Abridge Golf Club

Good experience to play this course. Greens not brilliant but it is autumn \ winter after all. Wide fairways and plenty of hills to keep it interesting. Probably suits big hitters best but enjoyable for all.

Simply an outstanding course in my opinion, in fantastic condition albeit a wet day. Is it worth £40? I'd have to say yes, can't wait to play it again.

Abridge is a beautifully scenic parkland course in the Essex countryside. Built in 1962, designed by Henry Cotton. The course has hosted major amateur golf tournaments, including the South East Regional Open Qualifier.

There are three mens tees in use, ie white, blue and yellow. We played from the yellows.

The course is a standard par 72 layout, 6,188 yards from the yellow tees.

The course is in magnificent condition, there are significant elevation changes, the course is tree lined and doglegs to be negotiated. The par 3s are a challenge. Greens were undulating and tricky as were the fairway and greenside bunkers.

Midweek visitor green fees are £35 and £25 as a members guest. I played the course in March 2017, under the Epping Bandits, as organised by David Jacobs, and a green fee of only £20 was paid. Excellent VFM for such a high quality course.

Hospitality at the clubhouse was excellent as was the welcome by members. Culturally the club and its membership historically follows the Jewish faith so their catering fare is tailored accordingly.

This is a touch challenging course which I highly recommend.

First time I have played this course and its the worst score I think have ever carded - however I really enjoyed the experience because the course is immaculately kept and the tees and greens are fantastic.
I found this a very tight course and course management is paramount - i'm beginning to learn this.
Look forward to playing here again although a bit pricey at £30 a pop

The course is really well presented. Superb fairways and decent greens - not the fastest but very true.

The practice facilities include a terrific grass range, something I haven't seen very often.

However there is a downside: the course is haunted by the ghost of somebody who really has it in for me. I've played here twice and am yet to break 100.

I was told that the fairways here were good. They weren't just good, they were probably the best fairways I've ever been on. Well, when I found the fairways anyway... The tees and greens were likewise in excellent condition.

The terrain is generally very undulating, and I'm not sure that there are many holes which you'd describe as flat. The fairways are generally fairly generous, but there are a few which tighten up a little. I don't remember a lot of holes where you could see the flag from the tee, so be prepared for a fair number of doglegs.

What you won't get are any bad holes. I'm pretty safe in saying that you will enjoy playing here, from the warm welcome you receive in the pro shop, to the final putt at the 18th, this is just an awesome place to play golf.

The course is always kept in perfect condition and its a challenging course!

I haven't marked the course as well as I could have, but this was a member of staff was quite stroppy with us re the teas etc, and I didn't go anywhere near any of the practice areas so I cannot comment on them. Despite being very wet, and parts of the fairways roped off to stop trolleys, I thought the course played rather well. Scenery was good, and I thought quite a well laid out course. After the previous 3 weeks playing on v slow greens, playing on good greens with a reasonable pace caused some putting problems. Hit the ball straight and you can score well here, but go off line and it will chew you up and spit you out

The Organiser of our game which took place on the 2nd Aug 2013, John A. told me I would like Abridge and John was right!

The iron gated entry to Abridge Gold & Country Club gives the impression of a beautiful, well cared for golf course and you feel you wont be disappointed. It is greener than green everywhere you look...

The course is nearly 50 years old, originally designed by Henri Cotton, with with some changes over the years to provide a Championship pre-qualifying course. A small road takes you past the large open air driving range on the left and putting/chipping area on the right, and takes you to a large car park with multiple sections. Clubhouse/Proshop/1st Tee are well sign posted. Nice display of colourful flowers/shrubs before the entrance to the Proshop & by the sun terraces.

The golf course offer expansive lush green fairways (how can one miss them with their drives ?), the greens are immaculate carpets with tantalizing undulations and some tiers. True, fast but a real pleasure to deal with. Lots of bunkers which I found a lot of times, some had standing water unfortunately, but playable none-the-less. There are some various inclines are we are in a valley, giving you a chance to play those uphill or downhill lies depending whether you are a lefty or not, side lies etc.

