Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Course Information
Hill Valley Golf Club, Shropshire isa 36 hole club with the 18 hole Emerald Course and 18 hole, par 73 Sapphire Course. A resort, parkland golf course designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas in 1975.
36 holes | Par Emerald Course 73; Sapphire Course 66 | Emerald Course 6714; Sapphire Course 4801 yards | Resort | Parkland
About Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Golf Club Overview
Address: Terrick Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 4JZ United Kingdom
Tel: 01948 663584
Golf Pro: A J Minshall
Golf Club Facilities
Click the following link to find out what facilities are available at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa and read frequently asked questions.
Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa Reviews
Looking for Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa golf reviews? On this page you’ll find up-to-date, independent feedback from golfers who have played Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa in Shropshire, providing feedback on course conditions, value and pace of play. The Golfshake independent reviews also cover important factors like facilities & service, hospitality, practice facilities, and food & drink. Access the latest, unbiased reviews to help you make an informed decision about your next round at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa.
GOLFSHAKE RATING
3.68
AVERAGE RATING 4
(based on 211 reviews)
5 star
57
4 star
112
3 star
36
2 star
6
1 star
4
RECOMMENDATIONS
91%
would play again or recommend
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What the club says: The Emerald Championship Course covers a total distance of 6,714 yards and is a par 73. Emerald sweeps around undulating fairways through natural water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, presenting a real golfing challenge to experienced and mid-level players.
The shorter par 66 Sapphire Course is designed to hone the skills of less experienced and veteran golfers in the finer points of the short game.
Do you have feedback from your last round? Share your thoughts and help fellow golfers to plan their next round. Submit Review
Reviews for Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
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The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
Neil B rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 15 2025
Excellent Course
This is a super course and in very good conditionHotel is very nice, but food although is good is not plentiful
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Gary S rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 11 2025
We played on the Emerald course. Pretty straight forward, pretty straight. Lots of leafs over the course and even lost balls on the fairway. We played Sept so appreciate some leafs but this was crazy.
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Show moreNeil Chapman,Astley rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 8 2025
AGS
Both courses in dreadful condition, have obviously been overplayed and not maintained to a even reasonable standard. Food certainly not the best , more staff required in bar area.Reception and pros hope staff were the only things I would recomendReviewer Rating
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Mark V rated 2 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 28 2025
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Show moreWilliam L rated 4.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 21 2025
Lovely Course
Great course in good condition. Some lovely holes which give golfers of all ability a chance. Will definitely be back.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreGraham C rated 1.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 6 2025
The Emerald course was challenging, tight fairways with lots of trees, course in good condition.
The Sapphire course was not good, the tees and greens were in poor condition, lots of bare, rough areas on the fairways
The Sapphire course was not good, the tees and greens were in poor condition, lots of bare, rough areas on the fairways
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Neil L rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 6 2025
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Show moreGraham C rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 2 2025
Tight course, accuracy off the tee is vital. Many tee areas were very rough, greens in poor condition
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Show moreGraham C rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 1 2025
Challenging course, a lot of long holes but great condition
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Show moreMatt W rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Apr 2 2025
Played well in the main, struggled on the turn. Course was in good nick, played nicely. Great hospitality.
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Louise R rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Nov 12 2024
Nice course which I have played before, it was had going because the ball did not carry very far which is to be expected at this time of the year. I found the staff very helpful and friendly which is generally the case at Hill Valley
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Steve R rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Nov 12 2024
A good course and a nice venue with welcoming staff. It was hard going as there was not a lot of carry with balls being plugged but that is to be expected at this time of the year.
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Show moreMark L rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Mar 25 2024
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Show morePaul T rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Feb 18 2024
Mr PTennant
Nice venue good course was a bit boggy but that's the time of year. Can imaging to be a really good course in the summer months . Facilities are really nice and you feel.welcomeReviewer Rating
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Show moreLewis H rated 2.5 out of 5
Reviewed Oct 10 2023
DIFFERENT TYPE OF COURSE
With it switching between par 4 / 3 on every hole it really did allow for practice of short game on some challenging holes.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreYvonne W rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Aug 31 2023
Two very different courses in Shropshire
The Emerald course was a challenge because of the slopes and long par 4's and 5's. Course had lot's of narrow fairways so accuracy was the key, There were a number of strategically placed bunkers and trees with some small streams and big ponds to navigate over. We watched a lot of players put their balls in the drink more than once with a lake just before the 18th green over looking the 19th hole. Didn't enjoy the Sapphire course as much as there was a lot of par 3's and much narrower fairways with all the trees in full bloom. You had to be able to hit consistently straight off the tee to survive this one!If you want somewhere with two different courses that you can play and don't mind the sloping hills of Shropshire this could be the place for you.
