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Bowood Golf & Country Club, England |
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Bowood Golf & Country Club
Derry Hill
Calne
Wilts
SN11 9PQ
England |  | Dave Thomas |  | Paul McLean |
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 | +44 (0) 1249 822228 |  | M4 J17, 4 miles from Chippenham |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Welcome except Sat/Sun am |  | Ben Danielsen |
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Few approaches to golf clubs are as grand as the entrance to the 2,000-acre Bowood Estate. The Golden Gates are huge and imposing, the approach road passes through grounds landscaped by “Capability” Brown. This is quite something – apparently the Black Prince used to hunt here – but what is the course like?
Well, it’s essentially laid out on flat, farmland. But don’t be put off, Dave Thomas designed Bowood, and Thomas is well-versed at subtly transforming farmland into great golf courses – you may remember he co-designed the Brabazon course at the Belfry?
Bowood opened for play in 1992, to much acclaim. Despite its agricultural nature, this is a superb golf course, making best use of the estate’s mature woodland. There’s a fair amount of water, but rarely does it come into play because the fairways are generous. On the other hand, Bowood’s length is extraordinary – measuring a monstrous 7,300 yards from the back tees. But Thomas thought of everything, he created numerous teeing areas to cater for golfers of all standards.
There is a lovely feeling of peace and spaciousness at Bowood – it’s definitely a course of which the members are rightly proud. It is kept in immaculate condition, but during the winter, it has a propensity to get wet, and therefore plays every inch of its length. The pick of the holes: The 8th – a huge doglegged par four (stroke index 1) with an inviting downhill tee-shot, and the 12th – a short uphill par three with the green guarded by a stream.
Bowood is a challenging West Country course, one of the best in Wiltshire. Play Bowood alongside the Manor House at Castle Combe – but make sure you take your best driving game along with you. | |
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If the above course review article is not accurate, let us know by clicking here |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |   | | | I genuinely believe this place should be in the top 100 courses. It is always in great condition offering very quick greens and a variety of tees. Whilst i admit it is clearly a 'hotel' course, the value this place offers cannot be sniffed at. Bowood easily overshadows The Manor House at Castle Combe as it doesnt have any silly holes (like a par 5 where you have to hit 6 iron off the tee). If you get the chance, go and play! |
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| 12 July 2012
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| | I played Bowood for the first time in March after the hardest British winter in memory and the grass had hardly had chance to start growing, but Bowood was in incredible shape considering the time of year. Was impressed with the greens which were quick and true and the fairways were also in very respectable condition – the Bowood green staff should take a bow. I’m not a lover of resort golf, nor am I Dave Thomas’s No.1 fan, however, I really liked his effort here at Bowood and it may even be my personal favourite Thomas solo creation after his marvellous course at Abama. Interesting changes in elevation at Bowood make the course very enjoyable and despite the ups and downs, the walking is very easy. I am sure when the trees are in leaf and the birds are singing Bowood will be even better, but even in the stark, bare winter, it’s still a good golf course. |
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| 16 April 2010
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| | I played here very recently and was pretty impressed. The start is a bit average and, though there are some lovely holes, I do feel it was a little 'samey'. The food is good and the staff are very friendly.
You will require a really good long game (we played off the whites - 6900yds) and a very hot sand wedge; I have never been in so many bunkers in my life (10).
The 9s seem to have been switched compared to some reviews but the par 5 12th is a cracker. |
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| 31 October 2008
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| | Played here in the winter and was very disappointed with overall conditon of the course. Don't get me wrong theres some great holes on the course, but when I played here the fairways were poor and many of the holes were being worked on. Prehaps I didn't see it at its best, but I played Manor House the day before and that was streets ahead in every department on and off the course. |
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| 03 June 2008
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| | Our society of 5 to 24 handicappers confirmed it's harder for the low handicappers than the rabbits, though they might not think it. Our eclectic score was 80. If it had been windy add another 15. Tight bunkered fairways demand a three wood off the tee on many holes and trouble is in front of the greens so take an extra club or two and aim for the back. Mostly flat, it could be uninspiring if the design were not so good. Friendly and welcoming staff makes a big difference compared to some high-brow corporate venues I've played. Pleasant patio and luxury feel to the place, but somehow it misses that bit of character you find at old established courses. Still a must- play and all our players are keen to return. |
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| 14 August 2007
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| | After a slow start with up and down holes and the 1st and 2nd, the par 5 3rd is in my mind the start of a great course. The 8th has got to go down as one of the fun holes with a hint of quality all about it, cannot think that too many par 4’s are registered here. Holes 11, 12 and 15 reminded me of a little alpine corner seen only on ski resort postcards – fantastic. Great atmosphere in the clubhouse and a favourite for the corporate market. Bowood looks like one of those places that once you have found it, you would definitely return for another round (in a similar way to nearby Manor House). The promise of some onsite accommodation in 2008, can only elevate Bowood to the next level. Recommended. |
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| 12 October 2006
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| Response: | | | Andy | 08 March 2010 | | To avoid any confusion, Bowood switched the 'nines' around in 2008 I believe; do take this into account when reading about the holes in the reviews. Thanks. |
| | | Played Bowood last week and was very impressed. The last time I played here the condition was nothing to write home about but they seem to have improved things. Not sure who previously posted a 6 ball for Bowood... perhaps they've not played some of the real classic Top 100 courses. Bowood is good but not great... how can it be? But it's tough, the topography is rolling and interesting it's in good nick and it keeps you thinking an added bonus is that the staff are really friendly and it represents pretty good value too. Well worth playing. |
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| 17 May 2006
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| | A great golf course set it a superb location. From the entrance in you know you are somewhere special. The course is tough for the lower handicapers but fair for all levels. Every hole is interesting and challenging. The condition is top quality, greens and fairways are some of the best quality you will find. Bad shots are penalised with heavy rough which helps define the fairways. A must play and very good value. |
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| 23 August 2004
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