Shendish Manor Golf Club

This course has some newer and easier holes at the beginning, and you really need to score well here as you are likely to find the back 9 considerably more difficult. There is quite a variety of holes from short to long and the par 3s are by no means easy, even the very short one. The greens have quite a lot of slopes on them and seem pretty good, (even though they had been hollow tined a week before) and rolled truly. I would imagine that in the summer they would be devillish as they are purportedly much quicker than when we played. The only negative is the lack of facilities in the clubhouse which lacks a proper bar and no pro shop. The people on and around the course all seemed pretty friendly and it is certainly a course I would want to play again, though I think a few holes would be played differently with some course knowledge.

HAving just moved to Hemel only a month ago this is the first course I have played in the area. First impressions - Coming from Hemel and driving through the traffic I was thinking this could be a bad idea. But then you drive up and away from all that and enter a quiet and private drive with the 13th and 18th holes on your right. Shendish Manor then looms up and you think you have found something speacial. The staff were friendly and the twighlight rate was very reasonable. Changing rooms were clean and interesting with a host of golf memorabilia. To the course - First tee is a nice warm up par 3 which links out to the next 5 holes, all of which are pretty new and straight forward. The 7th is the link between the new course and old course and again is a straight forward par 3. The 8th onwards is where it gets interesting with the slopes to contend with and tight drives and bunker hazards. The course opens up for some longer drives but accuracy is key so consider laying up. It is a fairly hilly course so expect to have a work out and maybe take some food and drink along with you just to keep you going. Overall - I enjoyed my round here and was set to play on my own but joined another single player to go round as a pair until the 13th when we picked up another hitch hiker to make a 3 ball. The other players were friendly and the pace was kept at a reasonable rate. Will be back again for another round

I have played Shendish a few times now, and have found it to be an enjoyable course, offering a good challenge for golfers of all abilities. As a number of other reviews have pointed out, the first seven holes are short and fairly flat, but as a result offer some good chances to build a strong base of a score. From the par 4 8th hole though, things start to get a little more interesting. The 8th starts from an elevated tee, that requires you to keep the ball on the fairway, preferably on the left hand side if you are to have a chance of par. The 9th offers an equally stern challenge, with those golfers not hitting it too far being faced with a blind approach shot over a hill to the green. The back nine also features some great holes, with the undulations of the course requiring you to be creative in your shot making. The closing hole is a beauty too, and would make for a great matchplay decider. Climbing uphill towards the clubhouse, whilst also doglegging to the right, you will need to get your tee shot far enough up the fairway, but bigger hitters will need to leave the driver in the bag, as accuracy is vital. The only slight criticism I would have is that some of the greens are pretty slow, which can make judging your putts tricky, but for the price it is a great course for golfers of all levels.

Played 3 rounds at Shendish with a 2 night stay.I had read the previous reviews and was slightly concerned at certain aspects of our weekend.I am glad to say all of which where unfounded. The hotel room was air-conditioned and comfortable.the hotel was well layed out,clean and tidy.The staff were impeccable and welcoming.My only moan here would be the noise from the corridor outside the room on saturday night.That unfortunatly was due to inconsiderate guests,not the fault of the hotel. I really enjoyed the course itself.It began with a fairly simple few holes,then gradually became more tricky.this is ideal for those on a weekend break as it gives ample opportunity to get used to the layout and feel of the course.It has an uncanny ability to play as a grassland course from hole 2 through to 6,and then becomes very much a woodland course.Tricky in places,fairly simple in others.The course is short but,if,like us,you play 3 rounds in 2 days a long course would be too much.It is ideally suited for this type of weekend break. As for a lack of starters hut or marshall,we saw the marshall several times over the weekend.He was efficient,pleasant and considerate.Signage on the course was excellent.(didnt get lost once). All in all,we had a relaxing and most enjoyable weekend and I would like to thank the staff for making it happen.

