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Burnham & Berrow (Championship), England |
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Burnham & Berrow Golf Club
St. Christopher's Way
Burnham-on-Sea
Somerset
TA8 2PE
England |  | Herbert Fowler, Hugh Alison, Harold Hilton, Dr.Alister MacKenzie, Harry Colt |  | Mark Crowther-Smith |
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 | +44 (0) 1278 785760 |  | 1 mile N of Burnham on Sea |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Handicap certificate required – contact in advance |  | Michael Blight |
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“Hole succeeds hole, and still the endless range of hills goes on, and from the summit of each one we get the most lovely views, with the Cheddar Gorge in the distance; to the left the Bristol Channel, with the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm and an expanse of dim country on the other side. When we turn for home at the ninth, we see the sandhills stretching tumultuously away towards Weston, with their range of fantastic shapes and occasionally a narrow, meandering ribbon of turf in between.” Burnham in “Somersetshire” was a favourite course of Bernard Darwin, and so, it seems fitting to allow him to introduce Burnham & Berrow.
Burnham & Berrow Golf Club was founded in 1890 and soon after, they hired a youngster called J.H. Taylor. His task was to be the club’s first professional and keeper of the greens. One of the great triumvirate, Taylor went on to win the Open Championship five times. It is unclear who originally designed the links, but according to the book by Phillip Richards, entitled Between the Church and the Lighthouse: “The development of the course took thirty years to reach today’s shape and just about every one of the leading course designers during that period had an input into the course architecture. Herbert Fowler and Hugh Alison were members of Burnham and both had an important part to play in improving the links. So to a lesser extent did Harold Hilton and Dr. Alister MacKenzie but the shape of today’s course is mainly due to Harry Colt.” There is a church in the middle of the course and that in itself is unusual. Consequently over the years, changes have been made to the layout ensure that the faithful congregation does not get injured by wayward shots; additionally, some of the blind drives have been designed out.
Burnham is a traditional out-and-back links course and as per Darwin’s introduction, taken from his 1910 book, The Golf Courses of the British Isles, Burnham is “ringed round with sandhills”, gigantic ones too. It’s a challenging layout with the tumbling fairways laid out in narrow valleys, protected by deep pot-bunkers and thick rough. The greens are fairly small, requiring precision approach shots and once you are on the putting surface, the fun really begins. Burnham’s undulating, slick greens are amongst the very best in the British Isles.
There are many notable and varied holes at Burnham, with a strong collection of par threes. The first six holes are especially good and the back nine is magnificent. Burnham closes with a classic 18th, one of the best finishing holes in golf, a dogleg left over dunes and an intimidating long second shot across another ridge of dunes towards a green protected by deep threatening pot-bunkers.
Burnham has played host to many important amateur championships over the years and the course is regularly used for Open Championship qualification. A round at Burnham & Berrow is an absolute must for links purists and comparatively good value too for such a fantastic course in these times of escalating green fees. | |
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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 have played all the Open courses and I feel qualified to state that Burnham is the equal to all of them. And I will add that I believe Burnham to be more fun and also at least as difficult as Lytham, which I think is the toughest Open challenge. Burrnham unquestionably has the best set of par 3's, possibly for any course in England. Simply, the most underrated course in England, the best course in England not to have held The Open. (sorry Saunton) |
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| 13 November 2012
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| Response: | | | thomas | 13 November 2012 | | The Championship Course at B&B is a really splendid course, full of varied and interesting holes and fabulously well conditioned. I love the place. But if you take the time to visit B&B you'll be selling yourself well short if you don't also play their 9-hole Channel Course. It's terrific, and more demanding than it first appears, especially if the wind is up. The first few holes run tight alongside the seaside marsh/rushes. The final few holes turn back inland and play over the dunes. The greens are generally small, quick and, particularly on the last few holes, are very undulating with severe drop-offs to the sides. I recommend you play it, it's great fun, well conditioned, a surprisingly good challenge and a great warm up before tackling the Championship Course. | | | Harrison Brown | 07 January 2013 | | Agree with Thomas about 9 hole course, we used it for warm up and it beat the living daylights out of us, we all agreed we would travel 70 miles from where we live to play on the Channel course all day. For £20 all day, Golf (worldwide) does not get better than this, and only two bunkers on the same hole, the par 5, which by the way is par 4 length at 475 yards, nearly always into the wind, Channel estuary on left and marsh on right, this hole would be the greatest par 4 in Open championship golf, the par 3 8th/17th trumps all Postage stamp type par 3's. The 2nd best course in Somerset. |
| | | Played yesterday, in very tough conditions. Howling gale and rain.
