Potters Resorts Five Lakes - Lakes Course

Firstly, the "under new management" has been over 3 years now so surely no longer applies.

Overall, the course is very well maintained, the only real issue for me being the tee boxes. You will never ever find a flat tee box at 5 lakes! Every tee box seems to be an upturned bowl making for a real concerted effort to hit straight and true. The fairways are cut well and the greens (well most of the greens - see more of the review for an explination) fast and true.

Military style golfers beware, take lots of balls as the trees/bushes are plentyful, the rough is deep and the water deeper.

Bunker sand is sadly a thing of the past it seems with vegitation growing in a few of them and sand depth measured by how many actual grains of sand you find in a few of the others. Those that do have sand can be a challange though. They are replacing the sand but this takes time so be patient is my advice.

The ever present water foul have fowled (that was a pun - geddit?) the 9th, 14th and 18th greens to such a degree that when the greens are mowed they look like a tramps soiled underpants...... brown stains everywhere! Who knew that a goose could leave larger turds than a Great Dane? Don't lick your ball after playing those holes. Well, you can lick your own balls if you'd like but i'd save this for Only Fans and make yourself some good money in the process!

Practice facilities? Well, to be honest, the range balls are atrotious and that's being kind, In fact, i'm fairly certain that Old Tom Morris complained about these balls being old, worn, chipped and un-useable back in the 1800's when most of these balls were seemingly made.

The golf bar is a bar, no more no less. Prices are what you should expect at any golf bar in the home counties area,

I must take issue with a previous reviewer though about the attitude of the staff and, in particular, the course manager. The staff at 5 lakes are great, and I mean really great, Sure, people have off days but, if you are particulary rude to them, don't expect a 'cap in the hand, head bowed' response. Talk to people like dirt and you'll deservedly get a dirty answer in reply. Wes has built a strong team at 5 Lakes who take the time to talk to players, offer advice when possible, listen to your concerns and make an effort to respond in a positive manner. You'll be hard pressed to find a better team in Essex.

Finally ... I personally believe the course would be more fun if they actaually made a feature of the water by making you play over water onto greens etc. Firstly, it would increase the water storage area by increasing the lakes size and depth. Secondly it would make the course more challanging as the lakes don't really affect you unless you hook or slice. 5 lakes has spent loads of money on drainage when the obvious answer to their woes is literally staring them in the face.

Really enjoyed the course was in great condition.

Staff really friendly and even got us off early from the tenth.

Will be back soon

The course is in top condition played here a few times in last couple of years this is the best it’s ever been the greens were absolutely immaculate

First time playing Five Lakes, as a golfer who plays 2 or 3 times a week and am a member of a very good club, and travels a lot playing different courses, I enjoyed the course layout and conditions, but have never come across such an arrogant and rude martial/course manager in my life.

Pace of play was incredibly slow, we were playing as a group of 3 and a 2, and we were standing on tee boxes for an eternity, right up behind the twosome in front of us. Two of our group had never played a proper golf course before, and just for a couple of holes they asked if they could play with us to give them a bit of help with how to play etc. I'd already said to them playing as a 5 is against the rules but just for a few holes and as we were stuck behind multiple other groups it wouldn't make much difference to anything. Along comes Mr course manager, who spoke to the lads like they were idiots making sarcastic comments about knowing the rules of golf and his attitude absolutely stunk. One of the lads was so upset that he walked off the course a couple of holes after that, completely ruined the mood. I know the rules of golf. No playing in a 5 is not allowed. However, we were right behind the two in front, we weren't slowing anyone down, and if he'd just asked nicely for us to split we wouldn't have had a problem. I tried to explain this to him at the end of the round only to receive more arrogance and rudeness. Will never go back to this actually rather nice course again, just because of him.

Staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Course was challenging enough without it being hard work, water hazards and the rough weren't too punishing, and the greens were in good condition (which is rare given the biblical rain we've had recently) and ran at a good pace.

Generally well signposted for where the next hole is, but if I'm being picky there was the odd hole where we got a bit mixed up on where to head next.

Will def be heading back there soon!

Played as part of a society.

Course was in very good condition, with fast greens.

Cart path not great in places.

Staff in the pro shop were very helpful and efficient

Lovely course, really good condition given the time of year.

Slow play is always an issue but the players are nice and will let you through or join them if your a 1 ball

Challenging course but I’m really good Nic.

Played with a couple of member when the pace was slow and they were great lads, very accommodating.

Really well kept and you can see where the money has been spent since last year.

Loved it, will go again

Nice enough for the price, winter conditions were rough but the layout was really nice.

Ran in to a couple of golfers who begrudged letting you through but they do when you start piping it down the fairway behind them.

Was a good challenging course

I was a member here 20ish years ago and wasn’t expecting much in terms of the course condition in February. It used to be saturated Dec-Mar, appreciate we haven’t had a lot of rain recently but the course played lovely. Also really pleased they’ve switched the 1st hole back to what it was originally.

Teed off at 1:50pm with no one on front of me and reminded me of the old days when the Lakes course was empty and you could fly round in 2:30-3 hours.

Greens were soft but true. Some of the bunkers were having work on and I hope they get them back to good condition, the rough had been trimmed down to nothing which I guess makes it friendlier and speeds up pace of play.

The ‘clubhouse’/ pro shop have been moved to the other side of the building to make way for the Potters / Butlins type feel resort, not much of a welcome and the whole building appears in a state of flux. Looked at the short break prices which seem extortionate for the quality of the place so will stick to the odd pay and play green fee

For Mid February the course is in relatively good condition the greens are perfect you can see where money is being spent come the summer this is going to be a very good & busy golf course