Abbotsley Hotel, Golf and Country Club

I re-visited Abbotlsey Golf Complex not just to play golf on a course I truly like but also to attend a 5-day Golf School (Ladies Golf Week 29th July to 3rd Aug 2012)) run by Chris Langford, but more about that in the Forum perhaps...

The Abbotsley course was at its best, superberbly maintained, cared for, very lush but well kept. I noticed a few additions:a newly decorative flower/plant bed with metal sculptures by the 1st Tee & quite a few newly planted trees (staked, check rules) along certain holes to add even more interest to some of the wide fairways.

Greens were a pleasure now that I can read them & that my new putter is my best friend.

As said in previous review (30 April 2012), Abbotsley is a very long course, a challenge on every hole even though you might think "oh, this looks easy & flat" (Hole 1) but the greens will be there to test you.

Each hole is very diferent, so plenty of variety to practice your newly acquired golfing shots. I shall list just a few:

Hole 2, Par 4, Sloping left to right, downhill to a super fast green with water on the right edge.

Hole 3, Par 5, flat start, leading to downhill slope, then over a brook to an uphill tiered green (can be quite vicious depending on the pin position).

Hole 4, very tight Par 3, elevated TEE over a brook. Raised green.

I THOUGHT I was only going to mention a few holes, but I am getting carried away...

The 5th, pAR 4, tight drive, again over a brook, a ferrocious green.

The 6th: Par 5, dogleg to Right, a brook or 2 to negotiate as well as 2 beautiful, mature oak trees to reach the uphill green of an interesting shape.

I could describe every hole in details but I think it would be better if you took a trip to Abbostley and see for yourself:

- you will be challenged
- you will not get bored
- you will want to come back to master the holes that could have been a 3, or a 4, or a 5 but never were (how many times I hear playing partners say "it should have been....").

Must mention the 15th, Par 5, a spectacular Tee shot from the Yellow tee, perched up, 1st shot over a large pond, then uphill & sloping left, ditch in the middle and deep and large bunkers by the inviting green....

And one more hole the 18th: a short Par 3, a pretty pond & weeping willow to negotiate to reach the green.

Lots of dog legs, some blind holes with guiding post and warning bells to ring when at the top etc...

A true pleasure to play the course & the views all around are spectacular, wide fields into the horizon, beautiful mature trees eerywhere, al resplendiscent in the lovely sunny summer days I spent there.

Abbotsley Golf Complex is a pleasant rural retreat, with 3 golf courses, Fitness place, Squash Court, a 3-star hotel, a few bars, lounges, a restaurant with 1st class freshly prepared local produce, a brand new wine list.

A lovely internal patio area with BBQ, encircled by what was once old barns, now renovated into hotel rooms, a spike bar, a putting practice green, an old agricultural machine (?) in display. There is also one on show between the 4ht,5th & 11th hole.

Staff very friendly, whether it be Reception, Bar, Restaurant, ProShops (there are 2), Chambermaids or Greenkeepers and of course the Pros,more about my No.1 Pro in the forum , and the owner of the complex, Vivian Saunders OBE.

There is a happy atmosphere, as you walk in you feel relaxed and you know you are going to have a great time.
You are made to feel very welcome, Dogs are also welcome, so you can always bring your best friend and you wont be frown upon....

I would highly recommend playing at Abbotsley, a perfect place for a golf day, or an overnight stay for 2 days of golf (very good deals to be had), a Society day or why not a Romantic Golf Weekend for 2 (chilled Champagne waiting !!!!).

TSG flyers were left on display in the Reception lobby & I handed out a few myself to visiting golfers !

What more can I write ?


Well, I shall return very soon to taste the Champagne! & play golf as well.


THE END.....

Beautifully laid out in some rather scenic countryside, mature parkland, with something of a links feel to it in places. Course is interspersed with water (lakes and ditches) which can cleverly be avoided. Course manage your way to a reasonable score on a course that favours straight hitters over distance, Neat and challenging for the most part, venture off your fairway at your own peril. After a number of days heavy rainfall it was only to be expected that there would be some standing water (and the ground was a bit soggy in places). Gently undulating, a nice walk and a chance to exercise most of the clubs in your bag, Development work was ongoing (signs of good work in progress) and the locals were welcoming.

I'd recommend this as a place to stay to enjoy a weekend away... Hotel complex on site, and good deals to be had.

I enjoyed this day, as the sun was shining and it was great to be out and about. Looks like the pro shop is well appointed and really quite amenable to deals...

Would I come back, yep.. without a second thought... a most enjoyable day...

Played the Abbotsely main course on a perfect sunny spring day and it was looking beautiful. It was in lovely condition although the greens could be a little better. Varied holes, plenty of rises and falls and great scenery thoughout. Will definately fit another round in here soon. Only disappointment was lack of practise facilities- even the putting green was out of use as it had just been relaid. Driving range etc all at the 2nd course a short car drive away.