Under those conditions, the course is very tough indeed, particularly the front nine.
The short par three 5th, the 6th and the 8th required nerves of steel tee shots, setting the ball off way out left towards impossible rough, hoping that you had judged the wind well enough.
The idea that the 6th, 7th and 8th are not good or tough holes is nonsense. They look out of character with rest of the course, but they are certainly good enough to be included in a really stern test.
Wind conditions meant that the back nine was easier, although the 17th and 18th are a very severe finish.
If I were to nominate a weak hole, it would be the 16th, which offers no real challenge.
The greens were absolutely excellent, the clubhouse welcoming, the food very good.
In my opinion Burnham and Berrow is severely underrated. |
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| 23 June 2012
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| | Played Burnham & Berrow on 23rd January 2012 and it was in top condition! For £35 on the county card, it was an absolute steal. The Greens were running quick and true, exactly what you would hope for on a course ranked so highly in the rankings. As mentioned in previous reviews, the middle section of the course is little different to the rest, however this is largely due to a lack of dunes. I didn’t think it was bland at all, just different (even Saunton has a few holes like this). Most notable holes at Burnham would be the 1st, 13th, 14th and 17th. Each of these really epitomises everything you would want in links golf, undulating fairways, big bunkers and large greens. When comparing this course to others in the south west, I think Burnham is better and more enjoyable than Royal North Devon, but fall slightly short of the amazing experience that is Saunton (East). This course is well is well worth the trip! |
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| 24 January 2012
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| | I played Burnham & Berrow on 6th January 2012. Holes 1 - 5 are top notch as are 12 - 18. These holes are reminiscent of Royal Birkdale, with huge dunes encapsulating the narrow fairways. I've had the good fortune to play some quality courses; Royal Birkdale, Royal Porthcawl, Woburn (all 3) Sunningdale Old and New, Celtic Manor 2010 (not fabulous course but maintained very well). I can say without reservation that the greens at B&B are without doubt the best I've ever had the pleasure of playing. Immaculate without a blemish, super slick and true. Not that there were but one single pitch mark would have stick out like a beacon such were the quality. Don't forget I played B&B on January! Fairways were well maintained and every old divot mark had been hand treated with soil. I loved the 3rd hole but the green is sunken and I couldn't see the pin as I knocked it through the fairway but some 20 yards off the tee. A longer flag stick wouldn't go a miss. Ok it's a pity but I have to mention holes 6,7,8,10 and 11. Holes 6,7, and 8 just seemed as though they belonged to another course completely. Rather parkland in appearance and dare I say it bland. I just played them and thought, "Oh dear that's a pity". 10 was the blindest tee shot I've ever hit launching a drive over a huge dune towards the marker post landing on a rather none descript fairway. 11 Another flat plain uninterested hole. 12 in was more of 1 - 5, top quality links, beautifully designed holes. If the entire course were all the same high quality holes, this course would undoubtedly be in the top 10 course in England. It was £50 winter green fee for 18 holes, I read that it has been increased to this price recently. A little pricey when you consider Royal Porthcawl a course rated 28th in UK & Ireland & 90th in the world by this site is £55. Then Saunton East course rated 11th in England and 30th in the UK and Ireland being £46 with a meal included. With B&B being 17th in England and 45th in the UK & Ireland. Overall a beautiful golf course the par 3s are exquisite 17 being my favourite. Some great views from the high tees. I would be proud if I was a member of is fine course. Well worth a visit. I'd mark it as a strong 7/10. |
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| 06 January 2012
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| Response: | | | JAS | 07 January 2012 | | Good review although perhaps a little harsh on holes 6-11 (I note that you left out 9 which I concur is a cracking par 3). The 6th is a strangely interesting hole which feels parkland off the tee but the approach to a very tricky green is pure links. 7 does feel parkland but it's a tough tough hole. 8 is a welcome birdie chance, this time the parkland/links contrast seems to be links left, parkland right. 