Play the longest Golf Course in the United Kingdom. - 24th Jan 2005

The Players Club is a new 18 hole championship course situated just one mile from junction 18 of the M4.

Open in May 2002, one of the striking features is its maturity with woodland, lakes, trees and gorse coming into play.

At over 7,600 yards, it's the longest course in the United Kingdom but from the front markers dips below 6,000 yards.

Over the last few years, there have been many candidates for the country's best new course and the way The Players Club is shaping up, it looks likely to top this years list.

Situated just one mile from junction 18 of the M4 on the outskirts of Bristol, The Players Club is dedicated to the game of golf.

The course has been designed and built to the highest specifications that will push even the finest golfers in the world to their limits.

At over 7600 yards, it's the longest course in the United Kingdom incorporating the longest front nine in Europe at 4000 yards.

Seven sets of tees will ensure that whatever your handicap, you will enjoy your round as from the front markers, the course dips just below 6,000 yards. Still a challenge whatever your handicap.

The course is rich in features with woodland, lakes, trees and gorse coming into play. "We have had the benefit of four years on this very exciting project" said Course Architect, Adrian Stiff who has also designed several other notable West Country courses including Cumberwell Park, The Kendleshire and Oake Manor.

The usual 'railway sleeper' trademark is to be found and over 4000 have been used in the construction of the course.

The 4th will be the signature hole; it's a two-time carry over a huge lake, make a 4 here and you will always be very happy. The short holes are all very impressive fronted by the obligatory water. The par 5s are all monsters from the back tees yet fair from the front at 130 yards forward. This you will need at the 8th hole that borders on par 6 territory at 689 yards.

One of the striking features about the layout is its maturity. It does not look like a new course, yet Stiff insists the course was built from a number of flat fields, only the trees were originally there and everything else has been constructed.

"I've tried to create 18 very different holes, some resemble classic links land and shapes that I've spotted at two of my favorite courses, Burnham and Painswick. Other aspects of the course are very American while some of the holes have just been worked out on the drawing board with ideas that I have always wanted to try!

The greens, large in size, have been built on stone rafts with an intermediate grit layer. Sown with a European bent grass mixture into a laboratory tested USGA greens mixture, comprising silica sand and milled peat, these greens, together with multiple layers, ridges and gulleys, promise to provide an exacting but fun test.

"The approaches to the greens have been constructed using a sandy root zone and are sown with similar cultivars together with the fairways which have also been root zoned to provide a high quality-playing surface.

No expense has been spared in the state of the art Irrigation system, which can be activated from anywhere in the world. Automatically controlled by its own weather station, it will provide the precise amount of water required. The greens, tees, approaches and fairways are all irrigated, as are the practice tees.

A purpose built practice ground with greens as targets and a 9-hole academy course (academy opens early spring 2004) together with two putting greens provides the very best in training facilities. Range balls are FREE to all category of member, which will amount to quite a saving for even the occasional visitor.

On-site professional teaching staff are available to compliment the extensive practice facilities.
The membership structure will follow the recent trend adopted by many new clubs whereby you can opt for a full membership or pay a smaller annual fee and green fee.

Membership is divided into four categories to cater for all types of golfer. All members enjoy the benefit of being able to sign in guests at half price (normal green fee for a visitor is £70) and use of the generous FREE practice facilities.

Quite simply, it is the intention that The Players Club will be a golf course of international repute; the owners are looking for a full tour event in 2006. Put this on your 'must play' list and if you live within 100 miles, then our Bronze membership is for you.

Green fees

Weekday £70 & Weekends £90 (2 fore 1 policy always in operation)

Tees

Six sets of tees will ensure that whatever your handicap, you will enjoy your round.

Brown Tees (Yardage 7607) (Par 72) (SSS 74)
Blue Tees (Yardage 7194) (Par 72) (SSS 74)
Green Tees (Yardage 7012) (Par 72) (SSS 74)
White Tees (Yardage 6858) (Par 72) (SSS 72)
Yellow Tees (Yardage 6336) (Par 72) (SSS 72)
Red Tees (Yardage 5833) (Par 74) (SSS 74)

Put this on your 'must play' list as one notable golf writer said, "well, this is about as good as it gets".

Contact: Paul Barrington (Golf Director)

Address:

Codrington
Bristol
Gloucestershire
BS37 6RX
England
Telephone: 01454 313029
Fax: 01454 317126

Related Links

• http://www.theplayersgolfclub.com

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