Newbury & Crookham - Berkshire - England

I ventured out this weekend to Berkshire and found two great courses, the first being Newbury & Crookham. Its clear we are moving into the depths of autumn, the trees are shedding their leaves and winter shoes are a must but happy to say N & C was in fantastic shape. The fairways were lush and clear and the greens were true. Its reasonably short but a great layout with some testing holes. No par 5s until the back 9 and many of the par 4s not requiring a driver made for a interesting course management. I played well which always helps in the enjoyment of a course but I would be confident had I not I would still have come away enjoying my round. Its a lovely course worth travelling as I did for the weekend to play.

Newbury & Crookham offers plenty of interest for the visiting golfer, with a variety of holes. This is not basic parkland as it has some uphill holes, downhill holes, flat holes, doglegs, short par 4's, long par's, shots over ravines, trees, sloping greens etc. I have played Newbury once or twice a year for the last 10 years and the course has grown on me. It is obviously not at the level of Berkshire's top courses but it is better than average. Have to say that course condition this September was the best I have known it. The greens were absolutely 1st class and of good pace, which added to the interesting slopes on the greens made them an absolute delight. Certainly seems to be a good time of year to play here, as sometimes it can get wet underfoot in the early spring especially the lower holes.

Favourite holes would include the second hole (a short par 4 offering a birdie chance) and the third, a goodlooking downhill par 3. Infact the par 3's (five of them) are all pretty good, including hole 9 over a valley to a steeply sloping green and hole 17 always a seemingly very small target and well bunkered. Long par 4's at holes 7, 8 and 14 give the course a bit of teeth; the 8th is particularly difficult being steeply uphill from the fairway to another fiercely sloping green, and a bogey is always acceptable here. One par 4 I really like is the 16th; this requires an accurate drive (ideally a draw) over a ravine/gulley with trees preventing you from cutting the corner of a sharp dog-leg left, where you are then faced with a short iron downhill to a sloping small green. Just two par 5's; one of these is the 18th which although not a classic finishing hole does provide a tricky blind approach for most of us laying up short of a fairway bunker in a dip.

Overall an entertaining place to play, and when the greens are this good even better

I liked it... was impressed with the speed of the greens, and the fairways were in good condition also. (Green keepers dream the weather this year so no real excuses that said).

I thought the first 7/8 holes or so were great fun. Downhill puts were scary fast, and some of the greens are tiny which is fun. Its short, but that adds to the amusement some how.

Would have awarded it another half ball, but the course for me slighter peters out in the last few holes and the greens didn't seem as good on the back 9.

Nice place, and worth a visit.

I enjoyed Newbury & Crookham when I visited for the first time last week. The course is unlikely to challenge some of the bigger names in Berkshire for a place in the English Top 100, however it does have a handful of holes that are nothing short of excellent. Routed over undulating and tree lined parkland, the course has plenty of variety with a few strategic short par 4's mixed in amongst a number of long and difficult two shotters. There are only two par 5's which are both encountered on the back nine, but of the five par 3's, four are very good indeed. The 3rd and the 9th both offer a bit of hang time playing downhill to large greens, the 3rd a real beauty set well below the tee. The 6th and tough 17th offer a different challenge, both being well defended by attractive bunkering. Whereas a mere flick will suffice on 6, nothing but a well struck and accurate 170 yard shot will do on 17. Not one to get too excited about but well worth a look if you are in the area. Brian W

Each to their own, and thank goodness for that. Par or 'average' is what the N&C course is. Plenty worse, plenty better. Probably merits a birdie for the views, course maintenance and its clubhouse.

Our group fully enjoyed are round here and after a very warm welcome we weren't disappointed with the course. Due to its par 69 it plays tougher than the yardage would suggest, it has some excellent par 3's and a nice mix of length par 4's. Stand out holes for us were 7 and 8, which are long and extremely challenging par 4's, particularly the 8th where a par will feel like a birdie. It has one of the best collection of par 3's in the land, 4 of the 5 of them are truly memorable. Course in excellent condition, course under rated and well worth a visit.

Agree with the last comments; pleasant enough course, worth playing, but really no better than average

Undeniably Newbury and Crookham is an underrated course but 6-ball reviews have to be reserved for the very best courses and this is simply not in the same league as some of the Berkshire greats, including Red, Blue and Swinley Forest all of which are significantly better. Don’t get me wrong, N&C is a good and strategic course, it’s just not one of the greats.

This is one of the most underated courses in England, the club is among the most welcoming, the course is one of the best conditioned, the test has everything from drivable par 4's to 467 yarder's and the best and most varied of par 3's you will find anywhere, the two par 5's are reachable but any mistakes along the way will be suitably punished. It is in the heart of Red Kite country, so many great views of this magnificent bird, plus, plenty of sightings of the local deer. The greens, quite simply the truest, fastest and smoothest you will putt on in England, I'm not a member, but this is no exaggeration. It has enough of a test for the best of golfer's, and the great thing is you could play 36 holes in a day and feel as fit as a fiddle after. Do not let 5880 yards and par 69 put you off if you're used to longer courses, you will seriously miss out.