MrMLaw

First time playing here, met by friendly staff in the pro shop. Driving range was ok for a warm up but can’t really hit driver due to short length. It was a little muddy on the fairways and a lot of leaves but I guess expected for October. Not a bad course but the A64 and road next to the course are very noisy. Greens were well maintained and no temporary’s. Couple of challenging holes like a Par 3 with a tree in the middle. Air guns were not powerful enough to clean the mud off the trolley wheels. Went for a beer in the clubhouse afterwards, bar tender was not very smiley, only a couple of people in the bar. Halfway house was well stocked, would have been nice to see some beers there. Overall not bad and I am sure it’s better at its prime in summer but that road noise could be even worse.

We booked Hainsworth as within an hours drive and never played there before. Got a great deal on GolfNow for £13.99 per person for a lunchtime tee. First impressions were good, stocked pro shop, friendly staff. We proceeded to the practice green and nets to warm up. These were ok but not great. We then went to the first tee which is a bit of a walk from the pro shop. When we got there a 4 ball had just teed off and there was another 2 ball with the same time as us. The 4 ball started holding us all up so we asked if we could play through and they let us. Once through the pace of play was good. The course is a strange layout and difficult to know where the next tee is on some holes, the signage could definitely be much better. It also feels like they have squeezed 18 holes into a small area with fairly narrow fairways and only a single row of trees dividing some fairways. One area that was very disappointing is the quality of the greens, not only a little too long and slow but holes, bait patches, sand and cut lines all made it not very enjoyable. The ponds were almost bone dry but this cannot be helped given the lack of rain this year. The course looked nice enough and had some quite tight technical holes which were challenging. I would probably only play here again if they sorted out the greens and added signage to the next tee on some holes.

Sandburn Hall is a very underrated course, it is very well maintained and has excellent facilities . We have played here a few times and if it was closer to my home I would have probably signed up as a member. There is a driving range with bays, excellent chipping and putting area and a practice hole. The course itself is pretty flat so don’t expect any amazing elevated views but the layout works well with many trees and deep rough if you stray from the fairways. I have played in both summer and winter here and find it drains pretty well for such a flat course. The only negatives worth mentioning would be the wedding receptions they hold. This can make for a very busy time Around the clubhouse (but this is a hotel and events location so it is to be expected) and also if you get stuck behind the juniors or a society play can be extremely slow. currently the driving range was under maintenance but it shows the are investing money and time into improving the facilities. The pro shop is well stocked and a friendly reception awaits. Overall I would definitely recommend Sandburn Hall and will be back again (when the prices are at a decent rate through GolfNow).