Paul Houghton

Really enjoyed visiting Top Meadow, unfortunately it was a freezing cold day with a wicked Eastly wind. The club house car park is shared other facilities, getting a parking place can be a chore. The staff from the club shop, too the catering staff are friendly and very helpful. The club was very busy on the day, with a massive society going out before our society of 14 players. But that did not slow us, however there were members jumping in on certain holes that irritated some. Having no course guide made things a bit tricky as there are many blind holes, none of us had played the course before in my group. The course is Parkland with some challenging holes. You start on an elevated tee, hitting onto a par 3 green, very easy to run through. The fairways were on great condition, but the greens... although they looked nice were long and very very slow. But considering our winter, the course was in terrific condition. I would love to return and play the course on a bright warm day. I was wearing five layers and was still cold! We had a breakfast and Ham Egg and chips on our return. With 18 holes we were charged an amazing £30!!! That is cheap golf. The buggy which was petrol was £22. Give Top Meadow a go, it is a great test of golf and will not break the bank, but choose a warm day! Good luck getting a parking space, though they do open a field for extra parking on very busy days.

To be honest I was not expecting to enjoy West Malling as much as I did. I was attending Marky Marks Charity event, so knew I would have good time. I had received poor comments on the Hurricane course, so was not expecting much at all.
I played 27 holes on the Hurricane and thoroughly enjoyed it. The course is pretty flat and I'd describe it as parkland. The Tee boxes, bunkers and greens were all in good order. The Fairways were also lush as we had had such a wet July.
The club house and facilities sufficed, the staff were friendly. The only down side was the cost of the buggy...£30
All in all, I really enjoyed West Malling and would definitely play it again.

I'd been looking forward to playing at Frinton Golf Club for many years. It's a step up from Clacton and does not seem to be as overplayed as Clacton tends to be in the summer.

The deal we had as a society was £46 with a meal, which I thought was ok. The buggy was £30 pounds if I remember rightly. The course is situated a stone's throw from the beach, some of the views are really good. This course is very flat. Of course there's is a prevailing wind, which there always is at seaside courses when the tide changes.

With a slope rating of 125, it's not what I'd call a tough course, but you really need to know where you are going to score well. The course measures in at a little under 6,000 yards (off the yellows) so not short by any means. The fairways are generous, and in good order, but the greens a tad slow.

The big disappointment for me was the ditches, there are quite a few, not easy to spot but bloody easy to find. Laying up for them is an art!

The Clubhouse is very traditional, and the staff were friendly and accommodating and the food was good.

It's a long drive, but on a nice day can be picturesque.

I'd like to have scored it higher than I have, but it sort of fell short in some respects. Maybe I expected too much?

I will play it again....and maybe I'll be better at laying up for those ditches!

After three days of playing very steep undulating courses, Parador was a very welcome change. Parador is very much a pay-and-play course, but don't let that kid you into thinking it is a run-of-the-mill municipal course...not in the slightest!

At 6490 yards off the yellows, it was the longest course I have played this year. The three par fives are long, and the 12th is over 500 yards, if you par them it's like a birdie. Also, two of the par three's are over 200 yards, this is a serious golf course. Tight with very small greens. The fairways were very good and the greens fast. We went out at 8.30 am everything had been watered, and the bunkers raked.

The young pro's in the shop could not have been more helpful. There is safe storage in the pro shop, but you are allowed to take buggies where you like. (within reason). For me, Parador offers a decent track, with level surfaces. There are undulations but nothing compared to many other Spanish courses.

With a buggy, you'll pay about 75 Euros, but you need to book as they were very busy, the day we played. We got around in 3 and a half hours as a 3-ball. Members here often play off the reds, and they are very fast players, so be warned, if you can't keep up, let them through.

You are playing alongside the beach, so the winds can change and when they do, you lose yardage. This is a very relaxing course, with friendly staff and a great 19th hole. This course also suits lady players better than some of the others we played.

All in all a course I would revisit, the only downside was the amount of aeroplane traffic overhead, but other than that a very nice golfing memory of Spain.

As part of a Spanish golf trip, I recently played Cabopino Golf Club in Malaga. About 50 minutes from the airport, the golf course is set into the side of a mountain complex. And you can tell from the approach road into the club, this is going to be a very steep course.

And with a slope index of 130, it was obviously going to be a challenge. In fact, although marked as yellow tees, we did in fact play off the white distance, as yellow tees were as far back as you could go e.g. 5700 yards.

The staff at the Clubhouse were not overly friendly but helped us to tee off at 8.30am, it was still partially dark. The first few holes are around the clubhouse, which is part of a major house & apartment development. Cranes loom over the course in many places.

Builders enjoy shouting as you try to tee off, which is alittle off putting, but you sort of get used to it?!

