Review's of Bletchingley Golf Club
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Quick update on the current state of the course..
I played a friendly game on Wed 13th October 2021 with some Members of Bletchingley GC and I must admit I was disappointed by the state of some of the fairways, lots of mud under foot and on trolley wheels, some of the paths were very rugged, not as I remember the course which I have always liked because of the variety of holes and layout, and the beautiful views of surrounding Surrey.
On a positive, the Driving Range had an upgrade, with a shelter and new Chipping area, a bunker practice.
There is a new "Cabin" with a nice sitting area as one walks to the 1st and 10th Tee, where refreshments/food can be obtained. Covid had some positive on certain golf clubs: a lot more drinking/eating & sitting Al Fresco when space is available. The Membership has also gone up, so has the Green Fee (£45 was quoted for a TSG game a few months ago), well I certainly would not pay the asked rate, maybe £30 at the most. Not sure if there is still a deal Bletchingley/TSG ?
Despite all said above, enjoyed my round, the views etc, the weather was glorious too.
Maybe by next Spring, the fairways will have improved & the Green fees will be more realistic.
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Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Addicted - A real magnet for me but GREENS were treacherous...
Yes, back again & again but Bletchingley Golf course has everything I like about golf (and the TSG deal is fantastic), but today the GREENS were difficult to deal with, fast, very fast, faster than Bradley Wiggins, even my new friend "Ghost Spider" had a hard time.
Very enjoyable round, not hurried and quite a good score. Another TGSer joined me at the last minute.
Course in excellent condition, nothing adverse to report, it was warm sunny day with a little breeze.
Saw an elegant heron by the 12th, a short Par 3 that needs precision, One of my favourite hole.
The 13th, Par 4 another favourite, with Tee shot over a large pond, (I had an audience and they were quite impressed by the "Leftie"'s Tee shot, why I cannot do that at Silvemere I dont know), rising & sloping fairway to a green sloping to the back & ondulating sideways.
The 18th, Par 4 a lovely finishing hole, blind Tee shot & of course the famous pond by the green, I wont mention trolleys this time, only the lovely fish really happy today. Actually I shall mention trolley as my new acquisition is wonderful & I am very pleased with my Motocaddy S1 PRO, a wonderful investment.
I wont deliberate any more on the day at Bletchingley as if you want to know more, please read all previous reviews...
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Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Bletchingley's Special.....I played golf with the "Boss" finally....
I have now been a TSGer for 8 months & today I finally had the chance to have a game with Ian M on one of my favourite courses in Surrey.
It was a great day out, I managed a nice score: points on every single hole, only 35 putts, same ball. It must have been Ian's calming influence on me & his lovely smile (not Mark T.'s though as he could not remember my name and kept calling me Sophie -whoever she is!!) but it was lovely company and great fun all the way.
The weather sort of behaved: 1 or 2 brief but torrential showers, with the sky kept changing from big dark clouds to white fluffy ones on a very bright blue background: it was truly spectacular with all the pine trees and hills around: we thought we were in Switzerland!
The course was in great condition again, a few puddles here and there, sometimes in bunkers, the greens still difficult to read & some worm casts present. I now know that Ian is a terrific "putter" & that he can roll the ball to the hole with ease, but missed a Birdie chance on the 17th (Par 3) by 1cm: how cruel! Did he swear? I wont tell. Ian was useful at giving little tips to Mark and I when asked, thank you for that.
Very friendly people all around, even the 2 balls behind us, members playing in a competition who tried very hard to "kill" us, not once but twice on the same hole (the 15th). But we shook hands and are all friends, we even shared a drink and a chat at the Bar afterwards.
Today, NO trollies went in the pond at the 18th! Although I did learn that it took 2 days for the mobile phone to dry out... well these things happen and sometimes twice in the same day.
I also learnt how Ian's passion for golf, led him to own and run TSG & that we have one other thing in common, we drive the same car!
As you know from my previous "short" reviews/reports of the golf day, I do love playing at Bletchingley and today was another very pleasant round with a lovely friendly crowd. Thank you for joining me....still thinking about joining the Club as a Member.
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(Editors: feel free to cut, correct etc....)
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
An excellent course, in beautiful setting
First impressions - a very friendly clubhouse serving great coffee - and very reasonably priced, Course was in superb condition. Greens, some of the the best I have played. Fairways were lush and true. Some very interesting and beautiful holes. A 200yd+ par 3, played from an elevated tee and is very inviting, as is the par 3 signature hole, 165yds all downhill. One very quirky par 4 which runs at right angles to the fairway, so club selection for your drive is of paramount importance. My drive went through the fairway, ending in an 8. Altogether, I would love to play this course far more often - loved it. TGS have a two for one deal, so is exceptional value.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
2 Misbehaved trolleys, 1 Putter cover & meeting the Boss...
...and more than a course review.
I recently learnt that some TSGers enjoy reading my long reviews as it gives a wider picture of the golf day out, so here we go: What a lovely day we had on Sunday 27th May 2012:
1) I met the Boss: Ian M
2) Big turn out and beautiful weather
3) Entertainment
1. It was the first time I met Ian Mullins after my 6 months with TSG: Ian has this truly gorgeous smile (just as his profile picture) and a warm personality.
