Shendish Manor Hotel & Golf Club

As has been mentioned in other reviews, there's a bit of a 'warm up' start to this course. There's a section from the 2nd through to the 6th where it's fairly flat and reasonably open, I'm guessing this bit of the course has been added on at some point, before the course starts to get a bit more interesting.

While it does get a little tighter from the 8th onwards, there are a fair number of shortish par 4's where you can score well. The course has a number of good looking holes, the nicest of which to my mind is probably the par 4 14th, which is a slightly uphill dog leg right. The 18th is a par 5 climb back up to the club house.

While it isn't the longest, it certainly is a pleasant course, and well worth a visit.

I truly don't remember playing a course that changed in level of difficulty as did Shendish Manor.

With a 17 points after 9 holes it had been agreed that the course showed very little imagination and was a little to easy, then with no warning it become one of the hardest back 9 i have played to date, scoring just 9 points.

16 or so players from our group and only 1 kept his score going.

Cant wait to play in the summer, the challenge would make me go back a number of times.

Although famous names (Henry Cotton/Donald Steel) are associated with the design of the Shendish Golf course, I must admit the 1st few holes are a little bland, ordinary, nothing too exciting, but then it gets more & more interesting. Dont expect anything too manicured as the course is on well established parkland/woodland on the ground of the ancient manor house with old pine, oak & other trees. Built on chalk base so well drained, not temporary tees or greens ever. From the 8th holes, you wil enjoy sloping fairways, lovely views of Hemel Hempstead, Kings/Abbotts Langley, a Church & a snowdrome & the pretty Hertfordshire countryside.

The fairways were in good condition, well drained, good run of the ball, sometimes too much as there were slopes. The rough, quite punishing as the grass was thick, with clumps & lots of worm casts. Large trees could be in the way. The greens were in good condition, true/fast, a little sign of fusarium, but that is expected at this time of year with the damp/humid/wet weather we have had. Bunkers were in good condition with lovely sand, not always enough though, quite deep/high & of course always strategically placed. Very good paths with reddish sand to the next well sign posted hole.

Some favourites:
13th, Par 3, Index 3, no bunkers but an uphill tricky green semi-encircled by tall mature trees. Lots of trees on the left of the fairway.

15th, Par 4, dog leg left, a blind tee shot with a guiding post, uphill, sloping fairways to the left with trees obscuring the green which can only be seen at the turn, some 70 yards from the green, well guarded by 3 bunkers.

17th, a pretty Par 4, uphill green with 2 apporach bunkers & 2 more on the right handside of the green, trees here and there.

18th, Par 5 (one of the only 2 on the whole course), lots of trees on either side of the fairway going uphill, guiding post, slight right dog leg. A lovely bunker on the left of the green. I must mention this bunker as I had the most fantastic bunker shot (a la Phil Nickelson) witnessed by 3 local younsters who gave me the loudest applause, I felt I was a Star, but soon return to "terra firma" when I missed my very short putt but still got a lot of cheers for trying.... What a nice finish!

An enjoyable round with the Epping Bandits, today there were 3 Ladies !!!! Thanks Ian F (cool,calm, smiling) for organising the game. Must mention that Ian & I won the Matchplay against the other 2. Well done partner, I think we were a good team, our 4-ball was relaxed & happy.

Clubhouse is situated in the old "Coach House", very pleasant building. Friendy staff, warm welcome, good food & coffee.

Proshop/reception small but welcoming.

Ladies changing room, up some lovely stairs with beautiful oak baluster: elegant, light, airy & well provided with toiletries/towels, very smart taps, sinks & showers..

Practice facilities present but not 1st class, potential for improvement.

Very large car park catering the the hotel guests and golfers alike. Today there was a big Indian wedding & the outfits were superb, so colourful & stylish.

The Hotel looks attractive, stylish reception room, I believe there are 2 types of accommodation depending in which wing you stay (left wing is supposed to be better!!!)

I think it would be nice to spend a relaxing weekend at Shendish Manor combining a little bit of golf, a little bit of skiing in the new Hemel Hempstead Snowdrome nearby, some sight seeing of Kings/Abbotts Langley and the Hertfordshire countryside.

Very easy location to find, not far from J20, M25.

Th above is my personal view/recollection of the day (Sat 2nd March 2013) with my wide eyes, remember I am a Social golfer and I shall always find something interesting to report or comment on. I also had a special request to include as much details as I could for someone who has a week/weekend planned @ Shendish Manor in the near future.


THE END.......

An addition to a conference hotel, some pleasing views and a course that seems split between 1-6 open parkland (largely featureless field) and some mature tree-lined holes. The general condition though wasn't bad, greens were tricky to read and needed care but they were in better than fair condition and pretty much consistent.

Fairways and light rough looked to be in reasonable condition as well and there were some interesting holes -with a few trees somehow getting in my way. So not a long course, not too hilly and a pleasant stroll.

Location is OK and uphill driveway will lead to a very pleasing manor house (worthwhile taking a look inside) a reasonable Hotel (I have stayed there before).

The Golf reception is not quite as opulent, merely practical. Tea an Coffee on arrival - light bites before commencing were OK. Post round food was also good although the kitchen was busy with two societies in on the day, service was nice and welcoming.

Car parking adequate and plentiful (even though there was at least 1 wedding on the day).

Sadly the practice facilities were limited, an astro-turf practice putting green - and 1*net... not a lot... Funnily enough the actual greens played quite similarly to the plastic practice greens.

In the pro shop (limited stock) there was a bargain bucket of old clubs at 2.50 per club, proceeds to charity, so if you have some old clubs that need disposing of ... bring them along... more venues could do something similar...

Nice touch - the welcoming audience on the 18th green, politely applauding all shots, local kids deserving the odd ball or two...

Bottom line - If staying at the hotel I would bring my clubs and play again, I may not make a detour to play here again if I was just looking for Golf... there are better places to see... Some of the back nine is adjacent to the Main-line train route and a main road (not sure which one) so if you are easily distracted you may be disturbed mid shot, these train drivers have no concept of golfing etiquette...

Look at the card, 5400 yds, and your Charlie big potatoes, your going to kill it. Forget it. Short but tricky . Front 9 a lot easier, was hitting into he green with a wedge, but back 9 longer and more difficult . Bit scruffy in places, but after the winter we have had I feel it was generally in good nick. Bunkers were lovely with lots of sand,greens were true and were quite fast, again considering the weather. Smallish clubhouse but very welcoming and good selection of food etc. wouldn't want to play it every week but certainly would play a few times throughout the year