John Amos

Before playing here we were advised that the greens were' better than Wentworth'. Unfortunately, I don't know the Wentworth greens very well, but those at Malden certainly lived up to expectation..... they are extremely good indeed.

And so is this Golf Club for an enjoyable day. The course is quite flat, but has some interesting challenges with streams to negotiate on several holes and strategically placed bunkers to trap the less than perfect shot. There is a bunker renovation plan in progress which will further enhance the course, if the new bunker on the first hole is anything to go by. A very 'neat' looking parkland course, where you shouldn't have to spend too much time looking for balls.

This is a Private Members club with a good atmosphere and, apparently has a healthy membership, but green fees are allowed at certain times..... very much worthy of a visit if you have the opportunity.

Very friendly and enthusiastic staff in the clubhouse, Pro shop and halfway hut made us welcome and we left feeling that we would like to return.

I played here twice this Autumn and really enjoyed both days. There are some beautiful views, enhanced by vibrant colours at this time of year. I found this to be a very well maintained course with excellent greens, good large teeing areas and well defined fairways.

My second visit was recently after a heavy storm, so the course was slightly damp in places, with a number of temporary greens having been prepared, although not in use when we played. It may be that it does not play as well in the wet.

On the right day, a good score will be possible here as there are a lot of scoring opportunities on the shorter holes. But challenges lie in wait, with three Par 4's that are virtually unreachable in two for all but the longest players. The Par 3's are all interestingly different, where a 'par' will always be an acceptable score.

The fifth hole, 448yard Par 5 (yellow tee) deserves a special mention as one of the strangest golf holes I have ever seen. A sign warns against using a driver and suggests a 5 to 9 iron from the tee. Heed the advice..... this course is one where course management will pay dividends to your score.....

The final hole is a real challenge, with a ditch to lay up short of from the tee and then two large bunkers to negotiate before the sloping green is found. A 'par' will always be a good score here and a satisfying finish to an enjoyable round.

I can't help thinking the clubhouse is missing something. Upstairs there is a large room with stunning views across the course, but it needs some friendly staff and a food menu..... sadly lacking on my two visits. Two members we spoke to were very friendly, however and suggested alternate places to eat.

This is a course I will look forward to playing again.....

As I drove into the car park, I immediately had the impression of an excellent golf facility. Well laid out, with the entrance to a 36-bay driving range at one end of the clubhouse and the course starting at the other. Green fees are taken at a 'kiosk' style hut instead of in the Pro shop.

Standing on the first tee, with the sight of tall pine trees lining both sides of a wide fairway, I knew I was going to enjoy this course. After a damp start, the skies brightened, so umbrellas were folded enabling us to see the course in it's full autumn glory. That's what you need to do here ..... look around, for this is a beautiful place to play golf.

After the first 3 holes, the course moves away from the dense pines to more open landscape, relatively flat, but no less interesting. There are 4 par-5's and 4 par 3-s of differing length to add variety. If you venture away from the fairways, the trees need to be avoided. Although it's often said that trees are 90% air, it's the 10% wood that you need to be aware of here, as pines can be thicker than they look! If you are able to keep to fairways, a good score will be possible.

After the 'turn' it's back to the pine forest, with some more testing slopes to contend with on the back 9. There are several lengthy paths between holes where those with motorised trolleys will have an easier walk, but this is a course to enjoy without hurrying. Club selection is crucial on the short par-3, 17th, with a very deep bunker short of the green, while anything long will face a treacherous downhill putt.

Fairways today were not too well defined, but perfectly acceptable for the time of year. Bunkers were wet after heavy rain, but still playable. Very good greens, so I have no excuses for my missed putts!

The spacious bar/restaurant provided a comfortable setting for a post-round drink with good, reasonably priced food served by 'enthusiastic' staff making for a fitting finale to a very enjoyable day. I shall look forward to returning.....

Played here today on the £15 'twilight' rate again.