The 5th is the course's most spectacular hole - You climb a long stone staircase, not supported by handrails I hasten to add! Once on the tee, your drive is into a ravine. The drop must be at least 250 feet. Just standing on the tee, is a bit nerve-racking. It is definitely one of the highest tee positions I have undertaken.

The course is made up of three par threes, two par fives, the rest obviously fours. All the holes have undulations, there's barely a flat level on any hole, which makes the course very tough.

The course is surrounded by a buggy track, you are expected to stay on it! I was given a Blue Flag being disabled. But this did not stop me from incurring the wrath of the greens staff and golf pro's if I went within sixty yards of the green!

Lots of shouting made me very conscious of where I could and could not go as my geofence on the buggy had been switched off.

Safes were supplied for valuables on the buggies, which I used. My playing colleague chose not to use his and had his wallet and glasses stolen (probably when we were on hole 5) Another player had his watch stolen! However, the staff at the Clubhouse were not interested in these issues, and flatly refused to discuss the matter.

The course is in very good condition and is owned by a Norwegian family. I did enjoy playing it, but the attitude of the staff, the lack of any sort of handrail, and the robbery would put me off playing it again though!

This course is extremely hilly, and probably not for disabled or older golfers.

To be honest the two days I played it were blisteringly hot. The fairways were like concrete, but the greens were very good. I only played the Hill Course the Valley one did look a lot greener and tighter. I did enjoy it the course but the fairways were so bleached we could not follow our balls which was frustrating, but that was down to weather conditions. The bunkers were poor, but other than that no complaints about the course. The buggies were £40 which is daylight robbery. The hotel food was very good, (Beer £6 a pint!!) but the rooms were average . Having said that I feel it is a big step up from Dunston Hall which we played last year. I will return to Barnham Broom worth a visit, if you use a buggy start saving up!

We'd waited well over a year, to get these two days of golf in, as this weekend had been cancelled twice due to the Covid pandemic.

So when it finally arrived over 50 golfers were excited at the prospect of the event. I travelled up early on a Sunday morning, Dunston Hall is a stone's throw from Norwich in Norfolk.

Their website describes the course as, magnificent?

Well, it's far from that.

It's parkland with a few interesting holes. Over 6100 yards, it is quite a challenge.

But we were unlucky as the greens were undergoing hollow tining, there was so much sand on some of the greens, it looked more like a beach than a golf green.

Why there were no temporary greens is beyond me?

The tees were also in a very poor state, your feet gave way as you drove off on some. The whole course looked overplayed and in pretty poor condition, which was such a shame.

No mention of this was given in the pro shop.

We had been given a very reasonable deal, back in 2019. We heard that the same deal would be nearly double what we paid if you booked today!

The buggies were £30. I enjoyed the two day's but felt a bit miffed at the state of the course.

The hotel was fair, with no air conditioning in the rooms.

The restaurant was also very warm, though the food was good.

Not for me Dunston Hall which is a shame.

Even to a non golfer, the Belfry resonates with the Ryder Cup. Like Wembley it has iconic status. This fixture had been cancelled 5 times either due to weather or the pandemic. Just pulling into the Belfry complex you get a feeling of size and grandeur. The complex is vast it does take some time to get your bearings. The staff are very helpful. I had a buggy, but those that don't their bags are loaded onto shuttle vans and driven to the tees. They offer overnight storage for all your equipment so you don't leave it in your cars.
I had two rounds booked. One on the Derby and one on the Brabazon. The Derby is a gentle course pretty forgiven, but with very slick greens. I really enjoyed it at 6100, its a mature Parkland course, with widish fairways. I heard some poor comments as to the Derby, but I really enjoyed it.
A drinks van meets you at the tenth, with a few over priced refreshments.
The club shop at the Belfry has Harrods prices. A shirt will set you back £80, I chose a Stroke Saver at £6 for a souvenir.
The Brabazon is amazing. You have to have your photo taken on the first tee with the famous sign behind you. You are standing on the Tee were four Ryder Cups have been held. Teeing off as Woods, Nicholas, Faldo and Seve once did. Its simply amazing. I managed to par the first which settled me down. The fairways are like carpets, the greens were slower than the Derby but ran true. At 6500 off the yellows the course is not overly long as to modern standards, Dechambeau would be driving onto most of the greens, but for most average golfers most of the holes do give you a chance of at least a bogey. Hole 3 is tough with masses of water and a tiny green. Hole 6 is a monster with water all down your left hand side. Hole 7 is all carry over water. The half way house does the best sausage rolls I have ever tasted, mine was bought for me so I cannot tell you a price, but I bet it was not cheap! Hole 10 the signature hole is where Seve Ballesteros famously drove the green, walking off with a bogey here I was more than pleased. The course just does not have a bad hole. I thoroughly enjoyed playing it. I even cleared the 230 rough carry on the 18th even though I did miss the green!
The Hotel is very accommodating, the food was not overly expensive but the drinks were, £5 for a coffee!! The rooms where excellent all air conditioned. All I would say is that there was a lack of handrails within the hotel and externally, which as an ambulant person I was disappointed in. The hotel staff were superb carrying my bags, ever so friendly.
My trip was subsidised and was only £150 including buggies. Certainly one of my favourite locations I have visited in recent years. If you get a chance to play it do, I hear the PGA National is a cracking course as well, maybe I will return and play that one next time?

