Darwen Golf Club

Turned up 13.30 on a Sunday afternoon bright blue sky quite nippy but all round perfect for a game of golf.... First 9 holes were ok lots of level change and most seconds shots on a fairway, ball either a foot higher or a foot lower than your feet so very tough. If we didn't use tracking apps we would have struggled knowing where to go as not much info around tee box for the holes. Most holes are dog leg or the level change that drastic not many greens visisible. Moving ontop the back 9...... You better be a fell runner or somewhere close as some of the walking uphill is very testing as we were reaching the summit of a long par 5 I was 120 from the pin and hitting a 5 iron due to the wind being so bad into our face coming back down the hill. Very very testing course both in skill and fitness. Only time I would consider trying again is peak summer on a very nice day. Only positive was the condition of the greens

The course has suffered from the lack of rain over recent weeks and the greens have paid the price. They were bone dry and very patchy. However, this is common on most courses at the moment, especially those without a ready water supply ,like Darwen. This is a tricky course at the best of times but the rock hard conditions made it even more difficult. We still enjoyed the round however and the views were magnificent!

We booked on Teeofftimes and when we got to the course we struggled to find anybody for the club shop which was closed, we had to go into the clubhouse to find somebody. The first tee is next to the clubhouse balcony so be prepared to be watched teeing off. The course could do with being better signposted between holes to find where to go and they lack any diagrams of the hole layout either on the tee bed or on the scorecard, we had to use our phones For this purpose as many holes are dog legged and the greens hidden from the tee beds. The course was in good condition but we did notice that there were lots of children playing with their parents so maybe Sunday’s is family day here. It took us 4 hours to complete as a 3 ball as this is a hilly course with 3 long par 5’s. Be prepared to walk up many inclines, and some distances between tee beds were a distance pin themselves. I would recommend trying it as it is a challenge and I can imagine on a windy day a very big challenge indeed as you are high up at the highest point.

A bit a sluggish front nine, I was very pleased that the groups in front elected against climbing the hills.

The course is a nice mix of interesting holes, affording some good views too. When the wind blows (and it always does!) the holes on the tops are either manageable or murderous. The 16 hole seems to play anything from 140 to 200 yards depending on wind direction and speed- seems a lottery tonne, which can cost a few shots.

Good value, despite a few damp places- the course is in decent nick.

A well maintained course with wide fairways and good sized greens. Some interesting holes but a hilly course with steep fairways making it a long course for the short hitters. Indeed on 3 holes short hitters have to use the red tees to ensure they are able to drive beyond the immediate hazards. Pace of play good because quiet at the time I played - 1 pm on a Friday. Would benefit from a course plan/layout as some blind holes and no details of hazards.

Great course but you need to be half fit for walking up the hill on the 11th but overall good course with good greens well kept course

Pace of play not too bad considering behind two four balls, however had a seven- minute wait at a par-three waiting for a green keeper to treat the entire green. Otherwise, the usual compliments for the views, and laments about the hills!