Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Sapphire Course

Lovely tight fairways and small well defended greens.

Course was very tight, Most tee’s had no grass on them. Never seen so much grass cuttings on the fairways. Beer bottles everywhere.

Thankful only paid £20. Young lady in the pro shop was very friendly and helpful.

Greens although were very good, there was damage on a few of them. Course was a little tired and needed some work for this time of the year. Only paid £15 pp for the round so good value.

This was very good condition for the course even with a bit of rain

Nice course it will improve your short game fairways tight so accuracy is essential greens in good shape.

Played this course for the first time after previously playing the more expensive emerald course. Walking onto the first tee and seeing the green on the right looking like it'd been set on fire on the right side was not a good omen. An omen that turned out to be fact. Probably 12 of the 18 greens looked like they'd been shelled. Not sure who the green keeper is but he needs firing. The fairways are just as bad there isn't even a difference between what you'd expect to be fairway and first cut of rough. This is the second worse condition course I've had the misfortune of playing only surpassed by the emerald Hill valley when we played on a day the course was so waterlogged that we walked off. Should have never been allowed to tee off staff didn't care. The hotel is clearly the priority here and the golf course a very distant after thought. Meole Brace Community golf course in Shrewsbury is in better condition that this and half the price.

Admittedly this course was in a state for quite a few years, but they’ve clearly given it a huge amount of TLC this year.

The greens are in great condition, a million times better than last year. They’ve made clear efforts to improve the course, and it is very well maintained. There were plenty of grounds staff tending to the course whilst we were playing.

It’s a good challenge, and an extremely picturesque course, more so than the more expensive Emerald Course, also at Hill Valley.

If you’ve played previous to April/May this year and it put you off, I’d really encourage you to give it another go now it’s been restored to its full glory.

underwater + unplayable

Played the sapphire course a few weeks back. Overall it has a good layout but it's clear that this course gets little to no attention compared to their championship course. The greens are in very poor condition, with worm holes everywhere and in need of a good cut. If that was sorted, it would be a tidy little course.

My only moan would be the condition of the greens. Not a green keeper in sight.

Staff issues?

Thoroughly enjoyed our Bank Holiday golf day at Hill Valley. The Sapphire course is great with a good balance of straight forward and trickier holes. Course overall in fantastic conditions, however a few of the greens are a little scuffed and worn in places.

Course should not have been open , feet sinking into the green and will damage the greens and very wet and waterlogged

Took us 4.5 hours to get through 14 holes before we walked off - massive issue with slow play here

Quite a lot of money for what is not a very well maintained course. The lay out is good with some interesting holes but some of the greens are hard work due to burnt ground, worm casts and rabbit holes.