Lavender Park – Ascot, Berks

Name – Lavender Park

Location – Ascot , Berkshire

Price £6.50 (Weekdays) £7.70 (Weekends)  for 9 holes

Type of course – Parkland, par 3 course

Synopsis

Ascot is surrounded by some lovely but also very exclusive golf courses. Sunningdale, Wentworth, Mill Ride and Swinley Forest are all within 5 miles however you must be either a highly competent player or have plenty of money. Lavender Park offers a polite, well kept alternative suitable for beginners and lower handicappers alike. The club is friendly, not pompous and aside from the first hole (a short par four) offers a range of short holes ranging from 70 – 140 yards.

Clubhouse

The bar area is large with plenty of seating inside and outside on the patio. There is a driving range, small putting green and a practice area regularly used by the professional during his lessons, which are also available.  In addition there is a snooker hall housing around 10 tables should you wish to continue the sporting activity or the weather is poor.

The Course

In all honesty this course is not too tricky, it is designed to test your wedge play and approach shots alongside providing a nice and not too difficult setting for a beginner. The course always looks in good condition and the greens are well maintained and fair.

The main advice needed is on holes 1 and 6. Hole 1 is a drivable par 4 with a tree in the middle of the fairway at about 180 yards. Try to roll on past the treeiand an easy par or birdie is possible. There is little forgiveness left with a large pond and anything right is on the driving range! Be prepared for a 3 off the tee. To be fair if you go right after about 100 yards it opens out but any big slices will be punished. The 6th backs onto the same pond as the 1st don’t hit your tee shot too long or it will be straight in there off the sloping bank off the  back of the green.

There is no dress code specifically, I have been round in shorts , t-shirt and flip flops on many occasions

One reservation is there are no tee times, this can lead to large queues on the first tee when the weather is nice, but with a nice clubhouse and driving range to kill time it isn’t too much of a trouble. Although it isn’t a hard or long course don’t play in a rush! there can be groups of children or beginners so don’t get too frustrated if there is slow play.

All in all it is a pleasant, not too serious golf course which rewards good shots and is kept in good condition. A winner if you and a few mates or your kids fancy a few hours in the sun

SL