10? come on every true links should have a bell hole. 11 is probably the blandest hole on the back 9...but then again given the quality and diversity of the other 8 that's no great criticism | | | El Gringo | 08 January 2012 | | I would disagree with this review. It is very difficult to name many great links which don't change in character as the round progresses and this should be viewed as a positive. A golf course, if it is to be considered top class, must have an individual rhythm and variety; the middle section (6-11) of Burnham is an important aspect in providing both. Once one becomes well versed in the flow of Burnham it is far easier to appreciate that every hole between #s6 and 11 add character which cannot be found elsewhere on the course. | | | timchump | 17 January 2012 | | I'm surprised a lot of people see the 6th as a poor hole. A 400 yard dog leg par 4, dunes running down the right handside, dunes on the left corner of the dog leg,a sloping green with a well positiosed bunker on the left and run off areas at the back the catch a lot people out. I think holes 6-11 are fine just adds to the variation in play, none of them are weak holes. | | | Nick L | 17 January 2012 | | Wholeheartedly agree with "timchump"..6 is a great hole; dog-leg, dune-framed, challenging but fair green. Likewise, 9 is a super par 3. Original review is somewhat harsh on holes 6-11. Wouldn't call 11 bland either. Tight drive and tight second with an undulating green..tees on right hand side (when in play) make it a more interesting angle on the drive admittedly. |
| | | Burnham & Berrow is a true links of undoubted championship quality in terms of difficulty, condition, etc., and it rates higher than most in terms of its beauty and the stunning views from the elevated tees. The fact that the course was selected to host the Brabazon Trophy and the Bristish Boys Championship in 2011 is testament to how highly the Club is rated by the "powers that be". The Clubhouse is a little scruffy around the fringes but it is the course that counts here and there cannot be better value anywhere in the UK than Burnham & Berrow even though the green fees have been raised a fair amount this year - it was ludicrously cheap before. I visit Burnham & Berrow 2 or 3 times year and it always sets my pulse racing. If you are a connoisseur of quality golf, do yourself a favour and visit as soon as you can. PS Don't miss out on the really tough 9 hole course either! |
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| 19 August 2011
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| Response: | | | M Brown | 19 August 2011 | | Good review. I played it a few years back and loved the course. Great stretch of holes heading for home. The clubhouse does give that scruffy appearance but hey you're here for the course first and foremost. |
| | | Just a quick comment on some of the negative comments about Burnham. Holes 6,7,8 are now excellent golf holes after expert modification. All the bunkers are now comparable to any Open Championship venue, greens are still as good as can be, perfect pace and true as putting on marble. As for blind shots, the 3rd and 15th have sunken greens but the pins are still visible and the 10th is the only blind tee shot. other than these if you have a blind shot it is because the golfer is out of position. Burnham is agreat days golf and never disappoints. Since the modifications, I think it should move up at least 10 places in any Rankings magazine. |
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| 03 August 2011
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| | I don't see what all the fuss is over Burnham & Berrow. There are about 8 holes that resemble Birkdale but that is about it. There about 5 holes that just need to be blown up and rebuilt. The greens were average for a seaside course in May. There is potential for this course to get a lot better. Either way a nice place to play, traditional links, good fun, difficult course, not a must play but recommended. |
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| 24 July 2011
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| Response: | | | Tony | 31 May 2012 | | I'm sorry, you are reviewing Burnham and Berrow here, are'nt you, you've lost me. Not a must play? Could have potential? Apart from The Open courses and Saunton, all other Links courses are only the equal of B & B, and to be quite honest I enjoyed B & B as much as The Open courses. This course has reached it's potential and cannot be improved upon, I don't know where YOU go from here. |
| | | Played B&B in early July 2011. A classic links course on a beautiful piece of land. One of the most startling things to me was the course is narrow, very narrow. This is not a generous landing area course and I feel for the people who play in tough conditions. Thoroughly enjoyed the round and give the course high marks and compared favorably to Royal Porthcawl, played later on the trip. |
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| 21 July 2011
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| | Everything has pretty much been said about this great course in the previous reviews, so I'll just add my 2 cents to the only topic that seems to make debate: holes 6-8. I too thought they were weak compared to the rest of the course. Not that they are bad holes, they are just not as good as the rest of the course in my opinion. But that doesn't really detract from the joy of playing this great course, let's be honest. Highly recommended. Cedric |
