Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa - Championship Course

I play here a lot through winter and was gobsmacked to find the greens even slower at the end of summer.

The fairways are more like semi rough and the semi rough - good luck finding your ball and if you do you’ll struggle to get a strike. Tee boxes and green surrounds are bumpy and need a cut. The greens were very frustrating because they were too firm to stop a ball on with a well struck shot but ridiculously slow and desperately needed a cut. Having recently left my home club I may of been tempted to join but I couldn’t join a club where the condition let’s it down so badly. In all fairness - it was great value at only £20 but I wouldn’t mind paying £30-£40 if it was well kept.

Played here for first time with some friends and we all enjoyed it. Definitely a challenge, especially with no prior course knowledge. Can't compare it to the Premier Course but imagine you'd be happy playing either. Very peaceful surroundings with views over the Cheshire plane. Course was in good nick. Fairways quite wide but first cut pretty thick so easy to loose balls down in the grass. Greens were well maintained, as we're the bunkers. Definitely play here again.

We enjoyed the Course (Championship) and it was a nice setting to have a drink before and after game, however drinks (coffee, beers) were expensive!

We played during the tail end of a storm, our original course called it off due to the weather and state of the course. So we thought we would try somewhere else. The drainage was fantastic, greens were fast, staff gave us free food at the turn. Was a great course

The Portal Championship is a well maintained parkland course that demands accurate driving. Greens were in excellent condition despite the recent rain and very unforgiving if you dont read them well. All of our group dropped points through over enthusiastic putting. The par threes are especially devious, requiring long ree shots over hazards. It's not a course for the faint hearted but very much worth it if you fancy more of a challenge.Allow four hours if walking and be prepared for a good aerobic workout navigating the hills.

Excellent choice for our day of golf.

Friendly and helpful staff. Hotel available for good lunch before tee off.

Easy parking close to 1st / 18th

Great layout, attractive setting with magnificent views throughout.

Well maintained course and greens very good.

It’s the second time I’ve played here. The first time it was pouring down, this time the sun shone all round. The course was in fantastic nick, a little dry but that’s down to the prolonged period of hot dry weather. It was quite busy but all the society four balls very politely waved me through as I was a solo golfer.

The course is quite forgiving, fairly wide fairways, not too many areas of heavy rough.

I’m playing here again next month with my society and I’m very much looking forward to it.

Fairway grass was still a little long (time of year). The greens were really nice.

It’s a long course but rewarding, 17th was a killer so if your fitness isn’t good, get a buggy.

We were made to feel welcome by members and staff.

I would recommend this course to anyone.

Stunning course in great condition! Greens were in great condition with some challenging breaks. Rough was very punishing but a great test.

Friendly staff but course looked shabby in places

Overall average but probably better maintained and plays well in season

Course was in good condition considering the wet weather in the lead up. Greens a good pace considering g. Will be a great challenge in summer months as speed picks up.

Although the green free was very reasonable the course was poor. Fairways patchy, tees atrocious and greens vey bumpy

The course itself is mega, with some cracking views from the tee boxes a particular highlight. However, the greens, particularly on the back nine, leave a lot to be desired. Credit has to go to the rough winter weather last couple of months but three or four of the greens on the back nine were quite patchy and bobbly which made mid-length putts nigh on impossible. If they can get that sorted, then it would be a 5* course!