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Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Gatton Manor.

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.

Mike Root (England) 24/09/07

Played here with 7 friends for the second time last week..It is one of the few courses that seems better each time it's played..Great condition and a good variety of holes..Nice to find a course at a very reasonable price where you cant just stand on the tee and bang away with a driver on every hole except par 3s..As stated previously £25 for a buggy is too steep by todays standards but at £14 with a 2fore1 voucher it all levels out..Most of us actually walked and it's not that hard a walk and very interesting..Take a peek over to the right after the 18th as you go back to the clubhouse, theres a fantastic over-run magical ornamental garden there complete with stone mushrooms!!!

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	9

Danny Kosifou (England) 09/09/07

So - I played here in a mini society of 12 recently, having only played the course once before a few years ago. Overall - it was a pleasant experience - the greens were in great nick, although the putting green bore no resemblence to the speed of the greens on the course.

My only real grips are:

1. Cost of a buggy at £25 is just a bit steep these days really.

2. Being made to play off the yellow tees - 6026 yards, is way too short to be a real test of golf. Hitting driver 8 iron into the short par 5 5th hole is a joke.

If you like a nice, interesting course, that's not too taxing on your game, then this is worth a look.

Food and staff were more than helpful, so ignore previous comments below.

Ratings

Value for Money	7
Challenge	6
Off Course	8

Uwe Beyer (England) 28/08/07

What a beautiful course! Greens were true, well-manicured and very fast; what a pleasure! The fairways were also in good condition encouraging you to take good divots. Been in 1 x bunker only and that was like I like them - fluffy sand and NO stones.

Play at some stages was a bit slow, but not too bad at all. I can actually not wait to play there again...

A final note on the staff: EXTREMELY friendly and helpful.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	8
Off Course	9

Andrew Sands (England) 07/08/07

Played there early in July on a Sunday. The course lay-out and the maintenance of the course is very good. However my playing partner and i were stuck behind a group os six mates playing in two groups, who were very very slow and had no idea of golfing etiquette.

We were held up for five minutes on every tee and fairway. The two groups in front met on the greens several times to talk to one another. In all it took us 4 1/4 hours to play 18 which is very slow. From 16 onwards, groups behind us were walking off of the course.

Complained and received two complimentary rounds and had a similar experience. Played on a Saturday afternoon and had to have a group of four who had missed their tee-time tee of in-front of us. Yet again there was no real knowledge of golfing etiquette and we were behind them for the whole 4 1/2 hours of the round.

Another arae which desperately needs addressing is the tee's. Virtually none are level. They are all sloping left to right or front to back.

Travelled an houir to get there and wouldn't recomend it.

Ratings

Value for Money	4
Challenge	7
Off Course	8

Alan Tovey (England) 21/06/07

Had the pleasure of playing this gorgeous and superbly maintained course today.

It's an excellent layout that encourages thought with plenty of risk-reward holes, and doglegs and hazards that mean you aren;t just trying to blast it as far as you can off the the tee with a driver.

Can't believe the negative feedback I read below because this is one of the nicest courses I have experienced and the staff could only be described as utterly helpful and polite.

I can only deduce that whoever 'complained' liked it so much when they played here that they are making a cack-handed attempt and putting others off so they have it to themselves.

Ratings

Value for Money	0
Challenge	6
Off Course	8

Rob A (England) 08/06/07

played here on the 7/6/07. Just driving to the club through 5 miles of winding, country road, you know that this is going to be a good course (and probably one of the rare times i can say that i didn't hear a car or see a road on all 18 holes)at a cost of £14 with a 2 fore 1 voucher. There was in fact 3 of us but the guy let us all pay £14. What a result, what a nice guy (things like that really stick in the memory)

Straight away the look of the course was in championship standard and im saying that after playing walton heath the week that the US open qualifying was played on the 4/6/07.

The greens were tough and fast, but very true. The rough was hard and unforgiving.

The course layout is so natural and lovely that i still couldn't get the smile off my face that i had paid just £14.

The holes are different, exciting fun. Long par 5's, short par 3's, carry of water this has the lot. One of the best courses on the greenfree and 2 fore 1 vouchers, along with old thorns and mannings heath.

Top that off with a lovely pint and superb burger and chips. Playing there again today.

Recommended.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	9
Off Course	10

C. Garton (England) 01/06/07

I was also very surprised at some of the negative feedback on this page.

