Where do I start? There is so much to say on my recollection of this enjoyable sunny Autumn day @ the foothill of Richmond Park.
Everytime I did the perimeter walk of Richmond Park, I went past The Richmond Club I used to peep through the fence to look at this lovely golf course & thought it would be nice to play at this private members club.... well today (4.11.13) the opportunity arose when my very 1st "golf buddy", now a member @ this club invited me as a guest. A far cry from where we met as beginner golfers on the driving range at the other end of Richmond Park where Glendale run 2 public courses, the Dukes & Princes with their brand new state of the art clubhouse as indicated in one of my previous reviews.
As you drive through this leafy, wealthy part of Surrey, you go through an arched gatehouse following a road that crosses some fairways, so beware of golf balls & golfers !!!! The Clubhouse is impressive, a listed Georgian building (home of the late Duke of Argyll), the car park is well laid out, good signage to the driving range, chipping area & the 2 putting greens, the Pro shop, 1st etc....
The course itself is a parkland with various kind of mature trees displaying their splendid autumn colours under a warm sun and clear blue sky as we had today. The walk is pleasant, the only time you may get out of breath is climbing the stairs to the Clubhouse.....
The course is not overly long (just over 6000 yards) but the Par 3s are, varying from 209 to 165 yards. There are some crisscross holes, one has to ring a warning bell, one Tee box is very near a green (9th/10th), 2 holes go over the private entry road. Apart from that the layout is pleasant with lovely well-defined path bordered by old telegraph poles and covered with dark bark.
Tee boxes are in tip-top condition, with ball/club washers, towels provided by Porsche, securely padlocked to the ball washers.
Fairways are superb too, well cut, seem to drain very well too, some sand seem incorporated in the grass etc... but I did notice some divots not being replaced....
Now as to the Greens and their fringes, they were an absolute delight, a true pleasure to play your short game, so well cut I sometimes did not know if I was on the green or the fringe, lovely shapes with undulations, running true & fast (I like this tech. bit of information). One did not need any "gimmies", the putts were just sinking in (NO 3 putts today). I did notice a few pitch marks though...
The bunkers were all wonderfully shaped, a lot of them, always built on mounds,, filled with very nice medium coarse sand which makes the bunkers playable even when wet from the day/night before.. I did find the sand on a few occasion but easily managed my shots "a la Phil Nickelson"..... I think my short game is improving since I joined "a local Short Game Academy" when I could not ventured on an 18 holes course due to a recent back injury now under control.
There is not a lot of water coming into play, only a small pond by the 8th Par 3, and a small stream (Sudbrook) that crosses 2 holes, the 17th and 13th I think. Sudbrook stream is from the water from the hills of Richmond Park and runs down to the Thames, near Ham or Petersham I believe....
This is a course that suits my game, as I am not a long hitter and I believe if I were a member of this Club, my handicap would go down quite a few strokes !!!!! There are a few doglegs not overly complicated, each hole has its character and dangers, one can see some truly wonderful & expensive properties bordering the course, some lovely views of the hills of Richmond Park, Pembroke House can be seen too.
My favourite hole was the 17th, probably the signature hole, a medium Par 5, dogleg right, with some bumps, a ditch and an slightly raised green with stunning backdrop of various trees and also views of the royal park.
There is a very pretty half way hut (rightly placed by the 9th and 18th greens) where one can get free "Squash", beer or more alcoholic beverage would be nice too, but not available. Small seating area with hardwood furniture.
Proshop is nicely stocked, I got a very warm welcome by Elliott who awarded me a Par on the 8th (Par 3) as is was out of play due to reconstruction. I played quite well today and I am sure I would have Pared this hole as it is one of the shorter Par 3., anyway I needed a number for my TSG scorecard and this is "Social Golf", but I had no gimmies on my putts.
The Clubhouse is a beautiful building, inside out, several bars, card room, library, the famous "Cube Room"
(yes build like a cub, totally square), I had a peep through the door, they were re-decoration going on, it was full of natural light and very attractive indeed. Nice food was served by friendly & pleasant staff, did not pay for my drinks so I do not know the prices.
Must mention that Ladies golfers have only recently been allowed to join as members in their own rights (in the last 5 years), that probably explain why the Ladies changing rooms are very new, very modern with the best quality sanitary furniture, chic, sleek & stylish. Lots of natural light & downlighters. Could have spent hours in the large walking shower!!!! Separate keypad for the lockers where members can leave their golf equipment.
A very nice experience at The Richmond Club but not in my price range as a regular place to play. The Members Guest green fee is £35.00 which is worth it for the quality of the course and the nice surrounds and the history.
Forgot to mention the course was built by Tom Dunn in 1892/1896. Before acquiring the lease of Sudbrook Lodge or Mansion as their Clubhouse, the members used to meet at the nearby Pub "Fox & Duck" on the Petersham road.
THE END... I suppose it was worth waiting for, but not sure how many TSGers actually read my reviews. I did post some photos too!
Date Wednesday, 06, November 2013
