Thorndon Park – Golf Course Review

Golfer’s Tips

• The 4th is a good hole, and although the stream crossing at around 240 yards is bearly visible on some golf GPS apps, it is very much there and there is a descent to this stream before and after it. For that reason I cannot think that driver (aiming to clear it) is ever the play, laying up gives you a short to mid iron in.
• Avoid the fairway bunkers on hole 6, which are strategically placed. Miss them and its one of the more gettable holes, so carelessness and ending up in one (as this author did) is a costly error.
• A couple of quirky clubhouse rules which are fairly rigorously maintained – shoes worn inside must be completely dark in colour as a minimum, and preferably smarter than a casual shoe that might ordinarily be acceptable, and there is a ‘no ladies’ section of the outside patio near the 18th green – not a huge fan of the latter in this day and age, as I’m sure many others aren’t either.

Signature Holes

• 9th – snaking par 5 played from a good elevated tee back up a hill towards the clubhouse, with a great view of the entire hole and the mansion house beyond.
• 15th – attractive par 3 played over a meandering stream and a small lake, with a diagonal green defended by two bunkers short and one left. Club up as the ‘out’ here is definitely long, with a simple chip back to the pin a great deal more preferable than other possibilities.

Review:

A really strong parkland layout, great quality, but perhaps without being completely breathtaking.

Played in late November the course drains well, no need for waterproof trousers unlike my home course at the time, and the greens were in fantastic condition.

Standout holes on the front nine include the 3rd, a drive requiring a 160-yard carry over a lake, and the 7th and 8th are very strong par 4s, with the former a challenging negotiation of a sloping fairway with the approach shot over a brook up to a raised green, and then the 9th is possibly the finest hole on the course with a beautiful view of the meandering par 5 back towards the stately home from the raised tee.

The back nine features tighter fairways, which generally are quite generous throughout, and the highlight is undoubtedly the fantastic par 3 15th which is short hole over a meandering stream with clever bunkering protecting the green.

The condition and quality of the course is without question, the practice range is currently undergoing necessary repairs, but the lack of any real “wow” moments perhaps prevents this course from reaching even higher echelons in the UK rankings.

• “Top 100” Ranking: 95th (England)
• Golfer View Rating: 76%

https://www.thorndonpark.com

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