Macdonald Hill Valley

[ainley87simon]

Hello,

At the end of March I am going away to the above for a weekend of golf. On the Saturday we will be playing the long course (emerald?) and on the Sunday we will be playing the shorter par 66 (sapphire) course. Has anyone experience of these courses?

Cant see to find much information about them online, no scorecards, or course guides anywhere it would seem.

 

[Fyldewhite]

We went on a trip a few years ago. The hotel is fine, usual bar prices but only a short walk into Whitchurch and some decent pubs. The longer course is quite nice, was in good nick (we played late July). The other course was very short with a few "Mickey Mouse" holes but in decent nick and if you took it for what it was (short, pretty, a change from the norm etc) then it was fine. Not sure what the courses will be like so early in year but there again most places won't be top notch. See what you think!

 

[Doh]

We went on a trip a few years ago. The hotel is fine, usual bar prices but only a short walk into Whitchurch and some decent pubs. The longer course is quite nice, was in good nick (we played late July). The other course was very short with a few "Mickey Mouse" holes but in decent nick and if you took it for what it was (short, pretty, a change from the norm etc) then it was fine. Not sure what the courses will be like so early in year but there again most places won't be top notch. See what you think!

Played there last year in April only played the emerald course but stayed at the Hotel. I enjoyed the course and was recommended by someone to hire a buggy which we and did it certainly helped.
I am not really one for having a buggy but was glad to on this occasion.
I remember there were one or two blind tee shots as well so found myself taking a short walk forward to get a line.
Good Pro shop as far as I remember and the hotel was fine.

 

[cookelad]

Head into Chester for the evening, it's a longer journey in but its a better night out!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Just had the weekend there

My views

The Emerald Course is a nice layout - a few too many blind tee shots but nice fairways. Greens though - awful , in fact they were shockingly bad and ruined the course.

Sapphire Course - Mickey Mouse it is with some nice tricky par threes and lots of hills - the greens were even worse but played it with a hangover and had a good laugh.

Would recommend playing the Emerald twice and forgetting the Sapphire.

The hotel was very nice , expensive in the main bar but 20% off in the Masters bar , food was nice , breakfast was a bit lacking . The golfers were shoved off into a side room when eating which we didn't like at all , the guys in the Pro Shop were pleasant but very little stock.

For the price we paid it was a good deal but wouldn't go back there again

 

[cookelad]

Just had the weekend there

My views

The Emerald Course is a nice layout - a few too many blind tee shots but nice fairways. Greens though - awful , in fact they were shockingly bad and ruined the course.

Sapphire Course - Mickey Mouse it is with some nice tricky par threes and lots of hills - the greens were even worse but played it with a hangover and had a good laugh.

Would recommend playing the Emerald twice and forgetting the Sapphire.

The hotel was very nice , expensive in the main bar but 20% off in the Masters bar , food was nice , breakfast was a bit lacking . The golfers were shoved off into a side room when eating which we didn't like at all , the guys in the Pro Shop were pleasant but very little stock.

For the price we paid it was a good deal but wouldn't go back there again

Used to love the Sapphire growing up, then they made some changes and it wasn't quite as good!

Really surprised that the greens are in bad nick, they used to be good "all year round", it was our go to course when ours was shut.

They also changed the clubhouse round a bit when they added the hotel on the side and reduced the size of the clubhouse and the quality of the food & drink within! MacDonald's? I'd prefer a McDonalds!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The evening meal was really nice and the sandwiches were nice - just very expensive.

Don't get me wrong - we had a very good time and a great nice , the bar staff joined in the late night drinking etc

But it's not a patch on Hawkstone Park for a weekend away at good value

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

Hello,

At the end of March I am going away to the above for a weekend of golf. On the Saturday we will be playing the long course (emerald?) and on the Sunday we will be playing the shorter par 66 (sapphire) course. Has anyone experience of these courses?

Cant see to find much information about them online, no scorecards, or course guides anywhere it would seem.

Whatever you do make sure that I am not staying there as MacDonald hotels and me don't mix well. About 4 years ago we had a weekend stay at Hill Valley. On the Saturday we nipped over to Hawkstone Park to play and that was fine. Due to play H V on the Sunday but awoke to find six inches of snow on the course and that was the middle of April. Game over.

This January we had a weekend stay booked at MacDonald Portal but halfway through the first round lightning forced us off the course. The hotel also lost power so all the guests were sent home.

Looks like it's De Vere and Marriott from now on.