Most Recent Course Reviews

great course and exceptional facilities

love this place, we make an annual pilgrimage

Good course

Fairways improving after a wet winter and getting extended carry on the harder ground. Greens decent - medium speed. Tee boxes could be flatter. Keep on the (widish) fairways - the trees and rough can be punishing.

Tricky Course...

Played here yesterday and had a great round. Friendly staff, challenging course... shortish BUT you need to think your way round. Will be back for TSG OPEN in August. Looking forward to playing here again. Full review to follow.

interesting course

penha longa is an undulating and demanding course which will provide a challenge to most abilities, i would definitely play again

Very good course

Nice and tidy excellent course to play

Sad how far it has fallen.

It seems the club do not close bookings once booked on the online booking system? I booked two tee times for a Saturday afternoon and the booking system gave the impression that the course was not particularly busy. However when we arrived it was absolutely solid. That in itself isn't an issue, it happens, but the course was flooded with people who were clearly not golfers. Youngsters wearing T Shirts and Football shorts, people hacking their way round with balls flying all over the place and we even saw a 5 ball and a 7 ball ahead, creating endless bottle necks. I have certainly never seen buggies with people drinking beer and wearing party hats before! We decided to walk off far from the end because the pace of play was extremely slow. It is such a shame as in recent years North Downs has been one of our favourite clubs and courses, but this was close to one of those council courses where people with no understanding of rules or etiquette show up on masse. If we had known how busy it was and that drinking parties were going on on the course we would have given it a swerve. Very disappointing how far the club seems to have fallen.

Course in great condition

Though short Epping has plenty of challenges. The greens were fast with slopes and tricky undulations. Course generally in great condition.

Great course

I played here for the first time and loved it - would definitely play there again. Great pro shop for ladies as well!

Nice challenging course

My first time at Gosfield Lakes and thoroughly enjoyed my visit nice putting and chipping greens. Tee area well presented most greens ran really well a couple a bit bobbly. Fairways in good condition with water on quite a few holes made it challenging. Will be back.

This golf course is in a complete mess! Avoid!!!

The course is in terrible condition/ The greens were bumpy with lots of bare patches. The fairways were bald in places. Tees boxes were ok. The signature hole (apparently!) par 5 had a temporary green about 80 yards short of the main green which we weren't told about and you couldn't tell until you hit your second over the hill. Allegedly this is in maintenance atm, but I didn't see and greenkeepers all day. The bins next to the tees hadn't been emptied for ages. For £40 this course is a joke. To park your car is another £7. I wouldn't play here again if they paid me!

Beautiful countryside course

After a quirky start, lots of undulations making the greens hard to see, the course flattens out and is rather nice. Well looked after. A lot of ditches across fairways. Just don’t go in them and you’ll be fine. A second visit will make some of the holes easier to play. And it is well worth a return.

Very nice course

Did not use the bar or cafe. The golf shop is well stocked. Staff are friendly and helpful. Payment is by card only, no cash. Tees and faraway were in good condition but bunkers were lacking sand and lots of stones. Greens were a good speed but bobbley not very true.

i love this course

one of the best value courses in Northern California

Cave Hotel & Golf: Excellent value!!

I played the Cave Hotel and Golf course formerly Boughton Golf course for the first time in a few years and have to say it was a really great experience. Very friendly staff in the pro shop which made for a good first impression.
We teed off at 2pm and green fee was £30 which is excellent value. A really good looking parkland course with some very picturesque holes and some lovely elevated tees. Tee boxes and greens in great condition and tee times well spaced out so no waiting around.
The clubhouse and bar facilities were amazing as well as the food on offer.
The only one slightly negative point is that there could be better signage when leaving some of the greens to the next tees.
All in all a really great day and would recommend.

Nice course

Staff were very friendly and helpful, even got us out 30 minuts earlier.
The facilties in the shop/bar are very basic. Bottled beer only, no draught. Food that was served to my partners looked apertising and the enjoyed it very much.
The course is not long. Is well maintained but has a lot of slopes so needs some thought particularly with the tee shots. A bit hilly for me with COPD. I found the greens to be very fast and ball did not bounce around when putting, even with the airation holes.

