Hayling GC is a links style course located on Hayling island in Hampshire.
The course was founded in 1883, initially as a 9 holer, and was extended to 18 holes a year later. In 1905 JH Taylor was commissioned to make changes to the course to achieve a truly links venue.
The course is a par 71, comprising 4 par 3s, 11 par 4s and 3 par 5s. The course is 6,264 yards from the visitors yellow tees with an SSS of 70.
The course is a classical links style, a very level course but with many challenges off the tees. There are numerous blind/semi blind shots and club selection is critical especially during hot/dry conditions. There is a high risk of danger/lost balls in respect of wide shots. The need to hit provisional balls slows down play somewhat at times. It is rare for all four players in your group to have hit with certainty off the tee!
On a relatively low wind day the course played well and I played it well, at +11, just on TSG handicap. However, I've no doubt the outcome would be significantly different in very windy conditions.
The greens were in excellent condition though hard to read!
The on course signage, or lack thereof, was a real disappointment considering the clubs elevated status and reputation! Hole layout maps at all tee boxes would be a great help.
The clubhouse is Art Deco in style, with the pro-shop and changing rooms on the ground floor with the bar/catering facilities on the first floor. There is an excellent viewing area outside the bar overlooking the 18th fairway and green.
Our prematch food was good. However, we played the course on a twilight tee time, finishing in good daylight at approximately 21.00 pm, but the clubhouse and bar was closed so no post match drinks were possibly. Unexpected and very disappointing!
I was thrilled to play this course at last. For the past few years their Seniors Open has clashed with my Kent Vet's League match dates; so I hadn't managed it. However, all that changed due to Brigitte Lockwood and her 2017 Boundary Lakes charity auction skills; and therefore I/we managed to get to play the course at a significantly reduced rate. Normal visitor green fee rates are £75 or £50 with a County Card or £35 as a members guest. £35 for a midweek game is reasonable but anything more than that is exorbitant. I personally don't think this course has that real wow factor but I strongly recommend TSGers should play it if a deal can be found.
Date Monday, 10, September 2018