Thorndon Park Golf Club ***

Ingrave, Brentwood, CM13 3RH

Nearest main town: Brentwood

 

If anyone refers to Essex as a golfing wasteland, don't take a blind bit of notice. Londoners head in all directions but east to find golfing fulfillment, which is a pity because they are missing out on courses of the pedigree of Thorndon Park. Set in the grounds of a former hunting estate, dominated by an impressive neo-classical mansion, Thorndon Park is a charming course.

Designed by Harry Colt, who counts on his CV courses like Royal Portrush and the Alwoodley, Thorndon Park is ostensibly a members' club, and the benefits of not being overplayed are very clear. The conditions of fairways and greens is consistently excellent, and even the wilder parts of the course on the front nine are well manicured.

The contrast between the two nines is subtle but influences the way you play the course. The front nine is more open and in the summer has a baked appearance, requiring thought and planning to cope with the variable bounces. But as you make the turn, the course, running through tall stands of mature trees, has a lush feel and rewards strong, accurate hitting. Indeed, as you walk down to the lowest part of the course, it is so well watered that it has a Continental appearance.

This variety is traditionally the hallmark of a great course and provides much of the entertainment in planning and executing shots. Of course, you would be hard pressed to agree after playing the 1st, a wishy-washy par-4 where you can hit an enormous hook off the tee and still be well placed to reach the green. But don't give up - it gets better.

There's an enormous lake to carry at the 3rd, a short par-4 over a gully at the 4th and a brutish par-4 at the 6th. On the back nine, fine holes include the huge dogleg at the par-4 11th and a par-4 over the corner of the lake at the 17th. In between, you can get up to all sorts of scrapes escaping from the trees. Thorndon Park is a quality layout that constantly challenges you visually and technically.

 

Secretary: Lt Col R. Estcourt

Tel: 01277 810345 Fax: 01277 810645

Professional: Mr B. White

Tel: 01277 810736

Playing: Midweek: round £45.00; day £60.00. Weekend: round £50 (after 1 pm in summer); day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-7pm. Food: Lunch from 11 am-2pm. Bar snacks.

Comments: The 3rd over the lake is a joy... Beautiful course ­greens exceptional...Value for money not bad...Expensive, but in superb condition, especially the greens ... Difficult-to-judge approach shots make this a difficult course... Lovely variety of holes with no holes running in the same direction...Unknown club that manages to feel unstuffy and welcoming...Weak 1st hole but it just gets better and better... Clever course with interesting selection of holes.

 

Abridge Golf & Country Club

Epping Lane, Stapleford Tawney, RW14 1ST

Nearest main town: Romford

 

Secretary: Mr M. Gottlieb

Tel: 01708 688396 Fax: 01708 688550

Professional: Mr S. Layton

Tel: 01708688333 Fax: 01708 688550

Playing: Midweek: round £35.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £45.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Lunch from 11 am-5pm.

Comments: Very good facilities... Many holes crossing valleys...Mature and very challenging...Can play very long. . . A monster off the back tees... Strong par-4s... First­rate par-4s ... Genuine par-4s.