Just back from a fantastic couple of days down on the East Sussex Coast where I had the pleasure of playing Cooden Beach Golf Club...

Prior to the trip I had been told that I would enjoy Cooden Beach Golf Club, and I am very pleased to report, this course does not disappoint!

From the moment you arrive, you find a relaxed atmosphere in the Clubhouse and the vistas from the patio seating area, give you a superb view of the 18th and first fairways and of what you can expect from the course, simply stunning.

However, before heading out, I indulged in a wicked Fish Finger sandwich which was supposed to be a light lunch, but was a complete meal in itself, again I was impressed.

Now, if you like links courses then Cooden Beach Golf Club is for you. However, technically the course is built on marshland, but it plays like a links course and whilst most holes are open, the course does boast some mature trees.

The fairways are spacious, but they are undulating.

The greens are tough, fast in certain directions, and the borrows are a real art to read.

As you get closer to the 'beach' from holes 8 onwards, although not viewable, you do get the 'seaside' feel when you notice the tops of the beach huts and the scenic railway that passes along the coastline, reminding me of my childhood.

Here, again the views are stunning, there are sea glimpses of the sea, and beachy head straddles the skyline but it's the overall landscape of the course that wins the day.

This is a challenging golf course, 6182 off yellows and 6518 off whites.

The Par threes are long, two of them around 180 yards, but reachable with the right club.

However, the Par 5's give you a chance, as they are fairly straight.

The long par fours are tough, some of them are 430 yards, so getting off the tee is crucial with a decent drive.

The stand-out holes for me were the Par four, 9th, and the Par five, 15th.

In short, I fell in love with Cooden Beach Golf Club. I found the course in beautifully kept condition, a great layout that keeps your attention (whilst also forgiving) but stay straight, and you'll have a great day; luckily, I found the fairway, more often than not.

The Clubhouse may be older and of the more traditional style but this is the charm of playing the more established clubs.

The Pro shop was also very friendly and helpful. However, if I had any criticism, it would be the cost of a buggy (at £30 each), a bit steep but very necessary on a hot day.

Obviously, it helps when you have some of your favourite golfing pals along to encourage you throughout the day and although rare, I always enjoy my rounds with Mr Mullins, Damian Benstead and Marky Mark I did have ideal playing partners...

Finally, the reception on arrival as a visitor is always telling, and I found everyone had a smile and everyone was friendly and chatty.

I hope to play Cooden Beach Golf Club again... its a Sussex star! 9/10

I Would not like to try and find this course without a Sat Nav, talk about hidden. Coming up the drive you are hit with how the course is imbedded within the landscape. Very much like West Kent.
I could not fault the staffs hospitality...but loud music from external speakers swirled around the valley. I’ve never attended a golf club that plays music externally like this. More like a concert venue than a golf club. This was not just in the morning but all day! You could hear the club house 3 Fairways away.

The course is exceptional but far from easy even with the dry weather. The temperature reached 37 degrees this Friday which ruined the day really. I felt quite unwell after 14 holes but soldiered on to complete the round.

Buggy’s are a must here on a hot day, the walkers with me that day really struggled. Very few flat holes, very undulating. The greens are the same tough, some very fast some slow.

It’s a very good test for most standards of golfer. I’d like to play it when it’s a bit more lush and the greens can hold a ball.

All in all a very picturesque course with some very interesting holes.

The food a BBQ was very good, everything was set up outside, the Pro shop, food etc due to Covid 19.

Would I play it again, yes very much so...but on a much cooler day!

I expect many of you like me experiencing the wettest winter in living memory, dream of finding a dry course? Well we found one in the enchanting 9 hole Dereham course. It was roughly a 200 mile round trip, but it was the only course we could find in East Anglia without a buggy ban.
The club could not have been friendlier, members, the secretary and all the staff welcomed us like returning friends.
Dereham is situated about 10 miles from Norwich and is not that easy to get to in a hurry, but we did it in about 2 hours.
The course is mature parkland and is 90 years old. The greens are smallish but fast.
We got around 9 holes in about 1.45 so were on target for a 3.30 round. not to bad for a three ball.
We had members behind us who pushed as ever so slightly but not to hard.
There were a couple of matt tees and one temporary green.
I was leading with 21 points after 11 when we called it a day during another deluge.
I found the course offered something for everyone. At just over 6,000 yards its certainly not short. Some long par fours and 6 par threes. No water at all on the course other than the rain, which the secretary kept apologising about.
When we came in i had a fish finger sandwich which warmed me up for £4.75.
Cost of a buggy was £18. Our green fee was free as we had a voucher but I think its around £20. membership is £560 per year if you thinking of moving near Norwich.
All in all a great traditional British parkland course with very friendly members a real treat to visit. Its bone dry all year round so give it a try if like me you've hardly played in the last 5 months!

