Bramshaw Golf Club

I've always loved playing the Manor Course though the fact that my ball always seemed to bounce back onto the fairway whenever I hit it into the trees on my first visit might have affected my judgement. A parkland course in a lovely setting. I've yet to play the Forest course which is a very different challenge from the Manor and probably should be regarded more as a bit of fun and a nice day out as animals from the New Forest are free to roam the course (also best to play the Forest course only during a dry spell as it doesn't drain very quickly)

Can't find much fault in this course! It's pretty, well-maintained course and an easy walk (unless its 30C!). Parkland in layout there is some interesting holes but also some fairly benign holes. The Clubhouse bar is large and airy and the food was good.

However... I do have two comments:

1 - If you are going to welcome visitors to your club, don't tell them off for not following clubs rules as soon as they walk through the door. Maybe say 'hello' first (e.g. collars in clubhouse etc)

2. If you are going to have a bar where you want golfers to be able to relax after a round (and spend money!) and there is no golf shoes allowed rule, perhaps have a spike carpet a meter wide, so at least we can get from the balcony to the bar!

If I hadn't been staying overnight - I would have gone elsewhere.

Overall an OK experience, would I return, probably not as its a long way from home!

First thing to say is if you're playing the Forest course, don't take you clubs out of the car when you get to the Bramshaw clubhouse/pro shop. The Forest course is actually about half a mile away, and when you get there there's nothing there apart from the 1st tee and a car park.

I say this not having played the Manor course yet, but the Forest course does clearly appear to be the lesser of the two courses. We were told that the club are only allowed to do work to the greens and the tees, so the fairways are left to nature and the numerous cows and horses that wander around. Hoof marks are everywhere, along with other substances best found on rose beds. The greens and tees are very decent though.

I think I only saw two or three 150 yard markers out on the course, so be prepared for a few waits while golfers shuffle clubs until they pick one that might be right. If you were playing behind me today then I apologise for doing that!

The fairways are wide. Very wide! I think the first hole that really feels anything close to tight is the 9th, and after that it opens up again. I only saw a few holes that had any bunkers on, and most of the course's protection comes from streams in front or behind the greens, and a number of raised greens that make sure only accurate approach shots remain on the putting surface.

There are some lovely holes on the course and its certainly worth giving a go, but I imagine that it's probably suited best to mid to high handicappers.

The welcome in the (well stocked) pro shop was everything you'd hope for, and as for the clubhouse, it's just really lovely. There's a wonderful balcony for sitting out and watching the world go by. Or the Bramshaw GC bit of the world anyway.

This is another "New Forest" golf course, Bramshaw having 2 courses: The Forest & The Manor.

The Forest is situated 200 yrds ffrom the main Clubhouse, a little walk up a picturesque small road with a car park. I played this course on 12 Sept 2912.

A rugged, wild terrain, with invisible ravines, some having water, some heather & goarse & some with just vegetation and a few creatures but nevertheless if your ball ends up in the ravine, you wont find it easily or if found, most likely to be unplayable unlesS you had the skills of Seve!!!

Some blind tee shots, not knowing what terrain to expect when playin for a 1st time, so it adds to the fun or to the scorecard!.

A lot more animal droppings (dont forget the latex glove for retrieval). Should your ball end up in the black sutff,, it either stops dead or it could be a big splatter, but one get a free drop !!!

Again the experience & scenery are unique, a different kind of golf, really in tune with nature (not Chicago's)
and it may not suit everyone's taste of golf. I personally relish the different challenge and the eauty surrounding the course.

On a 1st visit, the score reached may not be to one's hdcp but what experience you'll have.

Some greens have fencing around to stop the ponies/cattle walking onto the greens, so special local rules apply should your ball hit the fence/posts: no penalty and a free drop, I think.

The greens were superb, runing fast & true (am I getting techinical ?), I must read too many of other TSGers' reviews & pick up their vocabulary), not a bad thing.

We had a pleasant weather for 17 holes but with menacing dark clouds in the horizon & on the 18th Tee box, the heavens opened and we got drenched, making this superb finishing hole an even more challenging one, but I scored well on this one.

Just as we had finished putting, the rain stopped & we had a dry walk back to the pleasant Clubhouse.

Friendly, well stocked Proshop.

Very modern changing rooms, light & airy, with very classy fittings.

Clubhouse/bar upstairs: very pleasant with a balcony & a view over the 18th hole and the practice putting green.

Food was superb and very reasonably priced (the best Lasagna I ever had). The sandwiches looked appetising but my party wished they had ordered the Lasagna...

Large Car Park (better not park at the far end by the 18th!!! as you never know what a stray ball might do to your cherished 4-wheels).

Bramshaw Golf Club is adjacent to the Bell Inn (3 or 4 Stars country hotel) where special golfing deals can be had, I may even book one myself as you then have the choice of 2 golf courses totally different in character & play. The other course being The Manor which I shall review very soon as I also played the course.

Bramshaw Gold Club is quite vibrant with all different sections, you can understand the attraction and it has reciprocical arrangements with numerous golf clubs, local & not so local.

A very good experience that I certainly enjoyed, I had the best score of the party... I thought I should mention that as it is a pleasing feeling, some of my party did not have the same experience, but everyone was good company (Silvermere Ladies).

If in the Hampshire/New Forest area, I think one should try both courses.


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