Henley Golf Club

The Bavarian Father&Son's Golf Holidays in England 2010 saw us on this challenging course in the afternoon of the third day (twilight rate). Equipped with the slowest electro-trolley on earth (reducing the value for money) we went off in a hurry, being waved through on the first tee by a party of 10 players - thank you! This is a marvellous piece of earth, and James Braid discovered many beautiful tracks within. We find everything an avid golfer needs: Blind tee shots, blind approaches, slopes in every thinkable direction. The holes 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the course have only one aim: uphill! Breath and shots become shorter the further we hike up the slope, having to push the trolley doesn't help either. We are in a beautiful valley, tree-lined in a respectable distance. The holes are in very good condition from the tees to the greens, and some of the Par 3s are protected by small bunkers - yet their number is intimidating. After some level holes #15 presents itself with an evil grin: shaped like a boomerang, the corner positioned much lower than the ends, the tee shot invariably rolls down to the lowest part, resulting in a looonger way to the green. Then the quick descent begins. On the 17th an inofficial "longest drive" is looming: Straight down with a heavy slope, 300 yards and more are possible for an average player ;->

For the 7th stop on the society fixture list we headed to Henley and after the letdown of Caversahm heath it was nice to know we were heading to a well established golf course that had stood the test of time. On 1st impressions the view from the putting green up the 1st and 18th reminded me of Goring golf course, having enjoyed my round there my hopes for the day began to rise. After a pesky opening hole, u play a fun par 3 before heading off up and along the valley that give this course so much of it character. Holes 3 through to 9 are the sort of holes that must take an age to get to know, with the green on the 5th being by common consent among our group, a real tricky bugger. Holes 10,11,12 are by the courses own standard a pretty gentle opening to the back 9. This is then followed by a awkward enclosed par 3 before setting off down the side of the valley to the clubhouse. 14,15,16,17 crisscross their way down the hill and again experience of these holes must be worth a shot or 3. The 18th is flattish par 5 which, with its gentle rolling green must have provided a good finish to many a round over the years. As a whole i found Henley to be a must play course. The weather was cracking which always puts u in a good mood but still the fact remains, this course with its cracking greens is a true test of any golfers game and perhaps the desire to learn some of this courses secrets will bring u back. oh and the food was ok

A testing course for the high handicapper

Very good course in a beautiful setting. The greens were very good with many subtle borrows. The club house was very nice and the food on the day was excellent. Will not disappoint.