I’d last played Orsett over 15 years ago and it was great to return. Unlike most Essex courses it doesn’t sit on clay/mud so has more of a heathland character and playable all year round. The location feels open with views of the Thame estuary, broad well bunkered fairways framed by gorse and low trees, a bit offline you’ll be OK, any further and you’ll end up with problems.

One point to note is they don’t have official tee times so as a visitor when booking ask when the quieter times are or you can have bit of a wait to tee off.

As a visitor we were off the yellows giving a modest 6,100 yards but the undulation on the back 9 makes it feel longer. The relatively short opening par 5 is a warm welcome, I almost reached the green in two and opened with a birdie, interestingly you’ll have played all the par 5’s by the 11th, all are good scoring opportunities. The par 4’s are courses real challenge, the 2nd a tough dog leg hole after the opener requires a draw find the fairway, unless you take an iron a straight drive will run into trouble, especially in firm conditions. From 13 onwards the course has its strongest set of holes with lots of fairway movement and clever bunker positions, lots of questions asked from the tee and demanding tight approaches provide a firm challenge, 14, 16 and 17 were the highlights.

Given the recent heatwaves the course had been given enough water to retain some green in the fairways, firm but still had a bit of spring. I’d imagine the rough would be more penal in a normal year. Greens were excellent and rolled well, some undulation but not excessive, reasonably receptive to approaches.

Facilities were good, I recommend the fine breakfast roll before teeing off, will easily sustain you the full round! Having played plenty of golf in Essex this course deserves its place near the top of the country standings.