Ashbourne Golf Club
Clifton,
Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 4BN
Tel : +44 (0)1335 342078

wrote on: Feb 10, 2004

Was Will playing ?
Trevor

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Phill Crocker wrote on: Sep 30, 2001

We had a really enjoyable day here. The lady in the pro shot was really cheerful and genuinely seemed pleased to see us. Although the course was quite wet when we played it was one of the most interesting courses I've played.
I would advise getting a buggy if possible as it is rather up and down and our legs were a bit stiff by the end. The par 3 ninth is about the hardest but fun hole I've played, even as a high handicapper, I prefer holes like this as some obvious thought has gone into it. At £15 for a visitor it must rank as one of the best value courses I've played. I will definitely go back when the weather is better, on a clear day; the views would be
spectacular.

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Neil Cameron wrote on: Jul 31, 2000

I can only assume that Mr MacKenzie didn't score too well on his visit to Ashbourne! The course was extended to 18 holes in 1999 and has matured very quickly. The greens were all laid to stringent USPGA specifications and are playing well. The course is not particularly long off the yellow tees (6000 yds) but the course has been designed to make even 300 yard par 4 holes an interesting challenge.
The newer part of the course is on top of the hill and because the newly-planted saplings are small, protection from the wind is minimal. The fairways are undulating and play a little like a links course. Some of the tee arrangements on the back nine are a little confusing to a first time visitor, but that doesn't detract from the holes themselves.
The 9th hole at 190 yards full carry to a table top green is difficult as stated by Mr MacKenzie, (but who said golf is easy!!) The 12th is difficult, requiring either a Driver with 250 yds carry to clear the lake or laying up short followed by a long iron to the green. At 400 yards it should be manageable in two whichever way you choose to play it.
The views of the surrounding countryside are breathtaking, looking over Dovedale and the Derbyshire Dales.
The 18th, a dog-leg, has a small lake to the left of the green, adjacent to the clubhouse, making the approach shot fairly tricky. The front nine (par35) is probably easier than the back nine (par36) but if the mid or high handicapper plays the 9th as a par 4, instead of 3, and the 12th as a par 5 rather than a 4, the course shouldn't present the
horrendous problems Mr MacKenzie alludes to.
Greeen fees are currently £438 for 2000 and ,I feel, represent tremendous value for money with a full membership standing at only 450 or so.
I'm sorry that Mr Mac K didn't enjoy the course. Perhaps the less interesting flatter courses in southern Derbyshire would be more appropriate?

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