MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa
Price Guide: £££££ | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Book Tee Times
MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa, Cheshire is a 45 hole course with the 18 hole Championship Course par 73, 7037 yards and the 18 hole Premier Course par 71, 6582 yards, resort, parkland golf course
Contact Information
Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 0DJ United Kingdom
Tel: 01829 733884Website: http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/ThePortal/golf/
Golf Pro: A. Hill / R. Shutt / J. Statham
Contact/Secretary: C. Knight (Golf Dir)
Tee Time Information
Price Guide: £££££- Midweek Guide: £50.00 per round *
* Any prices shown are guide prices, please confirm with the course prior to booking.
Facilities & Visitor Information
Course Information: Other holes | Par Championship Course 73; Premier Course 71 | Championship Course 7037; Premier Course 6582 yards | Resort | Parkland
Facilities: Driving range, Golf clubs for hire, Golf buggies for hire, Golf pro shop, Changing rooms, Golf clubhouse, Bar, Food available, Available for functions, Accommodation available, golf course.
- Societies Accepted to Play
- Society Deals Available
- 7 Day Membership Available
- 5 Day Membership Available
Location: http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-portal-hotel-golf-spa/useful-information/
View more Cheshire Golf Clubs
Score Cards
If any of the data below is incorrect please use the 'Update' link above to notify us of any changes.
| Course | Tee | Par | SSS | Yds | ||
| Championship Course | White | 73 | 74 | 7037 | ||
| Championship Course | yellow | 73 | 72 | 6577 | ||
| Championship Course | Yellow | 73 | 72 | 6495 | ||
| Championship Course | red | 73 | 74 | 5928 | ||
| The Premier Course | White | 71 | 71 | 6582 | ||
| The Premier Course | Yellow | 71 | 71 | 6293 | ||
| The Premier Course | Red | 74 | 74 | 5688 | ||
| The Premier Course | Winter | 69 | 69 | 5642 | ||
| Ardene Course | Yellow | 60 | 57 | 3472 | ||
| Ardene Course | Red | 60 | 60 | 3248 | ||
| Ardene Course | White 9 | 30 | 0 | 1800 | ||
| Ardene Course | Yellow 9 | 30 | 0 | 1672 | ||
| Ardene Course | Red 9 | 30 | 0 | 1576 | ||
MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa Reviews & Information
Golfshake Rating
4.45
from 284
4.45
from 284
Breakdown Averages
4.04 ... Overall Rating
4.14 ... The Course
4.04 ... Facilities/Serv.
4.00 ... VFM
4.04 ... Overall Rating
4.14 ... The Course
4.04 ... Facilities/Serv.
4.00 ... VFM
Reviews
|(10)|(45)|(139)|(93)&chxr=0,1,5&chxs=1,676767,11.5,-0.5,l,676767&chxt=y,r&chbh=14,2,0&chs=145x90&cht=bhs&chco=FF9900,FFEBCC&chd=t:32,48,15,3,2|68,52,85,97,98&chg=-1,0)
Recent Reviews
284 ratings from Golfshake members - Ranked 318 out of 1971.
HIGHLY RATED - 96% would play again or recommend
Played this course? Tell us what you thought: Submit your review now >>
What the club says: Set in the heart of the rolling Cheshire countryside, the 18-hole Championship and Premier Golf Courses and 9-hole Arderne course have established Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa as a distinctive world class championship golf venue.
Most Helpful Review
Course was in great condition greens best i've played in a long time weather was great which made the day we walked but would use buggies next time
(Round played: Jul 2015 - Score: 97 Handicap: 12)
- Jul 3 2015
Golf Course Reviews for MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa
190 reviews for MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa sort by: Date | Review Rank | Rated High | Rated Low
Kevin M rated 3 out of 5 
- Aug 15 2018
- Aug 15 2018Challenging course
Played here as part of a promotion and paid only £10 green fees, really challenging course with some long holes and well placed bunkers, well worth a visit
(Round played: Aug 2018 - Score: 78 Handicap: )
Played here as part of a promotion and paid only £10 green fees, really challenging course with some long holes and well placed bunkers, well worth a visit
(Round played: Aug 2018 - Score: 78 Handicap: )
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Rate Helpful
Robin T rated 3 out of 5 - Jul 23 2018
- Jul 23 2018Enjoyable day out, course was very long and in pretty good condition for end of April
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 91 Handicap: 13.4)
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 91 Handicap: 13.4)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Paul M rated 1 out of 5 
- Jul 21 2018
- Jul 21 2018Stayed her for weekend as wasnt the best organisation only played the championship course which was good pity the they are so disorganized.
(Round played: Jul 2018 -
(Round played: Jul 2018 -
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
John R rated 1 out of 5 - Jul 16 2018
- Jul 16 2018Stayed here on a package deal both courses are fabulous, championship being my favourite.
