Ross-on- Wye Golf Club ****

Two Park, Gorsley, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7UT

Nearest main town: Ross-on-Wye

 

Just before they enter the grey, industrial corridor of South Wales where golfers head to play some great links courses, travelers from the north pass through the beautiful Wye Valley. The only stop-off point for golfers here is Ross-on-Wye, a fairly new course that is cut through a verdant forest and provides some exciting golf.

Keeping the ball in play is the secret at Ross-on-Wye, although if you do land in the trees, there is always an escape route - the greenkeepers are instructed to keep the undergrowth at a minimum. The course's other protection are the bunkers, which were reconstructed a few years back and have added a new dimension to the course.

Some golfers find this sort of golf unappealing, but it is not all a matter of accurate hitting. Indeed, at the 5th and 6th, you are faced with consecutive par-5s where the trees open out and the player is allowed to hit freely. There's also a strong selection of par-3s, including the 9th and the 12th, a par-3 played over a pond, the only one on the course.

With a standard scratch score of 73, there is no denying that Ross­on-Wye is hard, but the steady stream of visitors suggest its difficulty does not take away from the experience. Off-course the feel is good also, with a lively bar and a genial atmosphere through the club.

 

Secretary: Mr P. Plumb

Tel: 01989 720267 Fax: 01989 720212

Professional: Mr N. Catchpole

Tel: 01989 720439

Playing: Midweek: round £34.00 (18 holes), £40.00 (27 holes), £44.00 (36 holes); day n/a. Weekend: round n/a; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 11 am-5pm. Bar snacks. Dinner by arrangement.

Comments: Gracious members and well-kept course...Tree-lined...you really need to know where to drive...Undulating parkland through silver birch forest - fine stuff. . . Greens always good.

 

The Bank House Hotel Golf & Country Club *

Bransford, Worcester, WR4 9NN

Nearest main town: Worcester

 

Secretary: Ms M. Roberts

Tel: 01886 833545 Fax: 01886 833545

Professional: Mr S. Fordyce

Tel: 01886 833621 Fax: 01886 833545

Playing: Midweek: round £20.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £30.00; day n/a.           

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am-10pm.

Comments: American-style course with lots of water and tough finishing holes...Enjoyable day out... Poor use of water hazards...Very unnatural use of water...Island greens and sculptured fairways.