Mowsbury Golf & Squash Complex

3.5 262 reviews | Post Review | Website
Price Guide: £££ | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Course Information

Mowsbury Golf & Squash Complex, Bedfordshire is an 18 hole, par 72 (6416 yard), public, parkland golf course designed by Martin Hawtree.

18 holes | Par 72 | 6416 yards | Public | Parkland

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Contact
Visitors

Address: Kimbolton Road, Cleat Hill, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 8BJ United Kingdom

Tel: 01234 772700

Golf Pro: James Koncewicz | Tel: 01234 772700

Website: http://www.mowsburygolfclub.co.uk

Golf Club Facilities

Range

Club Hire

Buggy Hire

Golf Shop

Changing

Clubhouse

Bar

Dining

Function Room

Midweek Guide: £21.35 per round *

Weekend Guide: £26.95 per round *

Societies Accepted to Play
Society Deals Available
7 Day Membership Available
5 Day Membership Available

Restrictions: Maximum Handicap No Restriction

* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.

Tee Time Information

Midweek Guide: £21.35 per round *

Weekend Guide: £26.95 per round *

* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.

Review Information

GOLFSHAKE RATING

3.5

AVERAGE RATING 3.8
(based on 262 reviews)

5 star

4 star

126

3 star

2 star

1 star

HIGHLY RATED

98%

would play again or recommend

3.8

The Course

3.2

Course Conditions

4.1

Value For Money

3.4

Pace of Play

3.3

Facilities & Service

3.6

Hospitality

3.2

Practice Facilities

2.9

Food & Drink

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Reviews for Mowsbury Golf & Squash Complex

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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

Terry G rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Apr 10 2023

Decent course for a Municipal

The course is built on clay, so this causes a number of problems e.g. when wet, the rain doesn't drain away as quickly as at some courses, and during very dry summers; cracks can appear on some fairways. During the lockdowns and quiet evenings, there is some animal damage from badgers and crows (pecking for insects on the greens) The badgers seems to like digging up the tees, and around a number of greens, so occasionally there are signs of this following work by the greenkeepers to rectify the damage.

Because the bunkers got into quite a bad state, many have been recently reworked with new sand in them, which is quite soft, A few are awaiting new sand, but the older ones still have old sand in them, which is rarely raked to loosen this, and therefore can be very solid, especially after rain. Apparently, the older bunkers will be worked on during coming winters (probably 5 per year), so it may take some time for conditions to become totally acceptable. The work over recent years has led to the 17th hole being bunker free.

The course is rarely quiet, and at one time was the busiest course in the country!! This means you should check that you are not following a Society, which can make it a slow round. There is also a lot of footfall, and so the greens are kept quite slow; so players should allow for this.

The layout is interesting enough, and the large number of trees planted over the years is now coming to fruition, making it a lot more picturesque, and tightening up some of the holes. If you haven't played here in a while, it's a lot more challenging than it was when built in 1975.

The bar and catering changed management at the beginning of 2023, so the opening hours for food/drink are getting back to normal, starting around 8.00am, with breakfasts etc being available, and very good standard. This will be the caterers first summer coming up, so check how long the bar etc stays open before planning to stay for food after your round. The food is good (and a lot better priced than with the previous incumbent). Visitors should be patient - there is rarely more than a single member of catering staff working, so they are cooking as well as serving your beer obviously they put on more staff for Societies and the weekends!

The building is tired looking, but I doubt if refurbishment would help - it has been in place far longer than the original 20 years lifespan that the council intended. Having said that, there are full changing facilities including showers, a covered 13 bay driving range, and 3 glass backed squash courts. The catering dept have now added a pool table and darts board upstairs if your golf day is a wash-out! In addition to the course and driving range; there is a small putting green and a chipping area a short walk from the clubhouse.

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Chris T rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Jul 7 2022

Good municipal course

Generally in good condition, let down by rough teeing areas, and some very scruffy bunkers. Overall good value for money.

