Garesfield Golf Club

Designed by Harry Fernie in 1922, this lovely parkland course has matured into something very special and offers players of all abilities an experience to be savoured. The flora and fauna are everywhere and at certain times of the year, the course is awash with colour – Garesfield is a photographer’s dream, so don’t forget to take a camera with you.

But don’t let the views detract you from the job in hand; the course is one of the better tests of golf in the region. Fernie certainly did his homework and has produced a lay-out which is fair if you play the course sensibly and punishing should you have an off day from the tees. Yes, there are a number of very strong par 4’s where some golfers will struggle to get home in two but these are balanced out with shortish par 5’s and a few short but tricky four-shotters, all good birdie chances.

But what impressed me the most on compiling this report was the quality and presentation of the course – it was immaculate. The greens were good, fairways neatly striped, rough trimmed, bunkers raked and too be honest, you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that they had prepared for a major European PGA tournament.

And away from the course, the magnificent modern two-storey clubhouse offers superb views over the course and surrounding countryside. Visitors are more than welcome at Garesfield and their present special offer for a round on Mondays and Wednesdays or a fourball is a real bargain.

Many golfers in the region forget about Garesfield and that’s a big mistake. If I had to list my top five courses in the region, this one would definitely feature – it is picture perfect.

Measuring nearly 6500 yards and a par 72 from the medal tees, you have to make the most of the first five holes at Garesfield before the course begins to ask questions – it might pay to warm up properly and hopefully, by the time you reach the sixth tee a good score is already on the card.

What is particularly attractive about the course is the actual layout and with four greens close to the clubhouse, you can play four, six, nine, fifteen or a full eighteen holes and not have a long walk back.