Frilford Heath (Green) - Oxfordshire - England

3rd Oxfordshire - Best in Area
Frilford Heath Golf Club,
Abingdon,
Oxon,
OX13 5NW,
England

  • +44 (0) 1865 390864

  • Russell Stebbings

  • J.H.Turner and C.K.Cotton

  • Daniel Blesovsky

The legendary J.H. Taylor designed the original course at Frilford Golf Club and this layout, the Red course, was subsequently modified by the club professional J.H. Turner. Not content with altering that course, Turner also established another 9-hole layout on an attractive tract of land nearby that was covered in gorse and heather. In the late 1960s, C. K. Cotton and associate Frank Pennink remodelled this nine and added another, forming the 18-hole Green course.

The modern day course extends to just over 6,000 yards, which is short by many standards. The only par five on the card is played at the right doglegged 495-yard 1st hole and there are four par threes, nicely spread out at holes 2, 6, 10 and 17, to give a par of 69. The loop from the 5th to the 13th occupies a separate part of the property, adding to the wonderful feeling of seclusion when playing those particular holes, in amongst the gorse and the birch trees.

Feature holes include a couple of short pars at the right dog legged 9th and the 291-yard closing hole, where a closing birdie might be possible. Indeed, such a boost at the end of the round might just be necessary as the preceding trio of par fours (stroke index 6, 8 and 2) measure in excess of 400 yards, providing something of a nasty “sting in the tail” for the unwary on the Green course.
If the above article is inaccurate, please let us know by clicking here

Write a review

Reviews for Frilford Heath (Green)

Av. Reviewers Score:
Description: The Green is the shortest of the three courses at Frilford Heath Golf Club but for what the course lacks in length it makes up for with sheer charm. Rating: 4.2 out of 6 Reviews: 5

The club at Frilford Heath is strong, 3x18 hole courses and a new 6 hole academy course just open. Most 54 hole set-ups have an obvious order of the 1, 2, 3 of the courses but I am not so sure here. The Red course often appears highest in rankings but I was nowhere near as impressed as I was hoping with it being a current English Top 100 course. On a long July day I made it my business to have a good look at all three courses and it was the Green that came out tops for me. Yes, it is the shortest and yes it only has a single par-5 (1st hole) but it is the one that charmed me most, by a long way to be honest.

Frilford Heath (Green) Golf Course - Photo by reviewer

The shorter par-4’s of which there are nine under 380 yards are the holes where the total short length of just 6000 yards is most evident but those looking for what might be called regular length holes have the other nine which do just that. These include four par-4’s over 410 yards and the four par-3’s average out at 180 yards.

When judging a course, there has to be an element of ‘just a nice place to be’ and the Green has tons of that feeling all around the course.

The par-3’s at the 6th and 10th are very good looking holes; the 6th plays 152 yards from the white tee with great bunkering surrounding the green and the 10th 20 yards longer to an offset green with six more strong bunkers. The 12th hole; a 324 yard par-4 is very tricky – a fairway turning right and then a little left back to a green that is not easy to hit as there are mature tress all around.

The closing holes on the Green will give most a serious test, especially the big run from the 14th to the 16th – the course bites back here as all of these holes are 410+ yards. The 15th has a great dip just short of the green that we surely catch a lot of approach shots that are under-hit a little.

The par-3 17th is the only hole that could do will some thought in my opinion; just under 200 yards, uphill and just does not have the charm of the rest of the course. Options on the last hole – here is SI-18 and only 291 yards long with not a lot of problems really, just a sole fairway bunker at 250 yards on the right and three more by the long green, big chance to finish on a high.

Frilford Heath as a club, is one of the strongest in the south of England and has plenty to be proud of including the ability to maintain traditional values but also embracing the modern needs in golf. Recommended.

5 / 6
Frilford Heath (Green)
September 06, 2017


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful
Respond to above review

The Green course stands at just a smidgen over 6,000 yards at its maximum length but with a par of 69 is no pushover. And whilst there are several holes that require placement from the tee, usually just a long iron or fairway metal before a pitch or short iron into the green, there are holes such as the seventh, 14th and 16th; all par fours measuring over 440 yards. Couple this with a fine set and good variety of par three’s and you have a really nice balance and enjoyable course.

There are no real stand-out holes, that take your breath away, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. What you have here are 18 very solid golf holes and plenty of strategic value.

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

3 / 6
Frilford Heath (Green)
March 13, 2017


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful
Respond to above review
This is as perfect as a golf course could be, it should never be touched in any way whatsoever. One thing worth considering might be making 17 & 18 the 1st and 2nd, with holes 14, 15 & 16 being of a good length and quality, the 16th would make a great 18th. I always want to shake hands on the 16th and then realise you have to cross the road and play 2 very short holes, whch somewhat detracts from the last 3 holes, the 17th would make for a good first hole, just like Royal Lytham.
5 / 6
Frilford Heath (Green)
February 26, 2016


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
1 person found this review helpful
Respond to above review
My personal favourite at Frilford. Always in good condition with top class greens, the Green course is a real delight. Accuracy is at a premium (especially off the tee), with heather, gorse, trees and bunkers awaiting if you miss the fairly tight fairways. Par is only 69 so it always seems to play tougher than it's yardage. Toughest stretch is the dog-legs at 12 and 13, followed by three long par 4's and the tricky par 3 at 17. Thankfully the Green remains unaltered in recent years (unlike the East)
4 / 6
Frilford Heath (Green)
August 17, 2015


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
1 person found this review helpful
Respond to above review
Response
DB
August 17, 2015
sorry typo error above, I mean't '(unlike the Red)'; also should say that with the three courses at Frilford it is an excellant venue for a day's golf
This is a super little course that keeps you interested all the way round. Some lovely holes when you go over the road that offer you birdie chances, but this course is harder than its length suggests. Look out for the 12th its a cracking par 4 with a big dog leg right. Make a day of it and combine the Green with either the Red or Blue here, you won't be disappointed.
4 / 6
Frilford Heath (Green)
May 25, 2010


Was this review helpful? Yes / No
0 people found this review helpful
Respond to above review
Response
James
September 05, 2011
The Green is a pretty course in a quiet corner of Oxfordshire. It is classic golfing territory and this is a lovely example of a south of England heathland course. It is also unspoilt and has not been modified (unlike the Red course, which had its four splendid original opening holes replaced to make way for the Blue course). Each hole on the Green is good in its own right; there is not a weak one. The only issue is the length of the course (just under 6,000 yards) and it only has one par five. But the approach shots require accuracy and the greens are invariably excellent. Playing this course always results in a very enjoyable round of golf.