Mike
14-11-2006, 05:17 PM
I've just come in from a great day on the Arden course at the Marriot Forest of Arden (near Coventry). So much so that I thought it only right to post a course review here for you guys!
Date - Tuesday 14th November
Entrance - handy from the M6/M40/M42, down a quaint country lane. The hotel is reasonably imposing but nothing like as corporate or 'grand' as the nearby Belfry. There are two 18 hole courses. The Arden championship course and the
Aylesford course.
Warming up - The brochures say there is a 'new' PGA practice facility at the F of A. However, on inspection the range is surprisingly modest and even a bit tatty which was a disappointment. Range balls (Srixons) are priced at £1 per 15. Adjoining the range is a very good chipping green (and bunkers).
However the location of everything is a bit odd. It's almost like a perfect triangle with the putting green located a good few hundred yards away from the range, adjoining the Pro shop and the first tees of both courses a few hundred yards in the opposite direction - i.e. the practice green is nowhere near either the range or the 1st tees.
Pro Shop - well stocked, pricey and very friendly. A quality changing room is also present here for visitors. When I played, both courses were very empty and we were told we could tee off whenever suited. The starter's hut adjoins both 1st tees and he was very friendly, informative and welcoming.
So, on to the golf. The conditions weren't great with dark clouds and rain in the air but with my game in good order off I drove. We played off the White tees.
Arden Course
1st hole - 372 yds, Par 4 SI 16
Fairly straight, ordinary hole. Bunkers at the 220 - 250 mark to catch errant drives. Then again short of the green for any mishit approaches. The big sloping green has a number of level changes and is surrounded by traps.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4.
2nd hole - 329 yds, Par 4 SI 12
Visually a daunting tee shot with little to really aim at and a large water hazard emblazoned on the strokesaver guide. Bunkers are again in place at the good drive mark. There is then a slight dogleg left down to a well guarded green. However once on to the fairway, a look back suggests the tee shot isn't anywhere near as tought as it seems!
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 5.
3rd hole - 527 yds, Par 5 SI 8
A great hole with a tight fairway running between trees and around a long dogleg left. Bunkers galore from 120 yds in to a large shared green. Effectively rules out any attempts to hit the mark in two. This obviously reduces the pressure on the drive.
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 6.
4th hole - 379 yds, Par 4 SI 6
Dogleg right with OB (trees and heavy rough) running down the nearside. Numerous bunkers positioned to catch any overtly long ‘safe’ drive. A water hazard is short left of the green with shrubs at the back.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4.
5th hole - 172 yds, Par 3 SI 14
Long open Par 3 that played a lot tougher with wind into our faces. Large bunkers guard the huge multi leveled green.
Me. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 4.
6th hole - 419 yds, Par 4 SI 4
Tough Par 4 with OB left and large bunkers right in the 230 – 270 range. Dense rough here anything last 6ft off fairway. Water hazard short right of the massive shared green. Numerous slopes on the putting surface.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5.
7th hole - 495 yds, Par 5 SI 10
Very straightforward Par 5 made even easier with forward tees (work being done on regular ones0 relegating the menacing water hazard that might capture any mishit drives off the back tees almost meaningless. Four deep bunkers to catch shots 50 yds out and around the steep sloping green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 1. Shots 5.
8th hole - 155 yds, Par 3 SI 18
140/150 yd carry over water to a large tiered green. No bunkers.
Me. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 3.
9th hole – 428 yds, Par 4 SI 2
Best (and toughest) hole on the front nine. Circa 200yd carry needed to reach fairway with heavy rough and trees guarding any errant shots left or right. Uphill hole means even a long drive still leaves a 160/180 yd approach to a narrow uphill green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 1. Shots 4
10th hole – 407 yds. Par 4 SI 7
Visually attractive hole as the back nine opens with numerous ancient oak trees, it’s a downhill dogleg right. Need to hit almost 270 yds to really open up the hole and carry trees at the turn. River runs across fairway 75 yds from green. In the summer this trap might catch out the long hitters. After the river the fairway runs up to a raised green with a big left right slope.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
11th hole – 343 yds. Par 4 SI 13
Into deer country and the animals wander all around this hole! Straight, uphill Par 4 which peaks 180 yards from tee before breaking downhill to the green (which obviously cannot be seen). OB left and heavy rough/trees right. Pot bunker short right of green. Steep run offs back of the green too.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
12th hole - 537 yds, Par 5 SI 11
A real tempter. Slightly downhill the green is reachable for big hitters but be warned there is a large water hazard (c80 yds carry) short of the green. Fairly open hole with no other real hazards.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes. Putts 2. Shots 5
13th hole – 430 yds. Par 4 SI 1
A true test of long hitting this one. Slightly uphill, large oak trees line the fairway. Bunkers short of the green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
14th hole – 428 yds. Par 4 SI 5
Similar to 13th but with a bunker and a phalanx of trees guarding the landing spot of most drives. The hole also boasts a tough, well guarded green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4
15th hole - 185 yds, Par 3 SI 17
Slight downhill fairway leads up to a raised green. Large bunkers short of green severely punish any short shot.
