Sandford Springs Golf Club Lakes/Wood Course

There are three loops of nine – Woods, Lakes and Park, all with different characters. Woods and Lakes make the best 18. Excellent bunkering, a beautiful rolling location with great views, and a terrific atmosphere.

With its mature trees creating a natural challenge this golf course is aptly named The Wood and arguably the toughest of the clubs three nines. The signature hole is the 11th, a testing dogleg left. Your tee shot falls into a chasm in front of you, with the second shot requiring an accurate pitch over water. Steady nerves required, but an enjoyable hole.

Sandford Springs is situated in a particularly beautiful part of Hampshire, made famous by Watership Down, between the historic towns of Newbury and Basingstoke. With rolling hills and stunning views, the 27-hole golf course is really something special.

Designed by Hawtree and Son, The Lakes, The Park and The Wood are three very different nines. There is something for everyone at Sandford Springs.

• 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 has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 3 out of 5 sandford springs 14 September 2008

  By joe jarlow

  During a 2 week holiday in Newbury, Berkshire (August 2008), I decided to play some local golf courses in the area. Having managed to get my handicap down to 16 in recent months (living and playing in Malaysia) I though playing some new courses in the UK would give me a challenge and test my new handicap. With loads of resources on the Internet on golf courses in the UK it was not hard to find a number of courses within 30 minutes drive of my accommodaton. I ended up playing 8 rounds of golf on 4 courses during the two weeks and managed to pick almost rain free days. I played Sandford Springs (South of Newbury,25mins), Newbury Race Course (East,10mins), Donnington Valley (North,15mins), and Newbury and Crockham (SouthEast,15mins). I visited another course, Donnington Grove, having been highly recommended on the Internet (best in area), however the reception I got was less than inviting. The Pro shop staff were not very encouraging towards a non member and as a result I decided not to play the course. I arrived at each of the courses very early in the morning on weekdays (7.30am) and managed to Tee off easily by 8.00am. Donnington Valley staff were very friendly (particularly the staff opening the bar early) and were neven happy for me to Tee off and pay when I completed the round. Sandford Springs (27 holes): Well kept, nice course, beautiful woods and countryside, friendly staff, some really challanging holes. A bit costly (35GBP) so on a scale of value for money I would choose Donnington Valley and Newbury & Croockham instead. Donnington Valley: A relatively easy front nine apart from a long par 4 6th. Although the short downhill par 4 280yard 10th. is easy, the next 8 holes on the back nine are all very tight, hilly, and wayward tee shots are punished severely. Very friendly staff and well priced at 18GBP. Newbury Race Course: Open and a bit boring just up and down parallel holes. Little or no trees and a straightforward course. The last 6 holes have been squeezed in a bit. However, if windy the course becomes a bit trickier, the and tee shots will suffer if not accurate. Having said that, wayward tee shots just end up on the parallel fairway. Pleasant staff and very cheap (11GBP). Newbury & Crockham – Beautiful picturesque countryside and forested course, tricky couple of par 5’s. Shortish on the back nine. Peasant staff, nice members that I spoke to, and reasonably priced at 25GBP. Difficult to get in to the clubhouse for a drink afterwards due to automatically locking doors requiring members keycard entry only, annoying. Friendliness: SS = 6, DV = 9, NRC = 7, N&C = 7. Picturesque: SS = 8, DV = 7, NRC = 4, N&C = 7. Value for money: SS = 5, DV = 9, NRC = 7, N&C = 8. Overall: SS = 19, DV = 25, NRC = 18, N&C = 22. Overall (0-5): SS = 3 (3.2), DV = 4 (4.2), NRC = (3) 3, N&C = 4 (3.7) Order of play if I visited again: Newbury & Crockham, Donnington Valley, Sandford Springs, Newbury Race Course.

• Not yet rated Poor drainage ruins a nice layout 12 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  Played here a while ago when looking to move to a new course after deciding to leave Donnington Valley (which is definitely not worth the 5 stars it gets here - poor greens.) Nice layout, nice clubhouse but the course was extraordinarily muddy. Yes it was winter but the course I am currently a member of (Donnington Grove) was in much better condition. Not a patch on Donnington Grove...