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| 14 April 2011
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| Response: | | | Tom Briggs | 02 September 2011 | | It is interesting to note the Brabazon statistics for the so called 'Weak' holes. #6 was, on average, the most difficult (4.8), #7 was the joint second most difficult (4.5) and #8 played exactly to par (5.0) | | | Brock | 23 November 2011 | | Tough scoring holes do not always make great golf holes. I thought #6 is a very good hole, but #7 & #8 (as well as #11 & #12) are not at the same level as the rest of the course. Cedric is correct...great golf course with a few average holes. It is not a matter to be miffed about. I would play this course every chance I got if I lived within a few hours. |
| | | Our group included four couples from southern California who ventured to Cornwall and Devon in May 2010. B&B was the last course we played, after Trevose, Saunton (East & West), St Enodoc and RND. B&B exceeded our expectations. A classic links played in a brisk wind. Off the beaten track, the course deserves a higher reputation. We stayed in the Dormy house and had a great reception. The club was closed for dinner for the members, but the chef and servers stayed to cook for us. They went the extra mile. |
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| 07 July 2010
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| Response: | | | El Gringo | 25 November 2011 | | #7 is a subtle hole which takes some thought to play properly. Most don't pay attention to the effect of the ridge running from near the tee all the way through the green. Its also a good change of pace from the previous holes running through the dunes. For those hoping to reach the green in two, #8 features a thrilling drive and as good a second as will be encountered anywhere. #11 has a fantastic grade level green with a seamless transition between fairway and putting surface. When the hole is located to the rear of the green this is a very interesting hole asking the golfer to risk playing pin high and missing either direction. #12 is a no bones tough par 4 which signals a return to the dunes. No matter if one is hitting wedge or wood, the approach is a cause for concern. |
| | | Played Burnham & Berrow twice in mid June. This is rugged links golf. There are many very good holes with blind shots to spare. The best holes have the most rolling and heaving fairways and the par 3's are very good requiring the best of iron play. The first six holes are as good as it gets with the exception of #4 and the last six are very good as well. We stayed at the dormy accomodation, which I highly recommend. The staff and members at Burnham & Berrow were friendly and welcoming. I will make this note; my friends are not the lovers of links golf that I am. They did not list this course (compared to Saunton, St. Enodoc, Tenby, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl) as one of their favorites on this trip. I think Burnham & Berrow should not be missed. It is a fine example of links golf. There are a great many good links golf holes here and good accomodations right at the club. This course should not be missed if your are in the area or are considering a trip to Wales as it is only a bit out of the way from London. |
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| 07 July 2010
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| | Played this on Wednesday and it was a classic dry brown links. The course is eclectic in that the back half of the front nine is more on the estuary than the dunes. But it is a truly great fun links course with some immense dunes and some very dramatic holes with greens tucked in hollows and tees perched on high dunes. One thing though the legendary greens were not that good. Very variable, reasonably slow and bumpy. I can only presume the dry year has caused them problems and the green keepers were spraying all the greens when we were there. Although pretty traditional they are a welcoming club and have the best opening and closing links holes I have played. The par threes are all very special holes of varying lengths as well. It is actually very easy to get to being just 2 miles off the M5 south of Bristol so I am not sure where the out of the way tag comes from. Try in comparison getting to Rye, Littlestone, Deal or Hayling Island |
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| 01 July 2010