Me. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 4.
16th hole – 407 yds. Par 4 SI 3
‘Horseshoe’ dogleg right means the adventurous can take on the large old oak trees guarding the turn to leave a short wedge in. Any overtly strong ‘safe’ tee shots bring a large water hazard short left of the green into play. The green is a real tester with numerous severe slopes.
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
17th hole - 487 yds, Par 5 SI 15
A great birdie chance for long hitters. Dogleg left but any drive of 250 yards plus that carries the oak trees at the turn leads to an open 200/210 yds second to the front of the green. A large water hazard cautions against any over confident eagle approaches though.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes (in 2!). Putts 2. Shots 4
18th hole – 207 yds. Par 3 SI 9.
A 180 yd carry to a raised green is needed here. The green is very big with a large break across it. Bunkers short left and right are often a safe haven for tiring golfers!
Me. GIR – No (found the short bunker!). Putts 2. Shots 4.
- The condition of the course despite the wet was immaculate. It was almost impossible to find any divots that hadn't been replaced. Bunkers were excellently maintained, the first cut of rough was tough but not unfair and greens were first class - reasonably fast and true -
Overall an excellent course that combines a testing set up with fantastic scenery. I can only comment on its winter set up and it was absolutely first class. I paid £30 for a round with a 2 fore 1 voucher. 10 out of 10.
The course definitely favours confident long hitters who can avoid a lot of trouble off the tee if they’re straight. I hit 81 (9 over Par 72, SSS 73) which is more or less to handicap.
I putted really well (for me) which made up for an awful day with my irons. Driving kept me in the game.
Oh and the halfway house between 9 and 10 sells delicious bacon rolls in foiled wrappers for £3 each.
Date - Tuesday 14th November
Entrance - handy from the M6/M40/M42, down a quaint country lane. The hotel is reasonably imposing but nothing like as corporate or 'grand' as the nearby Belfry. There are two 18 hole courses. The Arden championship course and the
Aylesford course.
Warming up - The brochures say there is a 'new' PGA practice facility at the F of A. However, on inspection the range is surprisingly modest and even a bit tatty which was a disappointment. Range balls (Srixons) are priced at £1 per 15. Adjoining the range is a very good chipping green (and bunkers).
However the location of everything is a bit odd. It's almost like a perfect triangle with the putting green located a good few hundred yards away from the range, adjoining the Pro shop and the first tees of both courses a few hundred yards in the opposite direction - i.e. the practice green is nowhere near either the range or the 1st tees.
Pro Shop - well stocked, pricey and very friendly. A quality changing room is also present here for visitors. When I played, both courses were very empty and we were told we could tee off whenever suited. The starter's hut adjoins both 1st tees and he was very friendly, informative and welcoming.
So, on to the golf. The conditions weren't great with dark clouds and rain in the air but with my game in good order off I drove. We played off the White tees.
Arden Course
1st hole - 372 yds, Par 4 SI 16
Fairly straight, ordinary hole. Bunkers at the 220 - 250 mark to catch errant drives. Then again short of the green for any mishit approaches. The big sloping green has a number of level changes and is surrounded by traps.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4.
2nd hole - 329 yds, Par 4 SI 12
Visually a daunting tee shot with little to really aim at and a large water hazard emblazoned on the strokesaver guide. Bunkers are again in place at the good drive mark. There is then a slight dogleg left down to a well guarded green. However once on to the fairway, a look back suggests the tee shot isn't anywhere near as tought as it seems!
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 5.
3rd hole - 527 yds, Par 5 SI 8
A great hole with a tight fairway running between trees and around a long dogleg left. Bunkers galore from 120 yds in to a large shared green. Effectively rules out any attempts to hit the mark in two. This obviously reduces the pressure on the drive.
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 6.
4th hole - 379 yds, Par 4 SI 6
Dogleg right with OB (trees and heavy rough) running down the nearside. Numerous bunkers positioned to catch any overtly long ‘safe’ drive. A water hazard is short left of the green with shrubs at the back.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4.
