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Forest of Arden (Arden), England |
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Marriott Forest of Arden
Maxstoke Lane
Meriden
Warwickshire
CV7 7HR
England |  | Donald Steel |  | Iain Burns |
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 | +44 (0)1676 522 335 |  | 4 miles W of Coventry |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Book in advance |  | Philip Hoye |
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The Forest of Arden is a set amidst the trout lakes of Lord Aylesford’s vast 10,000-acre estate at Packington Park. Founded in 1970 and designed by Donald Steel, the Arden course is a regular European Tour venue and has hosted the British Masters and the English Open.
Despite the fact that the Arden is a modern course, Steel has blended the layout nicely into the natural landscape. The majestic oaks, especially prevalent on the back nine, make the layout seem much more mature than it really is. The Arden’s challenge is significant, especially from the back tees – 7,134 yards. But even from the regular yellow tees, the course measures a healthy 6,500 yards.
This is a quality course, set in very pleasant surroundings. It can sometimes feel a lot longer than its advertised yardage because the ground, especially in the winter, becomes soft. The rough can be extremely trying; it’s invariably lush and thick, making recovery shots very tough indeed. In terms of conditioning, the Arden is usually maintained immaculately from tee to green. If you are fortunate enough to play the course prior to, or just after, a European Tour event, you are in for an absolute treat.
Opening gently with two short par fours, it’s not long before the Arden’s real test begins. The sequence of holes from the 6th through to the 9th is superb. The 8th is a wonderful short par three, where the green is guarded by water on two sides. The back nine is the most memorable, not only for the ancient oak trees, but also for the closing two holes, which are technically excellent and very exciting. The 17th is a par five where a bunker to the left and a lake to the right jealously guard the green. Only the crispest of approach shots will find the putting surface. Beware of the closing hole. It’s an intimidating par three, requiring a 200-yard carry across a lake!
It’s always delightful to play a championship course of the pedigree of the Forest of Arden, but it’s especially pleasing when the service and the facilities are this good. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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In the section below, headed “Your Reviews”, are golf course reviews posted by visitors to the Top 100 website. There are no specific rules for reviewing a golf course except you MUST have played the golf course first. Merits of each course are left entirely to your discretion. Important factors, such as course location, condition (or presentation), course difficulty and historical importance are all left for you to judge and we have developed a simple rating system where you can allocate one score to each course. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | I'm really not a fan of hotel courses, and so I had low expectations of the Marriot Forest of Arden. However i was very pleasantly suprised when we played. Not only was the course in very good condition given the extremely heavy rain there had been in the night and weeks before we played, and it was december anyway, but also the course was challenging, interesting, and the back 9 especially fel really mature - and unlike so many boring, un-inspiring 'new' courses, which so often feel like they are random bits of land which was created into a golf course. I hope to return. | | Sunday, December 06, 2009
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| | | I played the main championship course at Forest of Arden in June 2009. I wasn't too sure what to expect after reading some of the poor reviews on this site, but went there with an open mind. Overall I was very impressed with the course, I thought the greens were very good indeed, true and fast which is all you can ask for really. The fairways were in good condition with no signs of ground under repair or unrepaired divot marks. The course is fair whilst remaining challenging, and I don't recall feeling that there were too any similar holes in layout. The standard out hole is the the par 3 18th which is about 220yds over a huge ravine. The green looks a mile away from the tee and is very deceptive, I just trusted the yardage and hit a rescue club 10ft from the pin, it made my day and left me thinking I would definitely head back again soon. | | Thursday, November 19, 2009
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| | This used to be one of my favourite golf courses, especially the back 9 in the deer back. After playing again last week I am really sad to say that Marriot have killed it. I was shocked at the bad condition of every aspect of the course. From the bunkers, to the truly dreadful greens to the bare fairways full of old divots.
This isn't the type of condition that a course gets into over the winter, this can only be the result of severe cut backs (although they have built a brand new pro shop) and lack of care.
Overall a real shame that what was once such a great course is now in worse condition than an average muni. | | Wednesday, April 08, 2009
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| | Personally I was disappointed with the Arden Course. It was in good condition but I was expecting it to be special. From the 1st tee the motorway roar can be heard in the background and this only gets worse when you get to the 2nd to see the motorway as a backdrop. I found the front nine a bit dull and the par 3 8th over water water a disappointment. There is no trouble if you miss the green left/right or go too long which makes the hole too easy in my opinion.
The back nine however has a totally different feel and was far more enjoyable. It is much more peaceful and the background noise from the front nine is no longer heard. There is no forest element to any of this course though so don't expect tight tree lined fairways. The fairways on the back 9 are lined by fern and despite some wayward tee shots I was never in danger of too much punishment.
I think the venue is let down by the corporate feel which can ruin any course (not just this one). I found myself constantly repairing pitchmarks which is a real pet hate of mine when these are just left by others. Other than that the greens were fast and true with some excellent undulations.
The course is challenging and some percentage golf is advisable. Despite an enjoyable day I would not return. | | Friday, September 26, 2008
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| | | This place has a rather corporate feel to it, not a great welcome from the starters. After the first two holes which are average it turns into a great challenge, with many long holes which are well protected by water and bunkers. For me the back 9 is much nicer than the front as you enter the forest. I have never seen so many deer on golf course!! I was a little disappointed with signature 18th hole as the over grown bushes restricted your view of the green and water which made the hole less intimidating. Course in great condition and look out for the par 3 8th, better than the 18th. | | Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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| | Play there 6 months ago , apart from raining all weekend , it was a real pleasurable experience ,Iam a memeber at the london club, and i think this is ten times better ,MUST PLAY! Greens were wicked considering the conditions !! | | Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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| | | What an enjoyable course. After a very weak start, this course just gets better and better. The Par 5's are good testing risk reward holes and the par 3's make you think. The 9th hole has to be one of the hardest driving holes in golf (well that i have played anyway). All told a good test of golf with long irons needed as much as wedges. Played in May 06 with most courses struggling for condition and it was in fantastic shape. With a bar overlooking the 18th the atmosphere was good if a little corporate. Thoroughly enjoyable and well worth a visit. | | Wednesday, May 10, 2006
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| | | A well crafted course laid through a landscape of woodland with ferns and aging oak trees. The course was in excellent condition for our visit even though the weather had been pretty wet for a few days beforhand. It's a good golf course but not outstanding and unfortunately due to it being owned by Marriott is quite pricey for a round but, countering that, the hotel is comfortable and provides good facilities if you are planning on staying there.
| | Friday, September 10, 2004
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| | Enjoyable course but lacking soul. Holes are technically challenging and enjoyable but there's no golf club. | | Saturday, April 03, 2004
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