Birch Hall Golf Club

Birch Hall Golf Club, Chesterfield, East Midlands, England, S18 4DH

25 reviews of Birch Hall Golf Club

As an ex long term member of Birch hall I would like to write a glowing review of the course, sadly as a fellow golfer, I can't. This course with it's amazing views and very challenging layout, has the potential to be one of the very best in Derbyshire, however the owners (past & present) are not golfers, and their lack of enthusiasm for the game really shows. In years gone by, the course was kept in reasonable condition at least in the summer, winter golf has always been a lottery due to the complete lack of drainage, but I think members and visitors alike were prepared to accept it's rather shabby appearance (and the rather obtuse & haphazard management style of the owners), due to the fact that it was very reasonably priced, and offered a stiff test on all but the mildest of summer days. I remember taking a good local club player round one Sunday, and even though he was a single figure player at his own club, he struggled to break 100 !! Local Knowledge is vital round this course to shoot any sort of score. More recently another new owner has taken residence, and after initial promise, sadly the old gripes persist, in fact the course is now down to 9 holes, the tough back 9 a memory, and prices have gone up, not a recipe for success in the future I fancy. I feel very sorry for staff at the club, who try very hard and are very friendly, but without proper investment on the course in the near future,things look bleak for the club, A tragedy for golf in Derbyshire, and things could be so different, Ah well....

Posted by j. clay on 29/01/2011
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 3
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 4
  • Value for money 3

Played here last week, and as a relative novice with only 5 other courses to compare to, I thought this was very good value for money at £15. The layout was very good, varied, interesting & challenging. Greens could probably be better maintained, but apart from that I could find very little to improve on.

Posted by nowt fancy on 16/06/2009
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

The price reflects the quality, both are low. There is no bell to bang your club on as last chap suggested but even if there was i wouldnt be banging my irons into it. Being struck by a golf ball wasnt too much of a worry though as the place was deserted. I wish i had checked players comments on this site before playing this course though as it would have put me off going and saved me from a bad experience. 2 out 0f 10

Posted by mick freer on 27/05/2007

Played this course today with our society. If you are looking for cheap no frills golf then look no further. However if you prefer a more challanging venue then steer clear. The course is not particularly exciting with too many holes where you are playing to the greens blind.The greens were very slow and patchy making the competition a little bit farcical, however as noted earlier a good course to cut your teeth on.

Posted by N Watkins on 27/08/2006
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 3

For 10 quid this is a great course with fantastic views over four valleys and some tricky, varied holes. It's also easy to get on at weekends which is not the same for other private courses around Sheffield. I would say it's only bad side is that the course get's too wet in winter. For sure, if you want proper quality, then go and play bloody Lindrick for 50 quid ! With regard to James' comment below about the missing bell knocker.......Why didn't you use your common and hit the bell with your club to warn the players behind??..... It's not rocket is it?

Posted by Dan Phelan on 30/05/2006
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

i have previously tried to enter my feedback for this course but failed, maybe because i was being too flippant. I have decided to have another go because there are issues that other golfers should know about before they play at Birch Hall, not the least of which is safety. Whilst putting out on the 12th hole my friend and I were more than a little disconcerted at having a ball drop onto the green. We were in two minds as to wether or not to pull these people up on what they had done when we spotted the the bell at the side of the green that should be rung to signify that the green was clear. The bell was missing. Further more it had the appearance of being missing for a long time. Should the bell be replaced? or should we double check our golf insurance and take to wearing hard hats for a round? The missing bell reflected the state of the rest of the course too! everything about this place seems to be neglected. Its a shame really as the course has potential and the people who play there, be they members or otherwise all seem to be a friendly lot. As one fellow golfer to another, i can't recommend this course, and would advise that there are better local courses to this to spend your money at.

Posted by James fairway'hacker on 27/04/2006

i previously entered my views on birch hall, in the time since then i have become a member and left all in the space of one season. when my friend and i joined the course it was well looked after. within a few months the course went down hill dramatically, due to the fact that the course lost 56 hours of maintenance per week. second cut became neglected, ditches not strimmed etc. the course was open for 9 holes only after 3pm ( in the summer months ) and the bar stopped opening for evenings. birch hall now has a membership of only 60, there is a very good reason for this, think before you play this course.

Posted by lee dovey on 30/07/2005
1
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Overall Rating 1
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  • Course challenge 2
  • Course challenge 2

the worst maintained course i have ever played. the greens are flat, but are compensated by the tee's which are incredibly uneven, 18th hole doesnt have a tee ( no , seriously , it doesnt ) utter rubbish which with a bit of care and attention would make a lovely car park.

