Mendip

Close to historic city of Bath, you will find the village of Gurney Slade and the Mendip Golf Club. The club was originally founded in 1907 and a 9-hole course was laid out by Harry Vardon. In 1965, Frank Pennink extended the course to 18 holes, and in 1988 the course was further lengthened and par was increased to 71.

The course is now a mature undulating downland course set almost 1,000 feet above sea level and at the highest point on the 3rd there are great views over seven neighbouring counties. With this elevated position, the natural drainage is as good as it gets and the course is rarely closed. But do beware of the ‘Mendip Mist’ – golf really played in the clouds!

Walking on the springy downland turf is a real pleasure and the fairways are often tightly cropped and invariably in better condition than many greens at lesser clubs. Overall, the course has much quality and plenty of variety. Ordinary is a word that would never be used to describe Mendip.

Most golfers visiting Somerset head to Burnham and Berrow, but Mendip is a solid design that has many challenges waiting to judge how good your game really is.