Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at The Wiltshire Golf & Country Club.

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!.

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Neil Parkin (England) 17/09/08

I recently enjoyed a Society weekend at the Wiltshire course. Enjoyed? Well, yes, although make no mistake this is a tough test of golf. Even the better golfers struggled to get 30 stableford points and it didnt surprise us too much when we found out the course record is level par!

After weeks of rain the fairways were not surprisingly a bit muddy and a little bare of grass meaning plugged balls and lots of heavy shots. The rough had been left to go quite deep and it was barely worth looking for wayward drives. The greens were in excellent shape, with very few straight putts to be had on the undulating greens.

The flow of the course is interesting and there are no really bland holes or easy birdies to be had. You really do have to think about your tactics for getting round in a decent score. The last four holes particularly demand careful play to return a good finish.

Some of the signposting is a bit weak and walks between green and tees are quite long meaning play was slow. The halfway house and a cup of tea helped a bit though, even though it closes mid-afternoon.

Off-course, the hotel is reasonably basic but nicely done and maintained, and the meals were very good for a 'society package'. So as a complete experience, it is strongly recommended by me. I only wish we could have played it with a bit of run on the fairways!

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	7

Ruari McCallion (England) 11/04/08

I played in a match in early April 2008. I wasn't playing particularly well, so got a deserved stuffing!

Start with the good stuff. After a long, cold and pretty damp winter, the greens are in pretty good condition. They're tough - hard, difficult to get balls to stop and with subtle undulations - but the grass covering and its thickness was worthy of reasonable praise.

Keep your ball on the fairway and Winter rules allow you to clean and place. It's strange - this course is on the top of Wiltshire downs but it's quite damp and muddy (except for the greens). Apparently, the underlying land is clay.

After the wet winter, it's not surprising that the fairways aren't densely populated with grass but they were acceptable.

Off the fairways was a different matter. No two ways about it: the place is soft and muddy. I understand that drainage work is ongoing but it has a ways to go yet.

My playing partner, a member, guided me through various changes that have taken place since my last visit, about two years ago. Some have definitely been for the better; there was one green that was almost impossible, I recall. Some, particularly removal of some water and other features that gave various holes character, are not.

I am given to understand that some of the owners' 'celebrity' sporting contacts regarded the course as too hard. It wasn't then, and it isn't now - I suspect I'd be able to shave a couple of shots off my handicap without too much problem. The wind is its strongest defence.

I remarked that there seems to be a lot of space available around the place, perhaps for spectator viewing areas in the future? If that's the ambition then there is still a lot of work to do. The trees have to grow and the damp, muddy feel underfoot really has to be addressed - it hadn't been raining for a couple of days when I played.

Efficient staff, pleasant clubhouse and if you're looking for somewhere to stay and play, then the £75 a night rooms, with free use of pool, spa sauna and steam room, plus 'preferential rates' for green fees, looks like the best deal.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	4
Off Course	8

Ian Thomas (England) 21/08/07

This golf course is part of an Eddie Shah country club facility that includes a hotel, holiday homes, leisure centre etc. Although over 15 years old the complex still has a work in progress feel. The main Lakes course is designed by Peter Allis and is a bit of a mixed bag. Lots of little lakes, lots of sand, interestingly contoured greens many of which have an upside down saucer shape. Potentially a very interesting test of golf, requiring course management to weave your way around the obstacles, holes like the 10th and 17th been particularly challenging. The downsides are that holes 4 to 9 are rather bland, the driving range is nowhere near the clubhouse, and the course maintenance in places leaves a lot to be desired, the condition of 9th tee was one of the worst I have come across. Would probably play again, but preferably in summer conditions rather than during 2007's soggy August.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	7

Rich Mundy (England) 17/05/07

Played the course for the first time yesterday and was impressed. They are in the process of introducing new holes onto the main 18 hole course having just completed a new nine. Therefore it was a little confusing going from green to tee as the signs around the course are yet to be updated (only 5 days on the new layout).

However once over that hurdle you will find a good course, though still overall quite young. The three par fives are good holes and three of the new holes 13, 14 and 15 are very good. 14 in particular is a 446 yard par 4 SI 1 that needs two very good shots to get on in two. The new holes have bigger greens than the older holes.. on some holes they are postage stamps.

A course I will visit again, an having played on a 2-FORE-1 voucher is good value, and when I played not busy, which was nice!

Value for Money	7
Challenge	6
Off Course	7

Matt Hamilton (England) 19/02/07

I must disagree with some of the negative feedback about this course. I was a member up until 2001, I was 18 then and had been a member for 5 years. I feel that when Eddie Shah took over from the previous owner there a big insert of both money and effort. The club house was tripled in size and the leisure facilities and hotel made it feel like a championship course. The price has somehow managed to stay reasonable and, take it from me, this course leaves you wanting more, and you will return. Fantastic greens, Reasonably long and such a tranquil environment. It is a pleasure to play.

I am obviously an ex member, but I haven't played the course for a while and I am looking forward to returning after 6 years.

Value for Money	7
Challenge	7
Off Course	10

Rupert Scaplehorn (England) 29/09/06

First visit and the last! Even though the course was undergoing extensive course maintainence, the majority of holes were untidy, very poor signage, and generally unattractive. We completed the 14th hole and walked in - very disappointed.

Value for Money	2
Challenge	4
Off Course	4