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| | Great winter course, even better in the summer. As everyone agrees, the greens are always in the best possible condition, whatever the time of year. Is it possible for somebody on the Golf World Top 100 panel to explain why Burnham is so low in the rankings, it's on a par with Saunton and Royal Porthcawl, but is always so much lower. Surely for the golf lover it is more enjoyable to play here than a lot of the higher rated inland courses, not that I'm knocking them in anyway, who doesn't love a day at the best heathland courses, but Links is the best, and Burnham is definately that, surely it is a Top 30 British course, and only gets beat by Open Championship courses and the likes of Ganton, Woodhall, Sunningdale, The Berkshire and Walton Heath in the inland stakes, and this is open to debate. On a plus side, where as all the other courses are charging well in excess of £100 (bar Saunton) Burnham is still only £65ish, which represents the best value golf on the golfing planet. If you haven't played Burnham, there is a big hole in your golfing diary. This course is good enough to hold an Open, even if the space doesn't allow it. |
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| 11 May 2010
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| Response: | | | Keith Baxter | 11 May 2010 | | An interesting review… I don’t normally comment on course reviews but I think Burnham is perhaps positioned accordingly due to its out on a limb location, a bit like Silloth on Solway and Castletown. However, there is a difference between out on a limb and remote locations. Machrihanish for example is perhaps positioned in the rankings according to its romantic remoteness on Kintyre but, I hasten to add, it’s also a fine links course. You also raise a point “surely Burnham is a Top 30 British course” and here lies a topic for interesting debate. The term British does not include the people from Ireland but politically it does include the people from Northern Ireland, but that too perhaps depends on which Northern Irish person you ask. Anyway, Nobody to my knowledge has ever produced a ranking list for the top golf courses of the United Kingdom and therefore the list I’ve created on this link may be interesting. I’ve basically removed all courses from the Republic of Ireland and Castletown on the Isle of Man as we can safely say that these countries are not part of the UK. Scanning down the list seems to suggest to me that there are other courses in the same boat as Burnham. Finally I don’t expect you will ever get an “official” response from anyone on the Golf World ranking panel. They tend to hide behind their glossy covers. Keith Baxter - Editor |
| | | Just returned from Burnham rather battered and bruised by one of the best links courses I have ever had the privilidge of playing.
The course is classed as links but the turf didnt really play like a true links. Was much greener and softer than most links courses I have played but it was still a fantastic challenge.
The greens are without doubt the best I have ever played on. At my local driving range there is an astroturf putting area and the greens at Burnham were on a par with that, they are that good!!
The 5th and 14th are amongst the toughest par 3's I have ever played. Long irons into small undulating greens surrounded by bunkers - fantastic.
Without doubt, I will be returning again next year- SUPERB! |
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| 04 May 2010
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| Burnham and Berrow was the chosen location for a Christmas round of golf for my dad, my brother and me. And an excellent choice it was too. We played on 17th December in biting cold conditions with a stiff breeze coming of the sea, albeit on a glorious sunny winter's day. The welcome in the club house and pro shop was low key, professional and warm. Everyone around the place seemed relaxed yet oozing the confidence that a golf course of sheer class will allow you to have. After a much needed coffee and bacon sandwich the first tee beckoned.
The first hole seems to tease you into believing you're in for a nice gentle stroll by the sea. Don't be drawn in by this gentle starter though as what comes next is as brutal a test of your skills as you will find for many a mile. The 2nd and 3rd are not particularly long holes but when played straight into the teeth of the aforementioned stiff breeze, they seem like quite a trek, with multiple undulations over sand dunes and plentiful pot bunkers waiting to gobble up any shots hit slightly off line. Take some time to savour the views from the 4th tee - they are spectacular, out across the Severn and over to Wales. Although this par 5 is not the longest in the world there are several elevation changes which make you think about your club selection, and make sure you aren't above the hole as you could well putt off the green and 50 back down the hill. The 5th appears simple, but club selection must be spot on once again. The 6th is a very pretty par 4, again with devilish bunkers positioned expertly around the green. 7 and 8 are monsters that look straight forward enough, but the subtle burrows, borrows, mounds and ridges on both holes make them a delight to play and once again stress the importance of hitting your ball to the right segment of fairway and green - classic links holes. The 9th is a lovely little par 3 and finally gives you some respite from the wind as it turns away from the sea (2 to 8 all play in the same direction along the line of the shore).
