Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Sapphire Course

Sadly neglected course in favour of its big brother over the road. Clearly a money issue I think. However £12 was about the right price. Would have been gutted to have paid more! Course unsurprisingly quiet so pace of play good, with several interesting par 3’s.

We’d booked to play the sapphire course but were told we could play the more-expensive emerald as it was quiet. The staff were very friendly and the course was really beautiful - a fabulous location, really nice fairways and greens and a very relaxed atmosphere. We were held up a little by players in front which was ok as there was no-one close behind us. That’s very different to some courses I’ve played in shropshire recently which have been packed. The only negative was that there were a lot of cans and bottles dropped in ditches etc. Why anyone would drop rubbish I do not know. But overall It was a great experience.

This was my first time playing on the Sapphire Course.

The staff were excellent, very friendly and helpful and they did explain that during the pandemic they had reduced ground staff, as such the course wasn’t in its best condition. Having taken that on board I was still very surprised at the course condition, the greens were very poor indeed, the bunkers were all overgrown and the signage wasn’t the best ever either.

I’m sure when they have the ground staff back the course will be one to look forward to in the future but for now I’d really give the Sapphire course a miss. Even the members we came across said it was the worst condition they had seen it in and apologised.

We had paid in advance and weren’t aware of the issues, I’d maybe try the Emerald course instead if you are thinking of going to Whitchurch, the staff said they were concentrating on that one.

Arrived to play a round at 12.30,29th July to find the car park rammed, had to drive around and wait for a space, this was due to adults bringing children of all ages for a junior golf event which there was no notice of this event taking place,when I did get on the Emerald course it was in poor condition(glad it was only 12 qujd) long time before I go back

some of the holes are very tricky. couple of hills to contend with but all in all, very good

What can I say !!! I’ve played this course over the years loads of times and I can say without fear of contradiction this is by far and away the worst condition I’ve ever seen it in .

The Greens are awful it looks like they have been burned away in fact the flag on the 1st isn’t actually on the green it’s on a freshly mowed patch in front of the green The rough in places is like something from the US open the place is very unkempt and unloved I wouldn’t play here again if they paid me until they have done some work on it and got it back to its former glory it used to be a worthy 2nd course !! at the moment it should be shut

The Sapphire is a decent round to play. Has lots of undulations and features to get around. Its a thinkers course on many holes. The fairways and tee boxes are in good condition, the greens do let it down at times. Hopefully a bit more work and it will be tip top.

The round was cheap at £12 but even at that price, it's not value for money. Whilst the course has some interesting holes, it's scruffy and poorly kept. The greens are terrible and many have large cracks and craters. I nearly twisted my ankle walking to the 4th due a hole that was disguised with heavy rough. Just play the Emerald - even if it's a lot more expensive.

Walked off after 2 holes. Booked online without any notice of course status, drive 1 hour to then be told on arrival after already paid online ''the course has been neglected as the green keepers have worked on the other course''. Why not notified of this upon booking and before paying? course was so bad we walked off after 2 holes. I would expect this to be noted upon booking not to be told on arrival after a wasted 1 hour drive.

Don't no what's happened to the course, so over grown and greens in awful condition. Used to be lovely.

The greens were very tired and played badly. The condition of the couse was average on th whole. Should we have played the Emerald? In a golf course of this level then there should not be any difference between them, the only difference being the level of difficulty. So to answer that question..... definitely not. We will not be back based on our experience. The following day we played Hawkstone Park........like chalk and cheese. We had a wonderful game of golf !!

Played the sapphire course and was very disappointed.Tee boxes were scruffy and hadn’t been mowed

Greens were in poor condition.Having seen that the Euro pro tour had been played on the emerald course probably expected a little too much.Very hilly course with some nice scenery but probably won’t play again

My heart sank a little when i saw the uneven and badly turfed 1st tee. Then when the 1st green rolled slow and bobbly (debris everywhere) I realised I would just have to accept it and enjoy the walk. I wasn’t expecting Augusta for the low green fee but there were parts of the course that were so shabby. It’s a real shame as some of the holes have nice features. The par 3s in particular are interesting. Had to endure a 5ball in front of me for a few holes and learnt a few new swear words. Very much an ‘anything goes cheap and cheerful’ course.

The Sapphire is the little brother of the Emerald, and it doesn’t get the maintenance it deserves.

It’s a nice little track, and can be tough if treated with disrespect by an arrogant attitude. Leave your driver in the car, and use your 3-wood, hybrid or 4 iron off the tees.

Pro-shop is great and the guys who work there are friendly and knowledgeable.

The thing that lets the whole venue down is the hotel and catering. Bar/restaurant staff are utterly clueless, and you’ll need to be prepared to be extremely patient when ordering and when waiting at least 40 minutes for even the most basic of orders (bacon baps take so long that your coffee is cold before the food arrives).

Nice course but needs more attention, and hotel is woeful.

Be good to yourselves, and go to Hawkstone Park to play the Championship Course (never the Old Course) instead if it’s available. If not, play the Emerald course here at Hill Valley (it’s lovely).

From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome the lady in the pros shop was fantastic. The saphire course is the shorter of the two here, don't let that allow you to think that this is inferior to the emerald, it is a different and thoroughly enjoyable challenge.

Smashing course often overlooked for its bigger brother the Emerald but it’s got quality of its own

My only complaint is that it isn’t kept as neat and tidy as it should be and the greens need a bit more attention and could do with a cut

Not long but you need to be accurate off the tee and some cracking par 3’s

Don’t miss out on this if you’re playing one course at Hill valley stop and play the other you will enjoy it