Brentwood Golf Club

The pro shop is small. Club house food was good quality and value. The tees were good but one was closed. Fairways were good but had an issue with leaves. Bunkers were generally good but some were a bit hard. One greenside bunker was being refurbished with new sand by a dumper & JCB which held us up during the play of the hole. The greens were covered with airation holes that made putting a bit of a lottery for longer puts.

First time here today, good value and a really good variety of interesting holes. Holes range in difficultly, with some challening par four holes for the average golfer like me. Overall very enjoyable day, will definately go back in drier conditions off grass tees.

Fantastic course, challenging holes ...condition fab ...lovely food after!

First time at Brentwood but certainly won't be my last. Really good layout with lots of interesting and different shaped holes. Quite muddy but it is november so cant wait to see it at its finest. Very windy today which added to the interest, as did the geese lol. I'll be back.

Very much enjoyed the course in great company

Golf buggies are all singing and dancing with club and ball cleaner on each one, touch screen sat nav and course layout on a smart screen which you can also point to layout options and this also gives you the yardages to hazards, and a digital scorecard - brilliant!!
Fairways are forgiving and the greens are EXCEPTIONAL at the moment.
Early bird special for 2 and a buggy - £50 (7:30am tee off)
Cafe was'nt open though so no brekkie.......BAD!!
Bunkers are ok but could do with a bit more sand, not hard but just a bit thin.
Course is playing shorter than the stated yardage due to the firm fairways - reaching par 5s in 2 is always nice :)

We all heard how this lovely Essex course went into decline, but now I can confirm that the re-birth has truly happened.

The money, effort, time, etc. is paying off and will reward any visitors, members with a warm welcome, a beautiful course in truly superb condition. Improvements are still carrying on I believe.

The fairways were nearly immaculate, the bunkers (I visited many) had a good thickness of lovely white fluffy sand, the rough nicely cut, the greens seemed to be well looked after, maybe needed a cut, but it was Bank holiday (3.5.15). The views from every hole were resplendiscent, the Spring freshness made every corner attractive. As said before every hole is different with its own challenge.

Nearly every tee has a good quality winter tee in place, normally placed between Yellows & Reds...... A smart sign & map at every hole, direction to next tee, 150 markers on Par 4 & 5, the paths have been relaid with clear signs for buggy users, irrigation has been incorporated, new holes dug for water escape, next Winter will tell whether it is working or not on the Essex clay soil.

Unfortunately, our 1st 9 was extremely slow due to 2 Societies in front of us. But the last 9 was fine and very easy enjoyable. The Organiser, Peter M. got us a very good deal on line @ £13, that was fantastic, thank you.

The Ladies changing room is totally refurbished, very sleek and chic, smart basins, taps and the latest Dyson, V shape hand drier.... elegant tiles on the wall, and attractive floor covering in contrasting colour.

The Clubhouse is welcoming and the service with a smile , the Pro was very attentive too.

Will return soon, but probably during the week to avoid being stuck behind Societies. I believe there is a special day/offer/pricefor people of a certain age.

Go and visit and play and enjoy the resurrection of this Essex course. Well done to the new owner/Management.

The above is my personal opinion & as my eyes see it.




THE END............

We took a chance and played midweek in late December. On arrival we were advised that the course was 'very wet' although trolleys were OK to use. Armed with the knowledge that it would be a boggy day we had the course to ourselves by and large. It is more and more obvious that investments are going to reap dividends come the spring/summer of 2015. Loads of new equipment on show, lots of activity around the course (tarmac new pathways was ongoing and will be superb). As expected there were some temporary tees, but greens (once we got there) were playable and got quicker as the sun and wind dried the course.

Zero roll on most fairways and a lot of plugged balls didn't detract from a good day out.It was a chance to get out and hit a ball or two... As ever the late winter sunshine made ball-finding interesting and club selection (for distance control) quite tricky.

Amusing to see a big old crow playing with an orange ball, picking it up flying for a while then dropping it to begin again. Ask Brigitte what happened when her 'Yellow' ball came to rest almost at the same place as the crow's orange ball. Hilarious to see the crow - sizing up both balls and then preferring to steal Brigitte's yellow ball, leaving an old Orange Dunlop as a replacement. fair exchange is no robbery.. Obviously yellow is a brighter and more alluring colour.

Clubhouse hospitality was as good as ever and having the opportunity to eat from a simple varied selection was a good idea. Food was good... service was fast enough. take care when approaching the semi-hidden entrance and enjoy the country lanes.

Played this course last around 6 or 7 years ago and there is a definite improvement. What I would say is that making a group of 23 people stand around for half an hour, when no members were going out, then two groups deciding to play at our tee time, is poor management by the Pro. And knowing that there was that 30 min gap in front, cannot work out why it took us 4 hours 40 minutes in the last group to complete a round.