The 10th begins with a blind drive over a monster dune reminiscent of those at Saunton and St Enodoc. If you hit the fairway there's a good chance of making par or better. If there is a weak hole on the course, then 11 is it. For me it was just a bit bland and not as difficult as the SI2 suggests. However, the 12th more than makes up for it. This is the signature hole because of the church that stands some 20 yards left of the approach to the green, as if it were a sentry standing guard. The hole plays all uphill to the church and then there is a deep hollow that must be carried in order to reach the two tier green. Once again, it's about putting the ball in the right place. Do this and you can score well around B&B. The 13th is the third and final par 5, and plays as a dogleg left from the tee, although this may be reduced as another tee was being built further back and right of the current location. The approach to the green is superb, as you negotiate a narrow gap and trying to stay as staright as possible to avoid the nasty little run offs left and right that inevitably lead to trouble. 14 plays alongside the houses as you head back towards Burnham. Don't dare miss the green on this par 3, or bogey will start to look like a good score. The 15th is another smashing par 4, with a narrow fairway threading it's way through the dunes and another narrow approach to the hugely undulating green. The variety offered by this approach shot is a nice feature, as the green is set lower than the level of the fairway allowing you to run the ball in, whereas many of the other greens are raised and demand shots to be flown all the way. More variety awaits at the 16th as this short par 4 is driveable if the wind is at your back. The green is possibly the most eccentric I have ever seen with a 45-degree bank running right through the middle of it, and it just so happened that the pin was right at the bottom of it. Muggins here managed to hit his approach to the upper level and was very pleased to still be on the green for my second putt! The 17th is a beast of a par 3 and the 18th is one of the finest finishing holes around. It is flanked by probably the highest dunes on the course, nestled between which is a very narrow fairway. A long second shot is required to a huge and very flat green ideally located right in front of the majestic old clubhouse.
Whilst this course is fantastic in all aspects, a special mention must be for the greens - they were the fastest and truest I have ever played. I can't wait to try them in the summer. I can guarantee two things when you walk off after the handshake, 1) you will have had bags of fun, and 2) you will be mentally and physically drained. Therefore, it's a fine thing that the beer and food in the clubhouse is good. The mince pies were particularly good with a decent dollop of clotted cream just to remind you that you're in the West Country. Well, it was Christmas, after all! |
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| 22 February 2010
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| Response: | | | lexo | 24 February 2010 | | The greens were ''the fastest and truest you have ever played on'', on the 17th Dec! I wonder what you will think when you go back to B+B (or any other links course) in the summer! | | | Anthony Daniels | 27 February 2010 | | I was amazed by the quality of the greens. I played St Enodoc and Saunton last summer and the greens at both were immaculate but B&B were better. It'll be interesting to compare them to RSG in March and some of Scotland's links courses in July. | | | Nick | 01 March 2010 | | Along with Hunstanton, Burnham & Berrow had the best greens in England and as good as any in the UK. They used to feed the greens with blood, fish and bone but health and safety put paid to that. Burnham & Berrow's greens are still super but, sadly, Hunstanton's have declined in the last 20 years or so in my opinion. |
| | | Burnham and Berrow is a fabulous golf course that is an extremely difficult test. The views are spectacular and the scoring is tough. The par 3's are very good particularly on the back nine and the closing 17th and 18th make it a memorable finish. I would highly recommend and the rating of this course I believe does not do it justice - add to your wishlist. |
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| 12 October 2009
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| | What a super course this is, starts of with three excellent par 4's of varying length and difficulty. Very pretty front 9, something you don't usually associate wth links golf. Was lucky enough to play here on a warm, calm day, must be tough in a proper wind. The whole condition of the course was superb, particulary the greens they are a pleasure to putt on. My only slight disappointment was that there were no course planners on my visit which made it tough as there isn't many yardage markers on the course, and theres no help with pin placements. Brilliant course, like time has stood still here. |
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| 25 August 2009
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| | One of the great coastal courses in England without a doubt. There is plenty of variation in the holes to keep interest levels high, there are sea views and the greens are beautiful to putt on. I read a comment on an earlier review about the 7th hole, I have to disagree…for me it is the weakest hole, the only reason that it is SI-1 is that is a very long par-4, there is nothing other than the length that is difficult – it has to be the easiest bogey hole I have played for a long time. At SI-1, only a very small % of golfers should be parring this hole. The 10th hole is really good, blind drive and then a mid-iron to a green dog-legging right (just watch the marker post though; it is the line from the white tee and definitely not the yellows). I agree with most that the back-9 is the stronger and like I said at the beginning, this is a great coastal course. Recommended |