Played on Saturday (18th) for the first time. First impressions are that it feels like a bit of an 'add-on' to the Manor House but the staff were welcoming and helpful. The course: I'm not one of those put off by a first hole Par 3 but the lack of a starter or starter's hut made the tee box almost missable. The course is a little bland to start with but once you turn past the 3rd it gets much more fun with tight fairways and excellent driving holes. All aspects of the course were in fantastic condition. Fairways were well cut and tidy and the greens were in great condition and even paced. Bunkers (I'm told) were soft and well raked. All of this is even more impressive considering the amount of rain we have had locally in the past week! Sadly it's all let down by poor (read non-existent) marshaling. This course is neither long or deadly challenging and I'm afraid that slow play ruined my day. 5556 yards took exactly FIVE HOURS mainly due to groups taking forever on greens, try 10 minutes for the four-ball in front of us on a Par 3, probably too busy filming each other's putts! All of which a marshal could have easily put a stop to. So a great course spoiled by 'TV Golfers'. I'll go back but only if this improves!

Anyone reading these player reports would be wise to view them as pre and post the recent(ish) ownership change. We stayed on a Friday night without being charged the normal premium for these breaks, a good start! the course and the hotel are in much better condition than we’d expected from the reports below and I was impressed that the general-manager took the time to discuss our experience with us – clearly some money has been spent and he was keen to see if it was noticed. OK, if you can play consistently to single figures on demanding courses then this is not the layout for you and, yes, it is quite cramped, but I played a top-rated Surrey course the other week in no better general condition and overall my group of mid-high cappers thoroughly enjoyed the experience. On our inclusive deal the dinner / breakfast combo was very good with friendly, enthusiastic (if slightly amateurish) staff. However, if you fancy a drink or two as part of your golfing break then I’d suggest “The Papermill” or the “Old Red Lion” in Apsley. The hotel charges hotel prices, and doesn't stock a decent draft bitter but fair enough it is an hotel. Overall a thumbs up recommendation for aspiring golfers looking for a good break.

Having just played the course after last playing 2 years ago, all I can say is what an improvement. The definition and general condition of the course is much better. I heard from talk in the clubhouse that the new owners have invested heavily on new greenkeeping machinery and the results are noticeable. Not the longest course in the world but very well maintained and enjoyable. The first few holes give you a chance to warm up and get into your game, then the next 12 holes are alot tighter and set amongst trees and sweeping fairways. All this enjoyment for just £18...Will defiently come back more often.

Driving up to the Club House you see the long 18 which plays to stroke index 3. The Manor House wets your appetite ready for a great game. You start with a 149 yard par 3. What immediately concerned me was the tee for the 7th. It lies just right of the first holes. It left our group with a frustrated feeling to be waiting until the other tee was clear. Playing any course in November is always a gamble with the weather. The most frustrating thing about this course was the leaves. Playing on a Saturday morning I would have expected the greens to have been blown. The fairways were covered. In places they were pushed in large piles against the trunks of the larger trees. A gust of wind would spread them back onto the course. When you hit a 200 yard drive on to the fairway the last thing you anticipate is to spend 10 minutes searching for your ball. This was all to common an occurance in my game. The back 9 are definitely where the course challenges you. the 10th and 18th need 300 yard drives to give yourself a good attack at par. I would like to try the course in the summer. However until the leav situation is rectified I wouldn't recommend the course.

Unfortunately, Shendish Manor have tried to squeeze an 18 hole golf course into a space fit for 12. The first six holes consist of 3 par 3s (one being only 90 yards long), 2 short par 4s and a decent length par 5. They sit on a former cricket pitch and private runway, so are flat and boring. After this the course becomes more challenging, set amongst beautiful undulating parkland surrounded by mature trees, which make accurate approach shots essential. Holes 7-9 are excellent, all requiring long, straight drives to stand a chance of reaching the green in 2 and the uphill par 3 12th is one of the most difficult I have played. At the last time of playing the fairways needed a decent cut and the greens were ridiculously slow, although this may be due to the heavy rain we have been experiencing lately. This course if fine for high handicappers but better golfers will be disappointed.

