---

Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Silvermere Golf and Leisure Complex.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

If you have played this course and would like to add your comments then feel free to Add a Report.

mark tallentire (England) 07/05/08

played there yesterday, the first time for three years and two days after coming across a well-maintained darenth valley course in shoreham, kent), and was disappointed with the slow, wooly greens, the lack of stakes indicating water hazards .. one in particular in front of the 1st, another on the 11th and a dank pond just on the length of a reasonable drive on one of the longer holes of the back nine(14th perhaps). the map on on the back of the scorecard is little help and only a few of the tee markers showed the layout of particular holes. the bunkers could do with a bit more sand, too.

very corporate in everything else they do (you can only leave the club shop out of a different door from the one you went in as they want people walking around there in clockwise fashion!.. the need to register for a privilege card etc), they would do well to hire a few more greenkeepers and start indulging in a bit of old-fashioned TLC.

First six and the last two were good holes, but i won't be rushing back...

Ratings

Value for Money	4
Challenge	8
Off Course	3

John McDermott (England) 22/08/07

As an occasional visitor to Silvermere I'm pleased to report that the greens are hugely improved since the spring. This makes the green fee worthwhile as they now represent a proper test of ability.

Previous comments about the expensicve clubhouse grub are justified, by I see thay are offering sandwiches etc at the starters hut.

Ratings

Value for Money	5
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Sagar Merchant (England) 20/08/07

If you into yoru golf, you will appreciate a course for its layout, its condition and the natural beauty of the surroundings. Silvermere is outstanding in its layout and the beautiful tree-lined course. The condition of the course, whilst not bad, if it was improved would make this one of the best courses in the county.

The holes are tree-lined, interestingly shaped with many dog-legs. The layout of the holes and their features make this a much longer course than the 6404 yardage would suggest. I would not hesitate in playing silvermere again on teh sunday special £26 after 2pm...and would recommend it to other golfers at this rate.

One thing to beware of is the expensive clubhouse for food and drinks. Burger and beer cost £14.40!

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

Rob A (England) 10/04/07

Played here yesterday (10/4/07) the weather was superb and there hadn't been any rain for a good few weeks. So why are the greens always so bad everytime i play here? the greens are bald, don't run true and due to it being a public course with inconsiderate players there are hundreds of pitchmarks on every green.

The round was fairly slow but not as bad as usual.

But i do still like to play silvermere occasionally despite everything i have mentioned because it has some great holes (17th/18th obviously being the best two) and for a special £25 a round wasn't bad. Usually they charge ridiculous prices, but whilst they are filling every tee time you can't blame them.

Great clubhouse/nice food/lovely garden to watch the golfers chipping over the water to finish on the 18th green/driving range/ ood but expensive club shop are all other good points.

Ratings

Value for Money	5
Challenge	8
Off Course	10

Bob Cooke (Scotland) 23/09/06

Interesting course. First few holes are memorable with the remainder being typical parkland terrain but pleasant nonetheless. The last two water holes are special.

The greens were ok but grass was scarce on a few of the putting surfaces. The fairways were good and provided a sharp surface to strike a good ball.

The main problem was the time taken to get round. 6 hours is no joke and the problem was further exacerbated by the punks behing driving balls over our heads in their frustration.

However our annoyanace was lightened when one of our group hit a goose on the 17th tee which fortunatley only appeared to be winded. The culprits shout of "what shall i do, what shall I do " was responded with "strengthen your grip slightly and move your head back a touch"

Overall a nice place to play golf but the slow play means I will not be going back on a weekend.

Ratings

Value for Money	4
Challenge	6
Off Course	8

James Mullan (England) 17/08/06

I played this course in the middle of July and was not impressed, bearing in mind I paid 37.50 I was expecting something special but the fairways and the bunkers were just a joke. I thought they had put tar in the bunkers rather then sand!

Saying that the greens were in a good condition and the first 6 holes were very nice (albeit tight drives). The final two holes are stunning as they both require a tee shot/approach shot over water, the last in front of what could be a packed bar!

