Manor House Golf at Castle Combe

Werkelijk een prachtige golfbaan. Op hole 2 dachten we al dat het de signatuur hole moest zijn, maar dat bleek pas de 17e. Veel hoogte verschillen en tussendoor best pittige klims. Kan zonder buggy maar is wel pittig. Hole 17 is een par 3 van 110 mtr, en 30 mtr naar beneden. Het onderhoud van de baan is perfect en de greens zijn een tapijtje. Sommige holes zijn best lastig ivm hoogte verschillen. Goede driving range, ballen zijn inbegrepen. Greenfee is €110,- en dat is gezien de kwaliteit het zeker waard! Absolute aanrader (maar niet eenvoudig).

The first time I played this course I lost track of the number of times I asked if a hole was the signature hole. There are so many good ones to choses from. I think holes 2 (a picturesque par 3 in a glade with a stream guarding the green on 2 sides) and 17 (a par 3 hole where the drop is so big that they have 2 separate greens, separated by a stream, so as to allow one to recover whilst the other is in play) are the actual signature holes but there are plenty of other contenders.

This is a challenging course with most holes being significantly different from one another. Every time I’ve played here it has been in immaculate condition and holds up very well in the winter.

The green fees can be a bit steep in the peak golfing months but other than that, you won’t be disappointed after a round here.

Manor House Golf Club, nestled in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, promises an unforgettable golfing experience. As you approach via the long, tree-lined entrance, the clubhouse awaits. While it might not rival the splendour of the Manor House itself, the clubhouse is well-equipped with all the essentials: a well-stocked pro shop, changing rooms, and inviting restaurant areas. Additionally, a spacious patio area overlooks the 1st Tee and 18th Green, making it an ideal spot to savour a pre-round coffee or a post-round drink. The cuisine is delectable and, given its quality, offers excellent value for money. 
The course is magnificent and arguably one of the few where I’d recommend a buggy. The layout challenges golfers with some considerably steep climbs—after the 2nd, leading up to the 9th, approaching the 13th green, and from the 17th to the 18th. Even for someone as relatively fit as me, these can be quite taxing on top of the 6,400 yards of play. The elevation changes not only add to the course's physical demands but also accentuate the beauty and challenge, particularly evident in Manor House's four signature holes:

* The 2nd Hole: A scenic Par 3, where a raised tee leads down to a green nestled beside the tranquil River Bybrook.

* The 8th Hole: A drivable Par 4. The drive from the valley’s western edge plunges to the green, but stray shots to the left are penalized.

* The 12th Hole demands a precise tee shot onto a banked fairway. Once there, it can be tempting to get aggressive, caution is advised. The longer hitters can aim for the green, but the ascent to the raised green is heavily guarded by six bunkers.

* The 17th Hole: This one's a gem. The scorecard might indicate 150 yards, but it plays closer to 100 yards owing to a nearly sheer 120-yard drop. Interestingly, there are two greens. The larger left one is fortified by two bunkers and an imposing oak tree. Overextend and the River Bybrook awaits. The right green, though bunker-free, is considerably smaller and protected by the meandering Bybrook River to the left and front.

Manor House resonates with golfing charm and challenges. To truly grasp its essence, one must experience it firsthand, and I wholeheartedly urge you to do so.

Staying at the 14th Century Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe near Bath last week and playing the Peter Alliss and Clive Clark designed course was a real treat.

The 5* Manor House hotel and restaurant experience was second to non. Nestled in the award winning ‘Prettiest UK Village’ and being home to masterpiece greats such as Warhorse and Downton Abbey. The Manor House hotel is a short drive to the golf course. The hotel is split into various accommodation offerings- I stayed in one of the mews cottages overlooking the front car park and gardens beyond. An oldie woldie style of dark wood and plush furnishings and a huge bed oozed comfort which didn’t disappoint.

Dinner in the Castle Inn was a short walk from the accommodation with breakfast being served in the main hotel building itself - both meals were of both quality and quantity.

In contrast the clubhouse is relatively new, and as such has good break away rooms for golf groups or meetings. The verandah overlooks the iconic 18th hole which has water in play to the right of its approach.

Hole one takes you over an old motte and bailey, although now the motte is only distinguishable but is in play for the first drive to a dog leg left. The course shows its colours from hole 2 - an elevated par three of 118/151 yards, SI 13/17 the view is wonderful down to the green as a babbling brook dissects the short fairway and wraps itself around to the left of the green.

Hole 8, par 4 is a big hitters dream at just 239/309 yards (SI13/17) from tiered elevated tee boxes. OOB left and a few trees right, it didn’t give the appearance of being intimidating either and therefore was drivable for a birdie or easy par. Looking back from the green to the tee made you realise how high the tee boxes are.

Hole 12 - potentially controversial to golfers and golf course designers. As one rounds the corner, the hole comes into sight and one can see why.

That said I love a challenge so was delighted to give the ball a good hit to the sloping right to left fairway as it runs down the hill - naturally club choice is key off the tee as too far and you’re either into the rubbish right or left or even into the ravine. The dot to dot fairway climbs quite sharply after the ravine to the hugely elevated, bunker protected (right) fairly large green. Add a not so insignificant tree to mess with the drive means accuracy is important rather than length on this hole. This par 5 SI 2 12th (430/498 yards) continues to cause many discussions - personally I think its a great hole and feel it is quite reachable in regulation with carful course management.

Interesting, playable golf continued with shadow casting bumps and humps and the odd small pond to negotiate - then hole 17 came into play. Now I will be honest here, its another one of my favourites.

As you leave the green from hole 16, unaware of what is ahead (spoiler alert) it hits you in the face as you gradually take a short ride downhill to the tee box. The tee box is one long expanse right to left with the various tees positioned along its length. Before deciding which club to take, wander along the tee box - camera in hand, and enjoy the view. Not one but two greens to play for, one right, one left, you never know which green is in play on the day you’ll play. Great for the green keepers who can switch them around as weather dictates. Weather does come into play here as the tee boxes are quite elevated and again have that babbling brook meandering around the two greens, pretty as a picture. The greens are not small target greens but too short, too long, too far left or right could lead to a no score on the card - and no one wants that!

Up hill afterwards to the closing hole - it is this hill that makes you grateful you hired a buggy!

In summary, an established course set within hill and valley and some lovely Cotswold countryside. The practice green looks like it had been on steroids with massive elevation changes, but the actual greens were less sloping, with some subtle movement of the ball. In the main they were in good condition. Tee boxes were in good condition too, that is the forward and back tee boxes. Fairways were cleverly thought through to enjoy the countryside yet hold your attention to the game in hand, in short, a great course to visit. For the ultimate experience, try the stay and play option and immerse yourself into the true English countryside

Words and images from Sarah Forrest, LC Ambassador

Insta: @tlg.golfplus | Youtube: @travellingladygolfer | Twitter/Facebook: @golfgurugroup | LinkedIn: Sarah Forrest

Unabridged version on golfgurugroup.blogspot.com and www.golfgurugroup.com.

Castle Combe village next to the Manor course is an unspoilt gem and the setting for movies like Warhorse. The Manor itself is also a wonderful 5 star hotel with Michelin starred restaurant. If you like slightly quirky courses - this is for you! The par 4 and par 3 drop holes are tee shots you will not have played before. The holes through the valley are undulating and a challenge with several heavily raised greens. Look out for good visitor off peak rates. Facilities for practice are good and there are 2 sides to the bar.