Bedford & County - Bedfordshire - England

6th Bedfordshire - Best in Area
Bedford & County Golf Club,
Green Lane,
Clapham,
Bedford,
Beds,
MK41 6ET,
England

  • +44 (0) 1234 352617

The course was originally part of the Clapham Park estate which was farmed by Lancelot Clark and he would invite friends round to play golf with him, using roughly cut greens that were wired off from grazing sheep.

A 9-hole course was opened in April 1912 with a 36-hole exhibition match, and one of the participants was Scottish amateur Charles MacFarlane, who took part in the England-Scotland Amateur Match at Royal North Devon that same year.

MacFarlane then set out a new 18-hole course which was called the Mid Bedfordshire Golf Course and this opened with another exhibition match in May 1913 involving MacFarlane and another Scotsman, George Duncan, who would go on to win the Open in 1920.

On 26 April 1923, the course re-opened after it had been redesigned by J. H. Taylor and Fred G. Hawtree and the new layout also saw the introduction of bunkers for the first time. Three years later, the club changed hands, becoming Bedford & County Golf Club.

During World War II, holes 6 to15 were requisitioned for agricultural use and it wasn’t until June 1952 that the full 18-hole layout was brought back into play. Since then, drainage has been improved and tees extended to promote all-year usage of the course.

Today, the course extends to 6,420 yards, playing to a par of 70, with tree-lined fairways, strategically-placed bunkers and manicured greens challenging golfers of all handicaps. A brook can catch the unwary as it wanders through the 7th, 10th, 11th and 15th – with the last of these holes regarded as one of the toughest par fours in the county.

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Reviews for Bedford & County

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Description: Bedford & County Golf Club is set in mature woodland and is routed across undulating ground. Established in 1912 it’s one of the finest courses in the county. Rating: 6.6 out of 10 Reviews: 11
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Mark

Such a lovely course, just managed to get round as the sun went down across the valley. The views from the par 5 18th were amazing as the sun fell. Really great condition from tee box to greens, with interesting holes, plenty of dog legs with the landscape playing a big part of many of the holes. definitely worth checking out, good practice facilities and club house too.

September 27, 2020
7 / 10
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Glenn surridge

A great course for five months of the year. Being a mature tree lined course once the leaves start falling miss the fairway and you can lose a ball on every other hole under all the leaves. Very small greens mean you need a sharp game here as it also has some very long holes a tough challenge indeed. It is a terrible winter course so choose when you play it wisely, locally in mid summer there are few better

May 07, 2018
6 / 10
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Andy Newmarch
The county of Bedfordshire is one that is not blessed with real stand-out courses but it is great to see the Top 10 featured here. This club has a healthy membership and is a nice place to spend time. The golf course has enough variety to want to return as a visitor but overall I can only give a 3-ball ranking with the main reason being that the #1 in county is John O’Gaunt and for me that is a 4-ball. My choices for the stand-out holes start at the 7th, a tough par-4 (420 yards) with the approach over a valley. The 11th is another tough par-4 with an inviting drive, normally taken after a welcoming stop at the ‘half-way’ house. My favourite on the course is the closing hole, this could be another tough par-4 but is actually a short par-5 that is definitely in range in two shots but do be accurate as this undulating green is surrounded by the 1st tee, the clubhouse and the pro-shop, which create a great amphitheatre to end your round.
March 19, 2014
4 / 10
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Greg Wimbourne
My son-in-law and I decided it was to join a "proper golf club" in August 2013 and therefore decided to try out all the clubs surrounding Bedford. Having played on half a dozen, of what can be only described as pretty average courses, before arriving at the Bedford & County, it was a revelation! The Bedford & County was the best by a country mile!The course (unlike most of the others) is varied, interesting and challenging the whole way round with well maintained tees, fairways and hazards; and greens that, although lightning fast, are true.Deciding to join was a no-brainer.
January 04, 2014
10 / 10
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Chris

Bedford & County is a varied and testing course which is very well cared for and presented superbly at all times of the year. It's usually mentioned in the same breath as John O' Gaunt and these are accepted as Bedfordshire's best courses. There is a solid membership but you will usually find that you have plenty of time, mainly through the well-organised tee management system employed. It boasts one of the hardest par 4s in the country as well as excellent greens and being set in glorious Bedfordshire countryside. It's always an enjoyable round, a par 70, and it's well designed to be a tough test for players of all abilities.

April 25, 2011
8 / 10
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David Wilson
We were amazed that the course was open and the greens in superb condition considering the rain we have had lately,all down to the drainage system installed some 4-5 years ago apparently. We were also well recieved by the club pro and in the bar afterwards with plenty of choice on the Menu before making our way home. We made a point of thanking the office staff for the hospitality we were given and assured them we will be back when next in the area.Thankyou Bedford and County
January 25, 2008
6 / 10
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A. Frost
Had a lovely round here - there's so much to enjoy. The course is in a great condition - there are lots of trees with lovely autumn colours at this time of the year. There are one or two ponds to catch you out and a little stream on 4 holes just to test you! Personally I really enjoyed the 6th with the challenge of getting over the pine trees and then heading out into the country. Well worth the visit.
November 27, 2007
8 / 10
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Ali
Very interesting course - well maintained and with some challenging holes. I partciually enjoyed the long par 4 15th and the challenge of getting over the pine trees on the 6th. There's plently to keep you interested on the way round and well worth a visit.
October 21, 2007
4 / 10
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Ali
What a great course - and so nice to be walking in the peace and quiet with no traffice noise and no houses. Very nice clubhouse and very friendlty reception from all the staff. Greens were excellent - the 10th and 15th greens are really tricky - set into a natural slope on the course and very difficult to judge. Will definatlely be back.
October 21, 2007
4 / 10
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Andrew McCardle
Played this course in late August, it was a perfect day and I have to say the ground staff had done a superb job keeping it in prime condition over the summer. The course has a good combination of long and short interesting holes. The fairways are forgiving enough for the standard golfer, with the greens a good test for most golfers and the requirement of positioning of the approach shot making this a good test for betterl golfers.Friendly in the shop and the clubhouse also.All round a course that is worth the trip.
September 30, 2007
8 / 10
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