I played the course today for the first time. The staff were helpful and pleasant and I had a very enjoyable round of golf. The course was in great condition, particularly the greens.

The added bonus was the sausage and bacon bap at the halfway hut, using local butcher's sausages, delicious! - I was 9 strokes less on the back 9 entirely due to the bap!

I will be here in a few weeks time with a society and I am looking forward to it already.

Thoroughly recommended.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	7
Off Course	8

P Martin (England) 20/05/07

Very surprised at some of the negative feedback on this page. I played the course today in a society of 12 players and had a fantastic day from start to finish. We arrived and enjoyed a full English breakfast which was produced within five minutes of our arrival. Good start to the day. Onto the golf, the friendly course marshall introduced himself and wished us an enjoyable round. The course was in excellent condition, particularly the greens which were smooth and fast. There are several very interesting holes, not least the 18th which is a great finisher. We didn't experience any snobbery from the members, but if this does exist, i'm sure it is not any worse than any other course. After another good experience, we will be returning for a 4th time next year. Recommended.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	7
Off Course	8

Scott Barker (England) 08/05/07

This is one of my favourite courses, it's high quality yet surprisingly quiet and has excellent practice facilities. I've almost never been held up in a dozen visits so some previous feedback I've found surprising. Very nice bar and courteous staff too.

Ratings

Value for Money	10
Challenge	8
Off Course	10

John Bateson (England) 22/04/07

Our Society played here recently and I have played here a number of times. It can, like other courses in this area, get a bit muddy in winter but on our recent visit (30+ golfers), the course was in fine condition. We were well looked after and the facilities and meal were excellent. The general consensus was that this is a well laid out and challenging course and we were mandated to include Gatton in our next years programme. We have now booked this and paid our deposit. We found the staff obliging, friendly and efficient. Can I say more? Highly recommended.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

Patrick Kiely (England) 20/04/07

Response to Adam Monger's comments from Patrick Kiely (Owner of Gatton Manor)

I read with great disappointment your comments which are totally at odds with the vast majority of favourable comments we receive from visitors to Gatton Manor.

Incident 1: Your treatment is unacceptable and out of character. Great customer service is at the heart of what we deliver at Gatton. All staff (including greenkeepers) are put through customer service training which governs how we expect them to welcome and treat anyone who visits Gatton Mnor. I can only apologise for how you were treated and assure you that it is not the norm!

Incident 2: I have reviewed the start sheet. As I understand it you started at 10.36. There were 2 free slots behind you so I am at a loss as to who constituted the 4 ball behind you. I would be disappointed if they were members. The pairing in front of you constituted the club charirman who I doubt would speak to you in those tones. A whiteboard by the entrance to the club shop indicated that all members & visitors should play off the mats and that winter rules applied. We returned to normal tees on the 1st April. Staff in the shop should have advised you about playing off the mats.

Incident 3: Hole 10 & 11 are close to the half way hut. The protocol is that refreshments are ordered prior to playing the 10th and consumed before playing the 11th. A 10 minute gap (in essence the time it takes to play the 10th) is allowed to consume the refreshments before playing the 11th. It appears the group in front adhered to this. I am not aware if you requested them to leave you through.

Golfers behaviour during their round is hard to police and is a major problem for the golf industry in general(see my previous posting as to what we are trying to do in this regard).

There was not a society in front of you on that day so I am at a loss as to how to respond to the comment about society golf. We did have 2 societies later in the day.

It is a real shame that you did not seek me (or a senior manager) out upon finishing your round so that I could at least have addressed some of your issues immediately.

Gatton Manor is a nice & challenging course all year round and particularly in the summer. It is also a very popular and welcoming venue with the majority of our business coming from repeat customers returning time after time. A sure sign that we consistently provide a good welcoming golfing experience!

I hope that you will return (and enjoy a complimentary round). When you do please let me know and we can arrange to meet to discuss this visit and our management of Gatton in greater detail.

Kind Regards

Patrick

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	8

Adam Monger (England) 05/04/07

My father and I played Gatton on Friday 30th March. The initial outlook looked promising on arrival but upon leaving the car this was to be dispelled though several encounters with peoples' delusions of grandeur.

