Heswall Golf Club

Played here on a glorious day mid March 2009. My playing partner, who is a member, gave me some useful course tips without which I would probably have struggled to plot my way around the course. He told me that some of the long standing older members have not renewed their memberships due to course alterations which have considerably lengthened the yardage. I can vouch for their views as some of the back 9 par 4's are ridiculously long. The course itself is a mixture of links and parkland with the front 9 more exposed but generally having easier holes. The back 9, whilst more sheltered, demand greater accuracy and course management. The views across the Dee and towatds north Wales are impressive but to my mind the course falls between two stools, in that it doesn't know if it's links or parkland, but, that said, it makes a good job of providing a good test for both types of golf. The greens had been recently treated and weren't that good. The fairways were patchy but had drained well and there are lots of holes where you are tempted to go for the big hit off the tee but where placement and position serve you better. The 16th is a particularly difficult par 3 but the 17th eases things by being a reachable par 5. Other par 5's require enormous carries over hazards if you're to reach in regulation and there are several par 4's on the back 9 that are really par 5's by everything other than what it says on the scorecard. Friendly staff in the shop, good amenities in the clubhouse although I only had time to visit the Spikes bar and overall a club I'm looking forward to playing again now I have some course knowledge.

A lovely course,though a little pricey at £50 a round even though I only managed to tee off at 5pm in the evening. Some great golf holes and even as single playing visitor who was not invited to pass through a mixed 4 ball when the opportunity arose ( come on guys common sense must prevail)I cannot be over critical,though better value is found at nearby Bromborough