Brocket Hall (Palmerston) - Hertfordshire - England

It is usually the much acclaimed Palmerston course that receives most of the plaudits but as I found out on my recent visit to the Brocket Hall complex there isn't much between the two and I'd happily return to play either.

The Palmerston course has a quick getaway hole which is generous off the tee but requires respect when playing into the green. The next half a dozen or so holes meander through fantastic woodland (including rare Hornbeam, Scots and Corsican Pine and 300 year old Oak trees) with the fourth hole being the pick of the bunch where you are teased into going for an aggressive drive down the left when really a fairway wood or long iron will work the sweeping contours of the hole just as well to leave a perfect approach into a long raised green with nothing for right.

Ed is the founder of Golf Empire – click the link to read his full review.

Just like Melbourne, which I played in the morning, the Palmerston disappointed me, especially because of the greens which were very, very slow. The course is showing some wear and will probably require some serious investment in the near future.

Played in a recent society event at the Palmerston and was very impressed, indeed (even though I was awful on the day). I imagine it would be even more impressive once everything is in leaf. Top quality seed on the fairways, giving confidence to make good contact with longer irons. Greens very good condition for the time of year and consistent over all holes. Very undulating and I imagine they would be an even harder test once things speed up. Opening hole has a nice wide fairway, giving the chance to get rid of any nerves you may have. Although, mostly through the trees, the fairways are not as unforgiving as you may expect. Make a decent drive and you easily make the fairways. Good test of golf and you will have to play your longer irons well to post a good score. I agree with some of the comments regarding value for money. However, due to the overall quality, the price is not too far off the mark. For example, the minimum number of 12 for the Winter Society is only £65 and includes coffee and bacon roll on arrival, followed by a two course buffet lunch. However, speaking with the staff on the day, some of them are a little disgruntled about the new Chinese owners. This probably emanates from the new owners, apparently, reneging over existing membership . It seems they will be asking the members to stump up a large amount of money once more to remain members. Also, the practice area was a little disappointing after reading all the positive reviews about it. It is starting to look a little scruffy in some areas and there were no balls to practice with. We had to walk over to the Pro Shop to collect a small, muddy basket of balls. The excuse was that the ball cleaning machine was not working. Hopefully, once the new owners start to invest, the amenities will be brought up to where they once were, if not better.Overall, the Palmerston is a great course and a very good test of golf with no gimmicks. Highly recommended.

Had the pleasure of playing The Palmerstone course with 7 friends on 4th Feb on what proved to be one of the very few non-downpour days so far in 2014. So wet has it been that most other courses in the area were closed, so we weren't sure what to expect. What we weren't expecting for sure though was a course that, other than the odd bunker, showed no sign of the appalling recent weather. Fairways were firm and the greens were as true and as quick as you'd expect in the height of summer. It really was quite remarkable; member's fees are certainly re-invested back into the club, that's for sure. The course itself is a challenging layout, especially from the back tees. The opening couple of holes lack a little drama but force you to hit long and straight to make par. From there though you enter a succession of holes carved through the forest that are simply stunning and remind one of Woburn, the dogleg par 4 4th hole and sweeping dogleg par 5 6th particularly special. The nine ends with a reachable par 5 but with the green protected by spectacular bunkering you've got to be a special player to even think about going for it. The back nine starts with a lengthy par 5 before re-entering the forest at the stroke 1 par 4 11th that demands a 250 yard carry just to make the fairway and afford a sight of the pin. The 12th, with the fairway and green separated by a small chalk quarry, is a simply stunning visual hole with the drive genuinely exciting, while the monster par 5 13th that runs along the old wall of the estate is as good a hole as you'll find anywhere, with the green framed by the tall trees. A long downhill par 3 followed by two tree lined par 4's are equally special before a short uphill par 3 sets you up for the finale, a double dogleg par 5 for which the final approach shot to a well guarded green affords views of the beautiful Brocket Hall, it's outbuildings and the broadwater that are such features of Melbourne Course. Post round the food in, and views from, the clubhouse were cracking and the newly refurbished locker rooms all just added to a great experience. That's before we talk about the practice facilities which surely have to be amongst the best (if not the best) on offer anywhere in the country. This really was winter golf at it's very very best, up there with The Grove in terms of conditioning but all over it in terms of a course with natural beauty. Play it if you can.

