Long Ashton Golf Club ***

Clarken Coombe, Long Ashton, BS41 9DW

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.

 

Secretary: Mr R. Williams

Tel: 01275 392229 Fax: 01275 394395

Professional: Mr M. Hart

Tel: 01275392229 Fox: 01275 394395

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.

 

The Players Golf Club ****

Codrington, Bristol, BS37 6RX

Nearest main town: Bristol

 

It took three years to create the Players Golf Club, which finally opened in May 2000, but golfers lucky and wise enough to have paid it a visit unanimously agree the wait has been more than worthwhile.

Little-known course designer Adrian Stiff has somehow carved out a 'magical monster' - it's an incredible 7600 yards off the back tips, making it one of the longest in the land - just a 15-minute drive from bustling Bristol and 1 mile from Junction 18 on the M4. Stiff's idea was to create '18 very different holes, some resembling classic links land and some US-style', and he's definitely succeeded in that goal.

The key to enjoying your round at the Players Golf Club is to ensure you playoff the right tees (there's six sets of them!) for your game. Whatever you do, don't bite off more than you can chew, otherwise you'll be in for a torrid time. You certainly need to carefully negotiate the trees, water, gorse and bunkering that act as the course's defences along with its sheer length (off the tiger tees).

The biggest compliment you can pay this quality venue is that although it's only been open a short while, it looks as though it's been around forever. There are several outstanding holes, but the par-44th, where you need to avoid two lots of water, is arguably the pick of a very impressive bunch.

 

Secretary: Mr P. Barrington (Director of Golf)

Tel: 01454 313029 Fax: 01454 323446

Professional: Mr M. Brookes

Tel: 01454 311818 Fax: 01454 323446

Playing: Midweek: round £70.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £70.00; day n/a.

Facilities: New clubhouse opens April 2004; no details available at time of going to press.

Comments: One of the best new courses I've seen and played... It can be long and tough so make sure you playoff the right tees...A bit pricey but it is a class act...I'd heard good things about this new venue near Bristol and it fully lived up to expectations.