The Branston Golf and Country Club

I played at Branston last week and the course was fantastic compared to a lot of top courses I've played recently and with the problems they've had with flooding over the last several months its quite outstanding how well the course played and the green staff should be heavily complimented. As for the staff they were greatly helpful and polite in both the pro shops, the restaurant and reception. All the facilities were wonderful and the value for money i got was great. Majority of the members were very welcoming and it would be great club to join. i was very happy with the day and i am very much looking forward to my next visit to the club. If you have never been i would strongly recommend that you get a round of golf booked so you aren't missing out.

Two courses are available for those of you wanting to make a day of it at this excellent venue. First impressions as you drive in are excellent and the facilities and friendly staff don't dissappoint. The nine hole course is useful as a warm up but don't expect testing golf. The main course is a differnet kettle of fish. A course planner is essential if you are to avoid the many water hazards which are often unseen. Don't be fooled by the easy start there are some tough holes ahead that need careful management if you are to avoid trouble. If you are one of those who like to walk onto the tee with your driver in hand regardless of whats in front of you then you are going to struggle. The greens are surprisingly undulating for such a flat course and were in excellent condition. Although well watered it was virtually impossible to get a ball to bite on the surface which proved a little frustrating. This is the second time I've played the course and I found it easier in the spring with more receptive greens. Don't forget insect repellent in summer, they've got some huge biting bugs!! Well worth a visit and don't bottle the 18th, play to the crowd!

Don't listen too any negative comments about this course. It is a fantastic challenge from long and short irons of the tee to long accurate drives. The 18th is probably the best finishing hole you will ever play especially in the summer when the patio is packed. There are several very undulating greens which componsate for the lack of undulation on the fairways. The club has a fantastic atmosphere and all guest are made welcome. May I suggest if you have not played the course you apply for the Open - a fantastic event with many prizes to be won.

This is a good course, well worth a round. Despite the easy start (two shortish par 4s), it gets thougher through holes 4-6. The second nine generally has fewer hazards than the first nine and the round ends with a classic closing hole, a par-4 over a lake to the clubhouse. Aesthetically, though, the course is marred by the power station across the Trent, the powerlines that cross the course and the school playing fields adjacent to holes 15-16. Play can be rather slow on a Saturday but everyone seems very friendly.

Agree with the pancake comment. I played the 9 hole course in July. A useful test, but much the same with only the 1st and 7th having any water interest. Course is very tight, with plenty of chances of wayward balls running into other fairways. Often used by beginners, old and new, which can mean a slow round, since calling through is not known. Four different tee points - Blue, Yellow, Red and Gold - why I don't know since there is little between them. Greens reasonable, but bunkers full of small stones which end up on the greens. Pro shop well stocked, and helpful - fees not bad.

I was a bit disapointed with the course . The course is on a flood plain so it is as flat as a pancake. They have made no effort to raise any aspect of the course for better definition. There are some good holes, the 4th,8th,17th and the 18th. The 18th being short but very intimidating, with the club house bar/patio only yards off the green.

The course has been radically designed for 2000. The new course is one of two halves! The front 9 requires accurate iron play from the tees and is relatively short (except the 606 yard 8th!)and tight.The back 9 is massive with a severe test of golf with 11-16 being particularly long.The closing hole is a delight - a tight drive with trouble left and right and a green fronted by a lake and the clubhouse and often packed patio dining area at the back of the green.Excellent clubhouse facilities but course has had major flooding in winter of 2000/01 so may take a while to recover

A testing course designed to focus the mind on accuracy rather than length. As a result the majority of fairways have an out of bounds along side and with a lot of water, this could lead to many lost balls. The greens are in very good condition as is the rest of the course. Although it is expensive without any money saving offers. Stroke saver is a must!