of the word. You will be sold a small astro turf mat to take with you and, if your ball lands on the fairway, you pick it up and hit off the mat. If you're not on the fairway, you take your chances off the desert sand. Greens are actually black, made from flattened tar. If that all sounds odd, … Mer

Very much a two-part course. Holes 1-18 are older, more established and really rather pleasant. Holes 19-27 were added later on and are less picturesque, more cramped and frankly quite dangerous on a busy day. Our group had several near-misses from other people's wayward golf balls when we played. The clubhouse was very convivial post-round and the course is only half an … Mer

On the one hand, this course has a glorious location with clifftop views to die for. On the other hand, one could say it's steep and windswept. One way or another, it'll certainly take your breath away. A nicely maintained course with a warm welcome for visitors at the club. Quiet when I played but no doubt dependant on the weather and the holiday season in this lovely pa… Mer