36 holes of exceptional golf, set against the stunning backdrop of the New Forest
Women & Golf visited a wonderful golf course last year - Bramshaw Golf Club - Forest Course. A last chance to catch some sunshine before autumn set in. There's a wonderful choice of courses in Hampshire - links, parkland, heathland - and Bramshaw's Forest Course has to rate as one of the quirkiest.
History of Bramshaw Golf Club
I knew as soon as I turned into the Club car park and saw one of our four-legged equine friends this was going to be no ordinary golf game.
The golf club boasts two courses - The Forest and The Manor. The Forest was built around the 1860s, the Manor far more recently in the 1970s.
The original course, now known as the Forest course, was originally built by a local resident/landowner called Philip de Crespigny, for the entertainment of his weekend guests in about 1865. It was built partly in his large garden at Roundhill and partly on Brook Common. There were no other golf courses in Hampshire at that time and no records can be found to show that he had permission to build his!
The Forest Course
The many natural features of the New Forest, particularly the rise and fall of the land and the stream that runs through the far side of the course (“Kings Garn Gutter”), made it easy to create golf holes of great interest and ones that required the skills of a seasoned links golfer to master. Without any form of mechanical assistance, the major part of the work was either done by hand or with the assistance of horses from local farms.
With its open aspects and rolling heathland, it is, what can only be described 'as nature intended'. The ever-changing scenery of humps, hollows and meandering streams test golfing skills and, with the added quirky charm of New Forest deer, ponies and pigs roaming the fairways, your round is bound to be one that will be preserved in your memory for years to come.
Where else would you find fences surrounding the greens to protect them from our four-legged friends?
Holes to watch at Bramshaw Golf Club
There's a certain element of the unknown at the Forest Course. So, if you can't see the green then assume a stream is ahead. Having said that there are some nice holes. The 6th and 9th have sunken greens. The 11th has a raised green site once you've played blind over the valley. The 12th is the only hole with bunkers. A couple of dog-legs at 13th and 14th keep you on your toes.
"Not your usual pitch marks!"
The Clubhouse at Bramshaw Golf Club
The clubhouse is open from 7 a.m. and catering is available daily from 9 a.m. The bar opens for service at 11 a.m. and remains open until late, with the exception of the winter months.
In addition to a great course, you can even stay next door at The Bell Inn, a quintessentially English coaching inn with oodles of character, which boasts 26 bedrooms and is dog-friendly.
Bramshaw Golf Club - Forest Course Feedback
And what did the Women & Golf Members think of the course?
"Be prepared for an unusual round. And expect to lose a few balls!"
"A real feeling of playing among nature. Loved the fact that animals roamed the course while we were playing - completely unbothered by us."
"In spite of its rustic nature, the greens were fabulous. Despite a few hoof marks here and there."
"It's challenging, and some may not enjoy it because of the fear of the unknown, but its great value for money and a lovely way to see golf and nature come together".
Course Information
Bramshaw is well-known for being a welcoming club with a friendly atmosphere and is proud to host a large number of visitors from far-reaching locations year after year.
18 holes | Par 71 Red Par 69 White | 5,240 yards Red 5,757 yards White | Private | Heathland
| Slope Rating | Women/ Men | Front 9 | Back 9 | Total | Length |
| Red | W | 34.6/125 | 35.6/ 122 | 70.2/ 124 | 5,240 |
| White | M | 33.7/114 | 33.8/1118 | 67.5/116 | 5,757 |
Buggy Hire | Pro shop | Changing rooms | Clubhouse Bar & Food | Function Room Hire | Handicap required
Tee Time Information & Prices
| Manor | Forest | |
| Standard weekend - Sunday only | £90 | £90 |
| Standard weekday | £75 | £35 |
| Weekday Twilight 4:00-4:45pm | £40 | £18 |
Visitor Information
Visitors are welcome to play the course.
Contact Information
Address: Bramshaw Golf Club, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7HE [click here for map]
Tel: +44 (0)23 8081 3433
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.bramshawgolfclub.co.uk/
Fascinating Fact
Not many golf courses can pride itself on being designed by James Braid, famous for his design of Gleneagles King's and Queen's courses or Dr Alister Mackenzie, famous for designing Augusta National.
The course here at Branshaw Golf Club was designed by both men!
