Sonning Golf Club

A private members' club with a lovely atmosphere, a nice feel despite the "white socks" rule for Men wearing golf shorts., well one would not play cricket with coloured socks !

A very mature parkland course designed by the famous JH Taylor / Harry Colt, a great challenge with lots of Par 4s & Par 3s, only 2 Par 5s from White/Yellow tees.
Immaculate Tee boxes, lush irrigated fairways & fringes, excellent Greens with subtle undulations (Kenny MacD., our host was very helpful with guidance & I must say always right), lots & lots of bunkers with soft medium grade sand, some very wide but all doing the job they are supposed to do to make your game interesting.

The back 9 is more challenging, prettier too, one gets away from the mainline train track running along a few holes at the start of play.

I would say the 17th Par 3 is the signature hole but it could the lovely 18th Par 5 finishing with a slight links feel by the Green, due little mounds and wispy long grass Great finishing hole near the Proshop and Clubhouse. I believe there is an open air Driving range alongisde the 18th. there are a few dogleg holes with blind shots, hidden & wide bunkers, again Kenny was very helpful with his advice.

The Cluhouse is very traditional & pleasant, a couple of bars, meeting rooms, a billiard room upstairs. A large outdoor seating area, with shade provided by a hug ancient tree (lime I think), with a circular wooden bench , & smart furniture on the large decking. As you enter the Club from the Visitors' car park via a coded gate you will see, on your left, the most beautiful lawn surrounded by white hydrangeas. Right opposite the entrance gate there is a Starter hut, which gives a nice feel (but the Starter maybe checking if you wear those white socks or not !!!!!!!), there is always the very friendly Proshop where one could purchase a pair. Clive, one of the Pro, was very welcoming, we had a long chat, regarding equipment and clothing. A nice selection was on display.

Friendly service in the Bar, the pre-round coffee was 1st class so was the price but one does not mind the cost if the quality is to be remembered.
We had a post round drink offered by Kenny. There is a very nice menu for food and Sunday Lunch etc.

The course is very peaceful as hardly any houses around apart from the beautiful idyllic cottage by the 11th Green, covered by rambling roses, but an empty Listed building, maybe waiting for Planning Permission for internal renovation or because of its dark past, a certain Ghost seems to live there (DJ will like that mention).

We saw & heard red kites which seem very popular in Berkshire or Bedfodshire. There was a water fountain by the 7th hole, always useful on those hot Summer days.

2 large Car parks, 1 for members, 1 for Visitors.

Practice Putting Green by the 12th & starter hut, but near the Proshop.

If you get a chance to play Sonning Golf course, take it, you wont regret it and Kenny MacD. offers a very good deal to TSGers: £20 only when a Visitor would pay £60 or £70 !!!!!

Thank you Kenny for a great day out on a new course (for me), great company, great atmosphere, your advice on Greens etc, was extremely useful. Hopefully I shall return soon.


THE END...
(Our game was played on 30.6.2022)

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