Forest Pines (Forest & Pines) - Lincolnshire - England

I’ve played all 27 holes at Forest Pines on a number of occasions. There are three nines at this Q-Hotels venue, all of relatively similar calibre, and it was the ‘Forest’ and ‘Beeches’ loops we enjoyed this time out. The third nine ‘Pines’, along with ‘Forest’, is generally regarded as the premier make-up for a round of 18 and I would agree with this consensus.

But that said there is very little in it and the 27 holes generally have a very solid and consistent feel to them. The tree-lined nature and relative flatness of the property tends to breed a similarity and remembering individual holes at a later date can be a tricky task as they often blur into one. The reason is probably because there are very few stand-out holes – the flatness of the property probably contributes to that the most – but there is very little that disappoints either.

We were greeted with firm fairways and well-conditioned greens for the time of year and it’s a course I will certainly look to return to during the off-season as it is easily accessibly from the motorway network of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Whilst the short holes fail to really pack a punch, the lack elevation change a contributing factor, the par fives sparkle as do a number of the two-shotters.

We opted for an early tee-time and had the course to ourselves, however, due to the nature of the facility it attracts a high volume of play, particularly the corporate and society type. Indeed upon finishing the putting green and first tee were heaving with activity as a large group was just starting.

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

Played Forest Pines for the 3rd time yesterday and as always it provides a great test. The condition of the course wasn't amazing, but that has to be expected with the horrendous weather we have endured the past couple of weeks. However, it really is a cracking layout, not overly long (Pines 9 has a few tough Par 4s), but in general it is a fantastic risk and reward course. You can see the comparison to the likes of the Duchess Course at Woburn in areas because of how narrow it is, you almost feel as though the trees are about to collapse on you. Like everyone will say who's played it, the stretch of holes from 2-6 are one of the finest stretches of holes you'll find around England. 2 wonderful Par 5s at 3 and 5, you get a hint of Augusta with the flowers and heather blooming around the green on 5 and the 3rd is like a remake of the 13th at Augusta, big swinging Par 5 where a creek runs all the way down the left then cuts infront of the green. This is a brilliant risk and reward hole. You then have the 2 very challenging Par 3s at 6 on the Forest and 7 on the Pines, played straight over water to 2 undulating greens. Make sure you take enough club, as I was told 10,000 balls were fished out of the pond in one year on the 7th (Pines). Everyone that plays here I'm sure will enjoy the experience as it is a wonderful layout that you will rarely find this type of course in the UK. It just needs that extra bit of investment on the conditioning of the course to take it to the next level, and then in the future it could easily hold events like the Solheim Cup etc. Must mention it is very good value for money too as QHotels do some great deals.

Didn’t read all the reviews so just a quick couple of comments from me. Firstly, I think its fair to say as of summer 2013, concerns about the greens have been addressed properly, these are as good as almost any I have played in Britain. Setting, layout, general condition all genuinely excellent, this course deserves all the plaudits. If you had told me this was Woburn I would not have been disappointed it stands the comparison well. Most of all, incredibly good value, they encourage 4 balls and monitor slow play, mark out the tees properly, and generally get right the little things that cost nothing but that so many courses seem to forget. One thing I don’t understand is why they don’t put a little marker on the flag to tell you its location, not many courses do but it makes a difference in my view. And a more serious moan, which is mentioned endlessly on trip advisor for the past umpteen years, the beer and food is beyond ridiculous prices. A poor quality hamburger and chips for 12.50? That’s Mayfair prices.. Perhaps its policy to charge very little for the golf knowing happy golfers will make up the money for them in the bar afterwards.

Played here for the 1st time in October and was very impressed. The general layout of the course is fantastic carved quite simply through a forest. You can see the comparisons with Woburn which in fairness some holes are just as narrow if not tighter but in general it isn't a patch on the Duke's Duchess or Marquess at Woburn. For October the conditioning of the course was reasonable with the fairways, tees an bunkers being good but the greens I have to say weren't brilliant. With them being fairly undulating you'd expect them to be fairly quick but instead they were very woolly and slow along with them not running that true, however positives are there are some wonderful holes and be prepared to hear the sound of clattering trees and I would recommend keeping the driver in the bag! My favourite holes were the Par 5 5th flanked by the giant pines and gorse covered bunkers, the 6th a beautiful little 140yard par 3 over water to a slippery green and the 16th par 3 which is a larger version of the 6th a full blown 210 yard par 3 over a huge lake to a 2 tier green. Well worth a visit and very enjoyable!

We brought a group of 13 reasonable golfers with high expectations. Overall we were not disappointed - the lay out of the courses was superb, fairways were top class, hotel welcome was good, service was attentive. Drinks were pricey but we got a £10 per head voucher which helped. Food was ok but nothing special. I'd have given the experience a 9/10 but am downgrading it simply because of the standard of the greens. The practice putting green was slow but acceptable. The Forest course was equally slow , the Pines course even slower. Still worth an overall 8/10 though. The Beeches - probably the lesser of the three 9's on looks - however, was terrible. Slow, bobbly, tined, sandy. You couldn't have wished for much worse. We had single figure golfers who three putted more than half the greens. Honestly, you had to smash it from 20 feet just to make the hole and the four footers were nearly impossible. In August I expected the course to be perfect. Visually it was but the overwhelming feeling of disappointment at the greens hasn't gone away. I know the hotel courses keep greens longer than most standard clubs but you'd still expect a course in England's top 20 to have smooth ones at that time of year. Hopefully this was a seasonal one-off but I'd think twice about going back without knowing they were better

Was thoroughly impressed with Forest Pines- we played Pines and beeches as Forest waS closed, and had a wonderful day out. Superb condition and tight undulating fairways with many tall pine trees as you would expect. A course not too dissimilar to wentworth in many ways! A must visit for good value golf!

Lovely course. Tight with some beautiful holes. Fast greens and very undulating. However the whole experience is ruined by the hotel and bar. Hotel. I fine but the food very ordinary. The bar is a DISGRACE. I paid £11.50 for a small glass of house wine and a pint. Would love to play course again but I enjoy the whole golf experience and the bar just ruins it.

played the course yesterday for the first time( april 1st 2010,)had overnight stay at hotel first class and very reasonable.requested buggies but not available due to period of wet weather prior to our arrival, not required as the course was in fantastic condition and is very flat, dry underfoot with true fast greens( which had been slitted and fertized)tees and fairways in fantastic condition, you do require to be straight off the tee to reach greens in regulation do not underestimate yardages as course was playing long.a gen of a course top rating, will be back in summer.

i have played forest pines (all loops) on numerous occasions and i have got to say it is all ways a treat.the last time i played,in may,the gorse was in bloom and it looked and played fantastic.it gets better year after year and if you manage to get one of the numerous internet deals,you would struggle to beat this for real value.it is starting to mature and fill out,a pleasure to play.

Two of us stayed and played Forest Pines (all 3 loops) on a beautiful Sunday in May. The courses were in excellent condition, the staff very helpful and we had a great time. Fortunately we weren't in a hurry as this isn't a hidden gem - rightly very popular with local and visiting golfers alike. The pace of play was much what you would expect on a pay and play course on a Sunday - approx 2 hours for each loop. Some very nice holes, would agree that Beeches is the weaker of the three, and would definitely return. Excellent value if staying at the hotel, and highly recommended if you can combine with a trip to the wonderful Woodhall Spa. dan