I played this for the 2nd time last week as I found that it was one of the those courses that requires a 2nd look before reviewing. The course was presented in good condition with true greens. Its not a difficult test of golf even from the back stones. I think this is more to do with keeping it easier for corporate golf and general speed of play. Fairways are generous and on many holes you could land plane ! That said, there are some good holes, especially the first 6 with some holes through tall pines, well sculpted and picturesque. The back 9 is not as picturesque but there are holes which can give you some trouble if you dont choose the right club off the tee and stay on the right side of the hole. Overall, For the price bracket it is in (4-ball special price worked out 80 quid per person) I think the value is ok and well conditioned. Plus, you have access to possibly the finest practice facilities in Herts.

Played the Palmerston in late April, and when many golf courses are struggling for the condition of their course with the long winter, the Palmerston was in very good condition. There were some parts that had been effected by the vast amounts of water we have seen, but they were few and far between. The greens were in good condition, and ran very smoothly. I was impressed by the variety of the par 5's and the wind made gauging distances with the natural undulation tricky. I would go back and play it again, trying to remember all the places i went wrong previously.

Played both the Palmerston and Melbourne on 23/09/11 for my brothers birthday. Whilst both courses were in immaculate condition, the Palmerston is the clear star for me. The first is a little nondescript, but the rest of the course is a joy, tree lined, secluded (road noise on a couple of holes aside), plenty of elevation changes and the greens were superb. To compare to other UK courses I have played, for me the Palmerston is far superior to the Belfry and the Forest of Arden, slightly better than the Duke's and the equal of the Duchess at Woburn. A word of caution, if you're a mid or high handicapper like me, then this is probably too much course for you, but you will have a fantastic day regardlless. I must also mention the service, which is superb (as you would expect for the money!). The starters on both courses were great, and special mention to James in the pro shop. The practice facilities are the best I have used.

Played here in a society at the end of November, it was a very chilly day - just before the snow hit the UK. We had good breakfast, the starter was very helpful and friendly, in fact the service all round was excellent - as was lunch later that day. The course has a enjoyable variety of holes, especially if you like tree lined fairways. It's hard to believe this course is only 10 years old, as it sits so well in the landscape, it's an outstanding example of sympathetic course design. As others have mentioned the 12th is a very interesting hole with a small 'quarry' in the middle of the fairway to make you choose your club with care The only negative I would mention is bit of road noise from A1 on holes 4 & 13 on the east side Not quite as good a course as Bearwood Lakes or the excellent Druids Glen, but a glorious parkland course none the less, and good experience, I would definitely play it again.

played in late June 2010 after two weeks of sunshine and zero rain - this course was holding up much better than its sister. If you can play just one course here please please avoid all the gimicky water holes and go and play this one. Forget the first two holes, after that each has a little something different and challenging (disclaimer treelined fairways are my personal golfing fetish) There are a lot of of comparisons with the Marquess at Woburn - well i played that last week and from a PLAYING perspective I can understand and fully back this up (this course is prob 90% for me personally) but - AESTHETICALLY - seriously ?? not for me, fairways were patchy with mutiple blobs of grasses and lumps, bumps and looking a shade sorry for themselves. purely to look at, no way its near the quality of some of the rivals mentioned in other reviews - but whatever floats your boat !! great course and a pleasure to play - greens are very naughty , superb quality.

Played here after heavy rainfall but the course drained fantastically well, particularly the greens, you wouldn't have thought it had rained at all. The course itself didn't quite live up to my expections after reading most of the previous reviews on here. There are of course some stand out holes such as 4th,6th,12th and 13th, but also many fairly standard holes. The greens were extremely true and fast for the time of year, but were diseased and looked visually poor. I think the Melbourne course here is superior in terms of excitement and quality of holes. All that said it is still a very good course all in all.