The Essex Golf & Country Club

The Essex Golf & Country Club is a well-conditioned, US-style golf course with plenty of bunkers and water, plus excellent facilities. Having said that, it’s a classic example of a golf course built on a piece of land that isn’t great for golf – very flat and not many mature trees around. You’ll bow out in a blaze of glory – or otherwise – at the superb risk/reward par 5 18th.

The Essex Golf & Country Club has a typical modern golf course boasting four par 3s, nine par 4s, five par 5s, 14 lakes and strategically-placed bunkering to guarantee a spectacular beginning and finale to the round with plenty of interest in-between.

All of these hazards force you to think carefully about your shots and the course makes your prioritise accuracy over power.

The course has excellent drainage, benefitting from a fully-computerised irrigation system and, as a result, it's open virtually every day of the year.

With all the technology on show here, you might expect to see it reflected in the price, but green fees are very reasonable for a course of this quality.

Accommodation: There are 42 bedrooms on site as well as excellent leisure facilities including swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, beauty salon and spa.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Exellent test of golf and superb value for money!! 09 September 2011

  By woodbridgemonk

  Played here as part of a big golf day for charity...no fewer than 70odd blokes in roughly 18 fourballs. We were treated to coffee and bacon rolls on arrival before using the various practice facilities on offer, then we proceeded to start our round from the 10th tee. What immediately hits you is the condition of the fairways and greens and how well manicured they are also, so not only asthetically pleasing but also to play on. No 2 holes are the same with many doglegs and alot of hidden hazards, especially the water, which if not careful will catch you out on many a hole where lakes often run alongside the fairway. The greens are not particularly big so you have to be very precise with your approach shot in, they are also lightening quick, probably the quickest i have played on in many of the courses in essex and suffolk. All in all a great test of golf for all abilities and very pleasing on the eye which is also an added bonus, the facilities are great and the staff couldn't be more helpful or friendly...can't wait to come back!  

• 3.5 out of 5 Flat but nice 13 February 2010

  By Rick-Faldo

  This is a nice course with very good facilities. The course is quite flat but interesting due to the various water features dotted around the course. You'd so well not to put one ball in the drink! It has some challenging greens, some like the 11th with a step in it that's chest high, which makes for a awkward putt of you leave your ball on the wrong level from the tee shot. Overall a nice course, with nice facilities and good value for money. You might even spot the odd pheasant walking the greens, plus if you're really posh you could fly in and land on the small airstrip at the back of the course!

• 4 out of 5 My 2nd Course 30 January 2008

  By savmick

  Play this course fairly regularly as it's part of my home club group and close to home. Course still in good condition throughout winter. Quite a long course on the card but doesn't feel too long to play. Fairly flat course and plenty of bunkers & water. Modern changing rooms and clubhouse with terrace overlooking the 9th & 18th. Very enjoyable place to play. Par 5 18th is an achievable par and an attractive finishing hole.

• 3 out of 5 Mind the water 16 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  Good fun and not too hard... if you can hit it straight. I have gone round here well under my handicap but lost seven balls and blown out the next. Good nick and good facilities....

• 3.5 out of 5 Ady Carter 25 January 2007

  By Testaccount7

  Good place to play. not too hard