Sudbury - Middlesex - England

I like Sudbury, i like the lay out of the course, the food is nice and the staff are very friendly.

Have never had an issue getting on a tee time when i have called up and the course itself is a real challenge, another course that will chew you up if not afforded the right amount of respect...

Well worth a visit if your in the area.

A pleasant course, but the site is rather dull and there are no signature holes that stick in the memory. I've always found the course to be set up in quite a friendly way, with minimal rough, which means there is little definition between the holes that play backwards and forwards. Overall a rather bland course.

Classic London parkland course that benefits from being on the side of Horsenden Hill and being bounded by the Grand Union canal to the west, both of which make it more interesting than the average. Harry Colt did an excellent job 100 years ago so there are no weak holes, even the short par fours can catch out the careless.

Good for visitors because the rough is forgiving with no blind holes, having said that , to score you do have to play well.

In good condition in summer of 2021 which given the weather and the increase in revenue from new members is not surprising .

Locally well renowned but I think its beyond its best, ive played it several times and apart from some decent views across London its fairly average.

A second visit to Sudbury for me, last one around eight years ago. Since my first game, the course has a much better look now – the obvious change has been to swap the nines around which for a few reasons has been the right thing to do. The previous start gave three holes that can be described as a little up and down and probably too tough a start to a round, three par-4’s of similar length around 410-425 yards – not as inspiring start as there is now. The new configuration, gives a chance to get off to a flyer; a 459-yard par-5 to a right to left sloping fairway to kick-off; the 2nd - a 420-yard downhill hole plays a lot shorter than its yardage and then a 315-yard short par-4 at the third. All in all – possibilities to score well. The 4th hole is very strong and for me the front-nine choice for best hole; 400 yards long and running alongside the Grand Union Canal with a slight move to the left; the green with a couple of bunkers protecting and close to the course boundary requires an exact approach. The style of the 7th hole would be welcome on any course – here is the classic downhill par-3 and a mid to short iron for most; really great fun to play and with a strong green-site too.

The front nine ends with a tough par-4 – 430 yards, blind drive and a fairway cambering to the right. Now, who am I to challenge the work of Harry Colt? But the hole was designed with no bunkers and there are still none – for me it is crying out for some sand hazards, maybe just one in the fairway and one at the green. This is just an observation and in saying this, I have to respect the club by not changing the great man’s philosophy for the 9th (previously the 18th).

As mentioned at the top the first three holes on the now back nine are a real test. First observation on the second half is that the par-3 13th (179 yards) is good but if the tee could be raised to create a signature target hole, then a good hole becomes a very good hole. The 14th hole is similar to the 4th although around 100 yards longer and a par-5 – same dog-legging style to the left and the canal as the left side protection. The final few holes keep interest levels going with dog-leg par-4’s at the 15th and 16th (one of each direction) and then the final hole is a 148 yard uphill par-3 – not everyone’s favourite finish but this is a decent short hole and most importantly now ends in front of the clubhouse and allows the golfers who have ended their rounds to enjoy the games coming in and have the odd wager I am sure.

Overall feeling is that the course and club at Sudbury has improved a fair bit in the eight years between my visits and I look forward to another game soon.