Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Emerald Course

Beautiful and very well kept course offering great value for money. We paid £31 for a sunday 11:30 tee time. Unfortunately we were held up by 4 players in front of is the entire round but it didn’t spoil the day.

The course is superb although I think the greens need to be rolled as they are a little bumpy, the removal of the cut grass on fairways would be good.

First time playing the course but I would definitely play it again.

The practice pitching and chipping area needs to be addressed as it is in disrepair.

Mark, 5 HCP

Course layout and maintenance was good seeing as we're just out of winter. Fairways were firm and most greens were pretty fast.

We're not fast golfers, but a 5:30 hour round is a joke! Not sure if it was poor planning by people taking bookings but we (2 ball walking), caught up a 4 ball in 2 buggies on the second hole. In front of them was another 3 ball in buggies. At the 9th Hole, there was 13 People waiting on the tee!!! If slow play is a general issue here, then course marshals are a must. A 4 hour round is fine by us but anything longer is not on and tainted the day (so late, the bar had closed by the time we came in!)

Visited Hilly Valley emerald course 26/2/24....

I only paid £20.99 course was not very busy it was midday on a Monday in February lol.

Some challenging holes but unfortunately the course conditions were in need of vast improvement.

90% of the greens were in poor condition, very mossy & covered in debris, fairways were long and very boggy and finally all winter tee boxes were on 'pallet' style platforms which were really slippy.

Overall unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this course until course gets some much needed improvement or at least when weather gets warm & course was alot drier...

4/10 at best !!

The course has plenty of potential but just isn't being looked after. No fairways cut in - particularly bad on some of the holes on the back 9.

Bunkers are a state and the winter tee matts have seen much better days. The course desperately needs some love.

Also had a look at the Saphire course and how they are charging a green fee for that is a disgrace.

Really need to up the game. Played Market Drayton last week for the same price and it knocks spots off Hill Valley.

Mid October the course was holding up well after the weather we’ve had over the last few weeks. Only complaint wa , why white and red markers have proper grass tee boxes but yellow are off mats?

Course was in great condition, in particular the greens were rolling brilliantly and a real credit to the grounds team. Only let down was lack of refreshments in pro shop and halfway house, which was closed (probably due to tee time) . Definitely recommend for the price , bargain!

First time playing and the course was in great condition. After all the rain I thought the fairways would be soft but they were very firm which was a plus. Golf shop staff were very friendly and welcoming. Didn’t find any pitch marks on the greens which was good to see.

course generally in good order but the greens in need of TLC

Pace of play was slow as no marshalling on the course to speed things up. The fairways were not well drained in places and the greens were poor condition. Expected more for a £40 per person round

Course conditions were embarrassing. Possibly the worst I have every been on. Greens were unplayable. I can appreciate its winter but even taking that into account, really really bad.

Greens were dreadful looked like they hadn’t been touched in a while. White and red tees were in normal areas but only yellows on mats very odd considering the boxes looked fine.