Woburn Golf & Country Club (Dukes) ****

Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, MK17 9LJ

Nearest main town: Milton Keynes

 

One of the best-known and most popular courses in England, Woburn consistently justifies its position as a favorite among discerning golfers. Few other courses in the country have as much appeal as Woburn, a feeling that was perpetuated by the flattering television pictures of the course when the British Masters was held there on a regular basis. Although it no longer hosts top tournaments, the condition of the course is always good and provides a quality golfing day out, particularly for golf societies that aspire to deliver a quality course for their members at reasonable rates. As a consequence, the course can get busy and it's worth checking out in advance when you can play. The Woburn experi­ence is not something that you can keep to yourself.

The course is certainly demanding, and is not recommended for the inexperienced, who will find it a long slog and a hopeless criss-cross across fairways to find the ball in woods. Woburn is essentially a driver's course, and the player who can hit it long and straight can invariably score well as there are few dangers around the greens. Most of the fair­ways are bordered by magnificent pines, so there is no real need for any rough at Woburn, except on some of the more exposed holes around the turn. One of the hardest shots you will have to master here is how to play your ball off pine needles, which really need to be nipped off a tight lie. This is particularly the case at the 4th, a wonderful dogleg played through a funnel of pines. It is arguably the strongest hole on a front nine that must rank as the best in British golf. That really is no exaggeration, and if the Dukes had a more inspiring mid-section it would rival Sunningdale as the top inland course in England. Practice facilities here are some of the best in Europe, while the club lunch is legendary. No one who plays Woburn should leave without dining here. The advice is not to have something too big at breakfast, as portions at lunch are more than generous. You'll enjoy the quality of the food as you will the course. And that goes for both the Duchess and Marquess courses as well.

 

Secretary:  Mrs G. Beasley  

Tel: 01908 370756 Fax: 01908 378436

Professional: Mr l. Blacklock                          

Tel: 01908 626600

Playing: Midweek: round prices on application; day n/a. Weekend: round members and guests only; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 10.30am-11 pm. Food:Lunch from 12pm­2.30pm.

Comments: Just a fine golfing experience - perfect... Fantastic day's golf... Cut out of a forest, this course is simply superb. . . Outstanding day out spoilt by the cost of play . .. Most imaginatively designed course in the south of England. .. Quality course demanding quality golf.

 

Beaconsfield Golf Club ***

Farm Lane, Seer Green, Beaconsfield, HP9 2UR

Nearest main town: Beaconsfield

 

Secretary:  Mr K. Wilcox

Tel: 01494 676545 Fax: 01494 681148

Professional: Mr M. Brothers

Tel: 01494 676616

Playing: Midweek: round £36.00; day £50.00. Weekend: round members' guests only; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11am-9.30pm. Food: Breakfast and lunch from 9am-5pm. Dinner by arrangement.

Comments: Played here in abysmal weather but not one blade of grass was out of place... Good, interesting parkland course requiring a subtle short game to score well... Much improved over the last two years. .. Not particu­larly welcoming but the course makes up for it ... Cracking clubhouse and the course, well, I didn't want to leave... Arresting course that never takes the driver out of your hands. .. Better than Stoke Poges and more homely for the visitor... Could not wait to play after glimpsing it from the railway... Super finish to elegant course.