×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

Feature Review: De Vere Oulton Hall

By: Sarah Ramowski | Tue 06 Apr 2010



Feature article from Golfshake.com guest writer Adam Smith


De Vere Oulton Hall Golf CourseThe Course

27 Holes are available on this typical Dave Thomas design course. The former Ryder Cup player added ‘The Hall’ nine onto the ‘The Calverley’ 18.

Beautiful scenery surround the complex that also houses it’s very own Nike golf academy as well as the 152 room resort.

My Experience

I played ‘The Hall’ nine which are holes 19-27 and then the front nine of ‘The Calverley’. The Hall nine I found was superb. Some really challenging holes right from the off. The first hole is a tough driving hole to start off with. Uphill over a ridge you need to be accurate which I found was the case all the way round.

Two par five’s follow, hole 21 has you aiming for the church in the background as you can’t see the green. As usual with De Vere water lurks on many holes. You have it in abundance when you hit 24 and 25. The 24th hole is a great par four, my favourite on the course. You have a downhill tee shot, which you have to be careful not to run out of fairway. If you take a driver you have to fly it over the road to reach the second bit of fairway. Then the second shot is over a big lake to a very undulating green. Words of warning though, take enough club because it is longer than it looks! The 25th is a lovely par 3 at the far end of the course. A huge fishing lake occupies the whole right hand side, so the tee shot has to be threaded between that and the bunker on the left.


You certainly have to work hard for a good score and this nine, any pars should be greeted with a well earned smile.
There is quite a big contrast going from ‘The Hills’ over to ‘The Calverley’.  The Hills nine are very compact and tight where as ‘The Calverley’ is more open and much more forgiving. The 3rd is probably the stand out hole on this nine. A long dog-leg par see’s your tee shot go over a lovely water feature. A good tee shot can see you cut the corner to give you a shorter iron into a green that is small and surrounded by three bunkers.

The greens were again is superb shape, running nicely with the unfortunate bobble here and there. I am really impressed with the way De Vere looks after its courses especially the greens and tee boxes. They always look stunning.

One of my playing partners summed it up on the day when he said that we haven’t played two holes that are the same. With 27 holes that is what you get at Oulton, a very different challenge when and you certainly should go back.

Ask the Pro

I spoke with assistant pro Paul Burns to get some inside info on Oulton Hall

Q: What three qualities do you need to succeed around Oulton?
A: Good course management, good putting and straight driving.


Q: Favourite Hole?
A: The 3rd or the 24th

Q: Hardest hole?
A: 18TH

Q: Sum up Oulton Hall in a sentence
A: Five start service, great food and great golf.

Q: If you could play anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A: TPC Sawgrass

Overview

Oulton Hall has everything you need to have the game of your life.

Along with the state-of-the-art golf Academy, Oulton Hall offers a range of other facilities, including buggy hire for navigating across the beautiful course grounds, a practice range for perfecting your putting, and the Claret Jug course restaurant for re-energising after a long day.

Prices start from a little as £89 per person for two rounds of golf and a one night stay. Visit Golfbreaks.com for more details.


Related Content:

What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/



Scroll to top