Epping Golf Club

Good interesting course

Very enjoyable round, variety of interesting holes. Not hugely long but well placed ponds and slopes make it a good challenge.

  

Well worth visit

Greens very quick, recovered from winter damage, signage could be a little better green to tee completed in 3 and a bit hours

  

Nice surprise

First time at Epping, I'd heard some good things and wasn't disappointed. Played off the whites as the yellows are very short. Fairways were pretty good, greens are fluffy and bubbling which isn't good. All in all I really enjoyed it apart from the holes where you play into a very low sun ??. The weather was great for mid Jan and I look forward to another round.

  

Always enjoy playing here

Shortish course, but beautifully maintained. Staff always very friendly.

  

I would recommend this course

Found this course a lovely course very welcoming fairways and greens are in lovely condition I would recommend it to play And I would definitely playing there again

  

Usually good, this time suffering from the weather

Epping is not a long course, but it features interesting holes. For beginners it is a decent course on which to build confidence and post a reasonable score. The clubhouse is small and unpretentious, but it stops serving around 3pm.

I've played Epping may times. It is a go to winter course (along with Mardyke and Top Meadow) However today it seemed to be suffering. The fairways were understandably wet and muddy, but the mud wasn't clay based, so it didn't stick to the trolley and shoes. But the greens were poor . . imaging walking over a green blancmange. A two tier green (8th) had been re-turfed, and it was like putting over roof tiles. Others were patchy. Disappointing.

It is a course with a bit of history. Winston Churchill was a president, and the course did its bit for the war effort by being dug up and used for food production.

At £17, it is a bit pricy. There are discounts for seniors, juniors, and Police and Fire Service also get cheaper fees. Check the website because the discounts only run on certain days and times.

I have to say, that I was surprised by the green condition. The previous times I played the course, the greens felt like snooker green baize. Play it but give it a few weeks to dry out.

  

Well worth the visit.

Played Epping Golf course for the very first time,it is not the longest of courses but a good test for all abilities.The course was well presented,fairways and greens in good condition except for a couple of greens that had mats on and no grass.Really enjoyed the game as this was my first game as a new member,I was really made to feel welcome by all.Would certainly recommend this course,and look forward to playing here again.

  

Great course

Fairly easy in its design hit it where your meant and you will score..... All staff pleasant and course in great condition.... Bargain at £17

  

Great little course

I had heard so much about Epping. Some good and some bad. For what its worth, I really enjoyed my round of golf here. The course may be short, especially off the yellows, but you still need to put the ball in the right place on the fairway. Some interesting holes with some good risk and reward decisions to make. The quality of the course was mixed. Tee boxes were a tad shabby and the fairways mixed but the greens were slick and true. I did not go in a bunker so can't comment. The clubhouse staff were very friendly and made a good bacon sarnie. All in all I would recommend playing here if you are looking for a nice quick sub 4 hour round of golf. I'm looking forward to going back...

  

ok just about

the tees are poor.only two of them are level,the 2nd-9th-17th are on the same mound,which is not good for noise or slow play,the 14th white tee is a stupid place,and not inline with the fairway in any sense,i have been a member here for 4 yrs. but not rejoining,the people there are really nice,the clubhouse ok,but the tees let it down ..

  

Epping golf club

I have been a member here for 4 years,not rejoining as the tees are awful,,they have not been levelled in the 4 years I have played here,the greens are normally good ,after the winter, the fairways are average ,nice people here but the tees let it down. Normally easy to get on mid week or late mornings sat and Sunday. Electric trolley an advantage as it's a bit hilly ,so for us not so young ,electric a good idea.

  

Does what it says on the tin

What a sweet clubhouse and such a warm and friendly welcome.

The ladies changing room is just large enough to swing a cat in, but it has been thoughtfully decked out and the membership have made the best of the tiny facilities. There are visitors lockers which was a pleasant surprise

And then there was the course.

Not the best day for my inauguration game, as my experience was trudging through a bog and swamp. If the membership and greenkeepers cared about their course, it would have been closed. Regardless of how much all clubs need their green fees and we golfers love to get out, as soon as I played the first hole I am sorry to report that this course should not have been open under any circumstances.

Much of the course could have served as a rice field.
3 of the greens had serious tracks and heavy footprint damage. All the greens were like sponges.

My comments serve only as constructive feedback as someone who genuinely cares and hope that the greenkeepers will make the right decision for the course and close it until it has recovered from this recent ghastly weather. Lost green fees - yes - but not worth destroying your course for and what is obviously a very popular place to play.

The course planners may also be colour blind, as all the red tees are a significant distance back from the yellows. I checked the score card expecting to see many of the holes marked as par 5s to the mens par 4s but perplexed to find the pars were exactly the same. This did not make sense and a fellow TSGer and frequent visitor to the course suggested a sensible compromise. Next time the guys play from the whites and the ladies play from the yellows.

Anyone reading this may be surprised to hear that I will be back, as I believe this is obviously a quirky course to test the short game, but I will be patient and book my next visit when the course has fully recovered from the winter misery.





  

Nice and relaxed

Nice course , some tees a little long , greens running well . would recommend.

