Epsom Golf Club

A challenging course, in more ways than one!

We played on a busy Saturday at the end of November and a noon tee time meant it would be a challenge to get around before sun down. The first challenge, however, would be getting parked as there are very tight and limited spaces available. After a chaotic 10 minutes of gridlock they opened the overflow carpark and we were off to the races :)

The clubhouse was friendly but one or two who ventured a breakfast were less than impressed and one refund was sought and given. There's a small putting green, chipping area and nets for practice (adequate).

The course had been chosen because it drains well and that was definitely the case. Fairways and greens were in good condition and the rough was cut to be penal without being silly. However, there were several temporary tees and the mats were very small. I wondered if they reduced the vegetation around some of these tees whether they would get more light and air to them and reduce the need for temporaries?

The layout of the course presents many challenges. On the plus side, many holes use trees and the natural shape and undulations of the land to challenge the player with some very tight fairways. On the negative side, had I not been with others who knew their way around I would likely have gotten lost with all the busy roads, crisscross fairways and distance between some greens and tees. I was also surprised at just how close some of the holes come to busy roads with very little protection - the par 5 11th is a particularly intimidating tee where a nervous hook could easily end in tears (or worse!)

Overall I found Epsom to be a real mixed bag experience and I look forward to a return in different conditions.

  

Short course - with tricky greens

Course is relatively easy to find, beware of the speed cameras in the 40 zone as you head towards the course from the M25, there mounted on lampposts and not the usual GATSO cameras.

Parking was tricky on a Saturday not sure if this is usual or because another society was playing, I managed to park but only just. Practice facilities are sparse, no driving range or nets, however there is a small green and a small area to practice 50yd shots, which is better than nothing.

The course
On the day I played it was extremely windy and there are not many parts of the course that shield you from the wind. Everyone who has played the course has commented on how hard the greens are, being undulating and fast. Playing in February my guess is they were slower than how they would usually play, and I suspect during a hot period these greens would very tricky to put on. Getting up and down around the greens I found was better suited to bump and run shots rather. For this time of the year I thought the course was in good condition.

As previous reviewers have mentioned there are several areas where you need to cross busy fast roads, and some of the holes play quite near to the roads, which is not ideal. There is also a number of holes which cross over each other and the 17th and 18th T are a bit of mess in terms of design relating to the teeing position. If you keep the ball in the fairway you can score well round here as many of the holes are not that long.

Overall I think it’s an interesting course, the clubhouse is nice and the changing rooms were good, however not sure I would go out of my way to play here, but it’s worth a look if your in the area.


  

A very enjoyable course

Epsom GC is a par 70 downland course located on Epsom Downs in Surrey, adjacent to it's famous race course.

The course crosses busy local roads in several places. The 15th hole adjoins a busy roundabout.

Played off the yellow tees the course is 5,490 yards, comprising 4 par 3s, 12 par 4s and 2 par 5s.

The club was founded in 1889.

A feature of the course is the absence bunkers until the 18th. The approach to the 18th green was the most intimidating from whatever angle.

The 3rd and 12th are long par 3s.

The course is a course of gentle undulations; and was in excellent condition. Greens are generally enormous with tricky undulations and borrows.

Visitor weekday green fees are £29 or £35 weekends; or £20 as a members guest.
The club also offers a Monday morning special rate after 11.00 am. Reasonable vfm.

However I have entered the club's Seniors Open Stableford Competiation and the club kindly sent me a practice round voucher enabling a 4 ball play for £15 each. Truly excellent vfm.

The pre competition practice round was an eye opener and should be of great help facing my upcoming competition.

The staff were very welcoming and helpful.

A downside is that the bar and catering services are not available until 11.00 so a prematch breakfast is out of the question. However the post game food was excellent.

Although living only about 30 minutes from this course I had not found a way to play it for whatever reason. This has been a pleasure idiotically foregone. I look forward to playing it again very soon.









  

Nice course. Worth a visit.

Epsom is a short but interesting course. Played in Jan, and Fairways and Tee boxes were good ( although quite a few 'Mats' ). Some greens were excellent, some ok, but it is winter. Practise facilities are limited, especially the practise green, which does not prepare you for the wicked slopes on the course ones. It is a combination of tough holes, and some easy, so evens out. The high holes near the race course are exposed, and it was windy. There you can get battered, but not all around. All in all, very nice.

