Chipstead Golf Club

"L" plates needed to drive to the Clubhouse & on the fairways.....

A very pretty setting with views of the North Downs,but what a disappointment with the whole layout: criss-cross fairways, actual roads being part of the course on 3 holes. A real shame as one gets confused, it stops the flow of the game, one can easily miss a hole (as the group in front did), signage is not visible or existent. As 1st time visitors, our 4 balls was unanimous in thinking Chipstead wont be "on our return list" . Even the succinct course planner is not very useful as to directions.

An well established course dating back 1906, fairly short in length (just over 5000 yards from the yellow), but none the less challenging with very tight & sloping fairways, blind holes and lots of trees. The 4th (Hillside), Par 5 (500+ yards from yellows) is sloping right all the way to the green, very difficult to plot one's way, should be interesting to see how the Members play this hole !!!!

Some very pretty holes with colourful names:

- Sheer Drop, 5th, Par 3, lovely downhill, over rough.

- Hell, 7th, Par 4/5 , Stroke index 1.

- Damnation, 8th Par 4.

- View, 16th, Par 4: the most scenic hole: as a background 2 villages on either side a wheat field (photo posted in my album). Also the most inconvenient as Tee boxes is over the 8th green!!!!

- Careful, 2nd, Par 4 has a guiding post, but the line could also be The Shard, as visible on a clear day like today (13.7.2014).

The course is in good condition & well looked after, the greens interesting enough and well kept. The bunkers had different types of sand.

Pleasant Ladies changing rooms.

Friendly, well equipped Proshop, selling trial clubs in very good condition for £10.....

Spacious bar on he 1st floor, good service/prices, a lovely outside balcony overlooking the crossing & sloping fairways of the 1st and the 18th !!!!!

Practice facilities: good, some nets and an open range by the large car park, plus chipping/sand practice by the 9th/10th hole.

The Starter Hut doubles up as half way hut too, a very good idea.

A busy place on a Sunday afternoon with Members playing competitions, so there is an attraction if one can bear the layout.....(did not find out who the architect was).




THE END.....



  

Not for me

Strange layout, with far too many holes where you were crossing roads, cars crossing in front of you, crossing other fairways or people wandering across yours. Also a few potentially dangerous tee boxes very close to greens. Just felt like they had tried to cram a golf course in too little space with 3 par 3 in a row on the back nine. Nice clubhouse with a terrace for drinks, but I won't be going back.

  

Great views

When you drive through the gates you get an idea of what's to come, as you very quickly cross three fairways in quick succession. My initial impression was one of a lot of holes in too small an area, and that impression didn't really leave as we made our way round. In fact, it wasn't until we got to the 17th that you actually felt like there was a hole that had room to breath.

Not that there aren't any good holes here, because there are, and some gorgeous views too. However, you do feel like there are a number of tees, greens and fairways that are a little too close to each other.

There were also a couple of tees where the club really do need to provide better signs. We had to ask in order to find the 2nd tee, and we almost missed out the 5th hole altogether.

Quirky comes in the shape of the 4th hole, which slopes so much from left to right that it's almost impossible to hit the fairway.

There are some steep climbs up from the 6th & 17th, while the rest of the course is hardly flat, so not the easiest of walking.

The clubhouse was very welcoming, with a very pleasant area outside to enjoy a drink after the round.




  

A pretty tight challenge

We all look forward to that game of golf straight after Christmas and Chipstead was mine, accompanied by fellow SES members Channing, Knight and Ward.

The course has remarkable drainage as many other courses were either closed or a mudbath. Hats off to the greenkeepers.

Chipstead is a tight and short course but every hole is different and a real challenge. The course is undulating and there are many par 3's - all very challenging. Don't be too disappointed if you don't make par. There are some holes where you need to have eyes in the back of your head due to crossing fairways and a couple where you need to be prepared to wait for others to tee off due to crossing tees and fairways.

There is a well stocked hut at the 1st/10th with hot drinks and food; all very reasonable.

Note for ladies - the clubhouse is never far away. The changing room is very welcoming, with all the facilities you need, including hairdryers. You need a code to enter and there are no visitors lockers. You will need to take your own towel.

The 19th hole is a cosy seating area near a television and prices are very competitive. Only £1.00 for a pot of tea!

Chipstead is a members club, so if you have the chance, take up the offer and play this pretty course.

  

Definitely worth a trip but maybe with a buggy

I am clearly not fussy as I enjoyed this course although I would have enjoyed it more if I had had a buggy as there are some pretty long climbs.

I thought it was an interesting course if not a bit strange in places. There are 3 par 3's on the spin and all of them we all (i think) needed a driver for today and probably any day. I would imagine this would cause a real bottle neck on a busy day.

There is also a par 5 on the side of a hill so everything goes left to right and then there is a postage stamp green. I parred this so can't complain to much but interesting to say the least.

A lot of fairways cross cross and you have to walk back on your self to tees a lot, we nearly played the wrong hole once and a few more signs would have definitely been a help.

I did think the tee boxes could have done with a trim and a little TLC and is it to much to ask to have a flat tee box? Maybe I am a little fussy here.

I liked this course, as always, and will definitely go back but this wasn't the case of some of my playing partners.

Didn't go in the club house at all but pro shop was ok with all the normal stuff. The practise facilities were ok, putting green, chipping green with a bunker and a small range. There is a half way hut but wasn't open and I don't understand having one if you don't open it. The money they must loose.

It was only £15 so great value but don't bother buying a course planner. Was only £2.50 but I could have drawn out a better one.