I think we all know that this course has had a few issues over the past few years but you can certainly see the investment being thrown at it. The new clubhouse is nice and airy, bacon sarnie tasty and hospitality warm. No complaints so far...

With reference to the course, I think it has always been considered that Brentwood's strength was the layout and I would agree with this. The track is very enjoyable with only 1 or 2 weak(ish) holes. The quality of the course is better than I expected considering past reviews and I reckon it is going to be a scorcher of a course next summer. Greens were decent and fairways were tidy. Bunkers not too bad.

All in all it is a good course that is only going to get better and I can't wait to return next year when all the improvements have had a chance to bed in...

Played Brentwood yesterday for the first time in a couple of years and i'm pleased to say its nearly back to its best.
Apart from a couple of greens which are still recovering from a year of neglect. It's looking good. All the bunkers have fresh new sand in them. a couple are GUR but they are changing them to mounds. they have cut down lots of trees and undergrowth around the water features. all in all they are nearly there, a dry winter and next year it should be top notch. But i recommend you all to play it soon

As the Phoenix rises from the ashes, Brentwood Golf Course is rising from the old Weald park/South Weald instances. New owners have already made substantial improvements, some pretty basic ones which I believe make this a more playable course (no less challenging though). There is evidence of ongoing improvements, Tee Boxes, fairways and semi rough are all excellent... The next stage in development will included greens and bunkers and I was advised that this would be in place by June 2014...

We paid £10.00 for a mid week round and this represented good value for money, even if the greens were a bit mossy and bunkers were GUR. This is a cleverly laid out course with a good variety of challenges for all levels.

The new managers/owners are from a golfing background so there is more focus on getting this course back into good shape...

New clubhouse where staff were more than welcoming, good selection of food available (try the cheesecake and strawberry tarts). Clubhouse was OK with spikes Pro shop guys were forthcoming and open to offers. Expect summer weekdays to remain at 'Guest' levels approx £15.00 for weekday and £20.00 for weekends. This would still be value for money and when greens and bunkers have bedded in - this will be a good place to visit.

Club entrance from the road is easily missed - so take care when near...car park is a bit rough in places - but it looks like that will also be on the list of improvements to be made.

For the record, this is a pretty-looking course, with mature trees and some subtle undulations - water in play on a number of holes and too easy to lose the odd ball or two..

I think that given a fair amount of support this course will be one of the most interesting in Essex, once all the improvements have been given time to settle in...

It is good to see that the new management have recognised the real potential for this course... Hopefully their substantial investments will be acknowledged and supported as time goes by.

Well worth a visit from time to time to see how it is coming along.

I would like to thank Daryl for his honest opinion on the course, and we agree that the course has been neglected and requires significant investment. We are in this for the long-haul, we purchased the freehold of the course and clubhouse and have just signed off the purchase £250k worth of John Deere equipment.

Here is a summary of works that are in progress:

* The majority of the new John Deere lawn mowers are due to arrive in the next two weeks by 14th April. This even includes a Spike and Roll Ride on Green Iron, looking forward to seeing the results with this!
* The renovation work to the Spike Bar in the conservatory should be completed by the 14th April 2014. This area has been opened up and increased in size.
* The bunkers are being repaired. The majority have been emptied, drainage has been sorted. Shingle is due to arrive today with sand in the coming days. Some bunkers have been removed, but there are some new ones!
* The renovation work to the mens changing room should completed by the 14th April 2014. This will make it bigger and cleaner than before.
* The renovation work to the Kitchen, this has been moved, and new equipment installed. Should be completed by the 14th April 2014.
* We now have 5 green keepers managing the site.
* We now have Michael Jones Golf Pro on site.

This is a new era for the club, come on down, see the changes. We want to establish this as one of the best courses in Essex. We are offering Memberships(Mens,Ladies,Juniors), Societies events, Corporate and Pay and Play. Contact Russell the general manager on 01227-375101.

this could be a real gem,but needs a lot of money spent on the course,bunkers are non existent ,very little sand but loads of stones and weeds.from what i can gather the drainage is dire.i would play there again to see what progress is being made

Weald Park golf course is only 20 years old, designed by Reg Plumbridge, where the natural landscape provides the perfect canvas for a challenging & pleasing round of golf. There is ongoing restoration work (I believe the course had been neglected by previous ownwers), it is paying its rewards & is attracting returning crowds.

The many ponds/lakes/streams blend in so well with the landscape (11 water hazards in all).Not a flat course: some climbs & descents, so a round will keep your muscles toned & your heart healthy. The surrounding Essex countryside looks splendid from every hole (dont forget to look back when you have putted out as the views will delight you). One can see fields with real cows/sheeps (by the 16th). It is a peaceful place to play golf, no motorway or busy roads in the vicinity,just nature to battle during your round of golf. Your interest, concentration will be motivated during the whole course.

