Coombe Hill – Golf Course Review

Golfer’s Tips

• This course, in the most part, suits a straighter, shorter hitter rather than perhaps a more wayward bomber. The caveat to this is the three par 5s, which all measure under 500 yards and are therefore gettable for the longer hitters, so in these instances bombs away!
• The blind uphill tee shot on the short par 4 13th is more than a little disconcerting, and for one of the ‘easier’ holes (S.I. 16) this is a fiddly one. The fairway is much closer to the left hand side trees than right, but right fairway gives a much better angle to the green (although be careful not to be overly aggressive and pull left from the green, which is death).

Signature Holes

• 9th – a great par 3, and more than a touch daunting given the likelihood of an audience! After visiting the (near) halfway house you then turn 90 degrees and face a tee shot down a hill and then part way back up another to a fantastic green, banking left to right, which is beautifully surrounded by mature woodland, flora and a bunker on each corner.
• 12th – I am going to include another par 3 here – they’re just so strong at Coombe Hill. This one is played uphill to a small, tabletop green which is guarded by bunkers on both flanks and again enveloped by tall, mature trees. Not really an easy miss, a pretty tricky hole (where I came unstuck), but a beautiful one.

Review:

An incredibly fun course, in fantastic condition, and amazingly close to central London (which it certainly doesn’t feel like whilst you’re out there).

Not one of the longer courses, but enough challenge and interest for any ability – characterised by short par 4s navigating brooks into undulating greens well protected by bunkers. The greens themselves run very true and were in fantastic nick after a wet period.

The par 3s are absolutely excellent, often hitting down from an elevated tee, onto a green surrounded by greens or heather requiring good distance control. The 9th is a real highlight, undoubtedly the star of the show due to its use of the undulating terrain but also its framing amongst beautiful old trees and flowery bushes, but the 12th and others are all excellent short holes that really do stand out.

The vast majority of the course, including the aforementioned par 3s, are played with undulations and variable elevation changes – the clue is in the name of the course I guess. This creates a thoroughly enjoyable platform for a fun round of golf – there will be tougher tests out there, but this is by no means a walkover.

One should also mention the clubhouse, which again belies its proximity to central London, which is a stretch of understated grandeur where you can walk under an archway and meet an outdoor seating area with a great view overlooking the 1st tee, 18th green and practice green – a very serene, timeless feel is enjoyed at Coombe Hill HQ as well as out on the course.

I would say that perhaps you were missing the general feel or a few more (longer) standout holes that might take this course up to the top level, and I was perhaps a touch surprised to see its rating approaching the top 50 in England, but its certainly a lovely, mature course and well worth a visit.

• “Top 100” Ranking: 60th (England)
• Golfer View Rating: 76%

https://www.coombehillgolfclub.com/

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