Interesting but didn’t really feel like a links course

Played the Royal Portrush ‘Valley’ course on a blustery April day, but don’t let the locals hear you call it ‘The Valley’ as it is an entirely different golf club called ‘The Rathmore’ albeit owned by Royal Portrush… it’s only the posh boys from there who call it the ‘Valley’. Was told by a Royal Portrush member that although the ‘Rathmore’ was perceived as easier it had its challenges so entered the gates with a bit of wariness.

The course layout had changed recently with the 1st now being the 10th and a few others changes with a long explanation at check-in about the changes which of course did not mean anything to me except my playing partner who was a member of Royal Portrush and had played there before.

So off to the 1st - ‘Tramway’, a sweeping right to left par 5 with a huge sand dune that needed an easy 60yd carry to get over… guess who didn’t. Yep.. 50yd pitch later I still had a long way to go to reach the green. 4 iron shots later (I chose to keep the fairway woods in the bag to avoid the bunkers left and right) I reach the green and two puts later walk away with a concerning 9. Seems the member was right after all.

Off to the par 3 2nd - ‘Manns’ (I wonder what the origins of some of these hole names are - will need to do some research). An elevated tee down to a well protected green on both sides, either go short or long but not left or right to keep out of trouble. I chose to err on side of caution and club up and sure enough went long. A chip and a couple of putts later we go on.

Along par 4 and par 5 follow with both Preeti straight forward without too many hazards and roughs without the dreaded fescue so you can play out of them. You can see the ravine of the 16th on Royal Portrush Dunluce course off to the right as you walk along the par 4 - my adventure on that hole a few days earlier coming rushing back… #shudder

The next 3 holes (6-8) increase in length from a tricky par 3 to a tricker par 4 to a seemingly endless par 5. All holes where you could score well if you kept it straight and on the fairway.

The par 3 9th is an awesome hole with water danger at the front and thick mounded fescue at the back protected by a bunker on the left. Play right my son said my partner (he’s only a few years older than me the cheeky git). My trusty 7Wood enables be to hit the 170yd green and walk away with a par. Playing partner not so lucky after finding trouble on the left and then right and 3 putting. Ok old man, you needed the exercise I retorted to in response to the ‘son’ comment earlier.

The 10th (that used to be the 1st) ‘Zara Bolton’s’ (a former president of the club and told a prominent figure in Irish golf) is a short par 4 and relatively straightforward… I can see why they swapped the tees as an easy first somehow makes the course less imposing.

The next few holes are straightforward as long as you keep away from the bunkers and thick rough until you come up to the par 3 15th the appropriately named ‘The Cradle’. Slightly elevated tee at which you need to hit through a narrow ‘V’ between 2 huge fescue filled sand dunes. Go right and you have a tricky downhill up and down. Go left and you are in a valley and need to hit high with spin to keep the ball on the green. Just be happy if you walk away with a 4 if not on the green from the tee.

The last 3 holes are in a small loop past the new housing on the left of Portrush with the the Atlantic coast straight ahead of the 16th - ‘McDowells’s’ named after Irish golfer and US Open winner in 2010, Graeme McDowell. It’s his home club and he has a permanent car parking space by the door of the clubhouse.

The 16th is a short par 4 but plays longer as the fairway rises about 50-60ft and you cannot see the flag. Once you get to the green, the view takes your breath away awaits a view across the bay to Portrush town centre to the left and the Atlantic straight ahead. This is the only home that overlooks the Atlantic on the course which is a bit disappointing for an Irish links course.

The par 3 17th & par 18th see you back at the starter hut.

Off to the clubhouse - the one on the right (the one on the left is the ladies clubhouse) which from the outside looks a bit tatty but has obviously had a modern makeover inside with a 2 bars - one with huge TV screen showing golf and tables / cubicles for eating/drinking and a separate main bar on the car parking space side.

I heard that the outside decking overlooking the 16th is a great sun trap in summer where you can enjoy your drink/food, soaking in the sun and watch the golfers tee off on 16th only a few yards away. I can envisage a lot of barracking on match days from that popular vantage point.

