Bearwood Lakes

Although it was only created in 1996 you would be forgiven for thinking that it had been here for over a century.

The land was originally part of Windsor Great Park and the 18 holes traverse this spectacular and undulating forested terrain elegantly.

At Bearwood Lakes you will be greeted with perfectly manicured fairways and quick greens as you work your way around the course that starts well, gets better and then really comes into its own at the start of the back nine.

The Guy Hockley / Martin Hawtree designed par 72 layout stretches to almost 7,000 yards from the back tees and rewards positive play. The course meanders through a backdrop of mature trees with water, as you might expect from the name, coming into play on seven of the holes; both on drives and approaches.

You will find wide landing zones at Bearwood Lakes but large bunkers are waiting for anything too far offline as well as lush rough flanking the fairways and close to the green too.

There are many very good holes, with not a single dud, but the run of holes from the ninth to the 14th are worth a special mention. There are three fine par 3’s amongst this stretch, two played over water, but it was the inviting downhill par four 10th and the climbing par five 11th that really caught my eye. Both are beautiful looking holes where strategy and wise decisions are required at all times.

What pleased me most about this modern design is that it is not as big and brash as some other new ‘championship’ courses. And that is for the best. There is a much more intimate feel about playing here and the view from the clubhouse balcony that showcases the first, seventh and 18th holes is delightful.

Although I am a huge fan of links golf I always enjoy playing a top quality parkland course and Bearwood Lakes can certainly claim to be in that category.