Marriott Lingfield Park Course Review

Hear the words ‘Lingfield Park’ and you’re more likely to think of horse racing than golf.  But for anyone who hasn’t played the championship Surrey golf course, it’s worth highlighting that this tight, undulating parkland layout has regularly hosted the Surrey PGA and Europro Tour, which serves as a testament to its quality. It’s a very good and enjoyable course that makes a visit to the Marriott Lingfield Park something to consider even if you don’t enjoy a flutter on the nags.

As you’d expect of a four star Marriott hotel, the facilities are far beyond your average golf club, too, making it a particular attraction for groups and those looking to mix their golf with time at the spa. The course itself presents a traditional test of golf, with a premium on accuracy over distance, and a chance to think your way around rather than just blasting your driver.  Personally, I liked the feeling of the two very different types of course being yoked together, and the prospect of uniting a game of golf with a day at the races certainly appeals.

The Course

The gentle par 3 opening hole offers little hint of what’s to come on a front nine that’s notorious for its narrow (but fair!) fairways.  Admittedly, the green might be a little smaller than average, but it’s not a tough hole and certainly doesn’t require anything more than a mid-iron from the tee. There’s no obvious danger on the gently climbing par 5 second, either, as the course quickly whisks you away into the Surrey countryside.

Make the most of the tee shot from the short par 4 third, however, as it’s from the crest of this fairway that the course tightens for a few holes. You’ll certainly want to have worked out any early tension in your swing!  Pitching over the river to the third green is a good psychological challenge, and similar precision is required on the densely tree lined duo of par 4s that follow. The fifth is particularly testing, with a sweeping dog-leg left that necessitates two immaculate shots – a draw from the tee, and ideally a fade through the surrounding trees guarding the green for the second.

Respite comes from the short and attractive par 3 sixth hole played over water, while the seventh punishes anything leaking right off the tee, courtesy of some formidable foliage that blocks the corner of the dog-leg.

Averaging par at eight and nine would be something to strive for, as the approach into the par 4 is one of the tougher shots on the course, while the par 5 ninth hole plays strongly uphill, and is pretty tight from the tee.

The turn for home begins with another picturesque par 3, where the backdrop of dense woodland frames the hole delightfully. Eleven heads down towards the racecourse, and should come with a golden rule of not firing it left. With a significant downhill right-to-left camber, the ball plays hard and fast towards all the trouble.   Even if you can find the fairway, you’re not out of the woods (if you pardon the pun) as the resulting second poses identical problems as you take aim at the flag.

Twelve through to sixteen are a loop of holes on the other side of the racecourse, and to the uninitiated it comes as something of a surprise to have to cross the track! Looking both ways (and then again) before getting a march on, you get a fine view of the last five furlongs towards the grandstand. This section of the course (golf, this time) places a premium on accuracy once again, but offers considerable variety, too. The blind approach to the twelfth green, the dropping curling par 4 thirteenth, and the strategic par 5 fifteenth being the obvious highlights.

The fifteenth is Stoke Index 1, and requires plotting rather than brute force as it drops down towards the water hazard before rising back up and around an imposing oak tree that punishes anything other than a perfect second – be it a risky attempt at the green or even a prudent lay-up!

Crossing back over the racecourse, the tee shot on seventeen is another tight one. It’s probably a hole that is best played by taking a mid-iron from the tee rather than trying to steal a few extra yards with a wood, as the run out at the landing area is deceptively reachable. The hole then funnels towards a very long and narrow green.

The eighteenth probably offers the best chance of a birdie on the course. It’s much wider from the tee (or at least it feels like it given what’s just been played), and isn’t overly long. Framed by the greenside bunkers, it’s a finish that is likely to leave you smiling as you wander to the bar, racecourse, hotel, or various other facilities that are on offer at the resort.

And this is perhaps the greatest strength of Marriott Lingfield Park. No matter how you play, you can always look forward to the racing or the comforts of the hotel. There aren’t many venues that offer the combination of activities, which makes it a popular break for groups. The spa also means convincing non-golfing partners to come along is simpler than it might otherwise be. As at all Marriott venues, the package golf breaks at Lingfield Park are very good value starting at £85pp. This August, they are offering an Unlimited Golf Package that includes dinner, bed & breakfast for £95pp (1 in 12 golfers go free)/ With a bit of planning or if you make the most of one of their feature days of racing or love music, I imagine Lingfield Park offers something for everyone.