ArnoldArmChewer
Tour Winner
I played in a charity event yesterday at Ashridge GC, having played it around 10 years ago I was looking forward to the return visit, it didn't disappoint. Set in a forest, the club is approached via a long drive that offers glimpses of the course and the challenges to come. After parking the car and walking to the clubhouse which is modern and possibly not warmly welcoming on first appearance your perception is changed whilst having a coffee in the 1st floor lounge, this offers wonderful views of the course and the forest and if your lucky the many deer which roam the course.
The course seems to radiate away from the clubhouse in all compass directions so you know that you will have to be aware of changing wind conditions throughout the round, yesterday was a stiff 20mph breeze and it certainly made its presence felt from the off, whilst in the trees dont be fooled into thinking the wind has died down it probably hasn't.
The 1st hole goes away from the clubhouse at right angles and offers a fairly friendly introduction, thereafter you will be treated to constantly changing holes with slight doglegs, elevation changes, well placed bunkers, deep rough and forest lined fairways with large oaks seemingly everywhere. The 9th hole is a blind drive into a valley which leaves a short pitch to a raised sloping green which is better not missed on the left, the challenges continue thro' to the 18th which will provide you with a long 2nd shot steeply downhill to a well guarded two tier green.
The course was presented in fantastic condition with lush fairways, well maintained bunkers, fast and well contoured greens, being above the hole is not recommended here. The captain said that the greens had been slowed up since the club champs, but were being made ready for a prestigious amateur comp soon, so my guess is they were running at about 11 on the flat. The fairways were a generous width in the main with the rough becoming ever deeper as the forest approached on either side, go in the wood at your peril it is however a poor shot that takes you there.
Playing off the whites was challenge enough for me, but black tees were available for the braver man.
After your game the clubhouse awaits with good changing facilities, a lovely bar where we watched a herd of deer grazing in the evening sun and high quality food on offer, what more could you need, a visit is highly recommended by AAC.
The course seems to radiate away from the clubhouse in all compass directions so you know that you will have to be aware of changing wind conditions throughout the round, yesterday was a stiff 20mph breeze and it certainly made its presence felt from the off, whilst in the trees dont be fooled into thinking the wind has died down it probably hasn't.
The 1st hole goes away from the clubhouse at right angles and offers a fairly friendly introduction, thereafter you will be treated to constantly changing holes with slight doglegs, elevation changes, well placed bunkers, deep rough and forest lined fairways with large oaks seemingly everywhere. The 9th hole is a blind drive into a valley which leaves a short pitch to a raised sloping green which is better not missed on the left, the challenges continue thro' to the 18th which will provide you with a long 2nd shot steeply downhill to a well guarded two tier green.
The course was presented in fantastic condition with lush fairways, well maintained bunkers, fast and well contoured greens, being above the hole is not recommended here. The captain said that the greens had been slowed up since the club champs, but were being made ready for a prestigious amateur comp soon, so my guess is they were running at about 11 on the flat. The fairways were a generous width in the main with the rough becoming ever deeper as the forest approached on either side, go in the wood at your peril it is however a poor shot that takes you there.
Playing off the whites was challenge enough for me, but black tees were available for the braver man.
After your game the clubhouse awaits with good changing facilities, a lovely bar where we watched a herd of deer grazing in the evening sun and high quality food on offer, what more could you need, a visit is highly recommended by AAC.
The do add something to the definition of greens!
