Review's of Warley Park Golf Club
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Over the hill holes
A beautiful parkland course with fantastic views over the Thames estuary with Canary Wharf and The Shard in the distance. However, I like to see where I'm going, and where the ball lands, bounces and stops. And at Warley (I played the Warley-Warley 18) tee shots go over the top of the hill, dropping partly or fully out-of-sight on holes 2,4,5,6,9,10,11,12,13,15 and 17. Some second shots go out of view too. On the 5th two of my 4-ball played our third shots towards the wrong green as the fairway - which shows you the way - was in a dip out of view. That said, I'd love to play there again.
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
3 interesting loops of 9 holes, reminiscent of SINGING HILLS, Sussex.
Christmas Eve round, well attended but a little daring considering there had been so much rain the prevous days/week.
The course was playable, I enjoyed the layout, the variety, the blind tee shots with guiding post & the challenge of the numerous water features and certainly more than usual on the day!!!!!! Some ravines had been created. There were ditches across fairways too, so if you know the course it will helps you game.
The Fairways were good for a rainy December 2013.Greens varied in condition & wetness, but be warned, they are fast, super fast in the dry weather (DJ's comments, always a very reliable source as DJ plays so many courses in Essex and organises games too, so he knows his stuff).Bunkers: some had standing water but all strategically positioned.
Warley is a 3 x 9 holes loops where you get to play various combinations as decided by the Proshop. This will soon change as the plan is to offer an 18 holes main course and a 9 holes too. I am sure this will work well. The surrounding Essex countryside is very beautiful and in Spring and Summer it must be even more attractive, more enjoyable to play.
Some places were a little slippery, will mention the 17th Par 3, Red Tee box where I took a giant slide in the mud, I think Damien B. and Andy C. from the group behind us may have witness the event but none of my 4 balls noticed anything, I had no offer of gallant rescue, not even Mr L's who was present today..... I shall not forgive him, well I did as he put all my muddy clothes in the washing machine when we returned to Twickenham.
Not sure why there is a cannon at the finishing hole, may be it is to announce the winning team. Does anyone know?Proshop: friendly reception and a good stock.Ladies Changing Room: very modern & attractive.Bar/Restaurant: nicely laid out with a drink/eat area and a relaxing seating area with leather comfortable leather seats. Terrace outside, not far from the cannon. Large Car Park with a long drive, as we left the Christmas lights were shining all the way to the main road. Very pretty. Nice venue for Society golf days, good deals to be had.
I cannot wait to return to this course as it has captured my heart: the layout, the Essex scenery and the warm welcome from the staff & members alike. The deal was good even if not what we expected, but it was Christmas Eve and the kitchen closed early but not a real problem as everyone understands that Father Xmas is only around once a year!!!
Thank you Mr Ian M for organising a game at this lovely venue.Will be back sooner than later.
THE END.......
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
what a great day for 20 quid
where does one start, the club house is very nice indeed, the staff were very friendly and accommodating, and on the course some absolutely stunning views to be seen. Despite the weather, the course was in pretty good shape, (I think I gave it 4 because of the weather), It gives you a few chances to score here, and by gum you best take them because it will bite you at some point, and that is before you get to the greens!
The greens were superb for the time of year, after playing other courses in the weeks before with slow greens, what a shock to the system to play on greens that would have been considered pretty fast on any course. You need to learn the Fred Couples one inch putt technique on some of the down hill putts, ( 15 feet down hill is too close for a 3 inch putt), and chipping downhill is just frightening how soft you have to land the ball. I kid you not, 4-40 feet down hill putt could be 3 putt territory, you have been warned, approach below the hole!
We paid £20 and we got a golf course like that, (and the course was more than worth £20, we also got a full English breakfast and ham egg and chips lunch. All of this was waitress served, and with breakfast, no queueing to a machine for water or metal tea pots, no scrimping, pots of tea and coffee on the table a plenty
Any society that doesn't use this course in the winter with this deal is bonkers.
Lastly, and i know I have written a lot here, I marked the practice facilities as a 3, this is purely because I didn't use any of it and didn't look for it. I would be surprised as everything else was of a high standard, if it wasn't a 4 or a 5. I put down a 5 ball rating for value for money, but I think it was a 6 today.
If you think I have said too much or exaggerating, go and play the course on a sunny winters morning. You will agree with everything I have said
Clubhouse/Hospitality
Quality of Course
Practice Facilities
Value for Money
Play here on one of the offers available
I played here most recently on a Sunday afternoon (08 Sept) when the club was busy but with a friendly atmosphere. There are three 9-hole courses (hole no's 1-27), so we were told which two to play, as there was a junior competition in progress.
COURSE 1 is the least hilly and, I think, the easiest to play. There are several innocuous par-4's, but two par-3's that will grab your attention. The course gets more interesting at the 7th, with a drive over water to begin a tough trio of holes to finish.
COURSE 2, across the road, should be called The Himalayas! More demanding, but four holes require an uphill approach to the green where you cannot see where the pin is placed, so luck plays it's part. The best hole is the last - a long downhill sweeping par-5.
COURSE 3 is the longest and most difficult to play. Doglegs and trees make shot placement important, so your course management will be tested here. Hole 22 has an inviting downhill approach if your tee shot is good enough, but beware of the tiered sloping green. The long downhill par-3 to a green in front of the clubhouse makes for a memorable finishing hole.
Generally very good condition all round, with excellent greens, although some tee boxes on Course 2 didn't seem flat enough and were showing signs of wear. Great views across the Essex countryside - you can see a long way from here.
This was a specially priced internet deal, booked through TSG, but the club currently have offers, some including a buggy, which are worth taking advantage of. I will look forward to playing here again - my choice would be Courses 1 & 3.