Doubt we'd book a package deal at mcdonald hotel golf resort again though. There is no reference to the premier course being off site. There is aparently a minibus that can take you down but trying to book this is proved impossible due to the incompetence of the system in place. We tried twice in the weeks prior to our stay being passed from the golf shop, reception and reservations all of which said it was the others responsibility to book it, in the end we thought we'd try on arrival at hotel/course. This however proved to be just as difficult with the same outcome, being told by the golf shop bus has to be booked in advance and the bus is now off site at a different hotel. We ended up getting taxi's to and from the premier.We played the premier course at 2.30pm. The golf pro could not get us on the course quick enough as he wanted to go home. When we had finished our round the whole club house was shut and we had to wait outside with all our golf gear for a taxi to pick us up. No changing or toilet facilities where available and it was only 6.30pm.
Staff are pleasent and helpful mostly, unfortunately they are let down by procedures and lack of management guidance.
(Round played: Jul 2018 - Score: 103 Handicap: 23.6)
Doubt we'd book a package deal at mcdonald hotel golf resort again though. There is no reference to the premier course being off site. There is aparently a minibus that can take you down but trying to book this is proved impossible due to the incompetence of the system in place. We tried twice in the weeks prior to our stay being passed from the golf shop, reception and reservations all of which said it was the others responsibility to book it, in the end we thought we'd try on arrival at hotel/course. This however proved to be just as difficult with the same outcome, being told by the golf shop bus has to be booked in advance and the bus is now off site at a different hotel. We ended up getting taxi's to and from the premier.We played the premier course at 2.30pm. The golf pro could not get us on the course quick enough as he wanted to go home. When we had finished our round the whole club house was shut and we had to wait outside with all our golf gear for a taxi to pick us up. No changing or toilet facilities where available and it was only 6.30pm.
Staff are pleasent and helpful mostly, unfortunately they are let down by procedures and lack of management guidance.
(Round played: Jul 2018 - Score: 103 Handicap: 23.6)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
David Q rated 1 out of 5 - Jul 16 2018
- Jul 16 2018Stayed here on a package deal both courses are fabulous, championship being my favourite.
Doubt we'd book a package deal at mcdonald hotel golf resort again though. There is no reference to the premier course being off site. There is aparently a minibus that can take you down but trying to book this is proved impossible due to the incompetence of the system in place. We tried twice in the weeks prior to our stay being passed from the golf shop, reception and reservations all of which said it was the others responsibility to book it, in the end we thought we'd try on arrival at hotel/course. This however proved to be just as difficult with the same outcome, being told by the golf shop bus has to be booked in advance and the bus is now off site at a different hotel. We ended up getting taxi's to and from the premier.We played the premier course at 2.30pm. The golf pro could not get us on the course quick enough as he wanted to go home. When we had finished our round the whole club house was shut and we had to wait outside with all our golf gear for a taxi to pick us up. No changing or toilet facilities where available and it was only 6.30pm.
Staff are pleasent and helpful mostly, unfortunately they are let down by procedures and lack of management guidance.
(Round played: Jul 2018 -
Doubt we'd book a package deal at mcdonald hotel golf resort again though. There is no reference to the premier course being off site. There is aparently a minibus that can take you down but trying to book this is proved impossible due to the incompetence of the system in place. We tried twice in the weeks prior to our stay being passed from the golf shop, reception and reservations all of which said it was the others responsibility to book it, in the end we thought we'd try on arrival at hotel/course. This however proved to be just as difficult with the same outcome, being told by the golf shop bus has to be booked in advance and the bus is now off site at a different hotel. We ended up getting taxi's to and from the premier.We played the premier course at 2.30pm. The golf pro could not get us on the course quick enough as he wanted to go home. When we had finished our round the whole club house was shut and we had to wait outside with all our golf gear for a taxi to pick us up. No changing or toilet facilities where available and it was only 6.30pm.
Staff are pleasent and helpful mostly, unfortunately they are let down by procedures and lack of management guidance.
(Round played: Jul 2018 -
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Jack C rated 4 out of 5 - Jul 14 2018
- Jul 14 2018Tough course with great views
Played after the course had taken a lot of sun made staying on some of the sloping fairways nearly impossible. Was an enjoyable round especially the elevated par 3 would definitely play again once the course has took some rain.
Played after the course had taken a lot of sun made staying on some of the sloping fairways nearly impossible. Was an enjoyable round especially the elevated par 3 would definitely play again once the course has took some rain.
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
David N rated 4 out of 5 - Jul 5 2018
- Jul 5 2018Nice Place
This is the supposed lesser course at Portal but its a good test. Not overly long and quite up and down but some interested holes that make you think.
(Round played: Jul 2018 - Score: 100 Handicap: 18.6)
This is the supposed lesser course at Portal but its a good test. Not overly long and quite up and down but some interested holes that make you think.
(Round played: Jul 2018 - Score: 100 Handicap: 18.6)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Nik K rated 4 out of 5 - Jun 14 2018
- Jun 14 2018great course
Good course, fast greens, interesting holes. Played in 40mph wind, so was challenging, this is more popular than the Championship course which is lower and more open.
(Round played: Jun 2018 - Score: 110 Handicap: 28.2)
Good course, fast greens, interesting holes. Played in 40mph wind, so was challenging, this is more popular than the Championship course which is lower and more open.