Work has progressed through the summer and many of the rebuilt bunkers have now been filled with new sand and had all been very well raked. Some of the original bunkers don't look as good, so these need new sand as well to give a consistency. Hopefully, the weather this coming winter will not delay the ongoing improvements.

Fairways looked as though they needed a cut, but I found teeing areas and greens more than acceptable for the green fee I paid.

Some areas of the rough have been left to nature.....this has been quite attractively done - just keep out of the long grass!

The previous two reviews mention a problem here in April. Personally, I have always found staff and members very friendly and would reiterate my previous view that North Weald is well worth a visit.

Sometimes a TSG game is posted at a course I've not heard of, so "Where is Burnham Beeches?" Not far from J2 of the M40 in Buckinghamshire, but farther than I would normally travel - I always think I'll be driving past so many other courses to get there! But, from the website, it looked interesting and the reduced green fee arranged convinced me to give it a go.

Traffic delays (M25) made three of us late, but a friendly welcome in the Pro shop allowed us to move our game back, to give time for refreshments on the terrace and brief use of the extensive practice area. In the changing room, a member 'apologised' that the greens were running slow due to scarification last week, but hoped we would still enjoy the course - after coming 'so far'! This is a private members club, but he seemed pleased we were there.

Usually, after playing a course for the first time, I find it difficult to remember some holes when looking back at my scorecard - but not here. Each hole has it's own challenges with slopes, doglegs, bushes and deep craters - but no water, to be negotiated. Teeing areas are immaculate, with ballwashers, towels and bins provided. All holes are tree-lined, but fairways are not narrow. Greens were slow today, but ran true, most having just subtle borrows so pace of putt was paramount. Sadly, fading light and persistant rain meant the last six holes were seen from under an umbrella, but this is a delightful and varied course which I would recommend to players of all levels.

We dried off over a drink in the comfortable lounge and checked our damp scorecards. Okay, I played quite well today but, score aside, this is an outstanding Golf Club. Many thanks to my three playing partners and to all those at Burnham Beeches for making this such a memorable day ..... I will be back!

Abridge GC is to be found well off the beaten track with the approach along narrow country lanes, so best to allow plenty of time before your game. In any case, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the practice range, chipping and putting greens to give yourself every chance of playing well at this truly delightful course.

Being a Regional Qualifying venue for The Open Championship, it's a good test for any golfer and in excellent condition throughout. Some good downhill driving holes invite use of the 'big stick', but well placed bunkers lie in wait. White OB posts are to be found on the left hand side of many holes - don't go there! Four shortish Par-5's provide scoring opportunities if your tee shot is well placed and four good Par-3's add variety. A long, straight drive is essential to have any chance of reaching the green in two on the signature 14th, where a pond awaits the over-ambitious!

You'll find no 'blind' shots, although many approaches to greens are uphill, so you can't see where the pin is located, but the scorecard includes a plan of each green divided into 3 sections - giving todays pin position. Greens were quite fast and I found them difficult to read, but ran very true.

Despite some 'indifferent' play, our group all happily enjoyed a drink after and there were requests for a repeat visit. I even had a message of thanks from one TSGer for arranging the game! Staff and members were very welcoming which added to our experience - a very good day on one of the best golf courses around!

Like most of the country, this course suffered heavily throughout the past winter. Thankfully and with the arrival of spring, things are looking up for golfers and Golf Clubs - nowhere more so than at Theydon Bois Golf Club.

I had not played here for a long time, but will be returning soon. Much work has been carried out to clear some trees, bushes and undergrowth from the forested areas, apparently to promote air-flow across fairways, which should help dry previously boggy areas. It also means those errant balls can be more easily found and play is speeded up.

Not a long course, but a variety of dogleg holes around trees, well placed bunkers and the undulating terrain give a good course management challenge. I only used my driver 4 times, with an iron often being the best choice from the tee. Straying off the fairways could leave you with the choice of a sideways knock-out or, if feeling brave, a 'Seve-esque' recovery ..... but that didn't work for me today!

