Banstead Downs Golf Club

After all the rain we have had, i like everyone have struggled to find somewhere to play where i can use my electric trolley and the course is somewhat playable without restrictions.

step up Banstead Downs! the sandy base on the fairways makes this place the best around in surrey. a gently undulating downland course, in fine condition, fairways slightly patchy but understandable given the storms we had recently, greens were perfect. not overly long but the tree lined faiways, gentle doglegs and strategic bunkering, along with the tricky to read greens give this place enough challenge to keep you interested all the way around. the par 3's are particulary strong, especially the lovely 17th 145 yards, surrounded by bunkers at the front, making you think you need to er on the long side, but with a green that slopes severly from back to front and right to left, a 3 or four putt is not uncommon here!

the downsides? well you have to cross a busy duel carriageway to reach the other half of the course and there are no pedestrian crossing lights, or tunnels to help you. not the fault of the course i'm sure. and because of Coronavirus lockdown the clubhouse facilities were not open, although it would have been nice to have somewhere to wash my hands.

Excellent course played in windy conditions. Highly recommend you play it. Some great holes and in great condition.

Really enjoyed my first visit to Banstead Downs. Classic example of booking a private club on a Sunday afternoon- very quite hence 3hrs 45mins for a fourball on a course none of us had played before.

1890 James Braid course, say no more - tree lined . As per course description, chalk based , hence fairways in good condition despite the amount of rain, lovely turf to hit off. Still a few bare patches. Greens were quick and fairly true as well.

You play first 6 holes then cross a road to play six and then back across for the final six. The road being a dual carriageway, probably the busiest road I’ve ever had to cross whilst playing a round.

Only gripe being no yardage booklets. Handy if you are playing course for first time as no signs by tees giving hole layout.

I'd like to firstly apologise to members of Banstead Down for informing other golfers of this little gem, with great greens in Feb this course will play well all year round. The first and the last three are ok but it's once you get out of these that the course tests you.

After a very warm welcome in the pro office (nice northern bloke..very very helpful..cheers), I had some older member with a polo shirt covered in white ring stains ask me to tuck my shirt in whilst on the first tee. I'm athletic so don't wear baggy clothing. I would question if this was necessary and if the majority of male golfers look better with their shirts tucked in. Is it time to modernise golf to attract kids to the game? I just hope I don't get like that when I get older, so at least I gained something from the incident. Not a great start to a round but not the end of the world.

Anyway that aside the course was in average condition compared to many I have recently played in the area. The greens and fairways needed watering (hard as...as a minimum at least have watered greens so you can try to land the ball on them) and the bunkers needed sand (basically had none).

The course didn't really have any holes that stood out but maybe the "dry not green grass' conditions effected their look.

There was a decent putting green and chipping area and a few nets for a warm up. I don't believe there is a range.

Our first time playing at Banstead Downs. Friendly welcome. Good practice facilities. Wide fairways were forgiving. Greens were in excellent condition.

Have played Banstead a number of times however on this occasion the course was undergoing Green maintenance which we weren't informed about. This meant 2 temps in play. Disappointed that no mention was made by pro shop staff. In fact was told that course was in excellent condition!! Having traveled over 60 miles to get there we were less than pleased. Spoilt our game and would have gone elsewhere if we'd known.

To start I have to add that I played Royal St George, Sandwich the previous day so it is always going to be tough comparing....

Banstead is a decent enough course - fair condition (greens were fantastic, tees good, fairways average and there were areas that needed tidying), pretty enough but it wasn't exciting - it was a bit straightforward and almost boring at times.

That aside it was enjoyable enough, the place is decent, the clubhouse good and the pro shop looks good and the guys in there were very friendly and helpful.

We got round quickly as a two ball - 3 hours 15 mins.

Greens are so well looked after

And the bunkers were good as well

Will be back soon for another round

Course in very decent nick. Makes most of natural conditions. Nice layout provided you don't mind crossing a busy dual carriageway to get to half the course. There's quite a few bunkers which could do with a bit more sand in them. Nevertheless Enjoyable round.