Channels Golf Club

Invited to play with a friend on 23 November 2015. Course is currently spoilt by ongoing building works on outskirts of course, with large lorries driving through and leaving a very muddy trail which has to be crossed several times. Changing and shower facilities were basic, no lockers. First 9 a bit up and down the back 9 more challenging. Some long par 4's for the higher handicap golfers. Greens okay, but not outstanding. No visible signs of anyone working on the course.

I have played the Channels course about once a year now for the past 5 years and played here last week, I always really look forward to going back to this excellent club and wish I could play it more often. The course starts with 3 nice but fairly easy par 4 holes which provides a good chance to warm up nicely for some of the fantastic chalenges that lay ahead. The real fun starts on the 5th hole with a tee shot over a canyon.( No Sally Gunnels here)Then the wonderfull 6th hole is a great risk and reward hole, the fairway is a right angle with a lake in the middle, you have to decide how much you want to cut the corner. Big hitters can make the green. There are many more excellent holes on this beautifull course with elevated tees and tee shots over water. The course is in lush condition at present and I noticed that there are now yardage markers on all the many sprinkler heads dotted up and down the fairways. All the greens were in imaculate condition. The green fee may seem a bit high at £40 during the week but 2fore1 vouchers are accepted here and they are easy to buy online. The clubhouse facilities are also a very high standard with very good food at reasonable prices. I would recomend this club to anyone looking to play somewhere different in Essex, a real cracker!!

WE PLAYED HERE OVER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK AND WOT A COURSE.THERE WAS 4 OF US AND WE ALL THOUGHT IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST COURSE WE HAVE PLAYED ON.A GOOD VARIATION OF HOLES AND A NICE AMOUNT OF WATER LINED HOLES AND THE BUNKERS WERE IN TIP TOP CONDITION.THERE IS ALSO 5 OR 6 QUALITY LOOKING HOLES MOSTLY FEATURING WATER.OUR ONLY GRIPE IS WE CANT PLAY THERE AT THE WEEKENDS CAUSE ITS MEMBERS ONLY.AND ITS QUITE EXPENSIVE IF YOU HAVENT GOT 2 FORE 1 VOUCHERS.

hi Played the cource October 3rd 07, no winter mats at this time. Tee's where green and flat in 1st class condition. Greens and fairways all first class. How about this one! played with two for one cards, we where a four ball the gentelman in the pro shop said cash only, What's he like made you feel like your cards not good. Get real Mr! We met the famous 4 ball MEMBARS! Thay had a later start than us non-MEMBARS, But wished to come in front (cos your bound to be a bit slow) So pro shop plonker wanted(cash only)and better than you (old chap members). I think you chaps need the money Non menbers bring your club. How about not being so blingking rude,So £30 to play with a buggy was a good deal, I have to say the cource was in outstanding condishion. Very well done to the green-keeper and his team.

Two words...The DB's. This is a fantastic course with so many great holes and hazards.The course is looked after very well and the greens, fairways and tees are quality.The first most eye catching hole is the 6th,with a teasing lake wich is very tempting to cut if your driving well,(aim for the round tree on the edge of the lake,its about 250 yards).The 8th is also a great hole.A par 3 with a lake to cross wit the green some 60 foot below.The 13th,like the 18th is accross a large lake,and up a hill onto the magnificent green.And the 17th is another par 3,you guessed it...over a lake and onto the green,(some say this is a card recker,but personally,i disagree).Play it at your peek and have a gooden.

I was a member here for about a year and to be perfectly honest I got bored with the layout of the course, playing every week at least once got teedious (excuse the pun) - at the time I thought it was overpriced to visit as a guest it was about £35 a round and reading that its gone up to £50 is a joke! its an OK course (Fairways are not very good but the greens are usually well looked after) but there are better couses in Essex and you can play them for about half the price. Suggest you play elsewhere in the region - there's plenty of choice!

The Channels course is a real delight to play and, providing you don't panic, the holes involving water are not as daunting as they first look (from the yellow tees). The sixth (if I remember correctly) is particularly tempting to 'cut the corner' on, but if you try it with a headwind, you'll probably get wet. When I played at the end of April this year, I think that the green fees were £35. Yesterday, when I arrived, I was shocked that they had shot up to £50. I played, but have reluctantly now decided that, although a good course, it is now overpriced. What a great shame! However, providing that you can afford £50 a round, it's worth a try.

Having a green fee of £50 I expected more from the course. I had booked a 2pm tee time only to be told on arrival that 2pm had suddenly become very popular and just to queue at the 1st tee!! Three 4 balls all turned up together at the same time! Also all the ball cleaners were dry around the whole course. A very nice course in good condition but does not justify the £50 price tag.

A nice course with a nice 9 hole to warm up on. However have recently increased prices to a rediculous level to counter all of the two 4 one vouchers and no longer accept them on the nine hole course. It all makes for a queue free round if you want to afford it.

I am currently looking in the Chelmsford area for a club to join and played the Belsteads course on Friday afternoon, I was most impressed with the condition of the tees, fairways and especially the greens these were in top shape and fast. The views and surroundings of the course are very pretty and a fair amount of wildlife around the course too. This has to be best course I have yet played in Essex. I am yet to test the Channels course but going by the Belsteads course I am looking forward to it. As this club offers both a 9 and 18 hole courses and then it’s most likely I will be joining this week, I was made most welcome when arriving at the course.

Used 2 fore 1 voucher, and had a very enjoyable round. Some holes are quite ahort, with the majority of par 4's a drive and short irons. Greens and fairways in excellent condition. Best holes for me were the 6th, 8th, 13th, 17th and 18th. All tee shots over water. (the 6th as I birdie'd it!) Overall Fantastic course, will definatley be visting again!!!

You have to enjoy the challenge of playing scross water to get the full benefit of this course. The shorter back nine is made more difficult - and intimidating - by driving across the huge lake at the 13th and 18th. Those of a nervous disposition may lose a few balls. Apart from that, it's interesting and hilly. The greens vary in quality and even on a dry October day the fairways are 'thin'. Pleasant clubhouse and staff - with good food. Try it. David Williams 03.10.02

The Belsteads course is a nicely challenging 9 holer, with some tricky negotiating to do especially on the long par 3(hole 4) and the water directly in front of the tee (hole 5). It has always been kept in good condition when I have been there, the bar atmosphere is friendly and the food is okay. I would recommend it to most people, the rewards are there for the half decent golfer.

Very freindly in shop.Lots of shots over water need to be driving well as when theres no water fairways are tight.Best condition course we have played for awhile, greens were in very good nick for time of the year true and firm.Used 2 fore 1 so very good value £14.00 midweek.Would reccomend and will return.

A very enjoyable days Golf. We turned up early in the morning as we were playing both the courses available at Channels; and were greeted with warm smiles as we had a much needed coffee. The weather was fine and so was the golf course. The greens were true and the were holding, the fairways nicely cut, and unfortuately for me far too many lakes. In the afternoon we played the shoter nine hole course with some of the holes proving to be a very stern test of golf. We had a lovlely meal in the evening and afterwards a few drinks in the bar. We were made to feel most welcome. Thank You