I didn’t experience the changing room or showers as we didn’t have much time before our dinner booking but imagine these would be modern and plush going on the makeover inside the clubhouse.

On the whole a decent course and in my opinion the course is not really worth the hundreds of pounds that it would cost you to play this course. Personally I would spend the extra pounds and go and play the Dunluce course (unless you are fortunate to play with a member like I did).

Hope you enjoyed the review.

Once in a lifetime experience

I played this course on a glorious sunny morning although in very strong (up to 30-40 mile) winds. I was fortunate to play with a member and everything about the club oozed class. From entering the familiar gates (that you saw the top players entering when The Open was held there in 2024) to the clubhouse. Why do clubs favour the dirty yellows?

After changing in the vast changing rooms we headed off to the practice areas… multiple putting greens, chipping areas, grass pitching area and driving range. We definitely needed a warmup as although sunny the windchill felt like it was 5C. I went out with 5 layers on with a sixth waiting for any rain and the obligatory woolly hat on a links course. Caps are no good as the wind will whip it off and you will have no chance of catching it.

Feeling suitably warmed up we headed off the 1st tee - ‘The Hughies’ a shortish par 4 at 382yds but looks like a 500yd par 5 with a wide open fairway which all members can watch from their high vantage point in the clubhouse. Nervously faded my drive and kept it just within the out of bounds small ditch that runs along the right side of the fairway. Was told going left was a no-no.

The second shot is what makes this hole one of the hardest opening holes in golf. The green is 50ft or more in elevation with a huge false front and anything short will just come straight back down to your feet or end up in the deep bunker protecting the green half way up the hill. Go long and it’s a tricky pitch back with every danger that the ball will trickle back down the false front through the quick green… decisions… decisions. I hit a smooth 5i to the right of the green (the only area that I was told was a bit safe) and unfortunately struggled to get up the green and trickled all the way back down the slope. Welcome to links golf in Ireland.

Having walked away with an 8 after not playing badly I was fearful for the remaining holes. The 2nd, ominously named ‘Giants Grave’ did not put me at ease. This beautiful par 5 makes you navigate the hole carefully between bunkers left and right at strategic points providing a challenge to long and short hitters alike. Having avoided the bunkers I manage to get on the green in 4 … but 3 putts and my fear of a large score seemingly being realised.

So off the the par 3 3rd - on one of the highest but inland portion of the course, the winds from the land and sea were fighting for control so I decided to ignore it and hit straight… whoops.. wind catches it and miss left of the elevated green with a tricky pitch where you cannot see the flag but somehow managed it and land on the green. A ‘Jack Nicklaus’ inspired putting stance helped me roll in a 15 footer and suddenly I’m in love with links golf.

The next few holes were of a similar vein with deep bunkers and rolling fairways protected by long fescue grass acting as ‘rough’. A true links experience especially in the sunny but windy conditions.

By the time you hit the 9th - The ‘Darren Clarke’s’ (named in his honour in July 2025 for his long association with the club and being instrumental in bringing The Open back in 2019 after more than 60 years) you feel you have been really challenged as my GPS tracker and range finder were giving me club distances that bore nothing in reality as the wind was playing havoc and so I decided to give up on those and just hit what I felt would work.

The back 9 starts on the appropriately named 10th - ‘The Himalayas’. Navigating the sand duned mounds and bunkers and you are doing well if you get on the green in 3. Walk away with a par and you will feel a million dollars - nope I did neither and walked away with a grateful 7.

Back to back par 5’s follow with open fairways and a chance to redeem your score. Luckily I managed to get over being intimidated by the course and hit a few good drives and irons to walk away with a couple of pars.

A par 3 and a couple of par 4’s on the coastline later, you come up to the long par 3 - ‘Calamity Corner’. A beast of a hole with trouble all along the left with fescue filled dunes and a deep ravine to the right. Hitting straight and short is never really an option as the slopes will roll the ball into the ravine. Another dilemma as the wind had now picked up and gusting onto our left cheeks at 40 miles an hour. Members honour I think! I see my partner & son hit their drives left against the wind at almost 30-40ft left .. wind catches them and they float into the ravine. I decide to hit it further left about 60ft … same result. No point taking another only for ravine to gobble it up.. take a drop and put it out.

