Review's of Epping Golf Club
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
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.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
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
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
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.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
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! :-)
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
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.....