Ratings

Value for Money	3
Challenge	7
Off Course	6

Robert Bedford (England) 18/06/06

Played here in a fairly large society on a Friday afternoon.

The course is fairly local to me and i have used the club shop and restaurant on a number of occasions. The carpark and restaurant are always packed so the course is obviously a very busy pan and play. For that reason I was not expecting the course to be up to much.

How wrong was I! This is an excellent course with some lovely holes which was, given the amount of traffic it sees, in excellent condition. The first is an excellent run into six quite tight holes, before crossing the road into a bit more open territory and then finishing with two more tight holes over the water of the lake. All in all an excellent course offering great value for money.

My only criticism was the pace of play. We played nine holes in the morning which took three hours. I don't think the five minute tee times helped!

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	9

Richard Moules (Ireland) 18/05/06

Played a Society day here on 11/5/06. Fantastic for a society, great food, fair test of golf and excellent service. 17 and 18 obviously stick in the mind as Silvermere lake comes very much into play,but the course will be remembered for the double-dogleg 11th (557 off the yellows) - even Tiger would be hard pushed to get near this beast in two. The other real highlight was the BBQ platter in the evening. Recommend to any society look for a good value for money day.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	7
Off Course	10

Clive Strong (Scotland) 06/05/06

My local course, but today was my first round here. I have heard several stories about the course. I don't have an official handicap but on a good day, I'm a mid handicapper and I almost played to it.

I thought the course conditions were excellent. Fairways were well cut. The greens wern't the best I have played on but the ball did run well. There was the odd pitch mark, but thats just the problem with the course being open to the public.

The front 6 holes are fantastic. You really need positional play over a good slash with the driver. The 10th, what can I say...A beast! 577 yards off the yellows! And the last 2 holes. Well thats worth the green fee alone.

The comments on slow rounds are unfortunately true. I had one of the last tee times and did manage to pass a couple of groups, but I was standing on the tee for more than 10 minutes on several occasions.

More expensive than most I have played, but I'll be back for more - Brilliant course - Well recommended.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	10
Off Course	9

Marcus Taboosen (England) 21/11/05

Having not played Silvermere for 12months (put off by the negative comments made) I was invited to play having been told things were not that bad - and never turning a round down off i went (14.11.05).

Overal impression was good for the time of year and the weather over the past few weeks.

The greens are not that bad. But I agree with previous posts that too many players go out and too many need to learn how to replace divots and repare pitch marks.

Disappointed that #2 has been shortened by moving the tee box.

Be warned - most holes have temp greens marked out already for the coming weeks.

You gotta love the 17th and 18th holes.

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

david ellis (England) 25/10/05

Used to be a good course. But greens are bad .Too many people who cant play are allowed on.When we played it we walked off after playing 12 holes in nearly 4 hrs! What a shame could be a great course,but when peolpe take 8 shots they should be told to pick up! would help to stop slow play.

Ratings

Value for Money	3
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Grant Boyd (England) 29/06/05

Took on the challenge again last night and the greens definately back to their former best. The ball will hold, if your good enough, but they are fast and a part from some very challenging pin positions were a pleasure to play. The whole course is in great shape with plenty of role and if you play well here you have a complete game.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

Grant Boyd (England) 31/03/05

Used to be my favourite course but played it on Sunday and the greens are a mess. Used to have fantastic greens for a pay and play course but they have been getting worse as time goes on. Very hard, bald patches and tram lines make them unpleasant to say the least and takes the pleasure out of the game. I won't be going back until they sort the greens out.

Ravi Godbole (England) 28/04/04

Played Silveremere for the first time this year and have to say how appalling the greens are. Some are bald in places, there are large tramlines of "repaired" green which make the ball bounce over them.

A real shame because otherwise it's a reasonable course.

Mike H (England) 24/11/03

Silvermere has 14 wonderful holes but the experience is ruined by a weak stretch of holes between 12 and 15. I have played here 4 times and the 1st, 13th and 14th have always been flooded. This course is already long enough without waterlogged fairways! The 13th should be shortened and turned into a par 4.

