The Warren Golf & Country Club Feature Review

We sent long time Golfshake member and 12 handicap golfer Russell Middleton along to review The Warren Golf & Country Club in August 2014.

The Warren is a private members golf club which was established in 1902 and is situated just off the A12 near Chelmford and a short drive from the M25 (Jct 28).   With a thriving membership of over 450 members visitors and societies are warmly received and are sure to be greeted with a friendly welcome when they visit.

The club is committed to ongoing improvements to the course having proudly hosted the England Golf South Final’s competition in 2014 and with an ongoing investment to improve the bunkers and the course.  Longer term, under planning permission review, there are plans to alter the course layout (to remove crossovers) and extend to over 7000 yards.

The course is an undulating parkland course with mature trees lining most holes providing an excellent test to all golfers. If you like playing mature parkland courses then this is a must for you.

Pre-round thoughts

You enter the golf course between two cottages which remind you of entering a large country estate. This is followed by a drive alongside the course down to the clubhouse which passes the 13th hole which looks great and sets up your expectations for the round.

Further down the road you pass the range and short game practice area and the club really have the facilities to encourage all golfers to improve their game. The use of woods isn't allowed on the range, but I was hitting 3 irons off the grass and a tee, and didn't reach the fence. The short game area has two grass greens and an artificial green and there are three bunkers to help you improve your sand play.

The clubhouse is a 17th century building and when you get inside it has all the charms you would expect.

The staff in the pro shop and clubhouse were friendly and helpful and sitting in the clubhouse having a pre-round breakfast you can see the golfers teeing off on the 11th tee which adds further to the anticipation of starting your round.

Par 3s

The first par three you encounter, the 5th hole, has a small green set on top of a hill. This means if you are offline with your tee shot the ball will most likely run further away from the hole.

The 10th hole requires a straight shot, and at 189 yards off the whites it's also a long iron. Again if you miss the green the ball will move away from the green, especially if you go left of the green.

The 14th hole is another long par three, 190 yards off the whites. A long green with bunkers protecting each side.

The 17th hole is the one to watch out for, it has a deep bunker in front of the green and it certainly is a bunker you do not want to go into! Once again, it's set on top of a hill and if you miss the green your ball will run a long way.

Overall, the par three holes are very good, they reward a good shot, but can seriously punish a poor tee shot.

Par 4s

The 1st hole is a great starting hole, a good tee shot was required to let you see the green for your approach shot. This is over a small pond in front of the green.

The 3rd hole again requires a good drive down the left, otherwise you wont see the green which is tucked round a corner.

The 9th hole is definitely the hardest hole on the course. You need a straight, long drive to reach the bottom of the hill. Then a good, long second shot to a blind green. Anybody getting a par on this hole has done really well. The 9th hole has one of the cross-overs, you play your tee shot over the fairway of the 2nd hole.

The par four holes on this course vary in length, from 300 yards to 453 yards. Add the tree lined fairways and the hilly terrain and you will know you have played a round of golf by the time you have finished.

The par four holes are really interesting and each one has its own challenges.

Par 5s

There are two par five holes on the course, and they come right at the end of your round. The 16th and 18th holes.

The 16th hole requires a good drive and second shot to give you a view of the long green.

The 18th hole is a dog-leg to the left. If you hit your second shot to the right hand side of the fairway you will have a large tree blocking your shot to the green.

The par five holes are good, the first one requires some decent shots, and the last hole requires you to think your way to the green.

Option signature holes

I cannot say there is one hole that I would call a 'Signature' hole - the problem is all the holes were good, even the ones that were not great holes had enough about them to keep you interested.

I had to say I did enjoy the first hole. We played the white tees so you hit off along a narrow tee box, downhill all the way to the green. There is a pond in front of the green and you need to be on the left hand side of the fairway to get a good view of the green.

Post round thoughts

I really enjoyed my round at The Warren. The course was in a great condition. The greens were fast and true, with subtle borrows that were hard to see.

When we finished the bar was quiet but we needed a beer and a sit down to round off a perfect day of golf in perfect surroundings.

Verdict/round up

This is one of those courses that you must play if you live in the area. There are plenty of trees on the golf course, but the good thing is the grass is kept short beneath them. This means you will probably find your golf ball, but might have to come out sideways!

A real gem which is well maintained to a high standard and with great practice facilities. If you are a member here there should be no reason why you cannot improve your game.  Overall I'd rate this 9 out of 10.

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