Rushmore Golf Club

Noticing that Rushmore has not had a review for over ten years, I thought it might be time to do so. Sadly, it is not going to be a review to die for, for in the 5 or 6 visits that I have made in the past three years, there is nothing that i can really say that it is a course to go out of the way to play. However, giving it "another go" in Feb of 2013 with a large society, it was with trepidation that we played there once more. Sadly, general opinion was poor with some of the bumpiest greens seen for ages. OK, it was Feb so allowance has to be made for the time of year, but it absolute truth, they were very poor indeed. The design of the course has never been a highlight for whilst there are a few nice and or difficult holes, it can be very bland overall, with some holes being just silly - the 6th having a pond plonked in the middle of the fairway at driving range for instance. Most difficult hole has to be the 8th, a good S/index 1 which has to played with a lot of care, a long drive finding a severe downslope that makes a shot over another pond to the three tier green very difficult. Overall, sadly, a poor review, maybe it could be better in Summer, but they will have to start being truthfull and not advertsing it as the best thing since sliced bread!

To me, this is a special place. It’s strange, because in itself the course is not anything amazing – and yet somehow you can’t help but be captivated by the serenity and peacefulness of playing here. I don’t think Rushmore will be hosting any significant tournaments but there’s a special aura that seduces you here, hidden away in glorious countryside where the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset meet. Set in the impressive grounds of the Rushmore Park estate, the course was originally only nine holes, before a second nine was added outside the immediate boundaries of the estate about ten to fifteen years ago. The estate’s boundaries are significant since the land within them is protected and cannot be altered so that it appears differently when looked at from the air - or something along those lines at least! The net result is that it rules out bunkers and the addition of more water hazards and so on for half the course. The whole layout has just undergone a thorough process of upgrading, with at least half a dozen holes either amended or dropped altogether and new ones inserted in their place. Something like six new lakes have been built outside the estate boundary. Many new tees have also been added. The end result is a course that is considerably more challenging and up to scratch than its previous incarnation. Among the holes that stand out are the picturesque Par 4 second, the long and demanding SI 1 Par 4 eighth, and the revamped Par 4 thirteenth, where you now hit over the pond to a new green the far side. Also worthy of mention is the stunning view over Dorset that greets you when you first emerge out of the estate after the third hole. There are drawbacks, however. The Par 4 at 5 and the Par 5 at 7 are rather bland and uninspiring. The course is also still a little on the short side; the only genuine Par 5, for instance, is the twelfth, now with water fronting the green. To some people, I can also imagine that the bunkerless nine holes within the estate boundary may be somewhat toothless. For me, though, they merely add to the enchanting nature of this place. Play it for what it is, and you’ll find yourself oblivious of the limitations and immersed in the unique ambience of a unique place. 7/10 Young P

On my last visit I noticed to my delight that the club now has NEW CATERERS ! So my comment re catering should be disregarded. Russ

our society visit to Rushmore was ruined by the extortionate price we paid for lunch. Coffee on arrival, a bowl of soup & a roll plus a ham roll were charged at £5:95. Yet you could have bought these items on the day and paid half of what we were charged. The course was still quite damp and although shortish, provids a good test through the avenues of trees from most tees and the devilishly sloping greens. Rating..........Course 7 out of 10 Food Value -10