Greens were about the best I've played on this year, possibly due to recent investment in a new green 'iron'. Much tlc has been given and several GUR areas are evidence of the ongoing maintenance plan. Some great views, most noteably from the short downhill 3rd hole, but the course itself presents an attractive picture.

A newly-built veranda overlooking the 18th green will be popular on a sunny day with visitors and members, who all seemed friendly.

Overall, a very good experience and thoroughly recommended!

Locked security gates prevent entry except through the clubhouse building - slightly strange, but probably due to previous problems, so a good idea to check anything of value is locked out of sight in your car. Don't let this put you off.....it gets better!

We played the LOWER course, which is the longer of the two 18-hole layouts, designed by five time Open Champion, JH Taylor. There are two Par-5's and only two Par-3's, so variety is lacking, but this is a good test of golf - some of the long uphill holes will take two good blows to reach. The 12th, inviting a good long drive, has been described as the best golf hole in Essex and the 13th is possibly one of the toughest Par-4's around. The last five holes give a chance for a score to be rescued, with the 18th being a driveable (occasionally) downhill Par-4.

This was a quiet Friday afternoon on the course, so ideal to take in the pleasant surroundings - fields and the Hainault Forest Country Park. Once away from the first tee, you won't see or hear any cars, which is quite refreshing after playing several courses in the area close to Motorways!

There are some scruffy areas around tees and greens - some marked GUR, so should be repaired. Greens had been tined and sanded, but will improve soon. The two bunkers I went in were good, but I noticed several resembling water hazards, but there is a plan to rebuild these. Lots of un-repaired divots make some fairways a bit messy, but the reason a sign reads 'Preferred Lies All Year'

Overall, a good experience and I shall look forward to playing the 'Upper' course in the near future.

Having been recommended to me, this course was on my radar to play, but I was surprised to see no previous TSG reviews for a course with a weekend green fee of only £20 (weekday £16).

Not far from J25 of the M25, but distant enough for traffic noise not to be noticeable, this course is in a mature country park. There are public walkways, so you have to be mindful of dog walkers, etc, who are often oblivious to the dangers of stray golf balls! This does not spoil the experience of tree-lined fairways and countryside views.

Not a long track (5507yds - yellow tees) and no steep hills, but course management is important as a few holes have fairways which narrow at driver distance, with gaps in trees and a stream to negotiate. If you're out of position (as I was several times), your scorecard will suffer.

The greens were very good, surrounds quite 'lush', but this is not a normal summer. I didn't venture into any sand, which looked good - although I noticed there were no rakes to use. Perhaps a sensible Local Rule would be to allow 'Preferred Lies' in bunkers here?

We didn't have time to sample the clubhouse facilities but, after an enjoyable round, will definately return to a course which I consider to be a good 'find'.

Chigwell is a members' club which used to be virtually impossible to play, unless you were invited by a member. Perhaps it is a sign of current times that rules have now been relaxed - visitors are very welcome and past requirements to show a handicap certificate no longer apply. The midweek green fee of £44 is on the high side, but my Open Faiways card was accepted without any problem, making this an excellent value round of golf, at a time when it seemed we had the course to ourselves. Staff here were all friendly - on the phone when I made the booking and also in the Pro shop.

I had not played here before but, on a hot sunny day and after so much rain for the past few weeks, I doubt the course has ever looked better. Great looking fairways were still quite soft, so not much run on the ball, but this is not a long course. Most holes are tree-lined, so if you're wide from the tee, you'll probably have to hit a low recovery shot to get back in play. If you do find the fairway, some holes have good uphill/downhill approaches (15th is memorable), but the sloping lies will make you think. The greens are quite small targets, but are very smooth and fast running.

The course is very attractive and surrounded by large properties which may be a distraction how ever you're playing!

Only one minor criticism - several holes have bushes/trees in front of the tee, which you have to hit over. This does not present too much problem but, being in full leaf and obviously growing fast this year, it is off-putting if you can't see the fairway you're aiming at - especially if you don't know the course.....some cutting back is required.