  

Greens are great

The course is short and on several holes accuracy from the tee is important. The course would benefit by adding to the 2 bunkers. The real joy and challenge of the course is large sloping greens that run faster than most.

I think the staff are welcoming and very helpful - a real plus.

  

Friendly welcome, nice quirky course

Enjoyed my first round at Epsom. A short course with a few very short par 4s.

I had an eagle put on one of the par 5s and managed to walk off the green with a par. The 3 putt I blame on myself and not the greens which I found to be fair and true. Yes they have undulations on them but who wants to play on flat greens with no borrow on them ,not me.

Our twilight round was only 17.50 which I thought represented good value and I'd play here again.


  

Lucky 13th......Hole in One ...

13th, Par 3, 131 yards from Red, described as follows from Epsom GC website, I quote "Hole 13, a very hard green to hit with trees sheltering on the right and a tendency for the ball to roll to the left".

Well, today was my lucky day, I did not actually see my ball fall into the hole, but playing partners George and Andy did say it had gone in. What joy when I got to the green and saw my Callaway Supersoft 4 (with little red hearts) sitting at the bottom of the cup. I was warmly congratulated by George S., Andy A, David C. We shared a quick sip from my whisky hip flask & carried on with our game.

The Director of Golf, Stuart Walker waived my Green fee, the Lady
Captain, Diana Blasdon invited me to join the Ladies Games anytime, the Bar staff was delightful, the people sitting in the classy, listed Clubhouse enjoyed their free drinks too.

I know it was a lot of luck as it was not my best golf, I had some dreadful holes, lost 3 balls , it was quite cold & windy but the fairways were excellent and the greens superb. Luck has to be appreciated and the luckier you are , the luckier you get, something I heard somewhere..... I was smiling & singing all the way home despite the
heavy traffic.


Thank you to my playing partners for,sharing my joy.

Thie above is my recollection of the unforgettable golf day at a course that has, charm, history and class and I have always liked and a superb winter course.

Shall return soon.



THE END......

  

Great course

Well what a day, good food and a very nice dry course. Excellent pro shop staff that when I lost my mobile phone drove me back out on to the course and helped me look for it.
A very enjoyable day must return soon.

  

Top of the tops WINTER Course......Suuuuupeeeeerb Greens.

Finding a great winter course that is playable & enjoyable was not easy this week. So many chalk based courses were closed... Today, after much deliberations, our choice was EPSOM.....and what a great choice for a Winter course. NO temporary greens, NO temporary tees, just very few Yellows T off a small matt, fairways superb. Some had runs and greens were nearly (well not quite) as fast the Summer time.

So this is "Numero 1 " as a winter course in Surrey.

The Pro could not have been more helpful too, as one of our party lost their mobile phone, Adam or Stuart drove the buggy back to the last 3 holes, but unfortunately in vain. Where is that damn phone ? We assume a walker by picked it up, maybe the phone will be returned tomorrow.

The food in the traditional & elegant Clubhouse was extremely good, so was the coffee.

Best days to play are Wednesdays and Thursdays, when Tees available as early as 7.30 even for Visitors, on Tuesdays Ladies day after 12.00pm.

A really nice course, an extremely friendly and welcoming Club, and a big thank you to Adam.

As I write this review, I have received news that the mobile has been found!!!!!!!!! So happy for my friend David S.


The END............

  

Unexpected disappointment

The clubhouse is beautifully traditional and I took great pleasure in exploring while my fellow golfers practiced outside in the freezing cold. The ladies changing room is quirky and cosy and a lovely welcome chat with a couple of the lady members made for a warm welcome. The breakfast took a while to be served and was too much for me, but good value when it did turn up. I was very disappointed with the course. It is as if it was an afterthought. There should not be a golf course there at all, as it is criss - crossing, as well as interacting with the nearby roads. No one should be trying for a true handicap there. I would only go there again for a bit of fun with friends, pitch and putt practice and have a bet on putting crazy landscaped greens.

  

Only 1 bunker.......

Epsom Golf course has only 1 bunker at the 18th hole......just to confirm.

The greens are treacherous and glad this is recognized by all who played there.

A course I like due to its very original ancient layout.


THE END.....

  

A thinking man's course

I really like this course, which is quirky and original. It is short, with almost no bunkers, but is very tight in places. If you hit the ball straight you can get up near a lot of the greens in regulation - surely a low score beckons?

