Minchinhampton Golf Club

When our own course is closed we always go to Minchinhampton, which apparently takes more green fees in the winter than the summer. It sits high in the Cotswolds and has unbelievable drainage. Even in the worst weather, I don’t think I’ve seen a puddle. It’s the home of the Avening and the Cherington layouts – the latter is used as an Open qualifier and probably just has the edge. The star hole is the Cherington’s par-3 10th. It is only about 150 yards, but it is devilishly difficult with a green with more tiers than Paul Gascoigne.

Minchinhampton Golf Club, which was founded in 1889, comprises three golf courses, each of quite different character. The Old Golf Course, on Minchinhampton Common, provides a good test, with some particularly excellent par 3s, and is situated on common land between Stroud and Minchinhampton. The Old Golf Course offers traditional golf with a newly refurbished modern clubhouse, and is run separately from the new golf courses.

The two new golf courses, Avening and Cherington, are situated to the east of Minchinhampton, on the road to Avening and provide testing golf, be it on the Avening Golf Course with its park land style, or on the Cherington which has more of a links feel about it. Here, one golf course is designated as a two-ball golf course and the other a three/four ball golf course on any particular day. This way, golf proceeds apace with little hold up or need for 'calling through'.

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

• 3 out of 5 Cotswolds 17 May 2008

  By gslack

  A nice course with fab views on a clear day. Tees and greens could have been nicer but we did have a rather cold and wet April this year. Played here f.o.c. (home course hosting competition) which sweetened the experience. I wouldn't 'rush' back to this course but had a pleasant day.

• 4.5 out of 5 minchinhampton new 22 January 2008

  By Josh Reed

  Minchinhampton new course offers 36 holes of excuisite golf.The avening course (the older of the 2) is a mature parkland with water and some extremely well placed bunkers.The cherington course is a "inland links" with quick undulating greens and thick waist high rough punishes any wayward shot. The cherington course holds the regional open qualifier so you'll be guarenteed a challenge.

• 3.5 out of 5 Lovely course, shame about the members 10 August 2007

  By BigSlice

  A stunning course with great facilities and a pleasure to play. Difficult to book a tee time because the pro-shop is understaffed and the alternate number on the website only leads to a club secretary who is far too important to be bothered by the trifling matter of helping you book a tee time. A higher than normal percentage of members also appear to think that membership excuses them from the usual niceties such as waiting in a queue to speak to the overworked pro (who is actually a really nice person, just run off his feet). The course is good enough to overcome these problems and is lovely to play. It rewards the good golfer whilst not overly punishing the odd wayward shot for the higher handicapper. Just a shame it takes the first couple of holes to get the bitter taste of meeting the members/dealing with the club secretary out of your mouth. All in all, two courses that could really give you an exceptional experience save for the lack of common courtesy displayed by some.