Windmill Village conjures up images of a glorified pitch and putt. Its nothing of the sort, but its very different to a standard golf course. You start with 3 par threes. All with very sloping greens. The par fours are often doglegged or dominated with fairway ditches.
The course is very well kept, though the first cut and rough are penal. Three par fives in a row make up for some short par fours. If the conditions are right you can shoot really low at this course, armed with a bit of local knowledge, but when it blows it can be pretty tough.
Practice facilities are pretty average with driving nets and a nice putting green.
The hotel is comfortable with nice food, not cheap £12.50 for a full English. Drinks were average £7.50 for a large glass of wine.
I would love to play the course again, but on a still clear day!

Sene Valley is a smashing little course, easy to find just off the M20. The club house is small but the staff are very friendly. Smashing breakfast for £4.50. Buggy hire price was £30 which I felt was a bit excessive?
The course is like many in this area boasting sunken greens. So laser scopes are useless on this course. If you don't know the pin position approaching the green is a bit of a lottery. The greens were in very good order as were the fairways. Playing into the low sun on the back nine made approaches very tough indeed. The temperature was a barmy 20 degrees it was mad for February. I do hope to play Sene Valley again, highly recommend it!

I simply loved Newton Green. Its what I'd call a traditional club. From the Golf Pro through the staff and members we were made so welcome. The course is short in comparison to modern distances, 5,600 yards, but in great condition for mid January. I played in a four ball and we had won a free round, so we were we pleased when we were allowed to use the voucher on a Saturday. Fairways, Greens and bunkers all very well kept.
The course has some really interesting holes especially on the back nine. Accuracy is the key on this course.
A buggy was £20. The food and drink were reasonable and very good. All in all a very nice golf course.

I've played Felixstowe before but many years ago & on a warm calm day. This time in the winter and on a very windy day it was brutal. played with two single handicap members who struggled on certain holes as well. The back nine is tough knowing where to go? I approached the wrong greens twice! Nice club house very dated. Friendly but traditional club. Play it on calm day if you want to try links golf!
Practise facilities are a driving net and a green. Very spectacular views of the Martella tower and Suffolk coast line.

Another Essex course that many golfers big up? What did I think? Well I was not that impressed. It was extremely windy, but the whole course was tatty, greens were ok but inconsistent, the tees were pretty shocking. The bunkers were very well kept. The fairways were full of divets. The cross over holes made teeing off a nightmare, waiting for groups walking up your fairway! All in all another very average Essex course. I paid £27 with ham egg & chips. The staff were very nice and helpful, the club house is superb. I just did not like the course, I won’t be rushing back.

I joined a game with Paul, Ian and Roger. We had thought it was the Abbotts course well Ian and I did. It made us slightly late but anyway we played the Priory course which has some interesting holes. The club pro was very helpful once our mistake had been spotted, we were chaperoned to the Priory course by the senior captain Fred a lovely chap.
The Priory course is not too difficult, but the greens are a horror story, either infected or dug up by rabbits. Some were very hard also. The company was great but until the greens improve it’s somewhere I would not return even for £21, the buggy was a further £18. Some of the tees were pretty ropey also.
Hopefully I’ll get to play the Abbotts one day?

Just the other side of the M25 near Caterham, the Surrey National is very much like North Downs but better. The massive contours of the region make this a very hilly course. Friendly staff, fantastic food, the best Bacon roll I've ever had by a mile. The fish n chips was restaurant quality.
Played the event with the DGA all in with a buggy £40. It poured with rain all day but I still loved it. Maybe a slightly tougher course than North Downs, certainly the better layout in my eyes. The Greens even though hollow tined ran true. If you want a challenge and enjoy great food, look no further!