Incident 1

On entering the bar and finding nobody to take my order I saw a staff member out back and walked to corner only to be told to go to the other side as I'd ventured into "society corner". The phrase returned by the barman was "we can't have you mixing with society people". Hey, I'm not there to mix with a golf society, I'm there trying to get something to eat and nobody is tending to the needs of paying patrons.

Incident 2

On arrival at the first tee a four ball arrives and literally encroaches onto the tee as we are teeing off. Ignoring this lack of respect we proceeded and were both delighted to hit good tee to fairway shots. On return to our bags the following was said by a member of the four ball.

"Are you members" he said

"No this is our first time playing Gatton" I replied.

"What the hell are you doing teeing off from there? Non members use the mats. Don't you follow the rules? he continued

"I'm sorry I wasn't aware" I said

Nothing indicated this was the case, nobody mentioned this at the club shop when paying, no signs were displayed stating this and nothing was on the rules in the scorecard. I was left there thinking to myself who the hell are you to speak to me like that, would you speak to somebody on the street like that - I don't think so. Being a gentleman I responded by saying "Thankyou kindly for educating me on the process" and with haste we exited down the fairway to avoid any further confrontation.

So through the actions of one rude idiot of a member it took till the 4th hole to calm down my inner self and attempt to enjoy the day. Play was great, we generally continued to hit tee to fairway shots and played at a good pace maintaining the spirit of the game.

Incident 3

Hole 11 I believe it was. A good idea with a tea bar for quick refreshments available. I believe the rule was to order at the start of the 11th , play the 11th hole and your order would be ready on return back up to the 12th. Thus appear four ball who had obviously been enjoying an extensive break here. The concept seems good but on a busy day it would require everybody to stop to attain a good spacing between players and maintain a steady pace to the game, thus avoiding bunching. We played the 11th and on arrival at the 12th the 4 ball proceeded to play the 12th (despite not even being at a stage of address) Surely a good opportunity to let a 2 ball through was missed. So from hole 12 to hole 18 (when incidentally it started to shower with rain), we were painfully slowed by what I can only be described as very average golf play and a considerable lack of respect for other players. Loitering on the greens chatting, marking your scores on them too, all adds to the frustration whilst waiting in the pouring rain behind. Credit to them they called us through on the 18th (what's the point by now) when one player lost his ball. On passing them 1 of the 4 said "Sorry if we've been holding you up for a while but we're playing a society game here". "That's fine, we're enjoying the fine weather" I retorted, again wanting to avoid any confrontation. So if you're playing a society game you don't call anybody through to avoid slow play. Amazing.

That topped the day off. From Bar to 18th hole, a miserable experience thanks to an obnoxious member of staff, a course member and a complete disregard for maintaining a steady pace of play by the four ball (Note: previous comment on this board regarding similar experience of slow play). I wish I had never got out of the car, let alone drive for an hour to get there. Best part of the day was at least these happy souls got soaked as well. A nice course to play particularly in summer I expect but hire out the venue to yourself if you want to enjoy the experience or you struggle to hold back your true feelings to avoid any confrontation. Never to return but will be advising other to avoid.

Thanks for your time.

Ratings

Value for Money	1
Challenge	6
Off Course	4

John Tuach (Scotland) 10/11/06

This note is from the owner of Gatton Manor and was sent to one of the folk who had entered feedback. It is published with his consent.

"I am the owner of Gatton Manor and regularly read the reviews. Thank you for your comments regarding your recent visit which disappointed me.

My wife and I acquired Gatton in January 05 and have invested heavily in improving the course and facilities following a long period of under investment. Examples of this include course drainage, 2 new tee boxes (12th & 17th), improved practice facilities, refurbished clubhouse & shop.

However much work remains to be done. With this in mind we recruited a new estate & course manager (Paul Hobden) in March this year. Paul joined us from the Wisley and previously was at Pyrford, Sweetwoods & Chart Hills as course manager. A new fleet of course equipment has recently been purchased and Paul is continuing to beef up his team.

Pitch marcks are the bane of every course - not enough golfers are considerate enough to repair theirs (plus one other) when they arrive on a green. Our greenkeepers repair as many as they can as part of their daily course setup routine.

The tee boxes do need work and are in places uneven. This is the result of a poor initial construction over 30 years ago. There are measures we are taking to improve them but it will take time & further investment. There is no excuse for the grass not been cut on the tee boxes. May have been because of recent rainfall which did not allow cutting to take place.