This is a truly majestic hole and think the Open should be held in April when winds are strong…there will only be an Irish winner and the Americans will wonder what happened to their game.

After the 16th the final 2 holes feel a bit anticlimactic with difficult but not impossible opportunities for pars and in a way disappointing that the 18th finished behind the practice areas with no opportunity for club house watchers to see people coming in. But I’m just looking to pick holes on a truly magnificent course.

I was grateful to walk off shooting 105 but it is an experience I will never forget and will definitely try to come again if I get an opportunity. But I’m not paying the American prices of 100’s of pounds. Just make a friend of a member and get on to play on this iconic course.

Visit the Harbour Inn in the heart of Portrush (Get to sit in Darren’s corner at the bar and stare at all the famous faces and golfing memorabilia) where all the famous Irish & international golfers congregate and get chatting - if they believe you love golf, you will find a friend who will in all likelihood take you round for a couple of pints of Guinness.

The clubhouse is fantastic and adorned with various trophies and historic memorabilia with a formal restaurant and a bar restaurant. A great fish & chips, a few pints of Guinness’s later I have to go and sample the showers.

As expected glorious warm private showers and members tell me to go and play the ‘Valley Course’… that’s where I’m headed next. Hope you enjoyed the review.

great course and exceptional facilities

Very pretty course, parkland type. near the ocean. great value too. carts were new. very friendly staff. loved the restaurant and the drinks cart around the course.

Really tatty

Wow this course has gone right downhill, really tatty fairways and greens, bunkers nearly all GUR, for £34 for a Friday no way its worth it course was empty no wonder won't be going back until they get their act together

Worth a visit

Played here with the Army and I was here a few years ago. Great course. Open enough to allow for errors and easy to correct. Some lovely holes across lakes on par 3s. Some very challenging holes. This course is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. Nice clubhouse and friendly staff made for an enjoyable 2 days.

Very good course very good value for money

Course in very good condition for time of will definitely be back

Course is well maintained and forgiving

Brickhampton Golf Course is a fantastic venue and a real pleasure to play. The course itself is very well maintained, with great care clearly taken over the fairways and greens, making for an enjoyable and consistent round of golf.
The clubhouse and amenities are equally impressive. The clubhouse is warm and welcoming, and the food is excellent — the bacon sandwiches and morning coffee are an absolute delight and a perfect way to start the day.
The driving range is among the best quality you’ll find, featuring TrackMan technology that adds real value whether you’re warming up or working on your game. Combined with friendly service and great facilities, Brickhampton delivers a superb all-round golfing experience.

Fantastic course

I found this course to be exceptional.
Very good value for money.

Very good condition

Course is in very good condition. I've played many courses over the past year or so. The greens here are great. Very true and fast.

Fantastic course

Really enjoyed Canons Brook fairways and green well maintained. And some really interesting and challenging holes.
I was a guest on the day at a reduced rate which was well worth it but would have paid more on top for the round. Definetley one of one of the best courses I’ve played. Will be back.

A little disappointed

Played Benton hall we played lunchtime for £30 so not bad value but morning would have cost £50 which I wouldn’t play here for £50 just my opinion. Course was well laid out but found the fairways in an ok condition once again I expected a little more. Greens were 7/10 played Epping a week earlier and greens were a 10. Still enjoyed the game but won’t be rushing back. Maybe if buggy’s were available I may have enjoyed a little more.

Exceeded Expectations

Really enjoyed playing Epping a shorter course just under 5000 yards but the course is really well kept and although I haven’t played many courses yet the greens were like a billiards table and a nice true run. And great value for money at £23 looking forward to playing again in the very near future.

Good quality

My first time at Risebridge and thoroughly enjoyed playing the course. The greens compared with a couple of places I’ve played recently were very good a little wet underfoot but to be expected. Clubhouse seamed really nice. Will definitely be back soon.

Good condition

The fairways and greens were in very good condition especially with the amount of rain we have had. Very muddy in walking areas but to be expected. Really good value for money and will definitely play again.