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David S rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Jul 5 2022

fun

good place to practice and have fun. greens are poor and the bunkers need work. interesting layout and good fun

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Peter E rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Apr 17 2022

In good condition

We arrived on Easter Saturday and went straight on, no hold ups untill back half. Greens in good nick and very pleasant round

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Alan T rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Nov 12 2021

Semi rural location and quiet course.

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Colin D rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Nov 3 2021

A good municipal course offering a reasonable challenge, however being let down by state of some the bunkers , not draining well, some with weeds growing.

(Round played: Nov 2021 - Score: 98 Handicap: 23.7)

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Terry G rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Oct 11 2021

Decent course for a municipal

The course is built on clay, so this causes a number of problems e.g. when wet, the rain doesn't drain away as quickly as at some courses, and during very dry summers; cracks can appear on some fairways. During lockdown; there was some animal damage from badgers and crows (pecking for insects on the greens), and this seems to have continued after the course opened and in particular, the badgers seems to like digging up the tees, so occasionally there are signs of this following work by the greenkeepers to rectify the damage.

Because the bunkers got into quite a bad state, a number have been marked as GUR, and will be worked on when sand can be obtained, and the remainder are being played with preferred lies, so your ball should be placed in the bunker and played from your preferred lie. There is an ongoing plan to deal with all the bunkers, but this will take years, with about 5 being dealt with each Winter. This will include reshaping, drainage work, and refilling with sand (when it is available). A number have already been completed, and this has lead to the 17th being bunker free.

The course is rarely quiet, and at one time was the busiest course in the country!! This means you should check that you are not following a Society, which can make it a slow round. There is also a lot of footfall, and so the greens are kept quite slow; so you should allow for this.

The layout is interesting enough, and the large number of trees planted over the years is now coming to fruition, making it a lot more picturesque, and tightening up some of the holes. If you haven't played here in a while, it's a lot more challenging than it was when built in 1975.

The bar and catering changed management in early 2018, so the opening hours for food/drink are not as they used to be, so usually the opening hours only start at 10.00am, and continue until 5.00pm. This changes during the Winter, so you may want to check if you are planning to stay for food after your round. The food is good (if a little expensive). Visitors should be patient - there is rarely more than a single member of catering staff working, so they are cooking as well as serving your beer obviously they put on more staff for Societies and the weekends!

The building is tired looking, but I doubt if refurbishment would help - it has been in place far longer than the original 20 years lifespan that the council intended. Having said that, there are full changing facilities including showers, a small putting green, a chipping area a short walk from the clubhouse, a covered 13 bay driving range, and 3 glass backed squash courts if your golf day is a wash-out!

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Colin D rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Aug 2 2021

The bunkers that are in play are dreadful either full of water with compacted sand and lots of small stones

(Round played: Aug 2021 - Score: 105 Handicap: 24.6)

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Shaun rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Jul 12 2021

Missing that T.L.C

Firstly, I was a junior here so I will always love the course. Now a Greenkeeper at another course, I can see things differently that once before, wouldn't notice/care/think about whilst playing. Last round was probably 5 years ago and the drainage was becoming a problem. Still got some drainage issues now and we're in the Summer season. So some wet G.U.R areas around the greens and big puddles on path next to 5th tee box. Effort has gone into repair work on greens damaged by pests. Bunkers G.U.R (Must be due to covid)
Title of T.L.C = Every fairway is either cut: every other week/ in the wet/ or too high. Grass drop back/clippings on every stripe. Old pin position plugs are sunken or tilted. Greens mower needs the units checking and adjusting as every up and down a clear marking was left. Also noticed oil drips on most greens. Greens aren't the quickest but could take a ball and leave a pitch mark (so just needed to the putt harder)

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Colin D rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Apr 17 2021

A good Municipal course, greens rather bumpy at present

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Terry G rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Apr 2 2021

looking good after lockdown

The course is built on clay, so this causes a number of problems e.g. when wet, the rain doesn't drain away as quickly as at some courses, and when, during very dry summers; cracks can appear on some fairways. The complex was ?locked down? for a lot of 2020 because of Covid19, and then it got very wet over the Winter from December 2020 to March 2021. Now in April 2021,the course has dried considerably, but there was some animal damage during lockdown (badgers and crows digging up the greens and tees).