The fairways are wide, with mature trees on either side, sometimes natural hedges have to be crossed to reach these fairways, as well as many natural slopes & ondulations.

The greens are firm, with lovely short grass, 1 or 2 greens had some brown marks, but it was not a problem. The shapes of the greens were varied: ondulations, tiered & slopes.

The bunkers are well designed & placed, restoration work is ongoing, so the escape is made a little more challenging for the keen golfer.

Every hole has its unique attraction, truly different from each one. I shall describe only a few:

Hole 3, Par 4/5: large fairway bordered by ancient trees, sloping down to a most picturesque uphill green, a pretty pond in front of the green, the slopes are running towards the pond & also towards the back of the green. A marvel of a hole that can be admired as you finished your round when walking to the 17th.

Hole 14, Par 3: another spectacular & challenging gem.
Tee shot over a large, very natural looking pond with willow trees, their roots showing/growing in the water,the dainty pale green foliage dangling down & reflecting in the water. Th green is highly raised, tiered, if you dont get on it with your tee shot, your ball will run down or sideway (mine did not !). 3 sand bunkers: 1 large one on the right hand side and 2 other large ones on the left.

Hole 15, Par 4: I have to describe this hole at it has the tightest gap I ever seen to reach the fairway that is uphill and sloping to the right, with OOB there as well, before you reach a lovely tiered green. There are greenside bunkers along the way & 2 bunkers on the left of the green. The views of the Essex countryside from the back of the green, looking down& away are truly spectacular as well.

Just one more hole, I cant resist...

Hole 16, Par 4: a terribly sharp dog leg to the right (being a Leftie, I prefer dogleg left), the tee shot is down the slope running to 2 huge bunkers, a nasty (or attractive) stream at the turn, a narrow gap to negotiate to reach the green that is uphill. Another beauty.

Weald Park has the most interesting & varied challenge for any avid golfers who like large, unspoilt surrounds.

Yes, there is still a lot of work needed to bring this superb course to its former glory, but it looks like the present owners are going in the right direction. It takes time & money.

Brand new practice putting green by the clubhouse, and a brand new practice nett a little further.

Reception in the Proshop was friendly. Sometimes the Clubhouse bar doubles up as reception when the Pro is teaching or playing.

Friendly clubhouse, a lovely terrace by a large pond with a water fountain, must be a delight in the summer.

The coffee is 1st class, the food is good, very reasonably priced.

The round is very affordable also.

The car park is large but still full of potholes. The entrance to the Golf Club is on the Left hand side and no more by the quirky hotel/motel that is on site as well. The golf course & the hotel maybe two different entities (or owners), not sure.

I know there has been some bad publicity about this course, the management but things are changing. The course is so, so interesting & challenging.


Yes....... THE END

Following some bad snow damage to the greens and some rather ambivalent staff, I had allowed this course to drop of my radar. However, upon revisiting I was glad to see the course is now under new management and that we were welcomed very warmly. 'Henry' greeted us in the spike bar and was quick to explain how they were looking to improve on the previous owners approach and that he hoped we enjoyed the changes they were making. Well, I have to applaud him, he was true to his word and it was great to see works going on all over the course. This could be a fantastic venue for TSGers. A twisting and turning parkland course, some great holes and the greens, whilst not quite there yet, are well on their way to being good, fast and true again. My only criticism would be there isn't enough sand in the bunkers and that I think the course would benefit from switching the front and back 9 around (the current ninth would make a better finishing hole!). It would also be nice if they had SKY in the spike bar but I am nit picking now...it was a refreshing change for a club owner to treat 'visitors' as customers, rather than a necessary evil. Good value at £18 and as such, I will be back again very soon and recommend TSGers give it another try!! :-)

Open parkland course. With undulating fairways, two-tier greens and some super 'driving' holes with some holes guarded by water hazards so course management comes into play. Fairways, bunkers & greens were in good condition for winter. Practise putting green & driving nets. £10 Thursday gets busy over 4 ¾ hours.

Turned up here on a spur of the moment,managed to get a tee time even though it is £10 Thursday. Course was in very good condition greens were fast,some teeing areas good do with a trim but they were mowing today. Even though busy managed to get around in under 4 hours.
I will go Back :)

Greens not in very good condition,fairways average but a very good test

When checking the starting board, pause a while, read the dedication to Richard, my son-in-law and former member of Weald Park and then go out and have a good game.

I liked the course purley i think because of my score (which i know is high but i'm happy with it). The staff could've been a little more helpful but will go back on occasions.

I've played here a couple of times and it is worth a visit.

Some very good holes and quite a testing round of golf.

The pro shop is tiny but the course is worth playing.