(Round played: Jun 2018 - Score: 110 Handicap: 28.2)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Food & Drink
Pj F rated 3 out of 5 - May 22 2018
- May 22 2018Premier course is brilliant, almost faultless.
The championship course has some faults though, greens are below average/poor for a course if its calibre. But the biggest issue for me is the rough, its laughably long. Hit a good drive just off the fairway, be prepared to lose it, all good on a course with spectators for professionals but terrible for the average golfer. Still has a great layout and good on the eye. If I was to return Id happily play the premier course several times but wouldnt go near the championship
The championship course has some faults though, greens are below average/poor for a course if its calibre. But the biggest issue for me is the rough, its laughably long. Hit a good drive just off the fairway, be prepared to lose it, all good on a course with spectators for professionals but terrible for the average golfer. Still has a great layout and good on the eye. If I was to return Id happily play the premier course several times but wouldnt go near the championship
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Michael S rated 3 out of 5 - May 17 2018
- May 17 2018Tough for an amateur!
Bit too tough for your average golfer... Just a few feet off the fairway could lead to a lost ball, or at least a couple to duffs to get it out! Glorious set up though.
(Round played: May 2018 - Score: 103 Handicap: 17.3)
Bit too tough for your average golfer... Just a few feet off the fairway could lead to a lost ball, or at least a couple to duffs to get it out! Glorious set up though.
(Round played: May 2018 - Score: 103 Handicap: 17.3)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Neil T rated 3 out of 5 - May 15 2018
- May 15 2018Very good
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Nial P rated 4 out of 5 - Apr 16 2018
- Apr 16 2018Weather was terrible but course was still in decent condition considering most courses have been closed due to the rain. Will definately go again. Challenging course.
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 101 Handicap: 21)
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 101 Handicap: 21)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Tom M rated 4 out of 5 - Apr 16 2018
- Apr 16 2018Great course, in fantastic condition for this time of year. Interesting challenge with front 9 being shorter but tighter, with the back 9 longer. Played it's full distance due to the weather but really enjoyed the day- I'd argue a better track than the "championship course" round the corner.
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 85 Handicap: 14)
(Round played: Apr 2018 - Score: 85 Handicap: 14)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Graeme H rated 4 out of 5 - Apr 13 2018
- Apr 13 2018Good Track
Very decent and well priced ?resort golf?
Very decent and well priced ?resort golf?
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
James C rated 5 out of 5 - Mar 25 2018
- Mar 25 2018Great course, great club.
James C rated 5 out of 5 - Feb 25 2018
- Feb 25 2018An amazing course
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Alan F rated 5 out of 5 - Dec 11 2017
- Dec 11 2017Excellent course
Great course to play one of the best I have played yet .
Great course to play one of the best I have played yet .
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Paul H rated 4 out of 5 - Nov 28 2017
- Nov 28 2017great course
As ever all great at Portal. For the rain we have had all is great. good day all round
(Round played: Nov 2017 - Score: 91 Handicap: 19.2)
As ever all great at Portal. For the rain we have had all is great. good day all round
(Round played: Nov 2017 - Score: 91 Handicap: 19.2)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Stephen S rated 3 out of 5 - Sep 25 2017
- Sep 25 2017Good course for this time of year
This is the third time I have played this course. Each occasion I have really enjoyed it. For the time of year, the greens were in very good condition, especially as it had been raining heavy. Definitely will play again.
Negative aspect was the bacon sandwich afterwards, in the hotel, which was terrible.!!!
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 100 Handicap: 21.3)
This is the third time I have played this course. Each occasion I have really enjoyed it. For the time of year, the greens were in very good condition, especially as it had been raining heavy. Definitely will play again.
Negative aspect was the bacon sandwich afterwards, in the hotel, which was terrible.!!!
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 100 Handicap: 21.3)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
Phil C rated 5 out of 5 - Sep 25 2017
- Sep 25 2017Great course - play in summer
Excellent course - only ever played this time of year. Need to go back and play it in the summer. Tough course in winter where scoring is more difficult. there is no roll and preferred lies. Would recommend
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 90 Handicap: 11.1)
Excellent course - only ever played this time of year. Need to go back and play it in the summer. Tough course in winter where scoring is more difficult. there is no roll and preferred lies. Would recommend
(Round played: Sep 2017 - Score: 90 Handicap: 11.1)
Course (layout/challlenge)
Facilities/Service
Value for Money
Pace of Play
Hospitality
Course Conditions
Practice Facilities
Food & Drink
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
Nearby
 | Pryors Hayes Golf Club from 230 reviews Distance 3.88 miles |
 | Delamere Forest Golf Club from 30 reviews Distance 4.53 miles |
 | Knights Grange Golf Club from 97 reviews Distance 5.52 miles |
Plan Your Next Round
De Vere Carden ParkCheshire
MacDonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa
Cheshire
Eastham Lodge Golf Club
Merseyside
Plan your next golf break with Golfbreaks.com