5th hole - 172 yds, Par 3 SI 14
Long open Par 3 that played a lot tougher with wind into our faces. Large bunkers guard the huge multi leveled green.
Me. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 4.
6th hole - 419 yds, Par 4 SI 4
Tough Par 4 with OB left and large bunkers right in the 230 – 270 range. Dense rough here anything last 6ft off fairway. Water hazard short right of the massive shared green. Numerous slopes on the putting surface.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5.
7th hole - 495 yds, Par 5 SI 10
Very straightforward Par 5 made even easier with forward tees (work being done on regular ones0 relegating the menacing water hazard that might capture any mishit drives off the back tees almost meaningless. Four deep bunkers to catch shots 50 yds out and around the steep sloping green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 1. Shots 5.
8th hole - 155 yds, Par 3 SI 18
140/150 yd carry over water to a large tiered green. No bunkers.
Me. GIR – Yes. Putts 2. Shots 3.
9th hole – 428 yds, Par 4 SI 2
Best (and toughest) hole on the front nine. Circa 200yd carry needed to reach fairway with heavy rough and trees guarding any errant shots left or right. Uphill hole means even a long drive still leaves a 160/180 yd approach to a narrow uphill green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 1. Shots 4
10th hole – 407 yds. Par 4 SI 7
Visually attractive hole as the back nine opens with numerous ancient oak trees, it’s a downhill dogleg right. Need to hit almost 270 yds to really open up the hole and carry trees at the turn. River runs across fairway 75 yds from green. In the summer this trap might catch out the long hitters. After the river the fairway runs up to a raised green with a big left right slope.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
11th hole – 343 yds. Par 4 SI 13
Into deer country and the animals wander all around this hole! Straight, uphill Par 4 which peaks 180 yards from tee before breaking downhill to the green (which obviously cannot be seen). OB left and heavy rough/trees right. Pot bunker short right of green. Steep run offs back of the green too.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
12th hole - 537 yds, Par 5 SI 11
A real tempter. Slightly downhill the green is reachable for big hitters but be warned there is a large water hazard (c80 yds carry) short of the green. Fairly open hole with no other real hazards.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes. Putts 2. Shots 5
13th hole – 430 yds. Par 4 SI 1
A true test of long hitting this one. Slightly uphill, large oak trees line the fairway. Bunkers short of the green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
14th hole – 428 yds. Par 4 SI 5
Similar to 13th but with a bunker and a phalanx of trees guarding the landing spot of most drives. The hole also boasts a tough, well guarded green.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes. Putts 2. Shots 4
15th hole - 185 yds, Par 3 SI 17
Slight downhill fairway leads up to a raised green. Large bunkers short of green severely punish any short shot.
Me. GIR – No. Putts 2. Shots 4.
16th hole – 407 yds. Par 4 SI 3
‘Horseshoe’ dogleg right means the adventurous can take on the large old oak trees guarding the turn to leave a short wedge in. Any overtly strong ‘safe’ tee shots bring a large water hazard short left of the green into play. The green is a real tester with numerous severe slopes.
Me. Fairway hit – No. GIR –No. Putts 2. Shots 5
17th hole - 487 yds, Par 5 SI 15
A great birdie chance for long hitters. Dogleg left but any drive of 250 yards plus that carries the oak trees at the turn leads to an open 200/210 yds second to the front of the green. A large water hazard cautions against any over confident eagle approaches though.
Me. Fairway hit – Yes. GIR –Yes (in 2!). Putts 2. Shots 4
18th hole – 207 yds. Par 3 SI 9.
A 180 yd carry to a raised green is needed here. The green is very big with a large break across it. Bunkers short left and right are often a safe haven for tiring golfers!
Me. GIR – No (found the short bunker!). Putts 2. Shots 4.
- The condition of the course despite the wet was immaculate. It was almost impossible to find any divots that hadn't been replaced. Bunkers were excellently maintained, the first cut of rough was tough but not unfair and greens were first class - reasonably fast and true -
Overall an excellent course that combines a testing set up with fantastic scenery. I can only comment on its winter set up and it was absolutely first class. I paid £30 for a round with a 2 fore 1 voucher. 10 out of 10.
The course definitely favours confident long hitters who can avoid a lot of trouble off the tee if they’re straight. I hit 81 (9 over Par 72, SSS 73) which is more or less to handicap.
I putted really well (for me) which made up for an awful day with my irons. Driving kept me in the game.
Oh and the halfway house between 9 and 10 sells delicious bacon rolls in foiled wrappers for £3 each.