I shall look forward to playing at Chigwell again...

One of the benefits of TSG membership is the opportunity to play courses you may not have heard of, so when I saw this game posted by a TSGer who's also a member of this club, I joined the game.

Conveniently located a few minutes from J9 of the M1, Redbourn is an excellent golf venue. Practice facilities include a covered driving range, chipping green with bunker and a putting green in front of the busy clubhouse, which has a large pro shop, a friendly bar with large screen TVs and good food. Overall a very welcoming atmosphere.

A challenging golf course which seems spacious, with some very good driving holes - particularly the 10th, which can be seen from the car park and the downhill 608yd 18th. Read the 'Local Rules' relating to internal OB posts, as they do come into play if you hit the ball left.....and I wouldn't suggest using a driver on the par-5 2nd - unless you can hit a very strong 'draw'! (r/h player)

Well maintained and must be well drained as, despite recent heavy rainfall, the course was not wet at all. Apparently, temporary greens or tees are never necessary. It would be hard to fault anything, but perhaps the 'stray' balls from the driving range could be contained.....it can take a while to find your own if you're amongst them!

Highly recommended and has now joined the list of 'TSG Preferred' Courses.....so should now be on everyone's 'must play' list. At £17 (Mon-Fri) for TSG members, surely this is the best value in Hertfordshire?

Brocket Hall sits among 540 acres of scenic Hertfordshire countryside, with thousands of mature trees.....and two fabulous golf courses named after Prime Ministers who once resided here.
I always consider it a privilege to be able to play here and very good value as a member's guest.
We usually play The Palmerston Course (see previous review) but today (Mon 16.04) it's The Melbourne...and, despite my protests, JP tells me we're playing off the 'whites'!
Our tee time was booked for 11.30, as any day here has to begin with coffee on the terrace - to take in the tranquil surroundings, followed by a warm up/practice session on the range and use of the comprehensive short game area. Excellent facilities here to take advantage of!
However, a lengthy delay on the M25 meant that we didn't arrive as early as planned...."No problem" said the friendly Pro shop assistant, "there's no-one else going out for another two hours"....so this really was to be 'Millionaire's Golf'!
The Melbourne Course has a difficult opening hole. Not long at only 330yds even off whites, but follows the bend of The River Lea to the right, with the fairway having a severe left to right slope to take your ball towards water. A narrow green with water alongside leaves an intimidating approach from a 'hanging' lie. After negotiating the second (191yd Par 3 over the river) heart rate settles down for a while until the second shot to the 465yd Par 4 (!) fourth - again over the river. The round then becomes far more relaxed and the surroundings can be truly appreciated, but the problems with lack of rainfall are evident as the greens are extremely hard and fast, so putting is really a lottery. Some tee boxes show signs of wear but the course is in good shape and provides a true test of your game.
The white tees add over 400yds, but give you an uphill 471yd Par 4 and a 221yd Par 3, with greens that today will not accept anything more than a short iron.
You play across the water twice more, looking forward to the ferry crossing on the last, from where we watched the heron patiently awaiting his dinner...if only he could be trained to collect golf balls?!!
I would thoroughly recommend Brocket Hall to anyone, but unless you're a long-hitting low handicapper, it really is madness off the whites!!

Limited practice area with nets and a putting green, but the excellent TopGolf game centre is next door, for anyone wanting a driving range.
I really like this course which was in very good condition. Fairways are generally wide, but 'course management' is important here, as water comes into play on several holes. The River Roding meanders through the course and there are several ponds, so take enough club (and balls)!
The greens had recently been tined, but still played well. Yes - there are a lot of bunkers, which are all well maintained and consistant, so your Sand Wedge will get good use!
Newly refurbished clubhouse with a nice outside terrace to enjoy a drink and the scenery, after your round.

Overall a very good test of golf and fantastic value at only £15 each (Mon/Fri) with the new TSG offer.