Course regualy used by friends so decieded to have a go. Played on a weekend with a twighlight fee after heavey rain and it did live up to the boast on the clubs website re excelent drainage meaning all year round play. The only exception was the 5th which had some standing water on the fairway but given this years weather is excusable. If your like me and still getting your game togeather I cannot recomend this course highly enough. The fact I have yet to loose a ball here gives a clue as too the forgiveness of even the toughest hole. The whole course seams to have been laid out in someones estate garden and is true parkland. For the serious golfer things only get interesting after the 7th when doglegs and hills come into play but for me a but a real confidence booster. A nice touch on my first vist the time taken by the reception to explain the layout and directions to the first tee. Great course in good condition, will play again on a regular basis.

Very, very easy course. First 6 holes (The new section), barring the par 5 fifth which has a tough green, are ridiculously easy. It feels like they have shoehorned this new section of the course in, overall the course suffers for it. As others have stated the old part of the course is very nice with 3 or 4 seriously tough holes. Particulary the 8th which is a 400yd + par 4 from an elevated tee & the 9th which is possibly one of the hardest golf holes I have ever played. Unfortunately we were stuck behind 4 hackers in buggies who litterally had 2 swipes at every shot so even though I was on for my best ever score we walked at the 16th. For £28 at weekends this place is nowhere near the standard required. Give it a very wide berth.

Poor from the start really, a pre-booked buggy was delivered to us filthy. The greens were very disappointing being seriously affected by desease. The fairway grass was extremely long throughout the course. Over all I was uninpressed by the course which so many people had recommended to me. To top it all off I lost my Pitching wedge on the course and no one had handed it in by the end of the day. The facilites the club had to offer were limited due to refurbishment work being carried out. I am sure once these problems have been ironed out the course could be rather attractive.

I played here about a month ago after picking up some vouchers at the London golf show. I can't say that it was a great experience. Firstly the gentleman working on reception did'nt know anything about the vouchers, Secondly we were told that 5 holes (2-6) were closed but we could play the first 5 again (that would take us away from the clubhouse). Thirdly when we got down to the 1st tee there were 5 groups although I had booked a tee time and there was no organisation. And lastly I played like a 28 handicapper and it was raining, admittedly the last 2 are not the fault of Shendish Manor. I don't think I will return.

As with other comments, this is very much a "course of two halves". The new part is somewhat bland and uninteresting, but the old 9 more than makes up for this, with some tight tree-lined dog-legs and undulations. A good challenge for the 20-odd handicapper. The greens are in superb condition and the surrounding areas well-cut and defined. Don't be fooled by the short length of the course - you need to be accurate approaching the greens, and on many holes, put your driver away or you'll be in trouble! Location-wise, this is a nice spot with the excellent "stately home" atmosphere at the club house. My only criticism - they could have done with someone on a buggy bringing round some cold drinks!! But all in all - an excellent morning's golf.

Great location off the A41 and M25, imposing Victorian country manor setting and a course that is ideal for say 12-24 handicappers. Fantastic condition of greens and course in general make up for maybe 400 yards lacking in length. The old nine in particular are very rewarding. For some reason (hillside drainage?)manages to be open and playable when others are not. Thoroughly enjoyable with pretty much the best beef sandwich in a golf bar yet encountered. Ideal for societies, we use it regularly.

Played a four-ball at this course simply due to it's central location for all players. Didn't regret it for an instance. The new part of the course is a little open with nothing but space between the fairways. The older section is, however, stunning. Ths course was in great condition and the greens were superb and taxing with wonderful shapes and contours. Friendly staff, quiet course with a bar and good, cheap food. We are going back to play again when we can.

Excellent for society days out as it is a quick course to get round. Split in two parts - the old part which is great and the new holes which are a bit open and plain. Very enjoyable to play though.

Short course, but in good condition. First four holes are very easier. Gets harder the further you go round. Par 70 - 34 out, 36 in. You certainly wouldn't get to use all the clubs in the bag. Good value for money. Can book the day before and usually no problem getting on.