Long Ashton

Nestled inside a 220-acre wooded property on the western outskirts of Bristol, the course at Long Ashton Golf Club started out as a 9-hole layout in 1893. Twelve years later, additional land was acquired, allowing a second nine holes to be brought into play.

Fred G. Hawtree and J. H Taylor were then commissioned in 1937 to remodel the course into the one that’s largely still in play in the modern era. Today, ten holes are routed to the east of the clubhouse, followed by eight holes on the west side.

Feature holes include the first (and shortest) of the par threes at the 126-yard 2nd, which plays to a shelf-like green back that’s framed by rocks, and back-to-back par fives at the 498-yard 4th and 552-yard 5th.

On the inward half, the tough 477-yard 15th is rated stroke index 1 on the scorecard and often plays into the prevailing wind, while the 351-yard 16th in the southwest corner of the course offers a late chance of a birdie before heading back to the clubhouse.

The Long Ashton greens were upgraded over a two-month period starting in September 2013, with the job carried out in-house and staff working 12 to 14 hours a day for the duration.