Ian has been dealing with my numerous queries about the TSG website & more and he was still smiling even though I sometimes disturbed him when he is enjoying his glass of Italian (not French!!) wine ater a hard day's work
or golf.
2. Beltchingley was glorious under a clear blue sky, fairways fast and furious at times, the sand a little dry and scarce. I found it hard to keep my little white ball under control but other TSGers managed decent scores & congratulations to Alan H. for winning nearest the pin at the 17th.
It was quite hot in the afternoon and we certainly felt it as Bletchingley is no flat course at times. Lots going on the course as there were comptetions running for the members.
3. Twelve of us joined my posting including my Guest: Mr L. was invited (a rare occasion) to sample the course. Mr L. & I arrived early and had an enjoyable and tasty breakfast on the Club's terrace.
We witnessed one the 1st misbehaved trolley ending up in the pond by the 18th. Putters and balls were left on the Green and the 4 members rushed to retrieve wet bag, belongings, shaking, squeezing all that was wet, very wet. One trolley in the pond in the morning was not enough. Action replay in the afternoon: one fellow TSG from the last group (I promised not to mention a name) had the same misfortune and this whilst we were all sitting on the sunny terrace and enjoying chit chat at the 19th...
Ian was quick enough to capture the moment on his i-Phone and I gather there will be a posting on the TSG website and the identity will be revealed but my lips are sealed till then !!!!
As to my cherished, tatty looking putter cover lost at the 17th and disguarded by a fellow TSG and me not very pleased, I am happy to say that the putter cover and I have been reunited and all is forgiven.
A very good day out, not uneventful to say the least.
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Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Return to confirm first thoughts
OK - a bit of a rush to avoid the worst of the weather,and played on a grey day after a couple of days hard rain, little sunshine to speak of and it got a bit cold towards the end of the round. Even so, with trees in bloom and grass lokking greener, this is still a place well worth the visit. Had a chat with the new caterers, they seem nice, and touched base with the onsite pro, who iquite likes the TSG, still 2 for 1 (flexible interpretation was applied as we were an odd number).
Altogether a welcoming experience - again - with the locals being quite friendly and engaging as well. The course looks a picture, greens have benefitted from recent rain (could barely find any residue of the sand), Lots of feature holes, very easy on the eye par-3s - although a fair bit of up and down it was a good walk.
Good challenge for all levels, greens require close attention, to easy to 3-putt and more... Bunkers had suffred through the excessive rainfall, but were playable in places - I seemed to have a sand magnet on this trip, but negotiated my way out reasonably well... Watch out for a complex 6,7,8,9 sequence all to easy to play 9 instead of 6... (oops) so we played a bit out of sequence but managed to get around them all.
Even in the gloom there are some great views... still worth the visit, I think it would be sensible to come back again, before the TSG Annual Competition this year...
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
TRULY SUPERB GOLF COURSE
The moment you walk on the course, you get the feeling "I like it, I am going to do well", a real chemistry between you and the mind & the golf course.
From the Clubhouse, you are elevated and you dominate the whole parkland course and its splendors with far away views of Surrey North Downs and Bletchingley village and church on one side.
It is a challenging and enjoyable course both for low and high handicaper.
A mix of wide fairways, uphill tee shots with guiding posts in the middle as you cannot see the greens below. Long hitters on Par 4 can easily reach the green in 2 but the putts need careful attention as none of the greens are flats.
Some tighter holes and dog legs where precision is helpful as ponds, hazards & sand on the way.
Quite long but exciting Par 3s, well guarded by sand and water to distract or attract. Some are elevated, the adrenaline flows as soon as you stand on that Tee and then watch your ball fly to the pin or roll to it or fly into the woods.
All greens are a real challenge, so extra care with chipping onto it.
A round will give you a good workout (if you walk the course) as there are steep ascents/descents, long paths bordered by mature trees with clumps of pretty snowdrops in full bloom at this time of the year.
Excellent practice facilities (where you can use your own balls, but you will have to collect them) in a vast open sloping field with appropriate flags and markers, 2 sand bunkers and chipping/pitching area. All that is situated parallel to the 18th.
A friendly Proshop, well stocked with excellent brands of clothing for men & women (my favourite "Daily Sports" is stocked), classy gifts with Bletchingley logo. BUT they run out of Course Planners which is always useful for a 1st time.
Modern & light Clubhouse with wide sunny (it was on 26/2/12) patio area overlooking the 18th with its ornemental pond and 2 putting practice greens. There is an elevated terrace reachable on both sides, where you can enjoy a drink, social chat or just plan your next round.
I think it is the perfect place for the TSG Championship day & I am really looking forward to returning to Bletchingley before the 1st of June and enjoy this superb course even if I have to endure 1 hour on the M3/M25 !
Bletchingly is now in my No.1 preferred course list and as a TSG member you benefit of a special green fee: £18.00 on a Sunday. What more does a golfer want ?
May be Champagne to celebrate the Pars, Birdies & Eagles.
Better Go & Practice Some More.
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