Dartmouth Golf Club

Poor green conditions

Hole 6 & 7 are closed due to maintenance work

Tee off only allow on mat

What a bizarre morning, echoing the sentiments of others, no staff or course Marshall about so people could definitely be playing and not paying. Quite clearly there had been an error with the booking system as a booking for 2 people, coincided with a booking for 8 people and another booking for 2 people, not sure if this is a golf now issue or more an internal golf club issue, but the lack of a representative from the golf club to resolve this was baffling . Signage to the first tee was none existent ( it’s through the bottom of the car park past the driving nets and up on the hill on your left) and we picked up another group of golfers who were wondering about looking for the first tee box like it was a treasure hunt.

The course layout itself was ok seeing as it’s 9 hole course and you play off a different tee box on your second time round. The greens had been recently trimmed and the fairways were playable considering the time of year and the ground was firm, so we didn’t encounter a mud fest, though it was evident that some of the greens were fighting off a disease and were patchy in parts.

It looked like there was a nice restaurant on site, but that wasn’t open, before or after we finished our round which was just before 12, as coffee and a bite to eat would have been appreciated.

Unfortunately for me the disorganised start really put a dampener on this course. As others have said a bit more concentrating on the golf side of the business could provide dividends. In its current state I would really struggle to recommend this course to friends.

I hope the owners read this review because the course is actually a decent lay out but it needs some serious work.

Let’s start at the beginning.

We noticed that nobody else had booked any tee time around us so we thought we would have a quiet morning. Got there and a fourball that had just finished the 9th were going to start the back 9 ( it’s a 9 hole course with different tee positions ). Also there was a group of 3 waiting who hadn’t paid and just turned up but as the hut was shut and there was no one in sight had a free game of golf.

So even though we arrived at our tee time we had 2 groups in front of us.

Unfortunately there was not a Marshall , green keeper or anyone about so it was a free for all.

The course is in poor condition. More grass than sand in bunkers , no marking or help to show you where each hole is.

Temp greens on several holes nowhere does it tell you this before you start.

In fact it looks like an abandoned farmhouse rather than a golf course.

I guess the owners also own the restaurant there. Obviously that is the main priority.

So if you want a free game on a course that offers very little then this is for you.

Shame really as the layout is quite good but needs some investment and managing.

Lay out is good , vert tight

Greens where poor even for winter

Hilly no good if you can’t handle steep inclines

Members are friendly

Would like to play in the summer

Booked last minute when original weekend plans cancelled so popped onto Golf Now to look at availability and noticed Dartmouth as an option for the first time and with hot deal only £13 each . Know course well so was aware 9 holes playing off different tees to make it 18 but at this price and with weather kind for the end of October thought would pay a visit. Checked in at club pros hut where he was giving a lesson , to advise of our arrival and that we had paid online encountered no issue he asked if we knew course to which I replied yes and he appeared pleased that I had booked via Golf Now as they were new to this platform and something he had recommended for sometime. Got soft spot for this place so In regard to the course and our experience on the day no issue with pace of play very few golfers out while we were there. Typical winter golf couple of lost and found balls due to leaves and fairways soggy in places nothing green staff can do about this and winter mats in place. Grass on fairways did appear to be longer than on other courses we have played in last couple of weeks only a few bunkers on course didn’t visit any but they looked poor and have played on better greens but that said at price we paid happy to have got out and have a game. Extremely hilly with a few steep climbs that does test fitness.

On a side issue and nothing that will effect others that visit Dartmouth I did speak with I assume either a member of staff or committee member when finishing round who asked my thoughts I was happy to share along with expressing a personal issue based on my past relationship with the Golf Club will be interesting to see if my comments were listened too and situation resolved.

Good challenging course. Very hilly. Not good for a disabled person. Due to rain all day and because the course slopes down the bottom section of the course was severely boggy. Even a pro would have struggled.but other than that it was I'm good condition. No hole is the same.