Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club

Yet another case of a good course stuck in an architectural time warp. What should be an open downland course seems to be following the US Open model circa 1985. Young trees, which should never have been planted as they only serve to lessen playing angles and strategy therein, are just beginning to interfere with what is actually a nice design. Fairway width is already being lost in place of one dimensional golf. Give it a few years and someone is going to make good money out of of sorting such errors out. Certainly the guidance of a professional architect is required.

Took "pot luck" choosing this place to play on the way to the South coast. What a pleasant surprise. The course was in very good condition, no temporary mats and proper greens. The layout was reasonably challenging and quite hilly, giving some excellent views of Salisbury Cathedral. Very good chalky subsoil makes it a good choice in wintery weather, although I suspect it could be very windy at the top around the adjacent racecourse. They had left a little grass on the greens, but at least they were consistant. Food was good and staff friendly, although the man in the pro shop could have suggested we might like to get off before the 12.30 "fiddle" arrived. Delayed us for an hour whilst they cleared. Enjoyed it - would go back.

The glorious views from the top of the downs can't distract from the fact that this is a demanding course, from the 422-yard down and (it seems predominantly) uphill first to the visually deceptive par 3 18th. Simply getting the ball on the green often proves too much for club players! It's an interesting course, both visually and from a playing point of view. At over 6000 yards,it's quite long - especially for a 100-year-old club. That length can tempt one into trying too hard, with disappointing results. The greens are very well kept, true and consistent - and, for some reason, the borrow always tends to be towards the Cathedral! No matter how well or badly one has done, those views are always tugging at your attention - they simply can't be ignored. The situation on the top of the downs means that, if the wind is blowing, it really is a test of control. It also means the course is rarely, if ever, waterlogged, anywhere. Favourite hole - 16th. A short par 5, downhill, which is realistically possible to eagle. Clubhouse - is heading towards the day when it will need a lot of refurbishment but I have seen much, much worse. Adequate, if not inspiring, food, which is value for money. Good practice area - putting green, practice nets, three sheltered driving points, big open space leading up to practice greens, surrounded by real bunkers with real sand in them. Criticism: put some more sand in the bunkers out on the course! and something a little coarser, which won't flow down into the bottom, leaving the slopes almost bare.

No Satan, or is it Stan I didn't. I just felt that a couple of sheds at the bottom of a hill, two driving nets and a chipping/putting area were good, but a 'proper' driving range would have been the icing on what is a superb club all around. How about being a bit more positive, rather than sarcastic?

Mr How must have missed the very large driving range , chipping area (with bunkers and green), plus a three-hole practise "course", all situated adjacent to the entrance lane to the club. Plesaed that he enjoyed his day, though! SG

I must be the only person who plays here! Played again in the BUPA sponsored pro am in August. The course was immaculate with a consistency of standard at every hole. No over watering, or patchy bits here. The wind was up when I played which was a new challenge and needed careful respect. Nothing new on the course other than one slight change of a tee position on about the 14th I think. Club house friendly and pro shop well stocked - largest Callaway dealer in the area. The only missing item is a driving range. Highly recommended.

Played the 18 holes at the recent pro-am in early August. Conditions superb, but lots of long par fours, and few holes with real variety, other than the 16th driving into the air and the 18th over a ravine in front of the club house. From talking to members, the race course course was previously part of the main course until it was extended, so this might hint at why the layout is as it is. Club wery welcoming, particularly Pat Clash, the organiser of the event.

Don't forget the second course on Salisbury Race Course. You access this by driving 5 miles down the road and back on yourself - signed to the Race Course. Not open on race days! Once there, there are no facilities other than a shed with the starter, but you get a good value experience. The nine holes criss cross part of the race track, making for very difficult ball finding in the rough and numerous careful positioning shots required. All bar a few are long driving par 4's, but with few bunkers. However it is often very quiet, with even better views of the city, and finally runs along side some of the Old Course holes with the club house in ths distance. Much tougher than your average par 3, and worth doing for the fun of it.

Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and particularly Salisbury Cathedral - look left as you approach the 13th! Simple-looking course but with deceptively placed bunkers. No water hazards. The 10th is "Cardiac Hill" so beware when the wind and rain attack from the South! Usually in very good condition but set on chalk, so no lush green fairways and big surprises in the bunkers (ie: great hunks of chalk just under the surface). Nice welcoming atmosphere, but locker rooms dreadful! Mundane clubhouse, spoilt by fruit machines and billiard table. Food adequate. Despite all, well worth a round.

A fairly bog standard parkland layout in excellent condition. Some testing holes especially the long par fours into the wind like the 2nd and 11th. Nice countryside and some interesting albeit incorrect tree planting. The fact that 12 holes all follow one direction and the remaining all go at 90 degrees to these, does let the course down a bit. But still worth a crack if you're in the area.