Review's of Stapleford Abbotts Golf Club
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Needing some TLC
Played twice in a week and was hoping the greens got a bit quicker, but was wrong - BUT, there is a reason - they are making sure the greens stand up to traffic. It is just a little annoying as most places are now running faster. That said, they are in very good condition generally as they are hard enough to a) let your ball run through if it lands on them and b) are good enough to 'repel' the dreaded craters we call pitch marks! 'Old holes' need repairing with more than sand as it takes too long to heal.
Bunkers are in need of care from the ground staff, members and players as they are not being raked (if there is a rake in it). Fairways are fairly divot free, but tee boxes need tidying up.
Good to see they are ensuring a hard path round the course; I'd assume that this will allow buggies all year (many better clubs could learn this lesson), but can they please fill in all the holes - noticed one and stumbled, then getting back in the buggy stumbled in it again.
But, for the price, the course is good value, and I would think that the course will get the TLC as more income comes in. Hope so, as Crown who were in charge before did their usual sucking of cash from the business then cast it off for someone else to pick up the pieces - hope it works for the folk now running it.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Good challenge, value for money, recommend
We needed a course that was equal distance between us and that we could book early weekend tee times. One of my friends found Stapleford Abbotts. Having played the course now a number of times this year, we have found it a good challenge, plenty of water hazards, a number of dog-leg holes that once you get to know the layout become more enjoyable and holes you have to think about. Greens have seemed fairly-hard all year, good to putt on be not easy to pitch and hold to.
I believe the course was previously owned by Crown Operations Golf Ltd, but since 2019 it has been under new ownership Phil & Rita Newman and their family, members have told me improvements have been made to not only the course but the clubhouse and catering. I can vouch for this, we normally tee-off early and back in around 12:30 and we look forward to the coffee and bacon or sausage baguettes.
I have enjoyed the games I’ve played here this year and with their Loyalty Card (pay for 5 rounds, 6th round free), excellent value for money.
Would recommend playing.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Fairways very poor
First off, I really enjoyed the layout of this course and 16 out of the 18 holes. It was very quiet and we were the only ones in the bar (which may say something in itself) so to comment on the clubhouse, which is lovely, and hospitality may not be fair, although the staff that were there were not particularly interested. What I can say is that the fairways, around all of the greens and some of the actual greens themselves are in very poor condition, in desperate need of repair. This course is a very expensive twilight option and therefore based upon the quality of the course represents poor value for money - which is a shame. Massive potential at this club, which I suspect is struggling, with a fair amount of work ahead. I hope they do improve - let's see what happens, but compared to other alternatives within 5-10 miles I will not be back too soon but will be back at some time to see what's happened at the course, fingers crossed!
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
A good day out at the Priors
OK here's the summary, good value for money, course was in good condition, sunshine was evident. This was a good shortish course, nonetheless challenging - but with plenty of opportunities to achieve good scores on just about all holes... Luckily I was hosted by some regulars - otherwise I might have gotten a little bit lost... Greens were good, fairways were fine... even the semi-rough was helpful... Nice parkland course, loads of trees and a swirling wind to make one think...
I enjoyed the round... 18th is a tight green across the water... I guess you could have nightmares about it, but just have a go and see where you end up...
Clubhouse facilities were limited but functional, on the day parking was a bit tight, so car share is recommended...
Good course, something for everyone, I will go again...