Royal Jersey Golf Club ****

Le Chemin Au Greves, Grouville, JE3 9BD

Nearest main town: St Helier

 

There is some great golf to be had on the Channel Islands, but the best golf is on Jersey, where there are two cracking links, the Royal course and La Moye. Royal Jersey is a flat links that runs at sea level along the exposed links turf of Grouville Bay. The bay was such a favorite with Queen Victoria that she insisted it be called the Royal Bay of Grouville. Close by is the little fishing village of Gorey, and above on the head­land is a 13th-century fortress known as Mont Orgueil, which commands attention from every corner of the course.

The opening hole at the Royal Jersey is one of the toughest in the British Isles. Fresh from the changing rooms, you are asked to thread your new ball on this 468-yard monster between the old remains of Fort Henry and two German pillboxes (the Germans occupied the Channel Islands for five years from 1939 to 1944). Any slight push on any part of the hole goes over the wall, on to the sand and - depending on the tides, which vary hugely from day to day - into the sea.

The first nine holes run alongside the shore, while the second nine have a more inland feel, with more evidence of bracken and gorse. The layout actually takes up a remarkably small plot of land and it has been tweaked over the years in order to ease congestion and improve safety. Plateau greens are a feature, not least at the finish, where the 15th, 16th and 17th are notoriously slippery to stay on.

Harry Vardon, the greatest British golfer of all time who won the Open six times, was born just a duffed chip away from the 12th and his spirit lives on here. During the same period, stories tell of him driving in his afternoon round into the divot marks he had made in the morning.

The demand for golf in the Channel Islands well outstrips supply, so if you want to play Royal Jersey in the summer be prepared for a crowded course.

 

Secretary: Mr D. Attwood

Tel: 01534 854416 Fax: 01534 854684

Professional: Mr D. Morgan

Tel: 01534 852234 Fax: 01534 854684

Playing: Midweek: round £50.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £50.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 80m-midnight. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8am-9pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: Harry Vardon was born here... Short course but you always need to be good off the tee. .. Seaside links on blessed piece of land. .. Old club, a pleasure to play.

 

Alderney Golf Club ***

Route des Carrieres, Alderney, GY9 3YD

Nearest main town: St Anne's

 

Secretary: Mr K. Bithell

Tel: 01481 822835 Fax: 01481 823609

Professional: None

Playing: Midweek: round n/a; day £20.00. Weekend: round n/a; day £25.00.

Facilities: Bar: 8.30am-7pm. Food: Bar snacks.

Comments: Up in the clouds... Nine holes at this neat seaside course. .. Views are what makes it . .. Come here for the views, not the golf.

 

La Moye Golf Club ****

St Brelade, Jersey, JE3 8GQ

Nearest main town: St Helier

 

Secretary: Mr C. Greetham

Tel: 01534743401 Fax: 01534 747289

Professional: Mr M. Deeley               

Tel: 01534 743130

Playing: Midweek: round £45.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £50.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 1 Oam-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 12pm-2pm. Dinner from 7pm-8pm. Booking essential.

Comments: Stunning location... Incredibly natural terrain... Exciting blind shots. . . You need years to understand this course. .. Many memorable summer evenings here... Cold and windy... Wonderfully natural with dunes and gulleys.

 

Royal Guernsey Golf Club ***

L' Ancresse, Guernsey, GY3 5BY

Nearest main town: St Peter's Port

 

Secretary: Mr M. de Laune

Tel: 01481 247022 Fax: 01481 243960

Professional: Mr N. Wood                        

Tel: 01481 245070

Playing: Midweek: round n/a; day £38.00. Weekend: round n/a; day £38.00.

Facilities: Bar: 9.30am-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 12pm-1.45pm. Dinner from 7pm-9.30pm.

Comments: Can get very busy... Impossible when the wind gets up . .. Use your imagination... You'll never play another like it ... Very unfair in the summer... In the summer it's like playing pinball... Gets very busy... Location superb. .. Riveting course.