Benton Hall Golf & Country Club

Ok course wont rush back

Played the course when it should be absolutely perfect! Ple of rain plenty of sunshine! Infact they were hollow tinning the greens in August. Really enjoyed the breakfast really enjoyed the course interesting holes and you have to think about every shot
Played ug twice now 8 out of ten on both times

  

A challenging course

Benton Hall GC is a par 71 parkland course in Witham, near Chelmsford, Essex. There are 4 par 4s, 11 par 4s, and 3 par 5s.

There are many elevation changes; with many having severe slopes from right to left or vice versa. There are many blind shots. The punishment for any 'marginally' offline tee shot or approach shot can be very severe. The layout of the fairways/general topography of the course can be very unfair to the general club golfer; however many of the holes are enjoyable. the par 3s are a real challenge.

I played the course as an Epping Bandits society game, at £25, including prize monies. The usual visitor green fee seems to be £25. Very reasonable for this quality of course.





  

quite a tough test of your golf, I will be back for more

Very helpful pleasant staff on arrival, but were delayed by having to fill in guest forms and people in front of us and we were 3-4 minutes late for our tee time, which was brought to our attention by the starter who wasn't happy about it.
They are sticklers for dress code, so be advised as the starter will notice!
The course is tight in many places so tee shots need to be in play, green were very receptive but heavy rain the day before so could be harder in summer months, but they had drained well and were cut beautifully and were quite quick and rather tricky, as the breaks sometimes just weren't there
The fairways often had too much grass growth on them.
The 15th and 17th seemed rather unfair to be honest, the 15th only being stroke index 15 when it was rather difficult off the tee to give you a second shot, (which a very tight second and requiring a bit of distance).
The 17th if you go down the right, you are blocked out by a very large tree for your approach. And if you are not long with a draw to get passed a very large tree on the left to approach from the left. The tree on the left blocks the approach from the left hand side. A bit of trimming is required me thinks.

The clubhouse is very nice, and the decked area outside overlooking the lake is just what you need after a round of golf
If you can't keep many of your tee shots straight, this course will bite you big time. ENJOY IT,,, I DID

  

Nice and friendly club

New nothing about the course before and was expecting an average Essex course.
The greens were good although the greens did not break when expected.
Good course and would visit again but not at £40 as these days there are much better courses for that.


  

A very 'clever' course

I was expecting this round to be quite easy on a fairly forgiving parkland course. I was quite wrong. This course has matured very well and club selection is crucial. I was very impressed with the condition and found the course quite challenging. Not the ego massage I was looking for! Would really recommend this course. Quite expensive but lots of internet deals availalbe.

  

Thinking Person's Course

Maturing parkland, set in the wilds of Essex, this was a long awaited return to Benton Hall (a place where I walked into the glass door, broke my nose and had concussion before playing the course 5 years or so ago). Easy to locate, adequate parking facilities and a welcoming clubhouse add to the experience.

Some good elevations and definitely a course requiring thought, and care - stay straight and you might be OK, Par 4's quite samey - distance wise and sufficient hazards to catch out the unwary. Great views of the countryside, fair amount of wildlife and this is a pretty course. Fairways and Greens especially well kept, semi-rough tended to hide the odd ball here and there.

Par 3's are medium to long and bunkers are cleverly placed but sandy enough - escapes not too difficult.

I had no recollection of the course and will need to return when schedule permits as I would expect to do better next time.

Good course though, and something for everyone.

  

well worth a visit

a very well kept course,with a good varietyof holes,even though all the par 4s were pretty much the same distance,good greens
would like to play again,a good thinking course

  

Super Course and Facilities

I support the earlier comments of David and Howard.

Super course, challenging holes, lots to think about on the way round, every hole was different and this course will also be taking another notch up in difficulty once the additional trees have matured.

Great value for money (thanks to Alan for the deal) and high on the list for a return visit.

  

This is how a course should be

From the time you drive in loved everthing about the whole golfing experience at Benton Hall, this is how a club should be, superbly manicured and run well and staff great, other clubs could learn a lot from them

  

Loved the course

Loved everything about Benton Hall from the breakfast to the course.
Fairways like a carpet greens true and plush.practice facilities very good.


  

One of the finest courses I have played

This is an update of my previous review, having played it recently.
The first thing you notice when entering, is the size of the car park and the number of cars, as this is a well used G & C Club, with facilities to die for... infinity pool, gym, saunas. steam room..the whole nine yards. Excellent friendly reception, and great dining facilities, with a hearty full english for under a fiver. I discovered acres of practice grounds, for pitching ...60-80 yds, with bunkers, separate chipping and putting areas, and a 270 yd driving range where you could actually play off the grass if so desired. A nine hole par 3 is also provided, so it is ideal for spending a day, with a par 3 to start followed by a lunch and the challenging par 71.
Set in the middle of beautiful Essex countryside, the tree lined fairways were beautifully mowed, clearly defined, and you always felt obliged to repair your divot. If your ball lands on the fairway, you will invariably have a good lie. The rough is fair and although punishing, you should not lose balls here. Tee mounds were flat, well maintained with all the furniture you would expect from a top rated course. Lots of fairway markers are provided. As for the greens, it was a delight to know that if you hit one of 'em, from distance even, it would hold...they were beautifully receptive, and it had not rained for weeks when I played. They were slick and true...remarkable considering the winter we have had.
Not an entirely flat course, there are lots of elevations, but easily negotiated with a push or pull cart, as I found out. These elevations added to the beauty of the course with lovely views down the sculpted fairways or far off Essex, making the whole experience very pleasurable indeed.
A river runs through the course and many lakes have been created making it not only picturesque, but challenging too, particularly when combined with well placed bunkers, but at least they are filled with powdered sand, so no excuse if you 'leave it in'.
Some holes will certainly leave an impression, and the closing 5 are some of the best you will find anywhere.
This is one of the finest courses I have played, clearly a lot of thought and effort has gone into making it so, and although it is a bit of a hike for me, I shall go back at every opportunity...particularly as they accept 2 for 1 vouchers and Open Fairways. Great value and a great course, I thoroughly recommend it.

  

Very Nice set up and course

Benton Hall is well worth a visit friendly staff nice showers and patio.
The Parkland Course has the best of both worlds tough in places lots of water tight drives into narrow fairways two tier greens will be going back as soon as poss money well spent

  

IMHO, One of the best courses in Essex

I love this course...some great holes, and some greens where a 3 putt is a good result. Greens excellent and true, but of course that can change depending upon conditions. Fairly open, but wayward drives can be severely punished. Not that long but accuracy is a must if you want to score well, which I never have, but I will certainly keep going back until I do. 2 for 1 vouchers accepted, making it a very good deal at £14 each. Only downside is lack of practice facilities, being limited to a couple of driving nets and a putting green with an adjacent bunker. Food is excellent.

  

"Tough track"

Parkland course. With undulating fairways, some undulating tricky two-tier greens and some super 'driving' holes. Fairways, bunkers & greens were in good condition. Practise putting green, chipping area & driving nets. I found some part of the course very testing course because of the undulating ground.Great value @ £10 inter price.Definitely worth playing."Tough track"

  

Firm but fair (The Greens I mean)............

Okay, so we must have been mad to play this course in the worst of conditions, minus - 1C temp. with greens rock solid but somehow you still knew that the course was a good one! It starts flat but then undulates through some very nice scenery and finishes with some tough tree/river lined holes. I liked this course alot and am looking forward to going back when the weather is kinder and more forgiving! Nice Clubhouse and good value at £18 too!


  

Benton Hall Golf & Country Club

Very nice and varied course in good condition

Good bar / food facilities as well