Cray Valley Golf Club

I have been playing here for 15 years but after today I will not be returning. The pin placements were ridiculous and I don't mean hard but on the 14th the pin was 8 inches from the ridge that runs through the green and on 4 holes the pins were placed on slopes. Hardly any of the greenside bunkers had rakes and on the 6th the bunker had more mud than sand with weeds growing in it. All of the tees with the exception of the 18th were extremely uneven, no thought had gone into the placement of the tee box markers. At one point a motorbike with 3 kids on it drove straight across the 14th tee and not once did we see a Marshall although the guy selling drinks appeared 4 times! £29 for a round of golf on a pay and play course of this poor standard is not acceptable

Played Cray Valley yesterday as part of a society and was a little apprehensive having read the reviews on here. However, I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. OK, the clubhouse is looking a little tired but that doesn't detract from the very good service given by the staff and breakfast was served on the dot - even though the guy with the money had got held up. As far as the golf is concerned, you'll play much longer and much tougher courses. But, and it's a really big but, for the mid to high handicapper this course is a good one to play. You can get into trouble here, but you have to try really hard. Because of that, it gives you the confidence to really go for your shots and by and large they'll pay off. Hence I shot a 93 for 40 points playing off a 28 handicap - and there was a 4 way tie for second place on 39 points. The fairways were pretty hard and maybe not as green as they could be, but this isn't Wentworth. On the plus side, a lot of effort has obviously been put into maintaining the greens. With the exception of a few scars in places, they were in excellent condition and the staff should be credited for this. We weren't held up for any appreciable length of time, we didn't see groups of people in football shirts sharing clubs and it was a really good day out. There are a couple of points that could be improved upon. The signage from some greens to the next tee needs looking at as it isn't always easy to find the way and the course guide could do with updating as a thumping great group of trees on the 18th don't appear on it at all. So, if you're a mid to high handicapper looking for a course that is forgiving or a low handicapper trying to hit par, then this course is one to play. And even if you're none of the above, give this course a try as I'd hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did.

First game of the year. Played on a Saturday afternoon in glorious sunshine. A litle busy to begin with, but were not held up too much. Some groups ahead of us either playing the front nine only or the course in "reverse". Greens quite spongy, but for £15 can't really complain. Good fun

I played at Cray Valley today and was fortunate enough to gain my first ever "hole in one" at the second hole. Yeah! As a member of a private club, I was a little apprehensive about playing here as I have heard some bad reports about it being extremely busy etc etc. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the condition of the course which was very good, the greens were well kept and all in all we had a very nice round of golf. At £19 per person, I also thought it was very good value for money. the only thing I would comment about is the dress code - there are clear notices up near the shop etc about what people should and should not wear, but I saw men in shorts that certainly were not tailored, men in tracksuit bottoms and men in collar less shirts. There were several course marshalls around, so perhaps they should be mentioning this to people as well as checking up on their cards etc.

Have now played the 9 hole course with my wife 4 times since she has taken the game up. Exellent course for beginners and bearing in mind the spongy greens in March the turnaround by the green keepers is nothing short of a miracle. Yes the clubhouse is basic, but staff are friendly and have always found the shop staff helpful to. Some odd people do get on the course, however it is public and everyones' got to start somewhere.

played this course a month or so ago, i have to say we wont be returning, the fairways were in poor condition no replaced divots, their were pitch marks un repaired on the greens. groups of people playing in more than 4 wearing tracksuits and football shirts, who would make as much noise as possible when you were trying to take a shot. not a good advert for 1 of your courses crown, if all the repairs could be done to the course and a bit of etiquete brought to the fairways then this could be a nice challenge to play. fairly expensive for a pay and play.

played the course today and what a round paid 17 pound for 18 hole and i was held up from the first tee to the ninth waiting appox 10 mins per hole by three ball in front after the ninth i went to see managment to get a refund for the last nine i did not play they told me they did not give refunds and were extremley unhelpfull. the course is very short and the greens are absolutey saturated yet i still saw the greens being watered by greenkeepers in buggys travelling over the green !!!!!!!!!!!! i definetly will not be going back to this course

Cray Valley is part of the Orpington Golf Centre and boasts its own 18 and 9 holes course. I have not played the 9 hole course, but at some points it interleaves with the 18 hole course and seems very popular. Here is my review of the Cray Valley 18 hole course: As part of the Orpington Golf Centre, it is disappointing that the Ruxley Park course at the bottom of the hill is not maintained to the same level as its Sister course at the top of the hill. I am presuming the maintenance staff are the same, but the Cray Valley course’s level of upkeep is far superior to the Ruxley Course. This is a great course for all levels of play and particularly for the mid to high handicapper. This being due to wide open fairways and wide light rough. In fact, you really have to ‘go in deep’ to be get beyond the light rough. There is a large fleet of buggies for those who need transport and most bunkers have rakes. The course does not have any mountainous holes for those who like to walk but cannot climb hills too well. General player etiquette on the days I have played seems high. Though the greens were soaking, not much evidence of players walking off the green without attempting to repair their pitch marks, etc. Though play was not particularly fast and some waiting was required, good will and patience was shared between groups of players. I would strongly advise you buy a Course/Hole/Distance guide, as some of the tees are a long way from the previous greens; you may have difficulty knowing where your next tee is otherwise. Booklet price is £2.50. The clubhouse is large but I have only visited the Pro Shop to pay green fees. The Pro Shop is reasonably sized and have friendly staff. I have looked through the window to the bar areas and it seems clean and pleasant. There also appears to be a bright open and largish room for meals/presentations for Society Days. My only criticisms are: */ All the greens were saturated with water. Even though they were highly perforated by the green staff, they were like walking on wet sponges. This caused extremely slow/bumpy putting, large splats when pitching on, large deep pitch marks to repair, obvious footmarks and squelching underfoot when walked on. I have seen that previous explanations of this on this site. I.e. due to the course being below the surrounding farms’ water table. But I would dispute the shared 9th & 18th green at the very top of the course are below any water table. Another comment on this, how comes the greens are saturated with water, but the fairways and bunkers are not? It had not been raining particually hard the previous days either. */ Though there are signs pointing from greens to the next tees, they could be better. Some times the next tee is so far away you need to walk past other tees and greens to get there. This should be clearer to tell you to “keep going, you’re nearly there” */ Some blind holes need ‘all clear’ bells for safety. */ Though a well maintained course, I felt £25 was a little steep for a basic pay & play course. Owned by Crown (American Golf). Apart from that, I fully recommend this course.