The bunkers remain out of play (as at April 2021), and will be treated as GUR whilst there are no rakes due to Covid19. 4 bunkers (2 greenside at 3 and 17, and 2 fairway on 12 and 16 all of which have never drained well) have been filled in during the Winter, and turf is on order to complete their refurbishment.

The course is rarely quiet, and at one time was the busiest course in the country!! This means you should check that you are not following a Society, which can make it a slow round. There is also a lot of ?footfall?, and so the greens are kept quite slow; so you should allow for this.

The layout is interesting enough, and the large number of trees planted over the years is now coming to fruition, making it a lot more picturesque, and tightening up some of the holes. If you haven't played here in a while, it's a lot more challenging than it was when built in 1975.

The bar and catering changed management in early 2018, so the opening hours for food/drink are not as they used to be, but until the law allows, the catering facilities are closed. You should check the opening times before travelling, as this is very odd times due to Covid19, but if being served; the food is good (if a little expensive). Visitors should be patient - there is rarely more than a single member of catering staff working, so they are cooking as well as serving your beer (when allowed) - obviously they put on more staff for Societies and the weekends!

The building is tired looking, but I doubt if refurbishment would help - it has been in place far longer than the original 20 years lifespan that the council intended. Having said that, there are full changing facilities, a small putting green, a chipping area a short walk from the clubhouse, a covered 13 bay driving range, and 3 glass backed squash courts if your golf day is a wash-out!

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Terry G rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Sep 2 2020

Decent course for a municipal

The course is built on clay, so this causes a number of problems e.g. when wet, the rain doesn't drain away as quickly as at some courses, and when during very dry summers; cracks can appear on some fairways. The course recovered extremely well following the drought of 2018 and during 2019 Summer looked great. Now in 2020, there was some animal damage during lockdown (badgers and crows digging up the greens and tees). Bunkers are out of play, and treated as GUR whilst there are no rakes due to Covid19.

The course is rarely quiet, and at one time was the busiest course in the country!! This means you should check that you are not following a Society, which can make it a slow round. There is also a lot of ?footfall?, and so the greens are kept quite slow; so you should allow for this.

The layout is interesting enough, and the large number of trees planted over the years is now coming to fruition, making it a lot more picturesque, and tightening up some of the holes. If you haven't played here in a while, it's a lot more challenging than it was when built in 1975.

The bar and catering changed management in early 2018, so the opening hours for food/drink are not as they used to be ? I believe at the moment they only open from mid-day. You should check the opening times before travelling, as this is very odd times due to Covid19, but if being served; the food is good (if a little expensive). Visitors should be patient - there is rarely more than a single member of catering staff working, so they are cooking as well as serving your beer - obviously they put on more staff for Societies and the weekends!

The building is tired looking, but I doubt if refurbishment would help - it has been in place far longer than the original 20 years lifespan that the council intended. Having said that, there are full changing facilities, a small putting green, a chipping area a short walk from the clubhouse, a covered 13 bay driving range, and 3 glass backed squash courts if your golf day is a wash-out!

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Kieran M rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Jul 21 2020

Rough Bad

Overall okay course, but rough needs a good trim at the moment, time taken to search for balls is too long

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Colin D rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Oct 30 2019

for a municipal course it is a reasonable challange. considering recent rain the course has recovered well, refurbed bunkers are good, but others need some attention.

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Dean C rated 3 out of 5

Reviewed Apr 23 2019

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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