It's a downland kind of terrain, with quite a few greens set on sloping ground. In my opinion, most short approach shots are best played as bump and runs with an 8 or 9 iron, similar to links golf. High wedge shots can be less effective, especially in winter conditions, where the ball does not release.

Then you arrive at truly fiendish greens, where on both short chips and putts you really need to think carefully about the line, pace and 'missing on the high side'. Most golfers will 3 putt at least a few of the greens.

  

Very good course

Hardest greens you will ever put on!

  

Nice course, shame about the putting

Tee to green this was a very enjoyable course then the putting starts. I was told before hand about the greens and they weren't lying.

Walk to the ball, think ok two putts here. 4 later and a totally broken man. It's the same for 18 holes.

Great views, great holes, nice little club house. I'm going to get some serious putting practise in before I venture back though. Although I'm not sure that would make any difference.

The practise green is a fair example of what to expect. I gave up trying to read them in the end and just hit and hoped towards the end of the round.

This isn't a slur on the course though. It really is enjoyable you just quickly get used to four putting.

  

TODAY'S SPECIAL:14 holes only, me & my Caddy and a much better score...

By now you may have finished reading my review/report of yesterday's golf at Epsom Golf course.

Well, I returned today with my "Caddy" and what a difference to my game, reflected in a much better score & a lot less putts... yes my game is improving and it shows that to return a 2nd time to a new golf course is worth it, that is if you like the course, its challenge & enjoy the company of your chosen "Caddy".

When there are Races at Epsom, the golf course is still in use, (the geen fee is reduced) but certain holes are closed for play, these were the 5th, 6th, 10th & 11th. The fairways being used for parking and picnic etc.

So 3 of my favourites holes were playable and what a pleasure to play them a 2nd time, got a very good score due to careful club selection, and more attention to the putts under careful guidance of my Caddy.

I forgot to mention that the course in on chalk, so drains well, the top of the course is really exposed to the elements, more like a Links course.

Today even more dog walkers and weekenders strolling but not a problem. Quite a few golfers enjoying a pleasant but windy day.

Just for the record, one crosses the road 6 times (not 8 or 10) during play, but again this is part of the topography, as this course is very old and the now roads were probably just dirt tracks... But is does not present a problem as there are speed restrictions on these B or C roads.

We very nearly witnessed a hole in one at the 15th, Par 3, the ball was about 15/20cm away from the cup....

I learned something from the present Members as to the order of play at the 17th & 18th adjacent perched up Tee boxes, as follows:

One leaves the trolleys at the cross road (by the 16th green), go up and tee off at the 17th, go down & putt (the Ladies take their trolley to the 18th Red tee, which is past the 17th green), Mens walk back down & up to the 18th tee and that is it. And then we meet somewhere on the 18th fairway depending where one's tee shot landed.

Sounds complicated, NO, it is not, I am sure the Neville S., his friend Ian and Mark C. understand what I have written.

I finished the signature hole (18th/Par 4) in glory... 3 shots and a putt!...

It was a very enjoyable golfing day, sampled the food from the Clubhouse, nicely prepared & tasty and I treated my "Caddy" to a drink, it was very windy on the terrace but the sun was warm.


By the way, my Caddy's name is Alfred....



THE END... of the 2nd episode at Epsom.

  

Elegant & classy, full of history & ONLY 1 BUNKER......

Epsom is another favourite of mine for many reasons:

- it is full of history, has a link with Epsom College, has a Clubhouse full of character (the 1st one to be erected in Surrey), and offers the best variety of holes one could possibly imagined, has only 1 bunker (18th), and the greens are the most challenging & interesting ones to master.

- there are lots of roads to cross to get to the different parts of the course (is it 6, 8 or 10 ???), but this is due to the fact that it used to be 2 golf courses originally. But the signage (yellow arrows with the next Tee number) is excellent and one cannot get lost.

- the course is mostly tight, so accuracy is at a premium, but there are a few wide fairways and it is better to keep to the fairways as the rough is very wild.

- Epsom Down Racecourse is in the background on many holes and one has the most wonderful views of London and its suburbs stretching from Terminal 5 (Heathrow) and more to the Est of London, with Canary Wharf and maybe Essex ? Today was a very clear day and the views were truly spectacular.

- there is a lovely walk from the 4th to the 5th, attractive woodlands.

- lots of up and down hills but walking the course is not that strenous. Just a nice way to keep fit and fill those lungs with fresh Surrey country air.

