The Marquess at Woburn

[Bratty]

Now THIS is a golf course!

Some really clever bunkering and subtle breaks on the greens, combined with wide-ish fairways and trees that still have space between them make this a good yet fair test of golf. The fairways were slightly damp in places, but on the whole, very good and the greens were fast and true.

Highlights are the par 5 2nd (big hig hitters can reach in two, but you need to be accurate!), the par 4 7th (the signature hole which is fantastic), the par 4 9th, the par 5 11th (lovely hole to walk down) and the par 3 14th (which I guarantee will play longer than you think).

One of the best, if not the best course I've played.

The clubhouse is having a £4million refurb, ready in May 2011, but it's not particularly an inconvenience. The staff are wonderful and very helpful, and the course marshalls have a great sense of humour.

We were even allowed to finish our day by playing a couple of holes of the Duchess before it got dark (we managed 6 in 40 minutes) and it's tight, tight, tight! The first is a stunning hole, with a wonderful approach shot - one of the finest holes I've played.

 

[JustOne]

What kind of score could someone of your h/cap expect to shoot round there Bratty?

 

[Smiffy]

What kind of score could someone of your h/cap expect to shoot round there Bratty?

What have you heard????

 

[Bratty]

What kind of score could someone of your h/cap expect to shoot round there Bratty?

What have you heard????

I should have known you two would be chipping in!!!

It was four ball better ball, and with 3/4 handicaps of 12 (me) and 6, we got 38 points. Would have finished 4th had I par'd the 2nd (our finishing hole). However:
Hit a huge drive and then a big raking 3 wood to finish 5 yards from the pin! But in the light rough with a pot bunker in front of me and the flag some 5 foot above it. And of course, I duffed my lobshot onto the slope, back into the bunker, took two to get out and two putted. For a 7 and 1 point.!

As it was better ball, I didn't score every hole, but working back I shot 93 gross (5 over). That was two or three putting almost every green from between 40 foot and 7 foot.

 

[JustOne]

As it was better ball, I didn't score every hole, but working back I shot 93 gross

That's good scoring for someone of your height

 

[Bratty]

Highlights are the par 5 2nd (big hig hitters can reach in two, but you need to be accurate!)

Which of course puts you out of the running, mate!

 

[RGDave]

I'm intrigued. Bratty, you've played there and so did hindmarshsl. Not the same day?
Not the same comp either?
hindmarshsl was in a junior open comp. He found it very hard by the sounds of things.

 

[Bratty]

RGDave,

I played yesterday in the Pairs Open (mixed adult), but they host Mens, Ladies, Seniors, Mixed and Junior Opens throughout the year.

Believe next year is April, August and October, with the August one being a whole week of the above comps.

The Duchess course is really narrow and requires accuracy, whereas the Marquess is long, even off the yellows, and the greens are more tricky. Didn't get to see the Duke, so can't comment. Not sure which course Hindmarshsl was playing.

 

[Robobum]

Nice write up.

I think the Marquess is (in relation) the worst of the 3 courses at Woburn. It sits perfectly for big tournaments with spectators, TV etc. I thought it was a bit wide open and just asked you to blast it and go find then blast it again.

If you liked what you saw of The Duchess, you will love The Dukes too. I love those two courses, although playing the second one of them on the same day is pretty difficult after the wonderful carvery lunch they serve up there!!!

 

[Smiffy]

If you liked what you saw of The Duchess, you will love The Dukes too. I love those two courses, although playing the second one of them on the same day is pretty difficult after the wonderful carvery lunch they serve up there!!!

I agree.
A group of us went up there a few years ago, played the Duchess is the morning and the Dukes in the afternoon. The £70.00 fee included a carvery lunch and no amount of begging would see them allowing us to eat after the two rounds, we had to have our food between them. Had to put collar and tie on to venture into the dining room (don't normally mind this in the evenings, but when you've only got 45 minutes between rounds it eats up a surprising amount of time having to change).
Just managed to get to the tee on time in the afternoon and spent the first 6 or 7 holes trying to get the other cylinder to kick in. One of our guys was actually sick on the course after suffering severe indigestion trying to pack his roast dinner and strawberries and cream away in such a short space of time. Fair put me off my putting stroke hearing him honking up in the bushes...
But lovely courses and I just missed out on entering this competition this year. I will be looking for it to appear on the Woburn website again for 2011 and will definitely be entering.

 

[viscount17]

They don't do a bad breakfast either; huge full english - all you can carry back to your table, and a good buffet lunch afterward.
Played in a four-ball comp there back in August (Dukes). Big field, half playing the Dukes, half the Marquess - best team score of the day (3/4 Stableford - three to count) was 87.
Have to honest, for me the Dukes seemed a bit repetitive - a couple of times one or the other of us was asking 'haven't we played this one?' - the shotgun start was confusing.