  

epping !

People who know me, know that I don't like this course and play it because the society does.
Having said that, the course played quite well, (I still don't like quite a few holes), but the greens were receptive, and played at a decent speed, so cannot fault this.
The staff are friendly and helpful, esp when you have an autistic son with you, but they were fine. There is a bit of a field to hit balls into etc, and if you don't hit the ball far, a pleasant walk and whacking of golf balls. I doubt I will ever like the course, but others do so maybe it is just me. But it has held up well this summer

  

That the "spirit of golf"....... 18 holes in the snow, a fun, enjoyable one off experience....

The spirit of golf transported us to Epping. 4 keen golfers decided to play golf in the snow today and the only local course with no temporary Tees or Greens was Epping.

We had a very warm welcome from Jim, who offered us toasts, cup of tea & marmite. The lovely wood burner kept us warm before braving the elements. We had a very good deal for the round and free loan of carry bags as trolleyd were out of the question.

Obviously, spotting the ball was difficult, even with the fluorescent bright colour as the snow gathered around it, the grey sky in the horizon, but never-the-less, we did not loose many balls, we had a full round. We finished in heavy snow/blizzard with rosy cheeks & glorious smile for the photo taken @ the 17th by the owner of the course/club who was delighted to see us enjoying the course, "that's the spirit of golf" were his words. The photo of the "famous 4" will be published in an Essex golf magazine, Watch out for the celebrities!!!!! (DJ, Howard S., PAL & I.)

Putting was most unusual as no one knew how the ball was going to react on the green, in fact nobody had ever practiced putting on a green covered in snow. So it was an experience for all of us.

No one went in the greeny/glass/sand bunkers so cannot describe how playing with the snow/sand was.

The scenery was spectacular, I hope to publish some photos showing the magical landscape, the keen players, etc. A very enjoyable & unique golf experience that will problably never be repeated.



THE END.... It looks like my reviews are getting shorter.

  

fantastic couse at flux lane epping well worth a visit

Fantastic course at flux lane epping,lovley greens ,well worth a visit

  

Short and sweet

Epping Golf club is not a long course, off the Yellow tees, it is a good challenge of golf skills and I get to use just about every club n the bag at one point or another. Even after 2 days of torrential rain and during a drizzle (degenerating to rain) the course was still playable, if not soggy in more than a few places. Greens were damp and soggy but playable (if you could avoid some patches of standing water). Most of the course the fairways were OK, but zero roll and the odd ball plugged (good job it was winter rules).

More a test of golf skills than the ability to walk distances, course is undulating, with interesting panorama, good views of some bits of Essex. This is a great starting course for those new to Golf and those low handicappers looking to practise skills.

A whole different challenge from the white tees.

Clubhouse was friendly as ever and there's a lovely wood burner in the corner, which makes it just so inviting. Jim is always helpful and the catering is served with a smile.

Car park is a little resticted so on a busy day there may be good reason to arrive ahead of schedule...



  

Weather!!!

Course played well considering the wetness. Should be a very pleasant walk in good weather.

  

Friendly little club, BUT....

So, after all the debates, arguments and conjecture I finally get to play at the Home of The Epping Bandits....

On first impressions this is a great little club, a tiny clubhouse with friendly staff greet you and you feel like you are in a cosy login cabin. The bacon butties were good and the coffee too. The course starts with a fairly easy uphill par 4 and the whilst there are few bunkers on the course in total, the first thing you'll notice is there isn't any sand in the bunklers - oh no, its glass!! This is a first for me but I am told it actually makes a very good drainage system. Whether this is true or not, it certainly stops you in your tracks as they look green in the sunlight! As for the rest of the course, it is neatly laid out and twists and turns making for an entertaining round. HOWEVER, let it be known this course is NOT a long course! Which is why it courts so much controvesy. Actually, I won't beat about the bush, this course, while fun to play, is not a proper course. Any course with a Par 68 and a SSS of 63 tells its own story.

As such, whilst I should be jumping for joy at finally breaking 80(after 14 years of golf!), part of me is a little disappointed, as I can't claim it to really be a true test. Perhaps if the club added some more bunkers, put the tees back 30 yards, it may then quailfy but alas the jury is out on this course. Furthemore, out of the 16+ players that played with us on the day (In a 5 Club Challenge) 6+ players score in excess of 40 points, which tells its own story! However, I would recommend this course for anyone just starting the game.

So the verdict: Yes, I enjoyed the game, yes, I would go back, but does it deserve to be a regular course on the TSG roster - Sadly, no! :-)



  

I joined the Epping bandits on their homeland.....

Today, Sat. 28th Sept 2012, I deflected from the South of the M25 & joined the "Epping Bandits" in their homeland and I certainly enjoyed the course & the set up.

Not a very old course (1996), not long either, but mature & challenging enough to make an interesting game. The course has the advantage to be well drained so all year round play, the sand in the bunker is special, more like bits of glass/glitter, drains well & fairly easy to get out, but I dont think I visited many today.

