Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Donnington Grove Country Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

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Stephen Parker (Scotland) 16/09/07

Played on a midweek golf break 12 - 13 September, which can only be regarded as excellent value for money.

My overall impressions of the set-up are broadly in agreement with Mr Smith's below....excellent course, but could do with better sign-posting and hotel is a little tired and shabby.

I think our rounds took somewhere just over 4 hours to complete, but given the lovely weather and the setting, that was no hardship. Whatever delays encountered were pretty temporary, as slower groups readily allowed following players to play through as soon as practicable. What I did note was the usual plethera of buggy-driving groups intent on spoiling this wonderful game for everyone else, by combining their own version of Formula 1 with Tiger Woods Golf and charging around the course as quickly as possible.

The service in the hotel was excellent and the food far better than average. Contrary to what has been said elsewhere, we found the staff in the pro-shop to be genuinely helpful.

I look forward to returning when the improvements works have been completed.

Value for Money	9
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Nev Smith (England) 12/09/07

I'll start with the good. This is an excellent course, with lovely fairways and some very good holes. My favourite was probably the 14th, which had gorgeous views from the tee of the hotel and the castle, but there were lots to choose from.

I wasn't totally convinced that the greens were that good, but maybe they'd have looked better with a cut so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

The bad comes in the time it took to go round. 4 and a half hours and a long wait at every tee. This really isn't a course for anyone that strays from the fairways, and if you can't hit it a long way then don't expect many pars either. I'm sure I didn't see many pars in the group in front when I played.

I don't know why courses like this don't have a varity of shorter tees like courses in the US. That way players can play handicap suitable tees rather than have to play off the yellows or whites, when even the yellows here will have you looking at a course of almost 6600 yards in length.

The ugly was the condition of the inside of the hotel. I'm guessing it's being refurbished at the moment, but with the power cut when we were there it was hard to tell. The temporary changing rooms were in darkness, and from what I could see that was probably a plus.

One small point, and maybe it's being a bit picky here, but the tills were out of operation in the bar so you had to have the right money if you wanted a drink. Only being able to find £1.70 or £1.90 for a £1.80 drink, they made my playing partner pay the £1.90. I know it's only 10p, but wouldn't it have been better to have just let it go and charge him the lesser amount? Okay, okay, so I'm being picky...

Overall I'd say it's a course for better players only, and if you've any doubts about your game then go elsewhere. I know I will in future.

Value for Money	6
Challenge	10
Off Course	3

Eric Browett (England) 19/06/07

Great course, very challenging, excellent greens BUT ....4 1/2 hours to play 13 holes on a Saturday afternoon. Course marshall told us there were 17 society fourballs in front of us!! We walked in - couldn't stand the hanging round any longer.

We were on a golfbreak and the hotel looks stunning but is a bit shabby. Evening meal was good but breakfast was a disgrace; cold reheated food from what looked like 3 days ago!

Pity because there is great potential there.

Value for Money	3
Challenge	9
Off Course	3

Phil Knott (England) 07/04/07

Driving down a quiet residential road on the outskirts of Newbury you could be forgiven for thinking you might end up disappointed by your visit to Donnington Grove, that is until you turn into the entrance. Whilst stunning would probably be too dramatic, the site that greets you is certainly very pleasing on the eye. This course smacks of quality.

The meandering driveway takes you to the hotel and splendid views over parts of the course, the river and incredibly spacious practice area.

Finding the Pro shop to pay our green fees was a minor challenge (signage isn’t in abundance at Donnington Grove!) and once we did, the reception was slightly above average (what is it about people if Pro shops you always seem so disinterested??).

Making our way to the first green we were more than pleasantly surprised by what greeted us. Broad sweeping fairways, slightly funnelled as you would expect of a course of this standard and immaculately maintained.

As has been mentioned by others, the course is definitely a course of two halves, maybe even thirds. The first runs alongside the 9th then you cross the A34 (by footbridge) to the 2nd – 8th before re-crossing back to the 9th. The 2nd through 8th are spectacular, challenging holes every one. Quite hilly and not for the faint-hearted with all the holes, even the par 3’s fairly long. Great fairways, even better greens, nice touches like seats on some tees, shrubs and a general air of quality combined with spectacular views over West Berkshire make this a real treat. Even the rough and wooded areas are well manicured. So much so (and this is rich coming from someone of my standard) you would have to be pretty bad to lose a ball here!

Leaving the 8th takes you back across the A34 and a long trek through the woods to the 9th tee.

After the 9th you have an even longer walk to the 10th. Probably my only criticism of Donnington Grove is the distinct lack of signage to the 10th, although the path through the woods over narrow bridges spanning crystal clear streams is a joy in itself.

The 10th – 18th are in equally good condition but a little disappointing after the first eight. Ordinarily these would be really good holes but as you are somewhat spoilt by the first eight they are a bit of an anti-climax even if there are some great views of Donnington Castle to be had.

Overall a pretty faultless course that comes totally recommended. Add it to your ‘must play’ list, you won’t be disappointed.

Phil

PS As we enjoyed a ‘trial membership’ at a ridiculously low rate the visit was even more exceptional!

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	7

Ian Thomas (England) 12/07/06

An excellent, long, well maintained parkland course. Be warned there are long walks between some of the holes, particularly across the A34 (by bridge) from 8 to 9 and then past the club house from 9 to 10. Buggies are available for hire, but they have to stay on the paths, which can be inconvenient. Also be warned they operate a strict soft spike only policy. If you are into length the 10th is a mere 600yd+, with inconveniently located mature trees; I can't think of any hole that doesn't represent an interesting golf challenge. Magnificent value on a 241.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	5

Chezza Jones (England) 13/06/06

I find it strange that having lived and played on most courses in this area that i have never found the time to venture down to this course. My regular playing partner made the journey first and came back more than pleased so we arranged a 4 ball for what turned out to be a stunning june day. I'm glad i did and cross with myself for not playing here sooner. It accepts 2-4-1 vouchers and is one of the best i have played using the scheme. Its set in a private estate just outside newbury and is kept is stunning condition ( it was the 1st course i have played this year with no pitch marks in the green) and from the looks of it is not to busy. Yes the A34 runs right through it and yes there are some huge walks between holes 1 - 2, 9 - 10 and back to the clubhouse but it really is worth all the hassle. Dave Thomas has laid out a tough little course here that really does make u think off the tee. my one niggle is i feel the par 3's just let it down, the 15th is a solid par 3 but none take advantage of the settling to create a hole with character. As i've said this course is well thought out and has a good mix of holes. the two nines complement each other well and the view of the castle when playing the back nine provides the course with a perhaps deserved back drop. If your in the area i would say this was a must play course. but take a 2-4-1 voucher so u can put the saving back into a buggy.

Value for Money	10
Challenge	9
Off Course	9