Richard Mcmurdo (England) 07/11/03

I’ve played Silvermere a fair few times throughout the year and have been lucky with the weather each time. Despite the extra run from the dry or frosted fairways, I’ve never shot to handicap. A very challenging 18 holes where anything straight works. Don’t play the course expecting a fast round. Away from the starting hut the course marshalling is non-existent and I’ve played rounds here where you wait for some while on each tee. Pleasant walking, with the signature hole being the par-4 18th that requires mid or long iron from the tee to leave a short iron approach over a lake to a green with everybody at the 19th watching. Must be more balls in this lake than in the pro-shop! Other noteworthy holes are the par-3 2nd requires you not only to hit the green, but to hold it, whilst the par-3 17th is all carry over water. Considering the surrounding courses and the area, the cost is reasonable. In summary of the course, if you slice, push, hook or pull your shots then Silvermere will return a high score. If you shoot to handicap then you’ve played very well.

MH (UK) 24/07/03

Do not play this course if you suffer from claustrophobia, this is one tight course. Also you’ve got to remember this is essentially a money making operation, so don’t expect Augusta type conditions because you won’t get them. There are some good holes especially in the pine and birch section at the beginning and end, with a particular favourite being the last. Here you hit a 3 iron or something (leave your driver in the bag, or better still the car boot) to a gap in the trees and then wedge it over the lake to the green, which is almost an island. Don’t over hit or you maybe in the meat platters on the clubhouse patio. We had a meal after the round and watched about 20 people play this hole and 25 balls were deposited in the agua. Check out the proshop which is like ASDA has gone into golf retail and enjoy your golf here, I did, I shot 2 over and one of our party was 1 under gross. For £22.00 a round, this ain’t bad.

Barry Hutchison (England) 11/06/03

I have been a Member at Silvermere for many years and still find the course one of the most demanding that I have played. Without exception all of the guests that I have taken there have never been able to play to their handicaps. The course condition is fantastic. With shots accross water on the last 2 holes this course challenges you to the finish. Try it, you won't be dissapointed.

Alan Hewitt (UK) 06/04/03

I have been a memeber at Silvermere for over twenty years. Having played in excess of sixty courses in and around Surrey, I can honestly say this is still one of the most challenging, hence my continued membership.

There are a number who complain that once you cross the road (holes 7 through 16) that this is of significantly less interest. Well if that's the case I suggest they re-look at their scores - and think again.

There has been a lot of work cariied out over the past few years on drainage, repairs and many trees have been planted. (I suppose that why my green fees have gone up so sharply).

It is a course where there are so many holes where you think you've hit a good shot, only to see the ball bounce right or left, due to the subtle shape of the fairways.

If your around an 18 handicap, then if you play to within three shots of that, then your doing very well at Silvermere.

The biggest draw-back is the length of time it can take to get round. It clearly would benefit from some active marshalling, or even some rules, like other clubs, where there are two, three or four ball times.

Brenden (Wimbledon-London) 04/09/02

I played this course on the weekend and love it, it must be one of the best courses I've played this year around the Surrey Area, the first 6 holes are not easy at all and club selection is important, greens are in good condition and the 17th and 18th hole's are both testing because you play over water. Not sure why so many people said bad things about this course, maybe they have done a lot of work to it in the last couple of months, the club house is great and over looks the 17th and 18th hole, they also have good food, and the pro shop is well equipped and the staff are very friendly. The only problem I had with the course was the course management, it took very long to play 18 holes and a few times we found ourselves waiting on the tee box to play the next hole. They need better course management but I find this at many courses in the UK, they should do what they do in South Africa and America and split the Tee off times between hole 1 and 10.

I'm playing again this weekend and might even sign up that's how much I enjoyed this course. At £32.50 it was really worth it, I think you should try play it at least once.

Rob (UK) 21/12/01

Played Silvermere on Wed 12th Dec.