- there are quite a lot of public footpaths with dog walkers or blackbery pickers or just normal weekend walkers, so be careful before teeing off.

- if you play on a race day, you can see some jockeys/horses rehearsing along the 6th, can be quite exciting to watch and listen to the gallops etc...

Some favourites holes, will only name a few:

5th, Par 4, raised Tee box to an uphill fairway, dog leg to the right, green in front of the Race Course, green ondulating in all directions.

6th: Par 5, slight dog leg to the left,fairway sloping to the left as well, then a huge deep full of rough grass before one reaches the other part of the fairway and uphill to the green. A lovely hole to play with careful planning.

8th, Par 4, probably he tighest hole of the course, ending with another challenging green.

All the holes by the racecourse can be subject to a lot of wind, and winter play must be even more challenging, hats/gloves/scarf a must.

The 16th, 17th & 18th are the most spectacular, a real pleasure to get on those Tee boxes and find the greens still able to tourment you one way or another.

The 17th & the 18th have their Tee boxes adjacent, but obviously in different directions if that makes sense.
The Lady 18th Tee box is in a totally different place, giving a different perspective of this signature hole adorned with the ONLY bunker on this course !

The 18th is is definitely dog leg left from the Yellows, and sort of from the Reds, sloping fairway to the left as well, a ridge with some rough before reaching the green.

PRO shop: well provided, friendly staff.

Clubhouse: as said at the begining full of history and of a pleasing design in red bricks with old fashion wooden windows. Lovely hallway where one can see the names of cup/troply winners and other pictures, a grandiose stairs leading to the Lady's rooms, a dining room & offices...

A very pleasant terrace with lovely modern garden furniture, overlooking the 18th and its bunker.... but tonight there was a rather noisy crowd (not golfers) having drinks... it was so peaceful once they left.

A lovely day with nice company on a course that wants to be played again & again as one will never get tired of its challenge and its greens.


THE END.....





  

Roller Coaster Greens

This isn't the longest course that you'll ever play, but it's not one to give up a good score easily. There are a number of tight holes where there's a good chance of a lost ball, especially the 8th and 16th, and you really don't want to get on the wrong side of the hole on the greens. The 16th is all downhill but Victoria Beckham skinny. Fortunately it is a lot prettier though. There are a number of holes that cross over each other, and a minor irritant is the number of people walking their dogs on the public footpaths, but there are some wonderful views over London to be had, and some really pretty holes to be played.

  

short but tricky

Played here at the weekend.Great value £26.50 with a breakfast.{well done Daniel} Starts with a 216 yard up hill par 3 into the wind.mmmmm.
Anyway its like a links course,very undulating,very few bunkers,short par 4s,but very very tricky greens,If you can putt well then you will score well.God knows what its like in the summer.
A few holes a very tight and cross over fairways/grenns.Overall a good day,nice people in the club house,would definetely come back.Hopefully putt well.

  

Worth playing - tricky greens

Epsom golf course is short but tight. Only remember spotting two bunkers both round the 18th. Don't be fooled, the greens are its defense. Undulating, tricky to read and very fast - remember we are only in early March. Did not like some of the holes crossing each others fairways. Would I play again - yes in the summer just to see what its like to putt on glass!

  

Stunning / great setting

Played here yesterday the staff and members made us feel most welcome in fact they couldn't do enough for you the Breakfast included in the cost was Fab.
The course setting was Linksy the back drop over London and the race course nearby was breathtaking.
Not the longest course but if you like something that is tight / tricky / and you need to have some imagination it is for you i would highly recommend a game here and can't wait to go back in the summer.
my only Warning would be the Greens they were like Glass so i'd hate to think how you stop a ball later in the year.
Great value for Money

  

epsom golf club

The course is only 5 mins away from my flat but has been about 5 years since I played here last.

Played here during Epsom Golf Clubs BIG THAW promotion of 9.95(usually £26)which expires at the end of feb.

Its one of those course that you either love or hate, not a long course(5300 yrds yellow tees) but has a lot of interesting holes, felt the course could do with a bit more attention(some of the greens in poor nick - unable to find some of the yellow tee markers on some holes)

Might be a good idea you have golf insurance before you play here as on a few of the holes you a
play run parallel to a busy road however gives you a bit more incentive to hit a decent shot if you haven't.

Would I come back and pay £26 - prob not - will have to wait till they run there next promotion.