New hazard stick were acquired and put in place in late September in time for the hosting of 2 county finals. I am unsure of the date you played but this was an issue that has been resolved.

I can only apologise for the slow play and the mindless nature of the fourball you encountered. Course marshalls are deployed Thursday to Saturday from April to end of October. On Sundays (which is largeley available to members) we have not felt the need to employ a marshall. I will need to re-think that now given your experience.

Looking forward to 2007 and beyond, we are curently seeking planning permission which hopefully will result in improved changing rooms and practice facilities. If successful work on this will begin in early 2008.

I hope that I have been able to respond in a constructive way to your viewpoint and maybe altered it. We are trying very hard to ensure everybody enjoys their visit to Gatton. If there is anything you think we can do to improve either the course or facilities further please let me know.

Kind regards

Patrick Kiely

"

Good to see golf club management being proactive... Since I have not been to Gatton Manor, I cannot assess the course hence the marks of 1.

John Tuach

UK-GolfGuide.com

Ratings

Value for Money	1
Challenge	1
Off Course	1

Kevin B. B. (England) 17/10/06

Played here in a society & i didn't think it was a particularly good venue .I found it to be a mainly uninteresting parkland course.There are also drainage problems when it's wet .

It was becoming a drag towards the end with the straight par 5 17th being a real slog & i have no desire to return.

Kevin B.

Ratings

Value for Money	4
Challenge	7
Off Course	6

Simon Shaw (England) 17/10/06

Things have obviously improved in the last month.

I found the tee boxes in good order and all hazards were staked red or yellow.

We played on the twilight rate of £14 and this represents fantastic value. Ok it was a bit dark on the 18th green but still finished.

Gatton Manor is a gem in my mind. The holes are long, interesting and challenging. The course is in excellent condition especially considering its the middle of October.

Would thoroughly recommend this course

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	8
Off Course	9

Thomas Standley (England) 15/09/06

First time back to Gatton Manor in a long while, I was tempted back by the good reviews and the word on the local grapevine that the course condition had dramatically improved. In short, I was very disappointed! Fair enough, the greens were true and consistent, but the first hole was peppered with un-repaired pitch marks. The tee boxes were appalling, some of the worst I have played on (including bottom end municipal par 3 course I paid £2.50 for!), there was hardly got a flat lye, they were in awful nick and covered with very long grass. Fairways weren't too bad. Note to course managers: why spend money on fancy signage when you could better spend it on the tee blocks. Also, why are there no red or yellow stakes around water hazards - do we make our own mind up if they are lateral or normal hazards!

My major disappointment was that there was no course marshal on the Sunday we played. We were only a 2 ball and both of us were playing a pretty solid tee to fairway game, then on the seventh hole the 4-ball group in front who had already been holding us up for 3 holes announced '”we are not letting you play through as we're being held up” and from that point on they held us up all the way to the 18th, by which point there were 2 clear holes in front of them (they could have quickly an easily let us through on numerous occasions - idiots) - a five hour round as a 2 ball is not my idea of fun, thanks Gatton Manor. Don't think I’ll be coming back for a while and to think I wanted to play there as I was considering becoming a member!

Andrew Jarrod (England) 30/08/06

Excellent golf course with a extensive practice areas, great club house, and large pro-shop.

Only strange thing is that both times I’ve been here the standard of attire on the course seemed at odds with the surroundings. People playing practically in jeans and t-shirts, and tops that resemble something you wear to a football match. Last time we played we had a group of idiots behind in such attire firing golf balls at us on several occasions despite being able to clearly see we were waiting for others. This I take as a 1 off, and might happen anywhere though. You can’t account for idiots, they exist everywhere.

This course is downright devious. Having played it twice so far this year I’d recommend anyone give it a go. But don’t play here if you just like to slap it and get a good score, this course will test your game.

The 1st is long, uphill and sloping right to left. Get a par here and you’ll have started very happy.

The 3rd is pure evil. A lake where you want to play your ball so you are forced to take on a huge carry, or lay up and face a big shot in.

The 4th is a great little par-3 over a lake. Very scenic ;-)

The 6th is SI-1 and hard as nails. Not long, but Satan himself designed this one. Needs a perfect iron, then a perfect pitch. After that it’s easy – lol.

8th is another evil dogleg then a big straight shot after.