Posted by shaun heilib on 08/07/2005
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 2

To be very honest Birch Hall is one of the most uninteresting courses i have ever played. The greens, tees and fairways all merge into one!! All the greens are flat unlike the tees.. And the views.. yeah great view of a great aerial and an industrial estate. Have the people who praise this course never played golf outside Chesterfield?? For an extra few quid why not play Tapton which is 10 times better..

Posted by Dave Dronfield on 11/06/2005
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 1
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 2

found the course (nearly drove past it)very difficult ware a hat as it can be windy on top first hole tested my staminer but once i got into the swing of things ha ha i found the course very challenging opted for the full 18 as the pensioners i saw in clubhouse looked very happy WRONG they were suffering from oxygen starvation the back nine was the most excercise i have done in yrs including work all in all a ball breaker

Posted by Keith Hunter on 18/09/2004

sorry for my last report the course was very hard but i was gasping by the 3rd hole wish i was told you can hire buggies only found out on the second hole

Posted by Keith Hunter on 18/09/2004

Birch Hall is a good length, demanding course, that rewards straight driving, but punishes wayward teeshots. The front nine presents easy walking, however a buggy could be useful (though by no means essential) when tackling all 18. The back nine in particular offers excellent views and some challenging holes, through both woodland and gorse lined moreland. For only £10 per round pay and play I would say Birch Hall offers excellent value for money, with tee times readily available both weekdays and weekends throughout the year. Booking at weekends is advisable, although there is usually plenty of availability in the pm even on saturday and Sunday.

Posted by Steve Merrills on 29/06/2004

I previously entered a comment and since then I have joined Birch Hall and changed my mind about the course. Birch Hall Is a brilliant course my two favourite holes being the 6th and 13th. The 6th is a tee shot that has to be threaded through thick woodland. And the 13th has two hills to play over. My handicap at birch hall is 18 and since then I played a municipal to 6 over par.

Posted by Max Williamson on 13/06/2004

Paid £10 for a round and found it excellent value for money. Course could do a little more with the greens (improve quality and put in some traps). Excellent views on alot of holes and a very tough 4 hrs walk !!

Posted by Carl White on 02/06/2004

Very nice course. Fairways are very well manicured for the time of year and the amount of rain we have had. Some holes are quite long but some could do with being a bit harder by adding more bunkers or tighter fairways. Apart from that a very nice course.

Posted by Max Williamson on 27/12/2003

i am currently a member of birch hall, however it is looking very doubtful as to wether i see the season out. greens all dead due to a refusal by the management to use sprinkler system. second cut neglected. ditches around course not strimmed. trolley ban extended to the end of the hottest march i can remember. buggy price increased with no reduction for members. as far as i can tell, there is absolutely no benefit to being a member of this golf course. save your money and go to a municipal.

Posted by andrew on 02/07/2003

This is a lovely challenging course with some great views of the surrounding countryside. A buggy is essential as this course is a bit of a hike to say the least!

Posted by Chris Ash on 08/08/2002

Ive been a member at Birch hall golf club for a few years now and I have been very impressed. The holes are very demanding, but the picturesque views are superb. I do however feel that the number of bunkers on the course is too few, and with the inclusion of a few more bunkers, the course could be one of the very best.

Posted by David Copeland on 02/08/2002

I played Birch Hall when i was fully capable of playing to a handicap of 16. I carded 94 and considered that i had done well. definately one for the golfers, go there before this it becomes really popular as it surely soon will.

Posted by Lee Dovey on 17/07/2002

Very good test of golf of back tees, superb layout with water hazards to contend with on first few holes. Tough back nine with outstandind views over Dearbyshire. But it can get extremely wet so go there when you know its going to be fine, otherwise a great course with many tough hazards.

Posted by Matt Timperley on 25/03/2002

J Andrews obviously is not a golfer. The course has great promise, and if a well known Professional offered £2 million to buy it - well that speaks for itself. A good layout and could be awesome with 200K spent on it.

Posted by N H on 09/08/2000

A course with generous fairways with the odd tight drive. Gorse awaits most wild shots. The greens are large and generally well drained and playable in all but the worst conditions. The course is excellent value for money and visitors are always made welcome. Buggies are available for hire in the summer months.

Posted by Gary Jackson on 12/05/2000

29/4/00 Enjoyed the challenge definitly a golfers course

Posted by on 11/05/2000

VVVVVV Poor course, VVVVVVV Poor value for money. VVVVV Poor Greens, VVVVVVV Poor fairways, No Tees. Don't go there.

Posted by J Andrews on 26/04/2000

One of the best around of the very back tees

Posted by on 27/09/1999

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style parkland

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's650573
Ladies'

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Weekday round£10
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Weekend round£10
Weekend day-

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