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| 07 July 2009
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| | Very, very impressed with this course. I have played a good variety of links golf and can say that the back 9 here is one of the toughest. You have to be straight, accurate and long to score well. The front nine is probably the prettiest, with very nice views of the sea but saying that the back nine has some classic links views. Not as grand as Formby and Hoylake but certainly compares in quality. Worth a go if your into links golf and in the area. |
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| 15 June 2009
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| Response: | | | Andy | 22 June 2009 | | Wow - just the 4 stars, eh! Possibly not as grand as Formby and Hoylake but Burnham & Berrow matches them for toughness and the dunes are much more "mountainous". However, all three courses are somewhat different in character even though all are classified as Links (not that sure that Formby is that "linksy" though). How good has a course got to be to merit 5 or 6 stars, given that you are very very impressed by B&B? | | | Sam | 29 June 2009 | | I did it 5 but the website for some reason gave it 4.It's worthy of 5. When you get to Hoylake and Formby you are nearly blown away by the clubhouse and 'feel' of the place. Awesome course though, impressed with the back nine especially. |
| | | A back 9 to die for. We played in very mild conditions and as the course is out and in I can only imagine the havock the wind could play. we chatted to a number of members and the day before they had been blown off the course. Outstanding greens, wonderful scenery, a proper tough test of links play. Would benefit from additional markers for play from the tee on the back 9. Very difficult to assess the correct placement as a first time player, although the members were unsure of this as the effectiveness of the markers would be totally dependent opon the distance you hit the ball. Excellent warm and relaxed hospitallity as well. Well worth the visit. |
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| 28 April 2009
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| Response: | | | Emil | 28 April 2009 | | I agree with your treview (and everyone elses)but I think the first nine might be even better than the 2nd. I also think that the green contours are some of the weakest on any links. Other than that, the course is perfect. More than just well worth a visit! | | | Sean Arble | 30 April 2009 | | Emil ?
I am astonished that you think the greens were "weak". I can rattle off several holes which have plenty of contour and slope. I will admit that with the exception of #16 none of the greens seem terribly difficult to deal with, but with the expected wind which rips up the Channel there is more than enough going on with the greens to challenge the handicap player. If you remain unconvinced, please, have a game with me as my guest. I am sure we could have an interesting conversation even if our golf is less than stimulating. | | | Emil | 30 April 2009 | | We can go on discussing on GCA ;) (your photo tours are great) Here's my point with the greens: A lot of them seemed (to my not very trained eye)rather planned than evolved. The 9th green is GREAT for my taste. The contours look random and fit into their surroundings much better, and secondly; approaching the green is real fun with any wind. Other than than the greens, I think B&B has, along with St. Enodoc, the best architecture in the south-west. St. Enodoc is just 5 times as spectacular... | | | Sean Arble | 01 July 2009 | | Emil
Yes, many of the greens do exhibit the hand of man. However, these are some of the best hands that have ever practiced architecture; Fowler, Colt & Alison. I believe B&B suffers from golfers having a lack of appreciation for subtlety. For instance, the 7th, a straight away par 4 over flat ground is I think one of the best holes on the course because of the use of the ridge not far in front of the tee. This ridge leads all the way through the green and has a fairway bunker under its fold. This simple combination of a single bunker and how it relates to which side of the ridge the hole is located completely dictates play, but most walk off with a bogey or worse and wonder why. | | | Emil | 12 July 2009 | | As I said, I REALLY liked he course, its design AND the subleties, the 7th being probably my favourite hole on the course. It's just the greens that just didn't appeal to myself, that's subjective. Overall there is no doubt that some men of genius had their hands in the design of B&B. |
| | | Surely there is no tougher course in the UK. Even the less visually spectacular holes, e.g. 7 and 11(ironically strokes 1 and 2) present big challenges. The views on the outward 9 and the last few holes are fabulous from the elevated tees. I have seen very good golfers brought to their knees by Burnham & Berrow (even with little wind) and it is too tough for anyone not bringing their best game with them. But that should not scare you off, the challenge is great fun and when you relax with a beer in the Clubhouse afterwards, you will want to have another crack at it as soon as possible. The course should get more recognition, and the prestigious tournaments for which it has been selected over the next two years, should move it up the rankings to the position it deserves. |
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| 04 February 2009
