Bedford & County - Bedfordshire - England

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recently played a round on this course and will definitely be returning again shortly. Even though the course is on the outskirts of Bedford when you actually play it it is so quiet and peaceful you could almost believe you are in the middle of nowhere. The course condition was excellent with the greens fast and true and the rough penal. I was particularly impressed with their stroke index 1 15th hole (The Waafery) which is a very attractive and demanding par 4 - watch out for the brook 130 or so yards from the green!