I can imagine it would be a magnificant course for the medium handicapper during the summer months due to the clever layout, design and

local flora. + the two superb (and testing..)

water holes. Unfortunatly due to a frost that a.m

their were no greens in operation, I advise checking before play because for winter the greens looked impeccable and typically English, snugly fitting with trees / bunkers tight up.

Definalty worth a go

Andrew Land (UK) 18/10/01

Played the course on 14/10 and this club is definitely a course of two halves - the first 6, 11th and last 2 are great golf holes, cleverly designed and very testing (6th and 18th in particular) while the other nine are closer in appearance to a potato field. Drainage is a massive problem, leaving tees, fairways but especially greens in frustrating condition - short putts are treacherous and some of the fairways have been almost entirely dug up. However, my view of the course is coloured by the fact I holed in 1 on the 9th hole, so will definitely be back for posterity!

Bob Lilley (UK) 15/10/01

Played the course on Sunday 14 October. It took over 5 and a half hours to complete the round. The course was in poor to appalling conditions. Some fairways were badly cut or were in need of cutting and it was very difficult to distinguish fairway from the rough. Tyre tracks gouged into the fairways by green staff did not improve matters. The bunkers are terrible with little or no sand. Clearly the course suffers from severe drainage problems, evidenced by the awful conditions on holes 1,11,13,14,and 16. How they can justify £30 a round a weekends is incredible. If you want to spend £30 go elsewhere. The number of unrepaired pitchmarks on the greens will give you an idea of the type of players who play here. Despite the good finishing holes I won't be going back here.

Ben Everson (English) 02/10/01

Good Course, especially for one open to the public and very good value for money if you use the deals that are on offer. The first 6 holes are testing as are the last two as wayward shots are punished by the trees. The other 10 holes are more forgiving which allows you to try and recover your score. One note of caution is expect a round to take 5 hours + if you play late morning early afternoon as you will envariably get caught behind the numerous societies that play there. Better marshalling would improve what is the only real complaint about this course.

Richard Lamming (England) 09/07/01

This course is a very clever and testing course , positional play is the best option rather than length. Thoroughly enjoyed this test and the final 2 holes are picturesque with the 18th green being quite intimidating.

Great fun , great course and good meals served in the Inn on the Lake.

frazer williams (England) 04/07/01

Silvermere is my local course and i agree with many that due to bad drainage the greens and fairways (in particular 9 to 16) can be in a poor state. It is however an exceptionally fun course, with the best finale i have ever played on. I hope that their are plans to improve the problems as it would be shame for this course to remain only playable for 2 months of the year...

lee s (uk) 30/05/01

i played this course in May and by the state of the greens it looks like they've tried to play them right through the winter, because they're dreadful. you couldn't hit a 2 foot putt without it bouncing all over the place, which is a great shame as the course itself is a challenge for any level of player, and worth a visit if you don't like putting.

Carl (uk) 22/07/00

For a pay and play at £22 on a weekend this is value for money. It is very well looked after, yes there are huge number of divets due to its immense popularity, but some of the holes are fantastic. The first 5 or 6 are a poor mans wentworth (no insult here), the next three are a bit of a let down, then you meet a great par five which is tough unless your straight. It finishes with two classic water holes. Over club at the 18th (almost an island green)& your next shot will be out of a beer glass from the club house, under club and you'll have the local ducks complaining. Play it, you'll love it!

Paul (uk) 08/05/00

The course is excellent for the medium handicapper. The whole course is beautifully looked after and it does present a tough challenge. The first 6 holes are very tight. If you miss the fairway, you lose a ball but this doesn't mean the other holes are easy. Friendly staff and even members !

(uk) 17/09/99

Watch those Tree lined holes if you take an instructor with you!!

Shaun Cullen (uk) 10/09/99

This course presents a good mix of tight tree lined holes, longer but more open holes & 2 holes over water especially for the faint of heart.

I have played some top courses in my time & while Silvermere isn't at the top of the list, I have played many worse courses in my time.

I have played the course with 6 other people & not a bad word has been uttered between them.

Give it a go, you will be pleasantly surprised.