Sandy Lodge Golf Club

Sandy lodge GC is a par 71 heathland/inland links style course in Northwood, Hertfordshire; close to its famous neighbour Moor Park.

The club was formed in 1911, designed by the renowned course designer/champion Harry Vardon.

There are 6 par 3s, 7 par 4s and 5 par 5s. The course is 6,297 yards off the white members/championship tees.

The course is links style with numerous deep fairway and greenside bunkers. Some of the tallest bunkers are lined by railway sleepers and are visually intimidating.

This is regarded as one of the prestigious courses in the county.

The practice greens and chipping areas in front of the clubhouse are probably the biggest and best quality you will encounter!

There is an excellent halfway house located adjacent to the 11th green / 12th tee box.

Fairways were generally generous but severe trouble awaited the wayward tee shots. OOB was in play on at least six of the holes.

The course is a very comfortable walk. Only one steep uphill walk from the tee to the par 3 18th green.

The greens were very large and undulating and in excellent condition though playing a little slower in pace than my home course Cherry Lodge. I managed 8 single putts during my round!

All of the par 3s were visually and technically challenging!

The bunkers, whilst being very wet on the day, were in excellent condition and I managed to extricate myself first time from the four greenside bunkers I put myself in!

This is a quality course which I'll endeavour to play again and can recommend it to fellow TSGers. However, unless a good deal is available; there are better priced options for courses of equal quality.

Visitor green fees are £65 (Mondays to Thursdays) and there is a £50 County Card rate. Members guest rates are £35 Mondays to Thursdays and £40 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

I played the course by entering their annual Seniors Open Stableford Competition. The entry fee of £45 included coffee, 18 holes, a two course carvery meal, coffee and prizes. A great vfm way to play the course!

The club members and officials and professional staff were excellent hosts. The catering service and meal was excellent also.

The only thing to spoil our day was the persistent rain throughout our round as it affected the ground conditions for distance and ball striking.

Sandy Lodge golf course is very pretty and challenging fairways quite generous but the bunkers and there is plenty of them are extremely hard to get out of, the 2nd hole looking at the flag with a huge sleeper bunker in front you will need nerves of steel to get over. The 8th short par 3 only 95 yards don,t be fooled by this short hole bunkers in front and difficult to hit the greeen. the course is great to play but be warned steer clear of these punishing bunkers, they are DEEP.