Batchworth Park - Hertfordshire - England

A real pleasant surprise playing this course. It was always in good condition when I visited and the ground is hilly and exciting. With a stiff wind blowing, this is a tough course to score well on.

It’s young and I’m sure it still has some maturing to do but I did enjoy the variety that this course offered.

3 is the best hole on the front 9 - long and very tight with out of bounds on the right. This is followed by the short 4th - a flick of a wedge down the hill but given the elevation change, it’s extremely tough to judge distance (needless to say I have missed the green short and long In the past).

11 is a good hole across the side of the hill with a blind approach if you don’t hit your drive in the right place. The back to back par 5s at 13 and 14 are great and very different. 13 a dogleg right across the side of the hill bordering the trees and out of bounds on the right and 14 is a flatter hole coming back along the top of the hill with gorse bushes punishing the wayward drive or approach. 16 is another strong par 4 with your drive needing to be well-placed and as close to the lake as you dare to give yourself a good angle into the flag.

Whilst not a world-beater, this is a good course that is great fun to play and its strength definitely lies in the great green complexes. Worth a visit if you get the chance.

I have been a member at Batchworth for just over a year and I dont think ill ever get bored of the course and its layout. The main defence is the wind on top of Rickmansworth Hill, on the one round in 20 when there is no 25mph breeze then the course can be at your mercy! My one criticism is the size of the greens, so your putting from 20-30 feet needs to be solid to avoid the dreaded 3 dab. Bunkers are generally well kept as are the fairways. at £35 for a memebrs guest at weekends its decent value for money in/around the Hertfordshire area

Difficult to dislike Batchworth Park as there is plenty of variation and a pleasant enough place to play golf (if you can get on, members and guests only). First couple of holes are bit ordinary but from then on a decent test. Only real problem for me is why do all the greens have to be so big? I know this is a Thomas course so it is expected but there are 17 gigantic greens which cant all be necessary. The first par 3 is short (about 125) but the green must be 40 yards wide and 30 yards deep – just didn’t get that really. Did I hit the green? of course not, did I get my par? nope… well there you have it.Enjoyed the course but may leave it a while before returning though – gets an average rating from me.

I was pleasantly suprised when I played here. I thought its overall condition was good but some of the holes lacked a little imagination, however there was enough to keep you thinking.The main feature were the large greens which ran true and were very good. The bunkers were some of the best I have played out of recently. The right amount of sand and clean. Overall I enjoyed playing the course and would go back and play it again.

I played this course yesterday and was very pleased. Batchworth has very good course design and the views are incredible. The Par 3's vary between the 'postage stamp' 120 yard 4th hole to the 234 yard 6th. The two Par 5's on the front nine are reachable for longer hitters in 2 shots but the 'back-to-back' Par 5's on the back nine are 560 yards plus. The Par is protected by 5 lakes, deep bunkers and well positioned gorse. I will play this course again!!!