9th another tree-lined alley that you have to be straight down.

11th a superb “take it on or bottle out” hole that forces you to aim over the trouble to a tight landing area, or lay up and play safe with 2 small irons.

12th. Great dogleg which ou can cut be taking on the tree forward and left of the tee.

13th. A long…. Par-4.

14th. A par-3 that I seem to mess up each time.

15th. Great par5, stay left !

17th. Small let down. Massive hole off the back tee’s but the yellows are 100 yards forward.

18th. Stunning hole to finish on, requires 2 very accurate iron shots.

Ratings

Value for Money	9
Challenge	9
Off Course	9

John Scotcher (England) 12/07/06

I've been playing there for four years now. When I first visited, the club house - and to some extent the course - were tired and in need of some TLC. The new owners have given it just that. The course is now in superb condition, challenging and reasonably tight.

A lot of work has been done on the course (drainage, improved bunkers, tidying of the woodland etc) and for special occasions, the 17th hole now sports a blue 645 yard tee box.

The club house is also much improved, but honesty demands the comment that the changing facilities still leave something to be desired.

Ratings

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

gary elrick (England) 24/06/06

having played gatton manor on a few occassions i was very impreesed with new features to the course bridges over the 6th very impressive greens were in magnificant conditionground staff were very friendly as were the rest of the staff. my only two down points were the condition of the small hut at the 16th why dont they turn it round and make it facing the 16th fair way or the 15th green and possibly give it a smasll paint job, and the showers could be better, over all a great course.

Ratings

Value for Money	6
Challenge	8
Off Course	9

John Moore (England) 05/04/05

Last played around 5 or 6 years ago, I remembered the course then as being a real favorite, but when I went back there at the begining of April 2005 I was really suprised at the condition of the course.

Most of the fairways were a bog. In fact the group in front of me had difficulty locating his ball after driving straight down the middle of the first, He found it completely buried in the middle in of the fairway!!.

Having said that the layout is very nice and quite tight. The best hole is the 18th, this is also a potential card wrecker, you have to be very accurate with both your drive and approach to a very narrow target.

At the moment it's not worth the money, the need to spend a fair amount getting the course to where it belongs. I will return maybe in better times.

Loy Dogg (England) 25/08/04

Nice course, fairly well laid out and a good mixture of holes. Rough is fairly forgiving and it's in a nice part of the world. £35 a bit expensive but I'd play here again.

Jason Smith (England) 19/10/03

I think this course is fantastic - even better when you consider the value for money it offers when paying twilight rates.

I would recommend it to everyone - but keep it quite!!

colin wilkins (english) 29/08/03

I thought the society day out was good value for money mainly because of excellent food.Although I thought the course was a bit tatty in places,it played quite well.I found that I had to play alot of irons or lofted woods from many of the tees.Greens quite small and many with big slopes.Championship course, I think not,very over used phrase!Course management was the name of the day!

Brian Ayres (england) 30/03/03

Excellent course and great facilities. Excellent value for money. A very pleasant welcome from all around. I will definitely be returning again and would have no problem recommending this course to anyone.

Chris Fry (england) 12/10/00

Good championship course which will need your game on song if you are to score well. Great for societies - they make you feel welcome, the grub is good (particularly the evening carvery) and an all day event is super value. Quite long and testing - you will know you have played golf at the end. If you are playing 36 holes on a hot day, think about a buggy for the afternoon. I was fit for nothing when I didn't! A great day out, but an independent two-ball midweek could find it slow with the societies. Overall, a memorable course.

Len Jozunas () 19/09/99

It has been a few years since I last played at Gatton Manor, but the challenge of this championship length course has remained with me. It is set in the beautiful Surrey countryside, and boasts one of the longest par fives in golf. A group of friends and I used to play here regularly, and were always made to feel welcome. Green fees are reasonable, particularly when you consider the cost of some courses, and Gatton Manor charges daily rates, allowing you to play a round in the morning and in the afternoon. They also offer special lunch rates for societies, making it a great day out.

The course has many holes where water comes into play, and some of the fairways are narrow tree-lined avenues, making the drive to the fairway all important. The course is well maintained, even in the winter month's, and the greens are immaculate considering the volume of players who use the course. You should try to book in advance for tee times, particularly if you are going in a group, however it is worth waiting for a tee time, just to experience this challenging and pleasant golf course.