Downshire Golf Club - Est 1974

Info correct at last date played: 22nd August 2003

Club Facilities

AGN Review Score 6.2

Course Card

Course Review

Parkland course with nice scenery, some good looking holes and water coming into play on quite a few of them. On closer inspection though the tees, fairways and greens are not in very good condition. The greens had just been spiked when we played there but they were also looking quite bare in places, the ball never really seemed to run smoothly at the hole it always bobbled along.

The best holes are probably the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 16th, some people will moan at the shortness of it's par 3's but some are well protected. The fairways looked as though they had not been cut for a while, it was hard to tell if you were actually on the fairway or in the rough sometimes. We could say that maybe we should visit during the summer but we have the impression that the course will not improve too much.

We have played this course again since this review and the greens have improved a little but they need to let the rough grow on some holes to make the course more challenging.

Favourite Hole

Hole 3:   We liked the Par 3 3rd hole from the winter tees. Having a overhanging tree right on top of you when you tee off and a huge tree right in front of the green that you must clear, a bunker on the left and water on the right makes this green quite hard to hit. None of the other holes really stood out and they were all pretty standard layouts.

Visitor Comments

Submitted by Warren Bolttler on 14/08/2001
I have been playing the course each Monday evening for the last 5 weeks and have been quite impressed with the course. The summer conditions suite the course well. The greens are really slow at the moment but are still pretty true.
I think the course is very good value.

Submitted by Ian Siddall on 26/10/2001
Even though I've only played the course twice I find it very enjoyable and exceptionally friendly. For a player of my size and ability it offers plenty of chances to play your woods off the fairway and gives you an opportunity to make a few birdies. The par 3's are also challenging, especially the 3rd, and the 19th is of a very high standard.
Overall a friendly and pleasant course.

Submitted by Richard Young on 02/09/2002
Downshire is one of the best municipal courses that I've played. It does get a lot of use and as a winter course the comments from your reviewers are probably fair but in the summer I'd disagree - it's a very fair test of golf. I've enjoyed playing there on many occasions and find it to be good value. My biggest gripe is that it can get waterlogged quite quickly but when it is dry it's a fine course. My favourite hole is the 10th - a long downhill hit with an awkward final approach to the green over water.

Submitted by Greg Lawrence on 28/05/2003.
The Downshire is a mature course and one of the best kept pay and play courses your likely to come across in this part of the country. It's true to say the course is on the short side if your a professional hitting 300yrds! But for the average golfer it's a reasonable test. Over the years the course has had it's trouble with the greens being lumpy and some problems with drainage but with some hard work and investment over the last two years the course is playing well with smooth greens and lush fairways. The only downside I would say is that some of the tees are a bit lumpy. Good value for money, especially during the week.

Submitted by Simon Seymour on 11/12/2003.
One of the best pay and play courses in Berkshire.
On the par 3 3rd hole I hit an 8 iron about 130-126 yards to the back of the green.
Overall Good value for money.

Submitted by Simon Cottee on 28/05/2004.
I am employed at downshire golf complex as one of the senior managers and I don't think that some of your researchers comments are fair to the course. We do have buggy hire available all through the summer and the course has been voted as one of the best municipal courses in the country for a number of years. a lot of money has been spent in recent years on drainage, it is a very fine balancing act between draining a course for winter play and starving the course of any moisture throughout the summer. we do keep our rough generally short so as to speed up play and to stop 5 hour rounds that are commonly associated with municipal courses. it is nice to read the very positive comments made from some of our customers. downshire golf course through the summer is a great course to play for golfers of all abilities,and is a course that is getting better every year.
p.s your picture of the 16th is actually the 6th.

Submitted by Mr Von Moyla on 03/09/2004.
I have been playing Downshire about 3 times a year for the last 15 years. It is the best municipal course in the local area. Whats more its a cheap round of golf. It is a little on the easy side, I tend to go there to get my summer season started with a few 'friendly' rounds. I disagree with the comment about the rough not being long enough. If the rough is too long a round at Downshire can be very frustrating, if you ball even trickles into the rough youve got a chance of loosing it!! Saying that I havent lost a ball yet this year.

Submitted by Rob Lewis on 12/09/2005.
I agree with the course manager & believe some reviewers are being a tad harsh. This is a very very good municipal course and an excellent course to learn the art of golf on. Remember that not one hole is the same, the course gets tremendous usage, is situated on a heath so gets bone dry in summer and wet in winter. I think the team at Downshire have a hard balancing act to achieve and for the most do a great job and provide a good golf challenge at a very reasonable rate in a very expensive area in which to play golf. Just play and enjoy the challenge.

Submitted by Neil Stephens on 22/09/2005.
Again the original review is not an accurate reflection of the course. Downshire is a very good pay and play course with greens that can be putted on with confidence. There are sufficient tests for low handicappers, and yet it is a course that beginners can get round as well.
Consistently one of the best pay and play courses in the country. Best hole - Par 4 16th.

Submitted by Steve Newton on 15/03/2006.
Having played this course for two years now, through the winter and summer. I can honestly say it is superb. Not only is it great value for money (even better on a weekday), it also tests every aspect of your game. Yes some of the par 3`s are a tad short, but miss the green and your in a whole heap of trouble,so accuracy counts. There are some great doglegs on the par 4`s with water crossing many of these. As for the par 5`s , long with plenty of features.Yes Downshire is wet and testing in winter,your in England not the spanish riviera for christ's sake. If you don't like a little water, tuck your self up in bed and watch Neighbours you poor dears. On the other hand if you want a good testing round of golf at a fair price, and a drink after in a really friendly club house? Get yourself down to Downshire, I promise you wont regret it. Cheers!!

Submitted by Allister Lawson on 18/04/2006.
This is a great course with very forgiving fairways, lots to challenge you and a good few ditches to think about. Prides itself on being one of the top municipal courses in the country. I would agree, so this must be the reason its so expensive, especially when you go for the limited time round or twilight, as this is a complete rip off!

Submitted by David Chapman on 04/06/2006.
Just played the course for the 1st time (4/6/06) and had a blast. A very open course, wide and it your not on top of your game you can still have a good day. Played in a "Works Do" and I enjoyed it from start to finish. Fairways, greens and even the tee's where in good nick. Only gripe is the rough was a bit too long in places, and some hole's on the green had not been covered from the previous day. For a pay and play course it well worth it, in fact I'd prefer to play it then some private/members course's I've paid up about £50 per round. Real value for money, and I will be coming again. 7 out of 10 from me!!!

Submitted by Sarah Hocking on 12/06/2006.
I pay an annual membership to a golf club but even so I enjoy playing this course occasionally and paying a very reasonable green fee to do so. I like the water aspects and the variety of holes. Enjoyed sighting deer too!

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