World Golf Courses Directory

Long Ashton Golf Club Gloucestershire, England

Rating: ***

Clarken Coombe, Long Ashton, BS41 9DW

E-mail: secretary@longashtongolfclub.co.uk

Nearest main town: Bristol

Gloucestershire is not renowned for the depth and variety of its courses, and no discussion of the best course would find universal agreement. One of the contenders, situated on the western outskirts of Bristol, would surely be Long Ashton, a wooded parkland course that you’ll generally find in excellent order.

Long Ashton is a very traditional course bar one welcome eccentricity - a par-3, played over a road to a green nestled in an old quarry. It’s worth the price of admission alone. But Long Ashton has more to offer than just its signature hole: two very distinctive nines that will test your patience and only reward good golf.

The preferred nine is on the front side, with the holes sweeping along a plateau with views of Bristol at the eastern extent of the course (if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of the hot air balloons that take off from Ashton Park throughout the year and soar above the course). The fairways hug every contour of the land and taper towards fairly open but subtle undulating greens. The back nine is flatter, with a few holes you would willingly chuck out. It is here that you make your score, with the par-4s fairly short and the par-3 without much trouble.

Long Ashton is unusual for an old, provincial course in that it houses a practice range worthy of an Open venue.

Playing: Midweek: round £30.00; £35.00; day n/a. day n/a. Weekend: round

Facilities: Bar: 11 am- 11 pm. Food: Breakfast and lunch from 9.30am-6pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Fascinating par-3 over the road marks this out as something special… A little exposed in places although the course makes good use of the land. .. Nice selection of secluded and open holes at this friendly club… Value golf and excellent practice ground.

*** Free Golf Lessons ***