Soon to be 9

The Council concerned has decided to get around the ownership/usage by leasing the area to Wycombe Wanderers as a training cam, and so 9 holes are going from April. As such during this exceptionally wet period, the course is actually unplayable. Fairways are sodden, and if you stand too long on a green, you are liable to sink. Seems a pity the course will disappear in it's present form, but unless it is looked after properly, it will be no loss.

nice but nothing special

longvwalks between greens and tees makes this course more tiring than it should. has several interesting features river and lake.will return hopefully the missing bridge will have been replaced.

short and quirky

designed to feel links Airlinks succeeds in somecways. when dry the greens are good as are the tee boxes. the fairways however are short of grass and soil. the initial severe rough has been reduced to make a fair contest now between player and course. the slope and rating are in need of recalibration.

Lots more required

Stockley Park is a stones throw (almost) from the M4 and M40, so totally accessible, but does need work done on it. Unfortunately I had a League match that had to be played in January - yes the wettest we have had for ages - and the ground conditions were bad, but saying that, my course is not faring that much better. The tee boxes were atrocious, partly because of conditions, partly due to the relaying of new grass on the other tees, which look very nice, but are out of action at present. The fairways are in need of our new machine that provides 'shock-wave aeration', I'm sure they would be good to walk on then.
Bunkers were in an OK condition and the greens were quite true and in decent nick considering the present weather conditions.
For the area that it is in, the course offers good prices but I would be happier with my review if the conditions were better. Perhaps if the invite promised comes through for a summer game, I will re-visit these words.

Dinky little links course, seaviews and windswept

Easily found off a main road, limited car parking at an adjacent car park. Smallish pro shop. Character built clubhouse. Friendly staff.
Course is shortish, greens quite slick despite looking a bit fluffy. Tricky reading though and made more complex by winds. Course split over residential road with holes 2 onward on the seaward side, exposed to the elements. Fairways just showing a bit of winter/ water wear so ground was claggy and muddy.
No particularly feature holes typical links feel, very few blind holes.
Breakfast was traditional and enjoyable.

Worth a second visit, in the summer, perhaps as part of a coastal Kent trip (probably better to incoporate with a seaside weekend).

Nothing too exacting and a nice stroll not too exhausting.

Druids wet gear ? you cant play here

if you want to play in Druids wet trousers and you have no zip in the front you cant play this course
turned up paid our money. ( you do need hedge hog wheels in the winter ) had a putt. got called over by the starter and after a few minutes of chatting he said there was a problem ? you have no zip in the front of your trousers, cheap sh*t he said.( thought ha was joking ) but no he escorted us back to the pro shop and give us our money back. spoke to a few members and they had never heard of it.

Well established parkland

Co located with the sports centre means you should arrive early in order to park. Short walk to the golf centre with a fully stocked pro shop, bar and restuarant with good menu options.

Bit of a stroll to first tee and onto a well maintained course with some interesting holes. Long walk passed the clubhouse between 9 and 10 which could do with a bit more signeage. Typical Kent panorama, and exposed to wind.

All in all, good course to return to, should get easier with course knowledge.

A good test, well maintained, in great countryside

Always enjoy playing here - it's a good challenge with some interesting holes - a lot of trees! I'm not a big hitter so I tend to struggle on longer par 4s and 5s, especially as some of them are uphill! The greens are always in good condition, except for one which is low lying and looks to have had some standing water damage. The clubhouse is good - they've just opened up a new bar, and they have regular social events that appear to be well attended (though I've never been to one).

The practice areas are bit a ropey - by the pro-shop there is a single net for warming up in, which has seen better days, but is functional, and there is a small practice green. Further afield, there is a driving area that sits between the 13th and 18th Fairways, which has a practice bunker too, though I have never used these.

We usually pay £25 for an afternoon round, though I think cheaper rounds are available later in the day during the summer months.

