Coombe Wood Golf Club

Coombe Wood is situated in a private road where millionnaire's houses are numerous & quite beautiful, so I was expected a "smart" golf course, but I was disappointed.

The whole place is very quiet, hardly see a soul, one has to ring a bell to get in, the Pro Shop is at the back of the building, the Pro was pleasant enough. The Clubhouse was deserted, one could get a coffee (actually very nice) from a machine as no one behind the bar yet (9.30am)

The Ladies changing rooms relegated to one side with an akward key pad, the Mens in a good position with a modern keypad..

Coombe Wood Golf Club is well over hundred years, no idea who designed it, not a very long course,parkland, but I found it an extremely weird layout, badly signed posted to next Tee, but signage became apparent later on. There are 10 holes on one side of the private road, car park adjacent, & the last 8 holes are the oher side. So is a nice practice putting green.

A tee box behind a green, some criss crossed holes and all the tee boxes numbers were absent. I believe it is in the process of changing some holes, maybe the layout... no course planner was available, the only guidance was the tiny map at the back of the score card which got very, very wet during the incomplete round. We did 12 holes in the rain, the fairways were very wet, muddy in places, the greens had standing water.

It was easy to play the wrong hole or even the wrong green (yes we did!). Dangerous also, as a pitching practice area (could be a driving range)is aiming at the fairway (hole 9, I think), and one has to wait or duck, it can spoil one's concentration & the flow of the game, also it makes it difficult to find one's ball & it is dangerous....

There were some coloured yardage markers in the middle of the fairways, usual 100/150/200 yards.

There were 1 or 2 interesting holes, a Par 3 (hole 8), with a blind tee shot over a thick edge, no idea where the flag was.

We did not complete our round, went in for a change of clothes, a drink & some food which was tasty and reasonably priced. The Bar staff now present (2.00pm) was pleasant.

There are some lovely views & mature trees in this suburban golf course, Kingston upon Thames is down the road, it could be very pleasant course/club but it needs good shake up & changes, needs to make people feel welcome. I must admit the new bridge leading to the enrance is rather nice so is the terrace outside the Club house with Kingston in the distance.

Yes, it was a free round to get people 's views, so the above is my description, feeling of the place etc...maybe someone will take notice & invite me back when changes has been made or will I get barred for ever for telling what I saw on Friday 14th of December 2012.


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