Burnham Beeches Golf Club

Burnham Beeches is a members club in the village of the same name, near Slough, Buckinghamshire. The club claim it to be the best in the county. Woburn may dispute this! It was established in 1891 and designed by the legendary J H Taylor. Many illustrious golfers have played the course.

The course is a par 70 parkland style course, intensely tree lined and well bunkered. However, while there are numerous blind and dogleg tee shots the fairway landing areas are generally generous and only very wayward tee shots should end in trouble.

Played in September 2017, their par 3 6th green is being rebuilt at vast expense and a temporary card is in place with a temporary short par 3 9th hole taking its place, whilst holes 7, 8 & 9 move down one respectively. The temporary 9th hole is still a bonafide challenge but the course will be all the better when the 6th hole is reinstated.

The par 3 10th hole is a visually intimidating carry over a wide and deep cross bunker in front of the green with vertical railway sleepers propping up the bunker. Avoid! The index 3 par 4 14th is also pretty challenging.

The course was generally in good condition but after a night of intense overnight rain, 'clean and place' on the fairways was in operation. There were parts of the course walking to and to the side of the fairways `that were squelchy which doesn't bode well for the condition of the course throughout the winter.

The greens were generally large, undulating and well guarded by deep bunkers front and side. The pace of the greens were moderate causing judgement of speed problems on the longer putts.

Midweek visitor green fees are £60, £25 with a member or £30 with a County Card.

I played the course by entering their annual 'visitors only' Seniors Open Stableford Cometition. The competition entry fee was £40, including a wonderful bacon roll and coffee, 18 holes, a two course carvery, coffee and prizes. A great vfm way to play the course.

The club was very welcoming and the catering was excellent. Unlike Brigitte below, the coffee vending machine gobbled up my £1.20 but didn't deliver the coffee. The human touch is so much better!

I enjoyed the course very much and look forward to getting another chance to play it in the future, especially when the par 3 6th hole has been reinstated. However, it is not a £60 green fee quality course. Play it if you can get a deal or know a member.

The one downside is its location and the traffic problems encountered en route. Coming up the A3 I had to take a detour to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam following an accident and other competitors reported severe traffic delays on the London bound M4 again because of an accident. Easier for me to travel 90 minutes down to Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex than attempt this journey.

Tucked away from the maddening crowds in rural Buckinghamshire, this course is fantastic! I had little expectation despite the good reviews but was very impressed by this layout. It reminded me in some ways of Brocket Hall and Foxhills. Pine tree lined in places, the course gradually undulates around a parkland setting. The contours lend themselves to good play, which is rewarded if you don't try too hard. There are plenty of holes that stick out but the tee boxes deserve the greatest accolade, as I have played on worse greens! All in all a very pleasant course to play and lots to keep your interest as you go round. Also a lovely spot to enjoy a drink on the patio outside the club but we were happy to enjoy the clubhouse from the inside. Well done Mark T for promoting this place in his initial review. I will definitely be revisiting this course again! :-)

Burnham Beeches golf course/club is over 100 years old in an area of outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by beeches where its name comes from. It is gravel based, so good drainage. The layout and scenery will keep you interested till the end of the round, even if you finish in the pouring rain as we did today...

You feel welcome from the moment you step out of the car, members say hello, chat to you as they gather you are a visitor if you park in a certain designated area. The Proshop is equally welcoming, has lots of Ladies (yes Ladies) stylish clothing, more than Men's in this instance , and all sort of equipment. I am sure I shall find the "matching" red golf peak cap.

The course is well maintained, good signage, superb Tee boxes (more like green carpets), wide enough fairways in excellent condition, well defined paths to next tee, about 3 or 4 water fountains along the way. Some very attractive sand bunkers (some huge & sleepers bordered) with very decent sand, soft enough to fly the ball onto the green or the next bunker ! The greens were recovering from having been treated last week, so putting was more delicate that usual and one needed more than a magic putter on 1 or 2 occasions...

Fairly long, ondulating course, some tough holes, ie the 12th & 14th, some blind tee shots on the 5th & 12th. On this course accuracy is probably more favourable than distance, saying that some long hitters today managed a very good score indeed, which is very rewarding.

Favourite hole, the most intriguing to me:

14th, Par 4, 430 yds (Yellow) or 370 yds (Red): needs a long Tee shot on a fairly wide fairway, trees lurking on the left or right, a narrow dipping valley with all sort of vegetation that you rather not explore, the green at the bottom of the valley with a very tall pole marked with an "X" as the green is not seeable from the fairway. Big bell to signal you have finished on the green.

I nearly forgot to mention there are no water hazards. A smart half way hut with pleasant seating area (photo will be posted).Beautiful practice putting green adjacent to the outside seating area, large chipping, sand bunkers area, 2 big nets and a big field for longer shots: well, it is superb. Friendly staff in Clubhouse, scrumptious ham/egg/chips, very reasonable prices & pleasant service. Excellent tasting coffee from a dispensing machine for 70p only...

The Clubhouse is stylish but not OTT, lovely décor, nice furniture, cosy seating area with warm lighting where one could spend hours chatting after the round. In fact, it is just what our ("Wow") 4 balls did tonight: the TSG family has so many topics & characters that some familiar names sort of cropped up, some still at the guessing stage ????? some very good impersonations were being made too ... ideas were being discussed etc... It was dark when we all left to go back to Middlesex or Essex. Security coded exit barrier with a metal ramp. Changing rooms (Ladies) are large, modern & chic with all the toiletries/towels etc.. one needs. Lockers available for visitors.

Thank you Mark T. (and John A. too) for organising the venue at such a pleasant place, very good value for us TSGers during August. I recommend that you try the course as I am sure you will experience an enjoyable round and you will be made welcome.

THE END...(there will be a few photos on my album, one has to make the TSG colourful)

A gem of a course, must get to play it sometime in your golfing life.