Lilley Brook Golf Club

We are 8 members of Halifax golf club, which is also a Mackenzie course, and we came down to the Cotswolds to play here, The Worcestershire and Worcester G & CC, all MacKenzie courses. We enjoyed all 3 courses immensely, all had typical MacKenzie design features. When it came down to a vote we all agreed that Lilley Brook was our favourite for variety, beauty and challenge, although there was a lot of discussion, it only just came out on top.

Although this course has a par of 69,in no way let that put any serious golfer off. You will have to hit every imaginable golf shot and use every club in your bag, you can use driver on every driving hole, but there are options on many of the holes where you may choose an iron or fairway wood. The greens are simply magnificent, with more slopes and burrows than many Championship courses. With Dr Alister MacKenzie as designer, you will get an idea of what it must be like to putt at Augusta, sometimes having to allow 12 inches or more on 4 foot putts, and then hitting 40 foot putts as if they're only 2 footers. Some of the chip shots require the skill and sure touch of Sevvy, then you may need the Mickelson lob shot or a Tigeresque power recovery chip, whatever that is. Anyway, it's a beautiful quirky course which is a must play for lovers of true golf.

A little bit of Augusta in the Cotswolds, super fast greens with typical MacKenzie burrows, risk and reward shots abound on every hole, great bunkering around the greens, but no fairway bunkers, it doesn't need them, the beautiful trees that line every hole are more than enough punishment. It's like playing golf in an arboretum, different varieties on every hole. Added bonus if you're a birdwatcher as well, with resident Goshawk, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Tawny and Little Owl, Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Jays, Nuthatches and regular Deer, also possible Wild Boar. Great food as well. Played here probably 50 times, and I never get tired of it. Love it.

Lilley Brook has a special feeling about it that you only get when you play a MacKenzie course. The design lets all players play the course without beating them up if they have a bad day. The design is championship class, as are the greens. You never lose a ball as the course is groomed to perfection. Some players do moan about the climb up to the 12th green, well, you know you're alive when you sink your putt for a well earned double bogey, but after the climb comes a bit of respite with a beautiful 280 yarder. The counter balance to the climb up the 12th hole is the joy of trying to drive the 380 yard 18th hole, all handicappers can have a crack at it. One very special thing about Lilley Brook is the par 3's, great variety and all memorable. The welcome in the clubhouse for visitors is excellent, as is the choice of food, very well prepared. Overall, this club is has a top class feel to it and is very underated. If you're visiting the Cotswolds and you would like to sneak off for a game, this is the number one choice. Enjoy.

Played there recently and had some good holes but from 12 onwards very hilly and tiring the greens were very sandy due to winter dressing overall a good course especially the front holes

I lived for 12 years as a kid in the adjoining house (now sold) where the club steward used to reside. Wooden clubhouse then. Played often, one of the best times being at 6am on a summer morning and collect mushrooms to go with bacon for breakfast. I have revisited since and the course retains its attractive features and challenges. The course is as described, half on the plain and the 2nd half up the steep side of the Cotswold scarp. Views of Severn Valley amazing from 18th tee - that hole doglegs around a large wood which quite a few try to drive over but few succeed ... The 13th has to be one of the most fiendish holes in all of golf. You drive up a rise (there is a pole as rough pointer to the hole which you cannot see from the tee therefore) and if you slice you hit a very unforgiving wood to your right which is also rising away to the top of Leckhampton Hill and shanking it delivers the ball down to your left across the 17th fairway and continuing downwards into rough thistle etc. Nerves of steel essential. Once at the top of the fairway rise, view is down to green and there is a great risk of over-hitting into .... more wood. A characterful course in a beautiful setting, and close to great country and Cheltenham which has much going for it. Watch cross winds on the lower half, sweeping down from hill - playing low and not over-confident over-driving can help avoid searching for lost balls ... An old Club Secretary, George Ryland, taught me that one.

I am a member of lilley brook golf club, im only 16 years old, and i recomend this course to anyone who wants a challange. At this time of the year(march/april) the course isnt at its best, however if you wish to play the course at its exreem please come and play during the summer, August is the best time to play, i assure you that the greens will be like putting on glass and the fairways will be crisp. I have played alot of courses in this area and i still feel that Lilley Brook is the hardest and the most pretty of them all.

Played here on 30/10/05. Very friendly club. First 11 holes very enjoyable, but from 12 to 16 you are climbing a hill. Crampons definitely required for the 14th! The 18th is as spectacular as others have said.

I Played this course in June 05, I also was staying at the Cheltenham Park Hotel next door. What can i say, such an amazing course the greens were lush and the greens were like carpets. I agree with the comment about the back nine which isn't to the high standards of the front holes. The 18th is a fantastic hole, which just tops off a great course. This is a must play!

Played this course in December 2003, whilst staying at the hotel next door - Cheltenham Park Hotel - but no discount for staying. Course is a game of two halves and looks like the back of the course was added to an existing 9 hole, so there is a distinct change in style after the first 8 holes as you play several long holes with the contour. The return to the club house is spectacular. You tee off over looking the club house down a very steep hill before ending up in front of the bar. Agree with the comments on silly rules. We had to sit one site of a line because we were eating food!

I played the Lilley Brook for the first time last weekend having lived in Gloucestershire all my life. I feel like I have wasted 30 years of my life having never played this course. It is in such good condition, has fantastic maturity and the final 6 holes are breathtaking. I think it helped that I hit a drive on the first that rose like the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord. Thankyou Simon for showing me life does exist after Cleeve.

A fantastic looking course, the first hole sets you up for whats in store for the next 17 holes i.e. good condition, pretty holes and daunting challenges mixed with a little light relief where you think a birdie is achievable. The back 9 is a test of stamina as well as ability - so make sure you take lots of liquid. Probably the best in the county pound for pound with its maturity and excellant facilities - but be aware of strict dress codes on course and in clubhouse, where myself and colleagues had to sit in a side room because one was wearing trainers.

i once played as a junior about 12 years ago and it was also my first club aswell, i thought all golf courses where ment to look like lillybrook but i was wrong. this has got to be the best course by far in the whole of gloucestershire pound for pound. keep up the good work. regards mr.n.p.hurley

Message for Lilley Brook\r\n\r\nPlayed the course 19th May for the first time, managed a nett 72 (hcp 15) very enjoyable - course was in excellent condition and all who I met were friendly and interested in ensuring that the round was enjoyed.\r\n\r\nExcellent reception in the pro shop, greens staff helpful and courteous and thanks to Vernon ?? (hcp8) a member who joined me on the 17th and although this hole was not a good one for me, his guidance on the 18th almost resulted in a birdie! if only we had met on the 1st!!! I shall return with my friends.\r\n\r\nWhat is the name of the Hotel next to your course?\r\n\r\nregards\r\n\r\nTony Holmes\r\n