NeilW1969

This is a relatively short but enjoyable course. Very well kept, impressive greens. The back nine is a little up and down for a spell but it ends strongly with some good holes.

Bar area is nice, menu is ideal for golfers and the chips are a must!

Not the toughest test but a fun place to play and if you are lucky, we were, then you may even be joined on the course by deer wandering around.

Richmond is a thoroughly enjoyable course. It wont make a top 100 list but it is a course I would happily play again. Not the longest course but that does not mean it is cramped. There are plenty of long holes for the big hitters and the shorter holes have lots of shape and defences. The holes are interesting to play and that is not something you can say about every course. The greens were excellent, true, pacy and with some sneaky slopes. Have a good look at your putts. The fairways and semi were in great condition so whilst you were punished if you went off line you could still find your ball easily. This kept the pace of play jogging along.

The course is a little hilly so an electric trolley or buggy would make the round easier. It was not unpleasantly hilly though so do not let that comment put you off.

The staff and members I came across were all wonderfully friendly, we were let through by a 4 ball at the earliest opportunity. The bar area was pleasant with an excellent view of the fun, par 3 18th hole. Prices were very fair.

I will return to play here again and would happily recommend it.

This course is nearly very good and could be quite easily. To be fair, others may think it is already, it is a genuine matter of opinion. Why? On arrival there is a pleasant entrance leading to the clubhouse, pro-shop etc. Staff in the shop were friendly, there are two practice nets to hit into and a good putting green.

To the course: A lovely 1st hole off a raised tee is a great way to start and there are a number of very good holes. The greens are smaller than I expected for such a grand parkland layout but they are all immaculate, true running and a fair pace. The tee boxes and fairways are all in good condition. The par 3's always a favourite for me, were fun, challenging but never too long. No 230yd par 3's here.

So, why mixed feelings? The fairways were cut very narrow. Okay, Hexham want this course to be a challenge. The semi is higher than your golf ball however meaning that your ball sits down and is difficult to find. Far too much time was wasted looking for balls just off the fairway that you could not see until you were on top of them. I lost count of the times we walked past a hidden ball and wasted minutes looking up and down for it. These were not shots way off line in deep rough. They were just off a narrow fairway sat low. This slowed up play and became tiresome. Set the cutters a little lower. The semi can still be punishing but at least let us walk up to our balls to keep the rythym and the pace of the round going. This length of semi was consistent around the course so I assume this is a greens committee decison. Fine, but it spoilt the round for me.

The good news, you finish with another cracking hole, a raised par 4 hitting back towards the lovely old clubhouse. The clubhouse is a lovely building, the bar area welcoming yet impressive and the prices fair.

Cut the semi and I would play again. Leave it as it is and I will give it a miss.