The greens are fast, real fast, lovely ondulations so very interesting putting where one's skills are truly tested. Water come into play as well, so there is everything one needs for a pleasant round. Quite hilly, lovely views across Essex, a long way across Essex, churches/villages even a glimpse of the M25/M11 & some of these enormous electrical pylons. There is re-construction work of some holes going on (4th + 6th), so a promise of even more challenges, you get a reduction in the Green fee because of this. What a nice gesture.

The Club house is an attractive building, of wooden construction, not that old (only about 10 years). The reception desk is manned by "Jim of all trades" as he acts as a receptionist, checks you in, makes the tea/coffee, takes your money, sells chocolate bars & golf gear: all this with a very friendly smile & the only help of a cook. The sitting room is homely with simple wooden furniture & has a wood burning stove, must be quite cosy in the Winter after a round in the wind & snow. It has a plesant & happy feel about it, so has the course. Extremly good practice facilities.

A few favourite holes:

Hole 12, Par 3: Called the "Frying Pan", probably because of a large number of berry bushes cut short and when looking form the Tee box, it does look like a frying pan shape with a large handle. That makes it a bit of a challenge as who would want to end up in the frying pan ? not easy to get out unless your can do some magic with your wedges... The green has it own tricks, and if you are a magician you can do well on this hole.

Hole 17, Par 3: This one looks easy, but the green is tricky and the sand bunker with its glitter may catch you out if not careful.

Hole 18, Par 4: A pleasant finishing hole, Tee box raised, looking down to the Clubhouse on the left, trees in the way of your shot, depending how far you hit your clubs... A large green where you know you are being watched, should there be anyone having their drinks on the terrace.

A very friendly place, excellent standard that is expected from a private members club.

Today, DJ, had posted a game "with a twist" & I think I managed to provide Norman B. a winning number/score. A very enjoyable day with friendly crowd & yes another lady golfer, Suzanne B. so I managed some different chit-chat as well as a decent score. I shall return to "Bandits Land", I do like the bandits, somehow I feel part of them despite being Lady Lockwood (that for DJ.).

The above are my very own views & description of the day. I could describe more holes but it will take too long. One thing I must add, not sure if I would find my way round, if I was to play on my own, I was happily following DJ, Stephen S. & Suzanne B. who all had played course before, so obviously they had an enormous advantage on me but they all shared their knowldege & I am very grateful for their help. Oh! and the weather was absolutely glorious, could not have been better.

THE END.....




  

Not bad

For the time of year the course is in pretty good condition. Greens pretty true though slightly spongy - but its January! Second visit and will be back.

  

Play off the whites

Undulating open parkland short course. Slow Greens due to the time of the year. Blind Tee shorts. Very few hazards/bunkers. Has a practise area,putting green & nets. I would pay £14 not £21. Even the high handicapper will break 100

  

worth a visit

the course was very wet in places due to the bad weather.
what i will say is this, i had a very enjoyable twilight round at £9 even though it was wet and windy.and found this good value. it was very challeging for me.i can not give a rate on practice area as i did not have time to check this out.
i will love to play this course again (when dry)

  

very worth a visit

great value, good conditions all year around, really enjoy playing there any time.

  

good value for the money although a short course very testing

Good parkland course some holes very testing with tight fairways need to be accurate as the greens a small but it is good value for the money

  

New Year's Day venture..

Light drizzle was evident through much of the day but event that did not detract from the experience. Course looked good and despite playing from the white tees (just a fair bit longer in places) it was an enjoyable return. Suffice to say that my memory of some holes was did not help as everything appeared new(ish). Greens were damp and sponge-like but played straight enough and fairways were well kept and eminently playable. The light rough was light and fluffy so no reasons for not scoring well... except it was the first round this year. Much better scores than the first time I played here (as a novice a couple of years ago) and depsite the hills it was not too exhausting - good clubhouse facilities made it a pleasant trip all round.

  

Nice little course, worth a visit.

A short course, so I would recommend playing off the whites. Although short, it should be given every respect, as it can be very tricky and course knowledge is worth at least 6 - 8 shots a round...easily. Greens have improved enormously, and are some of the best I have played, particularly at this time of year (January) A great little winter course as it drains off very quickly. Some quirky but very pleasant holes, with water in evidence on several of them. Your short game will surely be tested. Small but very pleasant club house. Weekend green fee now £20.

  

One of my first ever full rounds of golf...

As a couple of novices we were welcomed onto the course and knowing no better we took it for what it was. Some hills (understatement) and tricky in lots of places. It was an interesting round and we found our way around with relatively little drama. I think I lost 1 ball overall and that wasn't too bad for a rank novice.

Some challenging holes - and some interesting names... managed to par more than one hole as well. In all it was in good condition and a pleasant half day out. Don't let the yardage fool you, this is like walking a full 7000yd course.

Loved the short par 3 - downhill with a small green and lots of run offs... true test of nerve methinks...

I'll be revisiting soon, now I have a little more experience, let's see how we go from there.

  

Great litle cours

Well what can I say, this is a short course I play a lot in winter as always open and never had a tempory yet, I know it's short but still challenging, I found this to be one of the most friendly course I have played.