This visit was part of the BIG (British Inclusive Golf) GRIP Par Tournament. One of my playing partners was the ex club secretary so he did give me a clue where to hit on the Saturday. Paring the first and birding the second I had high hopes but once you started climbing the hills, the wheels came off my game. Some of the holes a simply brutal off the white tees. With the wind up on the heights holding the fairway can be almost impossible. The course is situated not far from Pendle in among the 3 Peaks. The scenery is simply stunning. On the ex secretary's admission investment into the course has be sparse in recent years. Some of the greens and tees were a bit ropey. It just look tatty in places. It needs a good manicure to bring it back to its best. The Hotel is very clean and the staff very welcoming. Food very good prices not cheap but reasonable for a Hotel. The practice facilities are pretty poor, just a driving net and chipping green. All in all a testing course in a wonderful setting. Its a 6+ hour drive for me from Essex up the dreaded M6. I would play it again but its not one of my Favorites. 3 of the Toughest holes would be 1 at very trick 130 par 3, 14 a long elevated par 4 and 18 a monster 220 par 3 up hill!!

After the wettest winter I can remember it was nice to be offered the chance on playing on a chalk based course. I love links, we only have one in Essex, Felixstowe Ferry, so it was nice to sample another one. The drive down to Sussex was horrendous 3 hours of torrential rain! On arrival at Littlehampton I was greeted by the club Captain who rightly predicted the sea drizzle would go by 10.30 am. A doorstop Bacon Sandwich and a couple of coffees soon had me in the right mood.
The driving range is a fair way from the club house, and the putting green was being hollow tied. Many of the greens were temporary as they had been hollow cored and were being dressed. Which was a real shame but what a course and in fantastic condition after this dreadful winter.
So many great holes, pretty flat, well compred to St Andrews any way! If your going to walk bring plenty of energy as it’s a fair trot.
Lovely club house with very friendly staff, meal afterwards was a lasagne which was magnificent. I got the day for £35, but this was a Society day. Fantastic course in a lovely part of England. I want to play it in the summer!

Blakes was built to be a championship course, it was going to outshine its neighbour Toot Hill but ended up the ugly sister. This is the third time I have played Blakes in 9 years. It was possibly in the best condition I have seen it yet. The Club house is a nice three story building but no lift! The pro shop and toilets are in the basement which is really annoying as the bar is on the third floor! The milk provided for the teas and coffees was sour but the bacon/sausage rolls were excellent. I did not use the practise facilities as it was raining.
Blakes is long very long, some of the holes are 500 yards apart, so if your going to walk you need to be aware this is a very long track. There is a buggy path around the whole course so buggies are never banned, which is a plus as I need one. The course was designed to be an inland links so no trees just a few bushes. The fairways are wide but undulating, you need to be big off the tee as most of the par fours are well over 400yds and the par 3's are far from short other than the 8th which is the courses feature hole, a 120 yard pitch into a green surrounded by water.
Blakes back nine is more challenging but lack of signage makes navigating a tad difficult, although following the trolley path is the safest bet. Be careful not to set off in the wrong direction as that can be really annoying on such a large course.
The greens leave a lot to be desired and let the course down badly. They are slow and bobbly with crowned pins which makes the shortest of putts a challenge. In summary Blakes could/should be an outstanding course, but its not. Membership is £500 per annum which is so cheap, buggies are only £10 a round, our deal with a steak pie meal was £25 so very good value. If Blakes was a little more local I might join it....but I think the greens would drive me crazy, they need so much work. For a cheap golf day Blakes is a great package but for quality Toot Hill is only five minutes away!

My first visit to Ascot, I do hope I will return? The weather was not great, rained on and off for the first hour. This was a charity event so I played in a better ball team. Maybe I charged a few putts trying for pars when I should have lagged up. The course is superbly set up and not to long at 5836 off the yellows, but very tight in places. Many holes have dog legs. 12 has a massive tree that blocks out the corner, getting a bogey here is a bonus. The greens were quick and hard which makes approaching them a bit tricky. They are very undulating. The bunkers are tough but have plenty of sand and had been raked.
Club house and food are very good I could not fault the staff. Practise areas are ok, two driving nets, putting & chipping green. I'd like to return on a sunny dry day, the course was wet when we played it, no run at all on the fairways which left approaches long. Easy to find 5 miles from the M25. Well worth a look if a traditional course is your thing!

Farleigh golf club offer 3 nine hole circuits. I played yellow and Blue. After 4 putting on the first, I released a very strong wind and very fast greens would make this a tough day. The course is very links like, keeping on the fairway is essential. This course will test any golfer if the wind blows!
Great facilities, good food and very friendly staff. Highly recommended!

After days of rain, I could not believe how dry the course was. Staff were so friendly. Food was average but the day was very reasonable. I was rewarded with a discount for being a club member elsewhere.
The course is tough very angulating, sloped fairways. In the summer you'll gets lots of run.
I do hope to play it in the summer months. The greens are well kept and also tricky with subtle borrows.
All in all very good value

Tudor Park is a tough course, if its windy you'll be very lucky to shoot par. Many blind tee's with very fast undulating greens. To three putt from 10 feet is very easy.

