Review's of Merrist Wood Golf Club
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Enjoyable course despite very wet conditions in places
Merrist Wood GC is a parkland style course located in Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey. The course is a part of the Crown Golf portfolio of courses. It is a proprietary pay and play venue with a playing membership. It is a low key playing oasis surrounded by a host of the highest profile members clubs in Surrey, yet alone England/GB & I.
The course is a par 72, 6,285 yards off the Yellow tees, used on the day! There are 4 par 3s, 10 par 4s and 4 par 5s. A standard course configuration! The 9th and 18th greens are just in front of the clubhouse, ideal for a two tee start for competitions/societies etc.
The course opened in 1997, was designed by David Williams. He was also the designed of Surrey National, Westerham, Clandon Regis, Woolston Manor, Chartham Park and Broke Hill (now permanently closed), courses that are likely familiar to fellow TSGers!
Merrist Wood is a well laid out course. The 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th holes involve carries over either ponds or water filled ditches! The par 4s/par 5s, are generally straight drives though 7th, 13th and 18th involve doglegs, though the bigger hitters can shorten the holes by cutting corners over trees. High risk first time out but not so much once you know what you are hitting into!
The 4th and 15th fairways are littered with bunkers awaiting overhit/wayward drives.
Most approaches to the greens are challenging due to their protection by bunkers and water. Greens are large, undulating and have numerous possible pin positions; and while showing signs of recovery from spiking/sanding, they were generally in good condition, but difficult to judge line/pace.
Played in mid December, while the weather was dry and overcast, after recent heavy rains, some of the fairways were very wet. The 1st and 18th holes were the soggiest in places. On the day unfortunately aI forgot to bring my Driver and 3 Wood, so my 5 Wood became my driver for all of the par 4/5s. This severely limited my distances off the tees and my potential scores!
The green fee was £24. OK under normal conditions but I would have hoped for a reduction to about £18 to £20 given the course conditions!
The bar and pro-shop staff were very helpful. The pregame catering options were very limited due to the catering being short of one of their chef's; though a generous portion of beans on toast and a sandwich was enjoyed at a reasonable price!
All being said this is an excellent course layout that is adversely affected by wet winter conditions.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Worth a visit
I found the course to be in great condition. The fairways didn't seem to have the issues that other reviewers have mentioned, and the greens especially were looking good. The one area I did think the course let itself down on was in the bunkers, where the sand was very compact just under the surface and maybe needed a good raking.
The fairways are generally wide, there is lots of water and bunkers around, and the course is quite long for the shorter hitters.
I prefered the holes on the back 9, especially the short par 4 12th with the lake in front of the green, the par 3 16th, and the 17th which has a lot of water in front of the tee. If you don't hit it long then there is a baleout area to the right, and it doesn't really cost you much if you choose to aim that way.
The clubhouse was very plush, and they have excellent practise facilities.
We got a really good deal to play, and I would have no hesitation in going back again.
