Teestime

i last played this course in December where the course had really suffered due to the heavy rainfall.roll forward to sunday the course had dried out nicely with a few soft patches dotted about.
crane valley has a good course layout where course management is key..
the greens were probably the worst part of the course, all the greens are diseased with scaring. although theres evidence of treatments putting is difficult as the ball bobbles and bounces across the bare patches.
for me this course is great value for money, a good test of golf and once the green keepers get ontop of the greens will be worth a revisit. the facilities inc driving range, large putting green, 18 and 9 hole courses plus footgolf. well kept changing facilities, a well stocked proshop with friendly staff and a reasonably priced bar

my first visit to this course, on arrival parking was a litttle on the busy side and waited on a group leaving to get a parking spot close to the range amd pro shop.
range tokens are available from the proshop, the range has plenty of bays generosity sized.
there's a large practice putting green which resembles the ones i found on the woodland and lakes courses in both pace and slope.
front nine was on the woodland course relatively short holes i found i didnt need a driver, this couse weaves through rhododendron bushes which at the right time of year make it look like agusta.
pace of play was good.
the back nine was on the lakes and probably my only gripe about the couse was on the tenth tee, groups were coming off their 9th and then deciding which course they would go to and backing up a little, it really needs a starter here or the pro shop telling players what course to play to keep the pace of play going. i ended up behind a two ball which i waited on every shot for and on every tee with (no offer to join or go through)
that aside the lakes couse is well laid out and maintained, again this course is not a long course, all in all well worth a visit id happily go back, it was well worth the green fee

my first time visiting the course, The couse was really easy to get to although getting to the carpark is like running the gauntlet as you cross the 10th fairway and then run parallel with the 18th.
receotion staff really friendly and welcoming.
mens locker room and toilets well maimtained. The bar busy.
practice facilities, two nets which personally i avoid.
The practice putting green is in great condition however does not reflect what you get on the course.
The course was in great condition with evidence of course maintenance in progress and recent drainage works good to see.
The holes are not particularly long. i found i hit the driver only once, what it lacks in length it punishes with tight tree lined fairways that twist and turn.
The greens DO NOT expect to find a flat putt the greens are tough.
to sum it up excellent value for money and a good test of golf

It's had been over 16 years since my last visit to slayley hall and the hunting course, the course was exactly as I remembered it.
The area had suffered with rain on the lead up to my visit, this was seen in every bunker as sand had been washed away revealing stones and imo the bunkers should all have been gur.
The green keeper were hard at work hollow Tyning the greens but as the greens were wet this left terrible tyre marks across most greens, a nightmare to put across but work that must be done.
The pace of play was really slow for the first 13 holes as we were stuck behind a Five ball that made us wait on every shot, once we went through the pace was great.
Food, we're to start, we ordered two bacon and coffees prior to the round however the barman took for 1 bacon and didn't tell us until half an hour later when one sandwich arrived, then very apologetic he offered to get another but we couldn't wait another half hour as we were due to tee off.
The half way house had not had a delivery of food and the coffee machine was broken
It sounds so negative but I really like the course and have played many q hotel courses this isn't what I have had at others locations and not what I remember of the old de'vere days.
I will go back and hopefully all will be good