Croham Hurst Golf Club

Enjoyed every hole, that’s a testimonial to how nice this course is. Greens were fast, and testing, which makes it a good test. The staff in pro shop, bar and everywhere were so friendly. Really looking forward to going back.

Croham Hurst GC is a members club located a couple of miles from central Croydon; Surrey. There are wonderful views of the Croydon skyscraper skyline from numerous parts of the course.

The club was formeed in 1911 and the current 18 holes opened in 1913. The course was designed and built by James Braid and Frederick Hawtree.

It is a par 71 parkland style course; built on chalk the course is stated to drain well and offer year round golf.

There are 5 par 3s, 9 par 4s and 4 par 5s. The course is 6,094 yards off the yellow (visitors) tees. The SSS of 69 indicates that you are expected to score 2 shots lower than par plus your handicap, to be 'playing to handicap'.

The 1st hole plays directly away from the clubhouse; returns back to the 10th green; then loops away up from the 11th tee and returns via the downhill par 5 18th.

The opening two par 4s were demanding, at least I found them to be so; more due to their steady uphill nature which makes them play much longer than simple yardage suggests.

The par 3s are a mixture of short, medium and long tee shots; the 175 yards 11th and the 205 yards downhill 16th, being perhaps the two most challenging.

The par 4s and par 5s were broad mixture of 'easier' and difficult challenges. Fairway bunkers were awkwardly placed for us medium long hitters off the tee.

The greens were generally very large and well guarded by deep and numerous greenside bunkers. That said the sand in the bunkers was good to get out from! The greens were in good condition but hadn't recovered fully from a recent spiking/sanding.

Costs
Summer weekday visitor green fees are £50 before noon and £35 after 12 noon; or £20 twilight rate after 4pm. The members guest rate is £25 and the weekday County Card rate is £30.

In terms of fees paid, I manager to win a 4 ball voucher via a post event TSG charity auction process that was below the twilight rate per person. In those terms than tremendous vfm. However, while among our 4 ball group there was an opinion that £50/£35 were not unreasonable to pay for this quality of course; whilst I would love to play the course again very soon; and as a retired person; I wouldn't be prepared to pay more than the County Card rate.

The club professional was very helpful; the catering was good, though service seemed a bit haphazard.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable course to play. On the negative side the quality of green to next tee signage is not good; such signs that do exist are very small and difficult to read because they are too far away from the point where a rerouting is required.

This is a course that should be on your list of courses to play. There are however, two further downsides to the club; (1) they only have 4 buggies for hire at what is a moderately undulating course, and (2) car parking space is limited.

Croham Hurst is situated just off a main road, offering an opportunity to escape from city life.

The clubhouse is tired, but currently undergoing refurbishment. There are delightful facilities in the ladies changing room to mask the current upgrade.

Arrive early and enjoy breakfast served on the terrace overlooking 1st, 11th and practice facilities. The view is amazing and hospitality welcoming.

Nice touch on 1st was a boarded notice to close the tee for our match. Other clubs should take note.

The course itself is spectacular and each hole offers wonderful views. Bunker positions are challenging. Think twice about your club selection.

Highlights are the pretty 4th, 5th & 6th - short, but quirky. Think three times about your club selection.

Every time I approached another tee, I was greeted with another stunning view and challenge.

This course is indeed a jewel in Croydon. Book a tee time.

I played here for the first time today with a member and was suitably impressed. There are no truly wonderful holes, but they are all slightly different and a pleasure to play. The course was in a good condition with large greens which ran straight and true.

The only downside would have to be the club house which while providing all you need is slightly dated, and the driving range which is squeezed between the 1st and 18th fairways, and is probably narrower than both. At least you'll learn to hit it straight!

Would I return though, most certainly yes.