Orchardleigh - Somerset - England

Playing parkland courses in the depths of winter is never ideal but we decided to take a look at the leafless skeleton of Orchardleigh last month after a spell of dry winter weather.

The setting in the heart of the 500-acre gated Orchardleigh Estate is gorgeous, but you wouldn’t want to be dropped off at the gates, as you’d be faced with a two-mile walk from the public road to the clubhouse. I can’t think of any entrance drive in the UK that’s longer than Orchardleigh.

Unfortunately the course left me more than a tad uninspired. The fairways looked lovely, but the ground was incredibly sticky considering the preceding weeks of dry weather. The fact that the tees on every hole were playing off mats, which were at least 20 yards in front of the ladies tees, did not help one eyeota.

The bunkering is pretty decent and some of the holes are good, but too many are humdrum.

Maybe in the summer when the leaves are out and the course is presented at its verdant best, my opinion might be different.

I’m glad I played Orchardleigh but it failed to get my golfing juices flowing despite an enjoyable round in pleasant winter weather.

Surprised at so few reviews. Played course today, fairways are a little muddy but this will be a good course when a little drier. Greens in good nick and enjoyed the course, definitely one of the better ones I have played in the area

Played here in late August, after a damp period. It is well designed, but will always suffer from not being natural golfing land - no tight links or heathland lies here. Lush with thick leaved grass, it is a course only for the summer in my view. The greens are cleverly designed, set across the approach, and the bunkers are in good nick. Fairways are generous, but you need to watch out that you're not trapped behind some magnificent, solitary trees. Lovely views from many parts of the course, particularly on the front half, but the back holes are more of a challenge and less like a walk in the park with clubs. It's the sort of course that must be a pleasant stroll in dry summer weather, but you never feel as though you're on a testing, "proper" course. It will need an army of mowers to keep the grass in check, as there's more than enough open space, and is likely to get better as time goes by. Simple, pleasant clubhouse, with amiable staff.

Usually in good nick, this is a new course that looks as though its been around forever. Well worth playing.