I played quite well but felt beat up by the greens. The par fives are long even off the yellows, miss the fairway and your ball is sitting down in penal rough.

The greens were running at about 12 on the stimpmeter and with the wind it was easy to go 6 foot past on a 3 foot putt.

The staff could not have been more helpful and the food was very good. The layout of the hotel complex is shocking with parking very difficult. The signage on the course is also very vague so be careful not to play off the wrong tees.

I liked the course though the 7th is a very short par 3, it played less than a hundred yards but impossible to stop a shot on it, out of 24 players only three got it on the green...a crazy golf hole!

I will return to this gem but I hope on not such a windy day.

I loved Cams hall, tough course if the wind blows! I will be back. The links feel makes Cams hall more than interesting with spectacular views! Very friendly staff & super food, not cheap but quality!

I really liked Redbourn, but it was a terrible day to play it. Very strong wind mixed with rain and sleet. The scarified greens were a killer. In a 30 strong society 34 points won the day it was that tough! Many players just did not return cards. this was my worse round in a year or more but the conditions were not helpful. Would love to play it in the summer, I sure I could take 15 shots off my card.
Staff and club house were superb they could not be more helpful, members even apologised for the weather!!

I've heard a lot about Romford as it is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in my area. So when I got a chance to play it on a Sunday for £35 I took it(I was with a Golf Professional). Romford don't like pay and pays but we managed to get a decent enough deal. The first few holes seemed interesting enough, but then there's a lot of crossing over and a few matted tees (three I think). The course was dry enough considering the rain we've had. But a lot of the holes were samey. The greens ran true but a little slow. The bunkers were sparse for sand. Fairways were long with very little run & with 450 yard par fours tough for us shorter hitters. It was nice enough for this time of year but its usually £65, and its certainly not worth that. Its a very traditional club with a very traditional tight parkland course.
It was a very windy cold day to play a tight course that you don't know your way around, I'm sorry but I did not feel the love...but that's just me!

Well what can you say about Vila Sol other than outstanding. The course was set up for the EDGA Portugese Open so it was immaculate. The greens were bloody quick in the sun. Slow play ruined my experience but I must find away of coping with that. This course has a slope rating of 3 extra shots, so its far from easy. Bring plenty of balls as I lost a few.
Features holes 6, 7, 13 and 14 hardest hole....the first its a brute!

Second time I've played Fynn and still not a clue how to play it? More dog legs than on any course I have ever played. Very tough par threes on greens that were pretty much unplayable, hard and dressed some were very quick and all positioned ona slope. So three puts were invitable and you could not hold the greens on approach. Fairways were hard with inconsistant bounce. Ist and second cut were penal. The club house hospitality is superb and everyone is friendly. This course is very tough for the visitor because you just don't know where to go.
The seventh is impossible if you have not played it before or not with a member.
There are electricity pylons all over the course I hit the wires it scorched my ball, they do put you off when aproaching raised greens.
You'd need to play this course a dozen times to get the hang of it. If you want a challenge then give it a go, but not for the novice or beginner!

Always wanted to play Colne Valley, so was really looking forward to the round. Unfortunately we picked one of the wettest August days on record. It poured and I mean poured until the 12th, then eased but the fairways and greens were soaking, so not my best round. When we got in the club house was all locked up with some of my friends clothes in the locker rooms. The owner turned up after a phone call and openned up! We got a free round of drinks, but it was not very good PR.
I will return but on a dryer day!!

Yesterday was my first visit to Channels since its rebirth. The course lost 5 holes to land sold off for development. The first six hole are much of a muchness all par fours all flanked with trees. The greens were fast but receptive to a pitch. The holes were poorly cut some the sides had collapsed a little, between the four ball we had 10 rim/lip outs I had four.
Only three par threes and one par 5 makes it tough for those that don't hit it a country mile. Hole two and 15 are huge par 4's 450ish 15 is up hill, I bogeyed it but its tough to par. Channels has loads of water so bring plenty of balls. I enjoyed the new par 5 had a birdie chance but a par in that wind I'd take. I used to really like Channels but feel it is way behind where it was a few years ago, its still a descent track but I only paid £27, I would not pay more.
We were unlucky with the weather which was very windy perhaps that and that I did not play very well have made my comments more negative than they should be?
Three out of five from me.

I had not played The Burstead since 2009 so was a bit rusty on which way to go even to finding the club.
Burstead is set in between Warley and the South Essex courses, but it is certainly not the poor cousin. It has some testing par threes and many many ditches which tend to catch out the big hitters.
Driver only really needed on half a dozen holes, position is the key here not distance.
If I got to play here regually I reckon I would put in a low score. The day was very hot 30 degrees+ which did not help. The greens were very fast, but also very true.
I did not eat at the club house but friends said the food was excellent. I also did not try the practice facilities other than a quick putt on the practice green which helped.
Staff were also very friendly and helpful.
I would certainly recommend this lovely little parkland course.

