Ingestre Park Golf Club Review

Located in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside within the grounds of Ingestre Hall, you will find Ingestre Park Golf Club, which is renowned for its tranquility and the picturesque collection of trees that frame the holes.

It's just a short from Stafford and the motorway is a little more than ten minutes away. Having first reviewed this venue in 2017, Golfshake Ambassador Mel Davies returned to see what had changed.

First Impressions

This was my first time back since the last time I reviewed it. Since then there have been massive changes due to HS2 being planned to go through the course - but this plan has now been shelved. 

You can see straight away the changes to the course and how different the experience is going to be - and boy does it look good.

Once you enter the ample sized car park you can see the clubhouse, pro shop, practice range and the 1st hole - at this time I literally couldn’t wait to get out and play.

There is a well-stocked pro shop with plans to expand, which is a great sign. I was greeted by Ben Smith, the assistant pro, who gave me a run down of the changes that had taken place. 

We then went into the clubhouse and Kat White, the Head Professional, found us and told us how things were going as she has only been here since December. You could tell how exciting things were just by her enthusiasm for the role and the place.

They also have a nice chipping green and putting green quite adjacent to the first so Ingestre really does tick all the boxes.

Slope/Rating

• 119/114/107 (white/yellow/red)

Yardage

• 6,152 whites/5,875 yellows/5,379 reds 

Par

• Par 71

Course Highlights

All holes (including retained holes) have:

• Lazer level tees, fully drained.
• USGA spec greens.
• Bunkers all bunker matted (allows free flowing drainage and no contamination of stones or clay).
• Drainage run every six metres on all fairways which feed into a network of open ditches (2.2km) and into the three lakes.
• Full tees, greens, fairway irrigation system is supplied by the water harvested by the lakes (sustainable).
• 18,000 trees planted along with pockets of wild flower meadows as part of the ecology mitigation.

The Course Layout 

The course since its revamp I would say has a feel of links for the new holes and parkland the old but it also has a resort kind of feel to it. One thing is for sure, the layout is as good as you are likely to find. It has some excellent holes and the greens and surrounds are fantastic, playable but also very challenging for all levels. 

The new first really showcases what lies ahead with a lovely looking tee shot with well-placed bunkers and a challenging green to hit. 

I personally found the new holes really inviting off the tee yet still requiring an accurate shot. 

Every bunker was well designed and placed and the greens could be very tricky depending on pin positions, and we found a few that way.

The 18th hole has to be the signature hole with your tee shot over water to an undulating green with the clubhouse balcony not far away which provides a great backdrop for the golfer but also a great spectacle for those watching. 

Verdict

The whole course is an absolute gem. Tee to green it really is a delight to play. The new holes will only get better as they mature which will make it a venue that really must be on your to play list. 

The clubhouse has a great relaxed feel to it with the balcony just topping it all off. 

Great selection of food and drink. 

This is a great venue for all golfers but with the facilities and the buggy paths it really is set up for groups and societies to take advantage of all there is on offer.

Overall Rating - 10

Course (Conditions) - 9

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 10

Course (Green Condition) - 10

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 10

Club Facilities & Clubhouse - 10

Practice Facilities - 10

Friendliness/Hospitality - 10

Pace of Play - 10

Value For Money - 10