Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa - Arderne Course

Should not have been open. Walked after a few holes. Condition saturated. Poor greens poor tees. Poor fairways and generally a quagmire.

Excellent little course for practice or a quick round, mainly par 3 but a few par 4's , tricky greens but in great condition all over the course, could do with a cafe or bar save having to go to main club house

This was our first time playing this course, and the course itself is a reasonable course. However at the time we went it was very busy so a lot of waiting. It is very cramped into a small space, which whilst I applaud and think is brilliant, it was not the standard we expected. With it being part of the portal courses, we expected it to be a small version of those really. It definitely wasnt. The greens although weren’t bad, were not good. (Very undulating and challenging to putt on which I enjoyed however). It just didnt compare to the other 9 hole courses I have played in the area, and for the price and also the expectation of Portal it just wasnt good. It had its own clubhouse which was locked and there was nobody to book in with, or nowhere to go to the toilet.

I would say if this was only £10 and not at all affiliated with Portal i would be delighted with it. It isnt a bad course it just isnt what you would expect from a Portal course.

Booking via Golf Now, turned up and went to what looked like the club house as I wanted a golf card. Was met with a very unfriendly ( who quite literally shouted at me) and very old school member who bluntly told me I had no rights to access the building ....all I wanted was a golf card (and had politely knocked on the door) !!! Once he realised what I wanted he suggested I join the club, I remained polite.

The course itself lacks maintenance, fairways are long not cut short, greens are OK, bunkers not well kept. Fairways cross each other and in a couple of places tees cross each other. I found it quite dangerous in those points.

Paid £15 each for my son and I, didn't get value for money as it was likely playing out of the rough most of the time. Not an enjoyable 9-holes

With the attitude of the member I encountered I would say it's a very old school club and suggest there are better clubs around to play at and for sure this is not the club to join

The Arderne course at Portal is like a lovely little secret.
Tucked away from the main Portal Hotel & Spa complex, it’s delightfully quiet & unpretentious.

The layout is sufficiently interesting & provoking…& has an air of maturity about it.

The greens are VERY challenging…..& in an attempt to be accurate…. Need some Tec. I have no ‘greenkeeping’ expertise, but there are lots of small black patches, almost as though there is some form of disease, on many of the 9 greens.

This how ever, does not distract from a lovely golfing experience.

The club house…. Is effectively a small room….& the changing room is a single room with toilets….. but you can’t get in to use them, unless there is a member present…. Which a T 7am…. Was the case when I visited.

It won’t be for everyone…. But I guess that adds to its charm…. It’s quiet, unspoilt ….(not perfect)…. But hey ho… I’ll take that.

Only 2 other groups on the course. Very enjoyable 9 holes with friends. Great for practice with no pressure. Just needs a little TLC in places.

Lovely small and tight course. Suits anyone who struggles to complete 18 or is tight on time.

Always a friendly reception from staff and course was well maintained - SwingU app required course lay out Update to keep accurate scores

Brilliant 9 hole set up, well maintained. Perfect place to practice all parts of game, didn’t realise it existed and for £10 it’s a bargain. Would recommend this area as a warm up before playing premier or championship, great confidence builder and takes less than 90mins to get round.

Excellent value! The only down point is the greens urgently need some TLC!.