The views are splendid, the 4th hole offers the best panorama of the surrounding Essex countryside and today after a storm a few hours before our game everything looked so fresh and vibrant. The M25 is in the vicinity but one can only hear some road noise by the 11th & 12th holes. The rest is peaceful. Will mention a small (private?) airfield by the 13th.

Lots of walking on well defined paths, good signage too, pretty plant displays at each hole, with ball washer, towels, sand/seeds to repair divots and some water dispensers along the way as well.

Tee boxes were raised on a lot of holes, so were the greens, the reason of this design is to keep water away from these areas. Lots of irrigation work has been done on the fairways to keep the bottom of the valley dry. Trees are well established and varied, they provide curtains either side of the fairways or a lovely backdrop for the raised greens.Some lovely water holes (2nd, 3rd, 5th and 14th), some ditches on the 7th, 13th, 14th & 16th.

My favourite hole(will only describe one this time):

HOLE 14th (Par 5 from the Red 418 yrds):

Raised tee, wide fairways sloping downhill & narrowing to a wide pond, concealed green from the tee. The raised green can only be seen from some 150yrds or so and slopes front and back. Wonderful views as you look back to the tee. That applies to most holes as well, so take time to look around & enjoy the scenery, the invigorating "Green" colours all around.

The course offers opportunities for every golfer, good scores can be add on this challenging not overly long Championship golf course. Small but well equipped Visitors changing rooms (Members have their own). Nice, well stock Proshop with a friendly service but no Ladies clothing on offer.

Bar/Clubhouse has reasonable prices, friendly staff, large sunny terrace on two sides, the biggest one is by the immaculate putting/chipping areas well defined by laurel bushes. I nearly did my practice putts & sand on the 18th green at first as I did not see the area hidden by the bushes. Oops, I would have been barred for life !!!!

Today, we had an extremely good deal arranged by our handsome & wonderful TSG ambassador, John A. who unfortunately could not join due to back injury but John walked the 1st 4 holes with us. It only cost £20 and that is such a bargain. I believe everyone that played today will want to return, I do as I want to show I can score better on a course that suits my style of golf.

If you get a chance to join a future game at Abridge, do make sure you put your name down as it will be a very memorable experience in a beautiful environment.

Thanks again to John A. for providing such a deal for TSG


THE END....

Signed by "Miss Lockwood"

Superb,magnificent,fantastic.OK if you want more! Nine of us played on a Friday cost was £20.As you enter the course the range is on the left,there were a number of buckets full of balls to hit free of charge. The practice putting greens were exactly the same as on the course,there is also a chipping area.The condition of the fairways and greens were the best I have ever played on and that includes the Grove.If you can get a decent deal you must play this course.

This course is one of the best I’ve played in Essex. Mature tree line parkland course with undulating fairways with firm, fast & true greens in superb condition & bunkers, with some super 'driving' holes.
Your course management will have to be at its best as there are plenty of doglegs right & left.
You also have to take an extra club when approaching the greens as many are elevated, too short and you have an awkward pitch shot too long and the same.
£40 during the week it makes it a bit pricey but if you’re a 4-ball you only pay for 3 a better deal.
You have to play this course at least once you won’t regret it....
Club house & pro shop had friendly staff, with practise chipping, putting green, driving range.
Sort of course I definitely be a member.

Have played it many times. A quality course. Quite long and tricky off the back slabs a good test. Greens not as fast as usual which are generally fast.A few fairways having some drainage work, but you will certainly enjoy a round here

Lovely course and in excellent condition for this time of year. Greens were particularly good. Played on a society day and so green fee was cheaper than normal so that made it all the more enjoyable.

Have played matches and society days here.
Very nice views with good facilities to compliment.
Course is tight in general and a good test.