Bristol and Clifton Golf Club

I played this course at the end of April 2013 and the weather was sunny and it had been dry for around 3 to 4 days. To be honest I went with high expectations as I had seen reviews claiming it was the S Wests best course-wow what a let down that statement is. The first issue was the 4 to 5 members we encountered, booth snooty and ignorant. It is clearly a members course who like the tradition of visitors being their guests and not just a turn up and play. We asked a member of the pro staff if the members were a friendly bunch and his short answer was 'No'. The course is relatively flat with the exception of 4-5 holes which do have some character, the flat holes I thought were boring and unchallenging with greens that played open and uneventful. The greens had not been cut and they played slower than any I played this winter, they were however very green and somewhat true. Fairways had limited cut in so it was hard to distinguish fairway from light rough and didn\'t add to the ambience. The tee offs were fine and mostly flat. Having played golf for over 25 years and to a 5 handicap I really was left disappointed, even more so as i paid £38 for the round when in my view £20 would just about be acceptable. The clubhouse facilities were none existent and very dated. I won\'t be returning and overall was really disappointed by the whole day.

This is an old, established course on Bristol Downs that is a decent track and which, on certain parts of the more exposed front nine, can play slightly linksy when the wind's up. The back nine has more variation and is superior but put together the whole course is a good test. The best holes are the formidably long par 4 3rd (459 yds off the whites), the par 4 14th, the quarry hole 16th (where Boof once infamously had his 'accident' with his 3 iron) and I rate the 17th as the top par 3 in what is a good last 3 holes. However, the stand out feature here is the greens, which are absolutely superb – and I understand all year round as well. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily go wild about B&C, if I lived in Bristol and wanted to play there then this would probably be where I’d be teeing it up. 7/10 'Young P'

Played in their 36 hole open recently and was very impressed with the whole setup. Friendly staff, nice clubhouse and a very nice course in great condition, what more could anyone ask for.

Played the course on 8/6/01. Not a long course but still testing. Course and greens in great condition, hopefully not just because they were being prepared for the South West championships. We played on the County Card scheme, thus only paying £16, don't know whether I'd be prepared to pay £32 for the pleasure though. The only bad point was that most of the members we encountered at the club were the most ignorant people imaginable!!!