Put this anywhere else, and it would rate really quite highly. The trouble with being a very pretty, beautifully secluded, part parkland, part heathland course in Surrey is simple:

As you head up the very pretty 5th, with a green fetchingly benched into the hill, and a deep bunker front right, you think: "Oh this is just like Hindhead". As you turn sharp left at the 7th, having, in my case, bailed out on an attempt to drive the green at the last minute and left a very awkward long bunker shot, you think: "This could be Camberley Heath, and how nice there are no houses". As you drive over majestic sweeping hills, toward small greens at 11 and 12, you think: "Which hole at Hankley is this a bit like, again, I wish I could recall". You get the picture.

But for all of that, this is hidden gem in anyone's language, in a very pretty corner of Surrey. Good, thought-provoking shot values, high quality conditioning, and much variety. The par 3s were, for me, the highlight. The 6th is very pretty, but also a small target, and the slopes are such that the work isn't over once the green is found. The 15th is better still. Everything taking you right toward a deep trap, so it begs for a draw, but you had better not overdo it. Much else that is very good, if the 4th felt like a contender for oddest short par 4 I've seen in a while. What a choice: 220 to the front, but nowhere to stop it, and a hedge, road and out of bounds behind. Oh, I know: I'll hit a long iron that either has to pitch 180 and stop by 200, or medium iron and be blocked out. A head scratcher. Tree-trimming perhaps, guys?

They were gutting and refurbishing the clubhouse when I played, so no idea about that, but a friendly welcome from people who are clearly committed to improving this course.

Not cheap exactly (but little in Surrey is). Even with that, well worth a visit if in the area.