I like the course and the clubhouse, which is why we keep coming back.

eg: Fantasic course, well worth the visit

Beautiful course well maintained, winter golf few mats no temporary greens, £30 for single and 2 balls decreasing for 3 & 4 ,a couple of cross over holes so be careful ,course an absolute cracker during spring/summer

Great Course

On holiday, so we arranged to play a four ball at this course. Lady in the Pro Shop very helpful and friendly. Tee boxes and greens where in great shape. There is no bunkers on this course, but there is some water. Fairways are tight in places. The course is hilly and there are some step uphill slopes to deal with. also very picturesque course. I would definitely return and play here again. The clubhouse staff where very friendly and helpful, nice views from the upstairs bar.

Wanstead no thanks

First time playing here, will not rush back there were 9 of us and we all were disappointed club house good, car parking to small, and the lay out is bad also the travelling there and home was bad 50 mins to do 10 miles

Historic huntercombe

Have been wanting to play this course for years and although expensive have been past it and promised my self I would one day . The course is absolutely immaculate but as is has been a members club for 125 years it’s not surprising.It is the creation of Willy park jr and it’s the only course he designed and raised his own funds to pay for .Along with Sunningdale old course. The greens were like glass even in late October .Also there are only 13 sand bunkers and all the rest are strategically played grass bunkers and pots on the course which is basically unchanged from 1901 .The course is ranked 57 in England Scotland and wales out of 2788 and it shows The tee boxes are probably as good as most greens .Ian Fleming was a member for 32 years and also members of M16 .It is widely thought as the best inland links type course in uk .The greens are absolutely extreme with many level changes of up to 4 feet and all different and are designed as hazards .If you get a chance it’s worth playing but is a 2 ball only course .

Nice place

Nice course but long was a bit wet this time of year

Would think twice before going back

The 1st T is now the 10th and visa versa. Also T's are coloured Red (Pro?), Blue, Yellow & White (Ladies). Which is a bit confusing. The T's were reasonable but several had mats and not receptable for wood T's. Fareways were a sparse of grass. Bunkers had enough sand to be playable.
All of the greens were in good shape but some had a good pace but most were a bit slow compared to what I have been used to playing.

Disappointing

Greens in very poor condition (Oct 2025). Very stoney bunkers too. Very disappointing for a course of this reputation

Mature Parkland, undulations with a view.

Just off the M2 quite a fair distance from Essex. Set in the Kent countryside, surrounded by trees and views. Adequate car parking, it helps if you know where you are going, helpful staff directed me to a recently refurbished bar/restaurant (decor a bit dark). Breakfast included, was well presented and very edible.

First few holes start uphill, each hole presenting a different challenge. Good wide fairways, well maintained greens (a bit wet and spongy on the day but quick enough and fair).

Generally a course in good condition, would be worth playing again if closer.

19th hole had an interesting outside area complete with fire pits and table service from the bar. A nice glass of lager worth trying as well as Guiness.

Kent Golf Course, great track

A good walk and track to play. Very good views and a higher end type course. Greens were fine, fairways were good. Some tough holes, and good variety. It's top elite but it's not average. Worth playing and I am going back next week.

Pleasant parkland course

Situated between Oxford and Reading The Springs Spa and Golf course is a good venue for golf society golf breaks. The parkland course is flat, with mostly wide fairways though many holes featured either numerous bunkers or water (or both!). We found it to be the right standard for our group of 60/70 yr olds. The course was in reasonable condition. We were accommodated in cabins a few 100yds from the clubhouse which were comfortable and well equipped. The dinner menu was not extensive and pretty average quality and the breakfast choice a bit basic. The staff were helpful and very friendly.
Our group booked via Golfbreaks at a cost of £165 sharing /£200 single.
Overall maybe a 6.5 out of 10!

Essex course with good variety

1st time, I liked it. It's a course that has some interesting holes. Fairways not great but that can be said of lots of courses, especially the ones that can't afford to keep them mint. Greens were good, and that's important.

its a good place to play

the course was in good condition the greens were immaculate, the weather on the first day was rather wet which spoilt the back nine, it is rather demanding in places,if you hit straight and follow the advice on the fly over you will enjoy your round

Great place

I thoroughly enjoyed playing golf and relaxing at the Bletchingley clubhouse. The social golfer day was another fantastic event.