Ballards Gore Golf & Country Club

Ballards Gore will be off the beaten track for most, however for me it's one of my local courses which I've played a few times over the years. The club has spent a lot of money in recent years refurbishing the club house, and the course layout has always been good and challenging. it's one of the longer courses in Essex playing just short of 6,500yds off the yellow tees.

Finding the club should be relatively easy, although you wil, have to contend with School/commuter traffic if playing mid week as the roads do get congested on the outskirts of the club, there is plenty of parking onsite.

Practice facilities
There is a driving range to the left of the clubhouse, although I've never used this so can't comment, other than to say it should be long enough to use your driver (I've seen many courses where this not the case), there are 2 practice nets near the 1st tee and a putting green.

Green Fees
I payed £21 for a round on a Friday via tee off times (booked by Speedy), The website states green fees are £25 Mon-Fri and £30 weekends after 12, overall it's not bad value. Ballards often appears on tee off times.

The Course
Most of the tee boxes were OK although some were uneven and a bit fluffy, the fairways were also a bit fluffy and were being cut as we played, the greens were in good condition although quite slow, when I've played in summer they have been fast. This course has drainage issues and although the fairways were dry on the whole they were still fairly soft and your ball picked up mud.

If you are a long hitter you can do well around here although you need to be strategic in shot placement and club selection due to the many dog legs. The trees on this course are mature, and there is some water in play on some holes, the course is set in flat open countryside and overall it's a nice but long walk. If you play here in winter be aware that the wind becomes a significant factor as there is no terrain to shelter the course from the weather, and if you are playing between Jan- Mar I would expect the course to be boggy if we've had rain.

Overall this is one of the nicer courses in my area and is probably worth playing if you want to venture in into the more remote parts of Essex.

Another one of the Essex courses ticked off my list and whilst I enjoyed my round here, would I rush back? Hmmm...

The course is Parkland and reasonably maintained. However, I don't think it would be unfair to say that the course is a little scruffy in places. Tee boxes vary from very good to poor.

The course is VERY flat and plays quite long but the greens are fair but perhaps a bit fluffy, adequate but perhaps a little slow.

There are some nice holes on the course plus the odd dog-leg and water to navigate. Overall, there is nothing to dislike about this course and there is some lovely mature trees and water to enjoy. However, the problem with this course is that it's not easy to reach...

It's way off the beaten track (35m+ from M25) and whilst the staff were all friendly, welcoming, the food very reasonably priced (Only £2.25 for an egg and sausage bagette!) I don't think there is enough here to get me coming back time after time.

Worth a visit if you are in the area but not sure I would make a special journey to visit course again.

Parkland course with an easy walk.
Tight tree line in places with 6 holes guarded by water with mature Oak trees on or off the fairways.
Fairway bunkers and 2 dog leg holes come into play so course management is required (GPS/Garmin).
It’s over 6600 yards off the yellow so it suits a big hitter, but remember the hazards.
Firm & true greens in good condition.
Fairways/bunkers were good.
Excellent club house & pro shop & friendly staff.
Practise chipping, putting green, driving nets, Towels & ball cleaner on every tee box.
"Value for money" is base on internet price of £12, normally £30 for a Sunday 2 o’clock tee off.
You have to play this course at least once you won’t regret it....but it is long.
I will be back come again.