Remedy Oak
Since opening its doors in 2006 it has quickly established itself as one Southern England’s finest and arguably the best inland course in the country that doesn’t play over a heathland. Its reputation was enhanced further when it was awarded Regional Qualifying for the Open Championship until 2018.
It is clearly a special, beautiful and tranquil place to play golf with secluded fairways that have been carved through ancient woodland on a site that covers more than 250 acres.
The name Remedy Oak stems from the healing powers long associated with the oak tree, which is situated half a mile from the front entrance. Legend states that The Boy King, King Edward VI who came to the throne at the age of nine, sat under this wonderful tree and ‘touched for the Kings Evil.’
That’s all great you say but what about the actual golf? Well I’m pleased to report it’s very good and at times superb.
As somebody whose heart lies on the linksland I sometimes struggle to objectively look at courses like this. I personally believe the soul of the game lies in the ground game, the running nature of golf and this is never, and can never, be replicated on a property like this. Here you must carry the ball through the air and play the aerial game, the number of forced carries also ensure this is the case.
With that in mind I then look for what strategy and options are presented to golfer and in this regard Remedy Oak scores highly. There are number of excellent risk-reward holes throughout the round, none better than the exceptional second. For any realistic chance of reaching the green at this par five you must work your ball right-to-left off the tee before playing from a downhill lie to a green fronted by water which also wraps itself around the right of the putting surface.
The member I played with correctly suggested that the par fives became progressively easier during the round and the fifth, 15th and 17th are certainly more reachable yet they still have their dangers. The sweeping 15th is a cracking hole where a drive down the right shortens the hole and gives a better angle to the green but this requires a longer carry from the tee and closer to the main trouble down that side.
The short holes are all very good too and particularly well defended by sand, water or cleverly designed putting surfaces. In some cases all three. I thought the fourth was a particularly strong hole at the time but on reflection they all excelled.
The two-shotters are varied and also give the golfer choices. A number of the holes encourage a left-to-right ball flight and all the greens are packed with interest. The best is perhaps saved for the last, certainly a great finishing hole; a 200-250 yard tee-shot is required to set up a terrifying 120-yard pitch across water to a narrow green situated well below you and right in front of the clubhouse.
So what’s not to like? Very little in fact. There were perhaps a couple of forced carries too many for my personal liking and I suspect the course may not quite play as well in the deepest winter months but otherwise there is nothing really to be critical of at Remedy Oak. There is a fantastic relaxed feel to The Club, excellent practice facilities and the clubhouse fits perfectly into the surroundings.
From the white tees (6,466 yards, par 72) the course played nicely and although I would like to have a go from the purple tees (7,010 yards) in the future I suspect it might be best to leave this to the professionals in Open Qualifying.