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| Response: | | | Young P | 05 February 2009 | | Sorry but it is an absurd overstatement to suggest there is no tougher course in the UK than Burnham and Berrow. In my experience alone, Carnoustie, Royal St David's and Rye are in a different league in terms of difficulty. But the ultimate irony is you only need to ask the members at Burnham and Berrow – because virtually every one I've met has told me that the adjacent excellent 9 hole Channel Course is actually a tougher track to score on than the Championship Course (and I can testify to this too). 'Young P' | | | Nick Rice | 06 February 2009 | | OK, Young P, it is all about experiences. I do not find Rye, Carnoustie and Royal St Davids as tough - each to his own. I have played every links course in GB and Ireland worth listing and Burnham & B hits the right note. It's tough, visually exciting and always in great condition.......and the Green Fees are very reasonable. But you are right about the Channel Course at B & B. The difficulty is down to the sea marsh aside the fairway for the first 4 holes. If you draw the ball and there is a easterly blowing - forget it! Burnham & Berrow is tough old gut! | | | scott | 12 July 2009 | | loved the course played it in light winds as all links the greens dont hold. shot 45 with a blob will be back to play it many times and drop.could do with distance markers. | | | Raindog | 27 November 2012 | | Scott, do you mean you scored 45 stableford points, that's stupid, your handicap is too high. The greens do hold when you play from the correct position in the fairway and a quality golf ball. By the way, forget Stableford and play match play with the correct handicaps and you will have much more fun on the golf course. Good luck. | | | Harrison Brown | 07 January 2013 | | Scott, distance markers? 125 yards, is that a 2 or a 3 iron then, you'll miss all the fun of playing a championship links course, 157yards, 7 iron, hey! why am I 50 yards short, I always hit my 7 iron 155!!!! |
| | | I have played Burnham a few times now and it has not once failed to disapoint. I was very impressed with the superb condition of the greens and the roll was the truest i have ever known. A must play for low to mid handicap players |
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| 11 August 2007
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| | My american 4some played here twice in May 2007 and thought it was the combination of the best course in the best condition of our trip versus other well known courses in the vicinity. Out of the way, the fact it's not well visited probably explains the fact the welcome wasn't over the top. B&B however would stand up extremely well against more famous competition. Beautiful condition and great interesting greens. Played great - even without the benefit of local knowledge or a caddy. |
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| 18 July 2007
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| | A very fine links with the best putting surfaces you will find anywhere.
This is a seriously tough course with anything more than a breeze blowing, which is recognised by the number of important events which are held here - would rate this a bit higher in the UK rankings than its present position. Always a great pleasure to play whatever the time of year. |
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| 12 January 2007
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| | Played this course in mid Feb...in a gale! Front nine is tougher than the back and it was stupidly hard into the 40 - 50 mph wind we were in. On the 420 yd par 4 #8 I hit driver, driver, 5 iron to the green. then four putted as my 20ft downhill putt ran off the green giving me a 60ft return!! As I walked onto the 9th tee I was a broken man and if I hadn't been at the furthest point from the clubhouse I'd have walked in! The front 9 is better than the back and in any stiff breeze will bring most golfers to there knees! In summary this is a fantastic links course which must be played if you are in the area or driving along the M5 - it is only 10 mins from junction 22(I think)! |
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| 25 February 2006
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| | Burnham is perhaps the most underated course in England. It has all the elements of classic golf: true greens, a great set of short holes, blind shots and plenty of dunes. There are several holes which any club would love to claim. These include #2, #5, #9, #12-#15, #17 & #18.
It is true that there are a few holes that are less than perfect in design, but when compared to the nine holes mentioned above, most holes would seem sedate.
Sean Arble |
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| 13 November 2004
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| | A cracking course, a little out of the way but a course well worth stopping off the motorway on your way down to Cornwall for. The greens when I played we're unbelievable - quick, true and tricky and all this in spring. Friendly club house to boot. There are a few great holes in the opening 9 with a couple less so at the turn but overall the quality shows through. LA. |
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| 17 July 2004
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| | Played Burnham in early March and the greens were simply superb as good as the very best greens in summer. The holes in the dunes are amazing. This course made our trip really special. |
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| 31 March 2004
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| Response: | | | John Steele | 30 April 2008 | | A classic links course that is a true test whatever your handicap. The greens are beautiful but deadly quick, leaving you some difficult choices when you find yourself in the wrong position. The layout of this course is stunning, and it fails to amaze me whenever I get chance to play there. The weather conditions can play a vital part to how your round develops, and if the wind is blowing hard there no where more challenging than the front nine at Burnham. This is how golf should be played, on a course landscaped by nature and time and not by course designers trying to be too clever. |
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