The Grove, Hertfordshire

[RW1986]

Just out of curiosity for those who have experienced The Grove before, what do you think would be a reasonable green fee for the golf club.

It is currently £285 for someone not staying at the hotel.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

It’s a ok course and would put it around £100 which puts it in the same ball park as the likes of Ashridge and Berkhampsted and both are better courses

 

[Bratty]

One of the worst hotels I've stayed at, so don't bother to get a discounted rate!
I'd probably pay £120, same as my place for a visitor, as it's worth playing once, but no way in hell is it worth £285.

 

[IanM]

Every time I've played there (never stayed) I've enjoyed the day. I only ever paid once, not long after it opened. Can't remember the price.

I did a Mistery Shopper visit for an agency before covid, and was asked to have breakfast before and lunch after and Coffee & cake in the halfway house. I think the spend for two people would have got us a week's golf in Portugal!

I spent more than Grove's current price playing Kingsbarns. Same Sunningdale. Came away with a smile on my face. At the Grove I felt fleeced.

 

[Deleted member 30853]

Personally wouldn't pay more than £50 for any parkland course. I am tight though..

 

[Burnsey]

Play it a few times a year on corporate days and enjoy it. Stayed once and wouldn't again.

Too snooty, but with no snooty attributes.

It's a £120 per round course for me.

 

[OldMate]

I’ve played it about 6-8 times since Covid always at the winter or twilight rates, so probably generally paid between about £90-130 per round.

I think it is reasonable at those prices and has a few positives - the course holds up relatively well in winter/rainy periods which is mostly why I’ve played it. I’ve found it remains playable enough at times when the parkland courses I usually play in west/north London are closed/saturated.

It’s a decent enough course with a reasonable mix of easy and challenging holes off one of the middle tees and it probably only has about a handful of boring/nothing holes (which I think compares favourably to other courses in the same market eg The Inspiration).

Getting one of the first twilight times is often very slow behind a full field but gets finished before dark (they don’t seem to have much problem selling out the full priced tee times most of the year).

There is a clear market for it as one of the few ‘premium’ public access courses near London. There is a little bit of extra value at the prices I’ve paid by turning up an hour early to put in a range for free (with good quality balls) and loading up on the tees/couple of drinks handed out at the first tee.

 

[Orikoru]

I haven't played it but I don't think any course is worth more than £120 so I've voted there. Some of the prices out there are insane. We're playing the same game at the end of the day.

 

[chrisd]

£120 top wack. I've played it a few times and watched golf there many years back, (World golf just after the Ryder Cup ). It was in good nick, but nothing outstanding compared to, say Sunningdale or similar and imo I'd not pay more than £120 whereas I'd pay more, and have done so. for some other top courses

 

[pendodave]

Hertfordshire is not blessed with great golf courses, but I'd still not stump up that sort of money (or even £100 less) for The Grove.
In the summer, I'd probably go to Hadley Wood. In the winter, probably Sandy Lodge.
Tbh, I'd rather travel somewhere else for golf than spend a chunk of change in Herts. I live here though, so maybe I'm biased!

 

[sunshine]

Don’t understand why your poll only goes up to £285. It’s worth more than that surely?

I’ve played it a few times, though last time was pre-covid so not very recent. It makes the most of the land it’s built on, it’s always been in immaculate condition, especially the greens, drains well in winter. Hotel is nice, wife said the spa is excellent.

I’d agree with the consensus of £120, but prices everywhere are crazy now.

I hear that it’s in the conversation to host the Solheim cup, would be excellent for the competition to be played so close to London.

 

[IanM]

How is Centurion? I've got an invite there later this summer.

 

[sunshine]

How is Centurion? I've got an invite there later this summer.

Not played it yet (have an invite like you) but I live 20 minutes away and have walked the course during several tournaments there (Sixes, women’s tour).

General opinion is that it is a decent layout, good conditioning. The course is built in two fields separated by woodland. The first field with holes near the clubhouse are interesting, but when you get to the far end of the course the holes are very samey and not very interesting. Those holes are also close to the motorway.

People I know have compared it to the Oxfordshire, but I’ve not played there either.

You’ll have a good day out. Enjoy!

 

[DeanoMK]

Not played it yet (have an invite like you) but I live 20 minutes away and have walked the course during several tournaments there (Sixes, women’s tour).

General opinion is that it is a decent layout, good conditioning. The course is built in two fields separated by woodland. The first field with holes near the clubhouse are interesting, but when you get to the far end of the course the holes are very samey and not very interesting. Those holes are also close to the motorway.

People I know have compared it to the Oxfordshire, but I’ve not played there either.

You’ll have a good day out. Enjoy!

I'm playing Centurion this week, will be my first time there, I'm looking forward to it and will report back.

Never played The Grove, no way I'd pay over £120 for it.

 

[RW1986]

Appreciate your replies guys. I said it should be max £120 with the service they provide etc. Thanks