Mill Hill Golf Club ***

100 Barnet Way, Mill Hill, London, NW7 3AL

Nearest main town: London

 

Dashing across a dual carriageway in your spikes may not be the greatest preparation for a round of golf, but at Mill Hill it works. That could be because the opening hole there is a bit of a bruiser and should not be played while still either half asleep or groggy from a long drive. Dicing with traffic prepares you mentally for this long par-4 that gently doglegs to the left and always seems to play longer than its yardage. Indeed, in winter it can take two lusty blows to get up.

Founded in 1925, the place has a comforting maturity and an expertise in design that was probably instilled by the great Harry Colt, who had a hand in its development. The course is not all that long, but with a par of 69, it can be quite a tough challenge.

After that stern start, the 2nd is a par-3 over water which might be hazardous for some, but really shouldn't cause too many problems with only a very short iron. The 3rd is perhaps the weakest hole on the course, but once it has been negotiated the rest are all of genuine quality. The par-4s are the main strengths, with three holes on the back nine, the 12th, 15th and 17th, being the pick of the bunch.

Mill Hill, like most courses in the North London area, can get a little boggy in the winter, but in the right conditions it is definitely worth a visit.

 

Secretary: Mr D. Cromie

Tel: 020 8959 2889 Fax: 020 8959 0731

Professional: Mr D. Beal

Playing: Midweek: round £25.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £30.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11.30pm. Food: Lunch and dinner served. Bar snacks.

Comments: A mature, tree-lined course so watch out for the timber ... The course is next to the busy A 1 but you'd barely know it. There's some difficult par-3s requiring accurate tee shots... A good mix of long and short holes.

 

Folwell Golf Club ***

Wellington Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1JY

Nearest main town: Fulwell

 

Secretary: Mr P. Butcher

Tel: 020 8977 2733 Fax: 020 8977 7732

Professional: Mr N. Turner                   

Tel: 020 8977 3844

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

Facilities: Bar: Members only. Food: Members only.

Comments: Nicely kept course... Long but not toootaxing ... Stylish and a fair price. . . Too long for some at over 6500 yards ... Worth paying a visit.