Golf & Co

About The Grove

Ranked 69th out of the World’s Top 100 courses, The Grove has played host to the WGC-American Express Championship won by Tiger Woods in 2006, as well as the 2016 British Masters.

Designed by Kyle Phillips, this quintessentially English parkland course uses the natural contours of the mature parkland setting in an understated way to create a discerning golf course. Measuring a hefty 7,150 yards from the back tees to a leisurely 5,500 yards from the front tees, the ‘linksy’ layout has a relatively open feel that encourages the use of big-timber from the tee. However, if you stray offline the penal grassy rough lies in wait for anything hit too wide.

The immaculately conditioned course with its thickly grassed fairways has excellent bunkering and moulding with numerous features such as tight doglegs, demanding carries over water and inviting drives from elevated tees. The sumptuous 3rd, with its approach over ‘Hell’s Lake’, is a real test of the nerves, and the short hole that follows is all about hitting the right length.

There are further excellent par 4s both at the 5th and the perfect 18th to its raised green, and in 2006 Tiger Woods recorded an eagle three on the 567-yard 9th hole three days in succession. The Par 4 10th is a lovely dogleg left which requires a confident tee shot between two beautiful trees to a fairway which opens up. The raised undulating greens are generally large, very fast and true.

The Grove’s presentation is top-quality, with picturesque views of the stately home and surrounding Hertfordshire countryside. A course fit for an Earl!