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Little Aston, England |
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Little Aston Golf Club
Roman Road
Streetly
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B74 3AN
England |  | Harry Vardon, Harry Colt |  | Brian Rimmer |
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 | +44 (0) 121 353 2942 |  | 5 miles E of Walsall |
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Golf Club Website
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 | Contact in advance – not on Saturdays |  | Glyn Ridley |
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Little Aston Golf Club is set in 176 acres of tranquil, mature parkland in the former grounds of Little Aston Hall. The club is hidden away on the edge of exclusive suburbia, eight miles north of Birmingham city centre. “A pleasant park course of excellent turf,” wrote Bernard Darwin in Golf Between Two Wars. “This is the kind of golf course which an eighteenth-century English gentleman would have approved.” wrote Patric Dickinson.
Harry Vardon reputedly laid out the course in 1908 for ten guineas. He had a charming and elegant piece of parkland to work with and succeeded in creating probably the best and toughest true parkland course in England. As it turned out, Vardon had created a course with long and challenging carries that ultimately proved too hard for the members, so Harry Colt was summoned to make the course friendlier. Mark Lewis (the club’s professional for over 40 years during the first half of the 20th century) must also be credited for taking Little Aston through to maturity.
The course is always maintained immaculately and even in the winter it plays well for a parkland layout and the club is justifiably proud of the quality of their large greens and of their trademark Colt bunkers. The undulating formal tree lined fairways ensure that you get a private and picturesque walk in the park.
Above all, Little Aston is an honest golf course. There are no tricks, and everything is clearly laid out in front of you. The first two holes are fairly ordinary but at the third, things start to get better with a testing short par five that cajoles you into opening your shoulders. There are a number of good golf holes here at Little Aston but it will take two or three rounds before you really begin to appreciate this golf course. It is therefore feasible that you might come away disappointed after playing here for the first time.
Little Aston has hosted many important amateur and professional events, including the British Masters, held here on five separate occasions, most recently in 1969.
Birmingham isn’t at the top of the list for golfing breaks, despite the fact that there are some excellent golf courses in this area, including Beau Desert, Whittington Heath and, of course, the Belfry. But if you do decide to visit this area, make sure you play Little Aston. It’s the best course in the Midlands. | |
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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: |  | | The pleasant parkland course of Little Aston is set in one of Birmingham’s most pleasing suburbs. It looks a little easy upon first sight, and certainly it is possible to play the round with the same ball provided you avoid giving it a wash in the water hazards on the par 5 12th, and the signature par 4 17th. It looks a fairly open course but it is one where placement from the tee really opens up the greens. The 17th has a generous fairway but the centre is the only place from which to attack the peninsula green. The brilliance of the course is that it is almost as hard to lose a ball as it is to put the ball in the right places especially on the dogleg holes. For example, the 14th should be a throwaway hole and an easy par for many at 300 yards, but being greedy down the right can easily lead to being blocked out with the approach. The course assumes more of a heathland look around the turn for a few holes, but was in great condition throughout, especially for March, with barely an ounce of mud left on my shoes by the end. Of the other courses featured on the top 100 site that I have played I am not sure which I would compare it to. It has a fairly unique feel right down to its beautiful and singular putting green. The whole experience is accompanied by a warm welcome from all. |
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| 26 March 2012
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| | Played here with a few friends a few weeks ago and we found an excellent course in great condition and a really warm welcome too. What is most memorable is the huge long bunkers which are very disctinctive and the most memorable hole, the 17th, a pretty little par 4 with a pond to the left of the green. |
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| 28 March 2011
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| | You wouldn't ebelieve playing the course this is in the middle of a city. Great course. |
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| 30 June 2010
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| | Played here on a lovely, warm sunday morning with virtually no one on the course, real millionaires golf. Very good course with the greens true but not too fast. Excellent overall condition. Great holes are the 10th, 12th and 18th is a great finishing hole. Very friendly staff altough the 'jacket and tie' to get into certain parts of the club house is very old school. Does the £80 green fee reprersent good value?...probably not when compared to the woodhal spa and Ganton, but on the whole yes. |
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| 22 September 2009
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| | STUNNING - what a course, excellent turf, fantastic greens, a great layout and a great mix of holes. also very easy walking, although it was £80.00 each to play it was well worth it...
in immaculate condition and we felt as if we had the course to ourselves...
Very traditional club, jacket & tie etc, we went just for the golf and I absolutley recommend this quality track to everyone...
played on 09/09/09 will be back asap... |
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| 10 September 2009
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| | A course of looks, skill, and tantrums! Despite the pretty facade this course will punish almost every bad shot severely! Despite a high scoring round it was the best course that i have ever played! Highly advise anyone to play this course! |
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| 07 October 2007
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| Response: | | | Glyn Ridley | 03 December 2007 | | Dear sir
Many thanks for the kind remarks, we constantly are trying to improve both the course and Little Aston experience, your comments are most useful as I shall share the with all our staff.
Kindest regards
Glyn Ridley
Club Manager
Little aston Golf Club |
| | | Little Aston is set in a salubrious area where the rich and famous Brummies live. The course is immaculate, especially in the summer and this tree-lined course is an oasis. Mature tress flank most of the holes and the bunkers are well positioned and well maintained. Holes are well mixed and varied and offer up an excellent challenge. Don’t forget your jacket and tie or you’ll be in the side bar - this is a traditional member’s club. Well worth playing if you like parkland courses. |
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| 24 April 2005
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| | Little Aston was indeed a nice golf club, old clubhouse and for being so close to Birmingham so quiet and peaceful. As for courses to play in the Midlands I don't feel it is the best course, Cosby in Leicestershire was immaculate, although a short course it was very tight and the greens were like something I've never putted on before quite superb and worth a visit for those alone....
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| 26 November 2004
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| | A good honest parkland course in immaculate condition. I played it in the summer and I enjoyed it but somehow I expected a little bit more. Little Aston has been hyped up as one of the best parkland courses in the land and it's up there, although I think Stoke Park is as good and much more friendly. Bunkering is quite superb. |
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| 24 November 2004
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