Denham - Buckinghamshire - England

A classic Colt design, with all of the subtleties you would expect. After the driveable par 4 1st hole, hold on for the next 10 holes, including two challenging long par 3s, then make your score from 12 onwards. The 12th is a wonderful short par 3 over a ravine, before two fairly reachable par 5s. The 15th and 16th are the only real changes from the original Colt design, but we are left with a challenging par 4, and a short, but testing par 3 16th.

As you walk down the 18th fairway, where a tee shoft left will be blocked out and right may bounce away to the trees, you can look forward to a drink and lunch in the 16th century clubhouse, the best is yet to come.

Denham is a traditional private members golf club tucked away in Buckinghamshire countryside where you will find a lovely parkland layout.

The course was constructed in 1910, opened for play the following year and was the handiwork of Harry Colt. At the request of the Club a railway station, called Denham Golf Club, was opened in 1912 and continues in operation today – it is located just across the 11th fairway and only a few minutes walk from the charming 16th Century clubhouse.

Laid out in two loops, both starting from the clubhouse, the opening and closing holes of both halves do nothing to set the pulse racing but the middle section of each nine contains some very enjoyable golf. Aviation enthusiasts will also enjoy the regular comings and goings from Denham Airfield which borders the third fairway.

Denham is certainly a fine club with a good golf course but despite being in excellent condition the midweek green-fee of £60 is a difficult one to justify although a twilight rate is available after 4pm and would certainly make Denham worth a visit.

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

Denham is definitely NOT a Phil Collins course… jackets are required in the dining room and it was a struggle to get them to lift the jacket concession on the hot summer’s day I played here… Phew talk about sweaty. The course itself is a little belter and has all the ups and downs and Colt design trademarks that any golf course aficionado could wish for. It’s a classic lie-of-the-land course with the par three 12th my pick of the holes – a brilliant table-edged uphill par three with quirky steps up to the green on the right side. The par 34 front nine is not as entertaining as the back as there are seven P4’s and two P3’s on the front while the back is a more conventional and varied 5-2-2 configuration. Denham has something lacking IMO, it failed to get my pulse racing but I enjoyed the walk in the park more than I enjoyed the infernal buzzing of the light aeroplanes that seem to be perpetually taking off and landing at the adjacent Denham Aerodrome.