Rayleigh Club Golf Resort

The Rayleigh Club has changed ownership and names several times over the years. The course was built in 1991 and opened as the Hanover Golf Club, it later changed hands and was renamed Lords Golf and Country Club, it was renamed again approx 4-5 years ago as the Rayleigh Club.

The club is relatively easy to find and is at the back of Rayleigh on the road towards Hullbridge. There is plenty of parking onsite, a driving range, and a putting green. The club holds several non-golf events throughout the year (beer festivals, weddings etc) and the main clubhouse and restaurant is nice.

There are 2 main courses, the East Course (4,580yds) and the South Course (6,286yds). I played the East course and booked via a twighlight deal on tee-off times for £12.50, it's normal price is £23 at the weekends, and £17 Mon-Fri; at £12.50 it's good value, however £23 does not represent value for money. The South Course has restrictions, members guest and guests cannot play until after 12 all week, and the green fees are pricey £38 weekday and £48 at the weekend.

Expect to score well on the East course, it was designed to encourage youngsters into the game, and cadets can only play on the South course once they reach a certain standard on this course. There are 6 par 3's, 11 Par 4's and a Par 5 with a respectable length of 475yds.

The tee boxes were well presented, the bunkers looked good (luckily I avoided these), however there was no real definition between the fairway and the rough, and there is minimal amounts of rough throughout the course. There are some water hazards, several dog legs and ditches to contend with and changes in elevation. The course is exposed to to the wind, and on the day I played, I played into the wind on at least 12 holes. The quality of the greens was first rate, and I expect these are the same quality of those on the main course.

I managed to get round the course in 2hrs 30 mins, I suspect at busier times you can expect a 3hr round. Overall I think the course is OK if you want to sharpen up your short game, and it's great course for introducing the next generation into golf (under 16's can play for £5 a round anytime of the week). It's not a course I would want to play frequently, however as I live less than 10 mins drive away I'm sure I'll play here again.

I played here on a Celebrity Charity Golf Day on a very warm and sunny afternoon. The course, though still under reconstruction on a couple of holes, is a great test of golf. The greens are top notch and the clubhouse, superb. By this time next year, this will be one of the best courses in Essex and well worth the visit.