Three things you need at Brocket hall:
Your game to be at its best
The weather to be perfect
A lot of luck!

Brocket is just amazing, but if you have never played it before, then be prepared for a high score. There's hardly a flat fairway, all ball above or below feet. The greens have more undulations than Camber sands.
The day I played it it was cold and blowing a gale, not the best day for Brocket, I was not feeling super strong either. If your not up to it this course will kill you.
Fabulous surrounds, meal was a little disappointing, but I only paid £40 for the package.
A must for all golfers, but I shall leave it a while before I return on hopefully a still warm day!

I really like Canons Brook, I've only played it twice but its tough. Certainly not a beginners course, beautifully kept. The rough is as hard as it gets. Even the first cut can be very difficult. There are no easy holes at Canons brook all have an element that will try and trip you up.
Staff are very friendly and its great value for money!

I was really looking forward to playing the Blacknest. the course has everything and is very tight.
But all the money has been invested in the club house. The course was tired unkept. The bunkers were down to their liners with unraked sand.
The greens were simply dreadful, scurified but unbrushed. some were covered in tree debris.
My game suffered due to the condition. the greens were rock hard nothing held.
I stayed over night in Alton at a very nice guest house the scenary is stunning in this area, but try a different course!















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Birchwood is a great little course. The greens are very challenging. The stroke index 1,2 & 3 are tough holes. I parred the stroke index one, but could never birdie it.
The par 5's & 3's are not as tough as many of the par 4's. I will return to Birchwood.
The staff, shop & restaurant are superb. Great food and very reasonably priced.

I always enjoy playing Burnham-on-Crouch and yesterday was no different. Paul Thorne and Carlos Ramos joined me on a society day and made up a great four ball. The weather was calm for Burnham but chilly at 10 degrees, in the sun it was ok. The greens were ok, but some holes seemed crowned. Down hill putts were hard to read and very fast. The bunkers were tough, very wet with compact sand, I only went in one, but the ball rolled right under the lip. The back nine at Burnham is tough, into the breeze on many of the last holes. The 16th is a brute in the winter, none of us scored a point!
My driving deserted me on the back nine, I should have changed to a three wood but I tried to sort it out on the course not a recommendation! Another chap in our group had a storming round 2 four pointers and chipping in from 40 yards!!
The food at the club house was fresh and home cooked. We paid £30 for golf coffee bacon roll and a meal.
I would always recommend Burnham its hard to find and a long drive for many, but stunning views reward you for the effort.

Walmer & Kingsdown is the last stop before in English Channel near Deal in Kent. You are literally playing on top of the white cliffs!

We played on a nice bright day in October but with a stiff breeze. There are no flat fairways at W & K it is either ball above or below feet.The first three holes are up hill long par fours, that gets you started, then up the hill you go. The stroke index one brings you back down the hill, a sharp dog leg and a wicked sloping green.Then you face a long par five back up the hill!
If your soul is not broken then onto the back nine.

Several of these have well greens? Yes sunken greens that the fairway falls into! No good trying to pitching into them with a wedge, the ball will roll to the back of the green, leaving a 60 feet putt. You have to lay up short and chip or putt into the well.The par threes are tough, 14th has a bomb hole crater for a bunker, I took three to get out! the sides are 6 feet shear.

The views of the channel are simply breathtaking. From the 6th tee we could see France. On the back nine we did get some assistance from the wind, but the fairways run from right to left, even a straight drive can end up in trouble.

W&K is one of the most picturesque courses I have played, but if it blows, it is very very tough. I had two birdies and chip in for a par but still failed to break a 100! I did struggle in knowing where to play to on the hidden greens. I will play again, hopefully in the summer. The club and staff could not be more helpful and the food was fantastic great value for money!

I played Bird Hills on a charity day for Limbcare. The days weather was glorious 25 degrees+. I had a good hearty breakfast which I shared with my lady as I got a bacon roll in the deal.
The course is quite open and very forgiving. I'm used to playing more narrow courses so it took me a few holes to get going with the driver.
Fairways gave a lot of run, but were tight for approach shots, I found it easier to come in from the first cut.
The greens were lovely and lush, but very very slow.
Club members said when they are cut short they are too fast!
Bunkers had great sand in them, white, stone free and very fluffy. Hardly any water on the course, so a great course for those who don't like water.
Two holes that stuck out to me were 13th & 17th both very nice and picturesque.
The meal after was superb a carvery. Bird Hills is well worth a visit, low handicappers will score very easily, but mid to high handicappers should do well there as well.
Great value for money, very friendly staff.

