Stockwood Vale Golf Club

Stockwood Vale sits just east of Bristol and offers a really enjoyable round with some great views looking out across Keynsham and the nearby villages. The course weaves its way across both sides of a deep valley, which gives it a good bit of variety and a few really fun challenges along the way. Once you cross to the far side of the course, there are six flatter holes that give you a bit of a breather before you reach the standout 13th. It's a short par 4 that drops down into the valley and then climbs back up to a raised green. It’s the sort of hole you walk off thinking you could have played it better, but also want another go. One oddity is the three holes across from the clubhouse, past the driving range and mini golf. Personally, I think they’d work better as the opening stretch so the course finishes back near the clubhouse, but it doesn’t take much away from the round overall. When I played, a few greens were still recovering from maintenance and had been sanded and punched, but the ones that were finished were quick and rolled well. The fairways were baked out and running long thanks to the dry English summer, which made club selection interesting. Stockwood Vale has a slightly unusual layout in places, but it’s a fun course with plenty of character. I’d be happy to return.

I played possible the worst round of my life here though that was entirely my own fault. I just played really really badly, shot par on 2 holes yet still managed to shoot 110+.

That has nothing to do with the course though, that was great. The even after what seemed like a period of endless rain there was only 1 temporary tee in operation. The course drains so well that where other courses would need to close it remains open.

There are some really deceptively tricky holes that are a lot of fun to play, though they can get in your head and cause you to rack up points. There’s lots of variety of landscape. Some holes have a woodland feel about them, whilst others are quite open. There are a couple of holes that involve teeing off from an elevated position, so as you look out on beautiful countryside you get the pleasure of watching as your horrific slice sends another ball into a neighbouring field.

The staff are welcoming and helpful and even though it was busy we didn’t feel rushed by players behind.

I’ve played here before and always find different challenges each time, which is a sign of a good course in my opinion. Just as you think you’ve mastered one hole another causes you problems.

I’ll definitely return to here as I’m determined to get to grips with it.