Good value for money and a decent variation of holes throughout the 18. The Par 3's start gently, then demand accurate and well lofted shots. The greens are in good nick, especially so for a public course, sometimes they can be deceptively quick. The only grumble I have are the fairways could be in better shape, but this is probably down to the punters not replacing divots. A good course for someone still fairly new to the game, very busy at the weekend though.

Played here, for the first time, on wednesday 29th December 2004 and was disappointed to be told on arrival that weekend green fees applied (£25) between Xmas and the New Year. I thought that the course layout was, at best, mediocre, but the big shock was the greens, which were in very poor condition. Another problem was the poor signposting for tees - there is a fair bit of walking between them and the 9 hole course is mixed in. There are a lot of decent courses in this area, so I don't think I will ever be desperate enough to play here again.

I have played the course recently after some very heavy rain, I found the course in good condition and the greens were in very very good condition. I have play other 'pay and play' courses and found the greens a disaster! I think the price is a little too high at weekends, but twilight from 4:00PM for £11 is more than a bargain. Good course, not too long, some 2 tier greens also! A good challenge for the mid to high handicap player!

Response to Mr Woods comments and others from around the Early 2001 season. Average rainfall was over 9 times higher than normal. Water table levels were 21metres, (YES 21 metres) above normal, 50 year old springs 2 miles away uphill caused extensive flooding to adjoining farmland which is drained THROUGH the course because of land lay to the motorway drain past the 15th fairway. Extensive excavation undertaken in extreme conditions releived the problem and prevented it's re-occurence. Many members and regular players commeted that the course remained open during the weather, and the drainage ditch in question made the course more challenging. Congratulations to Greens Staff. How do I know all this?? I dug the trench over 600 metres in the rain !!

I am somewhat bemused by some of the comments regarding this course. We have had alot of rain recently with many clubs closed however this was was one of the few open and still played very well. The greens are well looked after and my overall view of the course was good. A little short but at the same time an enjoyable round was had and we came away with a good impression and will be returning.

Played the 9 hole course today because Beckenham Place was closed. The problem is with drainage on the greens. Most of them today were grass lined puddles. I think it was the 6th green that has a great big ungrassed scar running across it - something to do with drainage. Nothing ran true - slowest I've ever seen anywhere. I'm off now to wipe the splattered mud from my face. There are so many better presented greens within 5 miles of this one I can think of no good excuse for such poor quality.

I have played this course several times. In the dry it's good but when there has been rain the greens suffer. It's an easy and enjoyable course thats not too demanding. The rough is not bad so you don't tend to loose balls. The staff have always been polite and friendly, as have the other players on the course. I'd recommend it to anyone.

PLayed this course on saturday and could not believe it! Basically i would never recommend anyone to play here. Course management was unbelievably poor, design was poor and staff employed deserve to work in McDonalds. I intended to play the 9 hole course after teeing the ball up i glanced down the dog leg to see six people playing in the group ahead although sharing two sets of clubs. Phoned the club house to say whats going on and they just didn't care adn said oh well play the 18 hole instead. Other players on the 9 hole seemed to be holding singles up and not letting play through. Found the staff rude, players disgrace to the game and the course needs to be apprecaited more by staff and players alike. VERY DISSAPOINTING......!

Nine hole course is a good test for beginners. However, the greens suffer very badly when the course has seen rain. At £11 at the weekend it is also pricey.

Very Very easy course, a good place to go if you want to score 40+ points ! Condiction not good, but its cheap

this course is in a very poor condition, it has been ruined by large drainage trenches un-sympathically scarred through many of the fairways.

I have played the course a few times and found it enjoyable although quite short and easy. The drainage on the greens is very bad. Par fives are very short (good drive and an 8 iron). My judgment might not be that great as I played 3 under my handicap and played with a 22 handicap who shot 12 over. El Bandito!!!!

I have played the course a few times and found it enjoyable although quite short and easy. The drainage on the greens is very bad. Par fives are very short (good drive and an 8 iron). My judgment might not be that great as I played 3 under my handicap and played with a 22 handicap who shot 12 over. El Bandito!!!!

I have played at Cray Valley quite a few times & found the course very fair - you've quite alot of room off of most tees but it's always windy, meaning you can hit a variety of shots in to quite large greens, which putt very true. Good value for around £16 in the week.

Great course, i've only been playing for a few months and found it challenging but not demeaning, with very friendly staff and nice 19th!

Both E-Mails from Mr.Shaw & Mr.Ward are not representative of the condition and running of this course. I have played here regulary with friends over the past 18 months and have found the course to be in good condition whatever the time of year. The Pro shop staff are always helpfull and will go out of there way to help golfers of all standards.