If you like tradition, then steer clear of the Oxfordshire Golf Club. If you are seeking excitement, this might be the course for you.
Overall rating
4.0
The Oxfordshire Golf Club
If you like tradition, then steer clear of the Oxfordshire Golf Club. If you are seeking excitement, this might be the course for you.
Set in the rolling Chilterns near Thame, The Oxfordshire is a championship-style course built to tournament standards and designed by renowned American architect Rees Jones. Opened in the early 1990s, the layout was engineered with extensive earthworks and an American-style approach: firm, sand‑based surfaces, bold bunkering and four substantial lakes define the routing. That combination makes the course one of the more dramatic and spectator-friendly venues in the region.
What to expect on the course
- Character: The course plays on relatively flat land but uses sculpting, large bunkers and water features to create visual drama and strategic choice. The turf is prepared to championship standards, with sand-based greens and tees that help preserve pace and firmness through much of the year.
- Length & tees: From the back markers it stretches to around 7,200 yards — a long test not suited to every visitor. More comfortable and still testing yardages are the middle/forward options (around 6,300 yards) that offer better balance between strategy and playability for most visiting golfers.
- Bunkers & water: The routing features more than a hundred bunkers (the club lists 135) and four man-made lakes. Bunkering is large and penal in places; accurate ball‑striking and course management are rewarded.
Signature holes and strategic moments
Two holes often stand out for visitors:
- 8th hole: A hazard‑lined par four of roughly 390 yards that doglegs around a lake; the green sits on a peninsula and demands an accurate approach.
- 17th hole: The course’s nerve‑racking signature — a downhill par five with a dramatic right‑to‑left dogleg and a lake running down the left side of the hole. The green sits opposite the water; players can take the safer route around the hazard or attempt a more aggressive line across the lake with the second shot.
Playing advice for visitors and travelling parties
- Choose your tees: Most visitors will enjoy the course from the middle tees; the back tees substantially increase difficulty and length. If you’re organising a mixed‑ability group, set a tee policy in advance to keep pace of play reasonable.
- Bring the right clubs: With large bunkers and some long carries to greens, carry a versatile short game bag and be prepared for approach shots into well‑contoured targets. Wind can increase the challenge.
- Be prepared for a test: The course rewards good ball‑striking. If iron play is off, the many hazards can turn a round into a slog — but that same design yields rewarding risk/reward moments for bold play.
Tournament pedigree and history
The Oxfordshire has hosted professional events in the past, including the Benson & Hedges International Open in the late 1990s and other notable tournaments that attracted big names. That tournament history is reflected in the spectator-friendly viewing lines and the championship specification of many holes.
Facilities that matter to travel golfers and groups
- On‑site hotel & spa: The club operates as a resort, with a 4‑star hotel and spa on the property — useful for groups who want to stay and play without moving between venues. Golf breaks are packaged to include dinner and breakfast options, and the resort facilities (spa, pool, fitness) provide good off‑course amenities for companions or non‑playing guests.
- Dining & events: Multiple dining options and event spaces mean the venue is set up to host groups, corporate days and celebrations; organisers can combine golf, dining and overnight accommodation in one place. ([theoxfordshire.com](https://www.theoxfordshire.com/))
- Year‑round play: The club promotes full‑length play throughout winter and avoids temporary greens, which is a benefit if you’re scheduling trips in the off‑season. That reliability helps with planning multi‑day or multi‑course itineraries.
Practical trip‑planning tips
- Book tee times in advance: The course accepts visitor tee bookings online and packages are available for golf breaks — book early if you’re bringing a group or planning a weekend stay. Peak times and tournament dates can affect availability.
- Stay‑and‑play: If your group prefers minimal transfers, use the on‑site accommodation to keep logistics simple: dinner, meeting rooms and leisure facilities make The Oxfordshire convenient for multi‑day groups.
- Transportation: The course is positioned for good access from London and the Midlands, making it an attractive option for UK travellers and international visitors connecting through London. Plan travel times around local traffic if arriving from the south or west.
- Suitable for events: The championship layout and resort infrastructure suit corporate golf days and larger groups; confirm group meal and practice‑range options with the club when you book.
Who should play The Oxfordshire?
- Travelling golfers looking for a modern, tournament‑spec test with dramatic hazards and strategic bunkering will find The Oxfordshire rewarding.
- Group organisers seeking a single‑site solution — course, hotel, dining and leisure — will appreciate the convenience and event facilities.
- Players after a relaxed, social round might prefer tees that reduce length and risk; low‑handicap and long‑hitting visitors will get the most from the full championship setup.
Final impression
The Oxfordshire is less about traditional parkland subtleties and more about engineered drama and championship challenge. If you want a modern test with clear strategic choices, bold bunkering and water hazards that force decisions, it’s a strong option — particularly if you pair your round with the resort’s hotel and spa facilities for a complete stay‑and‑play itinerary. For group organisers and travelling golfers seeking a one‑stop golfing destination with tournament pedigree, The Oxfordshire is worth serious consideration.
Locker Room Access
Golf Club Rental
Pro Shop
Golf equipment/accessories for purchase
Golf Lessons Available
Restaurant / Grill
Practice Bunkers
Short game practice area
Locker Rooms with Showers
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