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Show moreWilliam L rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Aug 7 2023
Tough
Although the Sapphire Course is not particularly long and contains seven par 3s, it is still a very challenging test.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreSteve M rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 31 2023
7/10
Good design, need?s maintenance, no ball washersReviewer Rating
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Show moreSteve M rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 31 2023
7/10
Good design, need?s maintenance, no ball washersReviewer Rating
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Show moreShane B rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 31 2023
McDonald?s Hill Valley
Good structure & set up of course, would need more tidy upBut a challenging course, staff friendly, But driving is restricted which is disappointing as it has two golf courses on site
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Show moreJim Cameron rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 12 2023
Emerald Course
This is a longer course than the Sapphire and generally better maintained. Fairways were more forgiving, but you need to be able to hit some long shots. I don't agree with another reviewer that blind water hazards spoil the course - get a course guide and it's not a problem!However whilst the greens were better than the Sapphire, there were still some in need of attention to deal with bare patches and disease. They should be able to sort this out with the help of a competent agronomist.
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Show moreJim Cameron rated 1.5 out of 5
Reviewed Jul 12 2023
Sapphire Course
Very tight for people who struggle to hit a perfectly straight drive. Greens in very poor condition - there's no decent excuse for this. They should get themselves a decent agronomist and sort this out because it wasn't good enough. It's a quirky course with lots of par 3s. I wouldn't mind playing it again but would have to be assured of it being in a better condition.Staff at the venue were friendly and the room in the hotel was spacious, but poorly maintained. The poor condition of the bathroom showed that the management aren't really paying attention to the details in a way that would keep the hotel venue up to scratch. That's a shame because the overall impression of the poor condition in the hotel and on the course gives the impression that it's just large resort that is churning the numbers without really taking care of the details.
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Show moreY Cajee rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 5 2023
Played Hill Valley in April 2023. Sapphire course is relatively short but extremely tight with some tricky slopes making it difficult to hold some greens. However, the greens were in terrible condition - some were like Blackpool beach after a donkey ridden by an elephant had been over them.
The Emerald course, although longer, in some ways played easier, but some of the blind shots to unseen water hazards spoilt what would have been a very enjoyable round.
The hotel accommodation was very spacious comfortable, but the food on the ordinary and they had no ice or lemon for a G&T!
The Emerald course, although longer, in some ways played easier, but some of the blind shots to unseen water hazards spoilt what would have been a very enjoyable round.
The hotel accommodation was very spacious comfortable, but the food on the ordinary and they had no ice or lemon for a G&T!
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Louise R rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed May 31 2023
Tight Course
The Sapphire course is very tight, and I found that I was using my 3 wood off the tee on several occasions. The greens were very dry and hard and even if you hit your ball high into the green it was still bouncing away, but it was quite fun to play.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreSteve R rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed May 31 2023
Good course for accuracy
The Sapphire is the smaller of the two courses at Hill Valley but it is no push over. The front nine circle the course and the back nine are in the middle. There are a lot of full carry up hill shots to be made, so club selection can be a bit of a gamble, especially when it is hot and dry as the greens yesterday were rock hard and a bad bounce through the green could leave you a long shot back to the flagReviewer Rating
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Show moreGeoffrey W rated 2.5 out of 5
Reviewed Feb 7 2023
Course in poor condition, Greens were mossy and had been damaged by birds and consequently very bobbly. Had to use winter mats but these were in very poor condition.
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Show moreA Golfer rated 4.5 out of 5
Reviewed Feb 3 2023
The course has an interesting layout and is in very good condition.
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James D rated 3.5 out of 5
Reviewed Sep 13 2022
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William L rated 3 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 7 2022
The Sapphire is a short but very challenging 18 hole course. Even though there are a lot of par 3's, there are plenty of holes to make you think, including some of the par 3's. The layout can be slightly confusing to the first time visitor with a couple of tees hidden round the back of other tees. However, considering the rain that had fell previously, the course was in good condition.
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Show moreLouise R rated 4 out of 5
Reviewed Jun 6 2022
Well worth a round
Had a great day, the numerous burns caught us out but the course was in good condition and the green pretty constant.Reviewer Rating
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Show moreShowing reviews 1-30 of 155 reviews
The golf courses reviews are the personal opinions of members of Golfshake who completed a review after playing the course. These opinions do not necessarily represent the views of Golfshake.com
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Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa Frequently Asked Questions
The following information is subject to change and based on the latest updates and checks on Golfshake from the golf club, golf facility or venue.
Is there a driving range at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
No, we are unaware of a driving range at this venue.
Is there a golf clubhouse at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes there is a golf clubhouse at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa.
Is there a golf pro shop at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes there is a golf pro shop which you can access prior to your round of golf or visit to the golf club.
Are there changing facilities at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
No, we are unaware of changing facilities at this venue.
Can you hire buggies at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Buggy hire is available and will be subject to availability. Call prior to your visit to confirm you requirements.
Can you hire golf clubs at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
No, we are unaware of being able to hire golf clubs here.
Is there a bar at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes there is bar.
Is there a restaurant at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes you can order food for dining at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa
Is there accommodation at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes there is accommodation at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa. Please visit their website for further details and plan a golf break there.
Are there functions rooms available to hire at Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa?
Yes there is the option to hire out function or conference rooms. Contact Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa for further details.
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