Blackwater Valley Golf Centre

I've come back to golf after a lay off of several years and Blackwater Valley is my local course. I'll admit from the outset that a few years ago, I vowed I'd never play the course again as it was badly neglected and the staff just didn't seem to care. As it's carved out of an old gravel pit, you'd expect to see some stones around but you shouldn't damage a club on a fairway! The course is now much better although driving in you still see the old signs of neglect, broken fencing, rotting signs that have fallen from posts, shingle everywhere but it's the golf that counts. I've heard people say that this is an easy course but I don't know anyone who's gone round in par. You can pick up birdies and even eagles but there are some challenges especially on 7 and 8 where accuracy is everything. Tony is doing his best to run a good bar and grill but I'm frustrated by the lack of etiquette and the insistance that anyone can go out with no experience or supervision and damage the course through ignorance. It's not cheap at £10 for 9 holes especially when you can play nearby Southwood for £12 for 18 holes. A course marshall would be a good idea, some old boy would do it for nothing if you gave him a cap and a buggy. I'll continue to go but only because I want to beat the 8th and it's 5 minutes from my house.

Me and Ben very often p[lay at Blackwater Valley, this complex is quaint with very pleasent personel and a nice bar. The range is a bit bland, with not much to aim at, but there is a good putting green and practice approach area and bunker. As for the course, it is not long, but as we learned it is a very good place to learn the game of golf and is adequate enough as a course for a relaxed round of golf, no hassle really. A few badly placed bunkers, but the presence of water and ditches, makes some shots rather intimidating. One good thing about this course, is the holes seem to get slightly harder as you go on, easing you into the round.

A very short course with almost no bunkers. I say almost as the few that there are, are so ridiculously placed that they become obselete. Tight greens with a few tricky water shots does make this a challenging course in places, although on the day I went, It was packed. A lot of kids slowed play down and there was a queue 4 rounds long at one hole. The first two holes are far from pretty, and the course didn't really seem that well mantained. Good putting surfaces though, although my one complaint would be that the greens are flat so there are no tricky breaking putts. The price was a bit steep as well at £18 for 18 holes at the weekend, considering you essentially play the same 9 holes twice. Wouldn't go again.

I agree with everything Chris M has stated, however he must surely have fogotten to mention the un-limited amount of Duck poo on certain holes around the course, as well as the ability to be chased by various ducks who seemed to gang up on me for nearing them after a bad shot on the 3rd its make good fun all round, as well for others watching you. As you near the end of the first 9 you cannot also fail to notice the electrical pylon's making that disctictive sound that they do - no excuses though I had a bad game, but have been back several time since and still continue to enjoy the chase, sorry course!! Summerise: 1st Easy stright forward par 4, 2nd another straight forward par 3 3rd The duck chase begins I'll let you judge the rest !!! The best practise course in the area by a mile !!

There are now newe owners at Blackwater. They aim to spend money on both the course - drainage, grass improvement etc, and the driving range - new balls, mats, targets and video equipment. Watch this space!

I have played Blackwater valley a number of times,mainly due to it's convenience, and it is my nearest driving range. It is set near some lakes, and is rarely crowded. unfortunatley ir can be sometimes rather neglected - very woolly fairways, and fluffy greens. There is also a trait of leaving the fringes very long - means no chip and runs! It is not a long course at all (some par 4's being only 280 yds, and the longest hole being the 6th at 406 yds (curiously designated a par 5!). It's difficulty lies in its precision - some vary narrow approaches to greens (7th), and a very narrow 8th running along a ridge (par 3). With a little love and attention, it could be a very tricky little "practice" course!