I've played the Shire 6 times now, it gets better and better and no easier.
Ten minutes from the M25 it is easy to find. The car park is gated, you drive past a statue of the great man Ballesteros as you come down the drive.
The club house is plush and modern.
Food and pro shop are good, a little pricey £2.25 for a coffee but quality is throughout.
The practise facilities are good, superb putting green and great chipping area. Driving range is £2 for 20 balls.
The course is in fantastic condition as i write this review.
The course has water on 12 holes, so if you have a fear of it? stay away!
The first is a great tester 120 yards off the Blues.
(Greens are for the pro's and whites for members).
The hole has water on three sides with a bridge out to the green.
A well struck 9 iron will see you on safely, but may be too much if you catch it thin.
The second is a very taxing par four. A lay up is a must unless you can carry 260yds!
The third is a difficult par 5, lay up tee shot required again unless you are dead straight.
4th is a very makable par 3
5th is an easyish par 5. You need a decent tee shot here with a bit of draw.
6th is a tough par four. Second shot is the making of this hole, get it wrong forget a par.
Seven is a gentle nine iron
8 is a good par 5 and 9 is a long straight par four but up hill all the way.
10 is a down hill par 4, you just can't go right.
11is a tough par 5, draw needed again.
12 is a tough up hill par 3. 13 a no nosense par 5 where you need to be creative to get a birdie chance.
14 a lovely elevated tee down towards a stream protected green, a gentle seven iron required.
15 is a tough up hill par 4, a good long tee shot needed.
16 is a monster par 5, if its windy try to make bogey!
17 is a very long par 3, always drive left of the pin.
18 is a fairly simple par 4 with loads of water, its Seve's signature hole. A lay up makes sense here, the approach must be accurate to hold the green.

All in all the Shire is a top top course, run by a family who love their golf.
The course can be very busy at times which can be frustrating if your behind a society, 5 hour rounds are not a rareity.
Celebrity spotting at the Shire can be fun...if you support Arsenal for instance!!

I played in the Disabled Golf Assciation England team against Wales for the Oldsfield Trophy.
This venue was perfect for our tournament.
The layout has everything, loads of bunkers, water, elevated tees & greens. The greens are very very fast and extremely undulating.
The weather was terrible on the second day, the greens don't cope very well with rain.
The hotel is nice, clean rooms.
The restaurant is not bad, the food is not cheap but good quality.
I would not hesitate in returning to the venue.

Wycombe Heights is a superb challenging course set in a Buckingham landscape.
Undulating greens make it challenging for players of any handicap.
Its not a long course at 5783, but it does have defences in its design. (By John Jacobs)
The greens are saucer shaped and very hard to read. The surface of the greens is also hard to judge as the higher you climb, the faster the greens get.
The course is tiered and you need to be a mountain goat if you are going to carry at Wycombe.
The course reminded me of Boyce Hill in Essex.
On the back nine there are two feature holes, the 16th a 180 par three off an elevated green, surrounded with bunkers. I actually went through the green finishing on a mound over looking the green coming back.
But had an impossible putt down hill, walked off with a 5!
The 18th is a short par 4... 344yd, I hit my drive of the day here 280, but again a tricky green left me walking off with a bogey.
I doubt I would enjoy playing Wycombe every week, but a few times a year would be well worth a visit, to build up my calf muscles!!

I was very fortunate in playing Sand Martins, it was a Charity day for £25 with a two course meal!
The weather was very hot and humid to start. But on the back nine it turned black as night and the last two holes were finished in a deluge.
The first two holes were pretty simple, but the greens were +12 on the Stimpmeter, very very quick.
I came unstuck on the 3rd with a poor tee shot, and then got stuck in the sand.
I parred the fourth, but came to grief on the 8th, when irritated by my playing partners. Who put me off when putting.
The back nine is set up like a links course which I really liked. The holes are tough if you are not very accurate and the greens don't hold and are bloody quick.
All in all a fantastic experience, ruined a bit by the weather, having said that I will return.
This is a gem, if you get a chance deffinately give it a go.
Oh those greens...Augusta for me next!!

My first visit to S by N, was on a rainy day for a conference. the second was to play in the PGA Seniors tour Pro Am, which I did with our host here Ian Mullins, amputee golf pro Andy Gardner and seasoned PGA Tour winner Nick Job.
Stoke by Nayland is one of the few true championship courses in Essex. It has fantastic views of beautiful countyside that the artist John Constable painted.
S by N is a very tough golf course, with very tight fairways and tricky 2nd cut rough. The bunkers are deep.
Par threes do give the high handicap a chance, I parred three of them off the whites. Birdies on par fours are hard to come by unless you are a very long hitter.
The par fives are tough, but again give the long hitters chances.
The greens are fast, very fast 9.7 on the stimpmeter the day I played.
Of course the facilities are superb, what you would expect from a championship course.
Well worth a visit